San Joaquin County, CA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)

CalFire's 2023 Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps classify the eastern foothill portions of San Joaquin County — including areas near Lodi foothills (Clements, Linden, Farmington), and the far eastern edge near Calaveras County line — as Moderate to High fire hazard in the Local Responsibility Area (LRA), with some State Responsibility Area (SRA) coverage in unincorporated foothill land. California Public Resources Code §4291 requires property owners in SRA and Very High FHSZ LRA to maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures: Zone 0 (0-5 feet, ember-resistant, no combustibles per AB 3074), Zone 1 (5-30 feet, lean-clean-green), and Zone 2 (30-100 feet, reduced fuel with spacing between shrubs and trees). Grass must be mowed to 4 inches. New construction in any designated fire-hazard zone must meet California Building Code Chapter 7A (Materials and Construction Methods for Exterior Wildfire Exposure) — fire-resistive siding, Class A roof assembly, ember-resistant vents (ASTM E2886), dual-pane tempered windows, and no gaps over 1/8 inch in exterior assemblies. Insurance companies use CalFire and ISO hazard scores to underwrite; AB 38 (2019) requires defensible space inspection and disclosure at sale. The San Joaquin County Consolidated Fire Protection District and the Lodi Rural County Fire Protection District conduct inspections during fire season. The FAIR Plan (CA FAIR Plan Association) provides last-resort coverage for properties declined by private carriers.