Much of unincorporated Solano County - especially the western hills near Vacaville, English Hills, and Green Valley - lies in Fire Hazard Severity Zones designated by CAL FIRE. The Office of the State Fire Marshal released updated Local Responsibility Area maps for Solano County on February 24, 2025, triggering defensible-space and wildfire-resistant building requirements that the County now enforces.
Wildfire risk in Solano County is concentrated in the hilly, vegetated western and northern unincorporated areas. CAL FIRE LNU designates Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) under California Government Code 51178-51179 for Local Responsibility Areas, and separately maps the State Responsibility Area (SRA). On February 24, 2025, the Office of the State Fire Marshal released updated FHSZ maps for Solano County's LRA, classifying unincorporated rural areas as Moderate, High, or Very High hazard. Solano County began enforcing building-construction requirements in the unincorporated LRA in 2025, while SRA requirements continued unchanged. Properties in High and Very High zones are subject to: (1) California Public Resources Code 4291 100-foot defensible space; (2) wildfire-resistant construction standards under California Building Code Chapter 7A (Materials and Construction Methods for Exterior Wildfire Exposure) for new construction and major remodels, including Class A roofing, ember-resistant vents, and enclosed eaves; and (3) natural-hazard disclosure in real-estate transactions under California Civil Code 1103. The 2020 LNU Lightning Complex - ignited by dry lightning - burned 41,776 acres in Solano County, destroyed or damaged 854 structures, and killed two county residents, demonstrating the real risk these zone designations address. Property owners can look up their parcel's zone through CAL FIRE/OSFM's FHSZ viewer.
Building in a designated High or Very High FHSZ without the required Chapter 7A wildfire-resistant materials violates the adopted California Building Code and can lead to a stop-work order, permit denial, or reinspection. Failure to maintain PRC 4291 defensible space in the SRA is separately enforceable by CAL FIRE. Failing to disclose a property's FHSZ status in a sale can violate California Civil Code 1103 and expose a seller to liability.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Solano County, CA
Solano County allows standard fence materials for residential lots without a general material ban. Section 28.94.I requires a solid wall or fence approved by...
Solano County, CA
Beyond height, Solano County's Zoning Code requires screening fences in certain situations. Section 28.94.I requires a minimum six-foot-high solid wall or fe...
Solano County, CA
In unincorporated Solano County, retaining walls not over 4 feet in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, are exempt from a...
Solano County, CA
Solano County's Zoning Code (Chapter 28) sets fence height and placement, but cost-sharing and disputes over boundary fences are governed by California Civil...
Solano County, CA
Solano County Code Chapter 4 has no provision using the term 'hoarding,' but it addresses the underlying conditions: it bars keeping animals in numbers or co...
Solano County, CA
Solano County Code Chapter 4 contains no general ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wild animals such as deer, coyotes, or raccoons in unincorporated areas...
See how Solano County's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.