Brush clearance is critical in unincorporated LA County, which includes extensive wildfire-prone areas. LA County Fire Department requires 200 ft vegetation clearance from structures and 10 ft from combustible fences/roadways. Year-round compliance is mandatory. No brush clearance on red flag days.
LA County Fire Department requires 200 feet of brush clearance (defensible space) around all structures in unincorporated fire hazard areas. The first 100 feet from structures must be cleared to bare mineral soil or maintained with fire-resistant landscaping kept below 3 inches. The outer 100 feet (zone 2) requires thinning of vegetation and removal of dead material. Annual inspections begin May 1. Property owners receive clearance notices and must complete work by June 1. The county can perform clearance at the owner's expense if not completed. LA County has one of the most extensive wildland-urban interface areas in the nation.
Failure to clear brush by the June 1 deadline results in a reinspection and administrative fee of $175. If still non-compliant, LA County Fire may hire contractors to clear the property and bill the owner (typically $1,500-$5,000+). A lien is placed on the property for unpaid clearance costs. Repeat violators face fines up to $1,000 per violation. During red flag warnings, non-compliant properties may receive immediate enforcement.
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