Watsonville, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

Section 8-11.02 replaces California Fire Code Section 304.1.3 for the City of Watsonville, and § 8-11.01 adopts the 2025 California Fire Code as the base. Owners or occupants must cut down and remove weeds, grass, vines or other growth capable of being ignited and endangering property. Clearance in urban-wildland interface areas must be maintained around and adjacent to buildings and structures. The firebreak is made by removing and clearing all flammable vegetation or other combustible growth for a distance of not less than 30 feet on each side of the building or structure, or to the property line, whichever is nearer.

When required by state law or a local ordinance, rule or regulation, an additional fire protection zone is made by removing brush, flammable vegetation and combustible growth within 100 feet of the building or structure or to the property line, and the section does not stop an insurer from requiring a firebreak of more than 100 feet. Grass and other vegetation more than 30 feet from the building and less than 18 inches high can stay where necessary to stabilize soil and prevent erosion. Single specimens of trees or other vegetation that are well-pruned and maintained to manage fuels, and do not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire to a building, are exempt. Clearance in wildland-urban interface areas follows Part 7 of Title 24, the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, which § 8-9.01 adopts in its 2025 Edition.

The fire code official and deputies hold law enforcement powers under CFC Section 103.4 as added, and Section 113.4.2 allows arrest without a warrant for a violation committed in the official's presence, followed by a citation and release. Fire Code appeals go to the Building Life Safety Appeals Board under § 8-1.07, with the Fire Chief serving as board secretary for Fire Code appeals.