Napa County contains extensive Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones across the Vaca Mountains, Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, and the Mayacamas Range, mapped by CAL FIRE under the 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone update. New construction in mapped zones must comply with California Building Code Chapter 7A wildfire-exposure standards, adopted locally through Napa County Code Chapter 15.32.
CAL FIRE's 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps designate most of mountainous Napa County as VHFHSZ in either the State Responsibility Area or Local Responsibility Area. Properties in these zones must comply with California Building Code Chapter 7A (Materials and Construction Methods for Exterior Wildfire Exposure) when constructing or substantially remodeling, including ignition-resistant siding, dual-pane tempered windows, ember-resistant vents, Class A roof assemblies, and noncombustible decks within 10 feet of structures. Napa County Code Chapter 15.32 adopts the California Fire Code with local amendments and implements the WUI Fire Conformance Checklist through the Napa County Fire Marshal's Office. The October 2017 Atlas Fire burned 51,624 acres and destroyed 783 structures, the Tubbs Fire crossed from Napa into Sonoma, the 2020 Glass Fire burned 67,484 acres and 1,555 structures including Meadowood and numerous wineries, and the 2020 LNU Lightning Complex burned over 363,000 acres. Diablo winds drive extreme fire weather. Defensible space under Chapter 8.36 and PRC 4291 is required in addition to Chapter 7A.
Construction or substantial remodel in a CAL FIRE-mapped VHFHSZ without Chapter 7A-compliant materials violates Napa County Code Chapter 15.32 and California Building Code Chapter 7A, triggering stop-work orders, denial of final inspection, and required removal or replacement of non-conforming assemblies. Defensible space failures under Chapter 8.36 lead to county abatement and tax liens, and PRC 4291 fines of up to $500 per day apply in the SRA.
Napa County, CA
Unincorporated Napa County does not have a stand-alone leaf-blower ban. Powered garden tools (leaf blowers, mowers, chainsaws) are regulated under the genera...
Napa County, CA
Napa County Code §8.16.080 prohibits operating any loudspeaker or amplified-sound device when the sound creates a noise disturbance or violates the exterior ...
Napa County, CA
Napa County Code §8.16.080 prohibits keeping or maintaining any animal that causes annoyance or discomfort to two or more reasonable persons of normal sensit...
Napa County, CA
Napa County Code §8.16.080 prohibits the operation of construction or demolition tools or equipment between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. when the sound creates a ...
Napa County, CA
Unincorporated Napa County regulates noise under County Code Chapter 8.16 (Noise Control Regulations). Sections 8.16.060 and 8.16.070 set interior and exteri...
Napa County, CA
Commercial vehicle parking in unincorporated Napa County is regulated through Napa County Code Title 10 (Vehicles and Traffic), Title 18 (Zoning), and Califo...
See how Napa County's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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