Washington's Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code took effect Oct. 29, 2023, and applies to new construction in mapped wildfire-hazard areas. Defensible space is set by hazard level: 30 feet for moderate, 50 feet for high and 100 feet for extreme. Clark County recommends a 30-foot clear zone around homes.
Washington adopted the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (WAC 51-55), effective Oct. 29, 2023. State law (SB 6120) limits the mandatory state WUI requirements to Chapter 1 and limited technical provisions and excludes mandatory defensible space at the state level, but counties and cities may adopt the full code, including defensible space, and may exceed the minimums. The WUI defensible-space standard is 30 feet for moderate hazard, 50 feet for high and 100 feet for extreme. In Clark County, the county recommends a 30-foot defensible space around structures; within the City of Vancouver, removing vegetation for fire protection may require a tree-removal or critical-areas permit.
New construction in a mapped WUI hazard area must meet applicable ignition-resistant construction and clearance standards to pass building inspection; enforcement is through the permit process.
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See how Clark County's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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