Burbank has designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) in the hillside areas near the Verdugo Mountains. Properties in these zones face additional building requirements, vegetation management, and defensible space mandates under CA PRC 4291 and local fire codes.
Burbank's northern neighborhoods border the Verdugo Mountains with significant areas mapped as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The La Tuna Fire in September 2017 burned 7,194 acres in the Verdugo Mountains directly above Burbank, threatening hillside homes and forcing evacuations. It was the largest fire in City of Los Angeles history at the time. New construction in VHFHSZ requires Chapter 7A fire-resistant materials. The city enforces enhanced brush clearance up to 200 feet in designated zones. Hillside homes face limited evacuation routes during fire events.
VHFHSZ building violations: stop-work order. Brush clearance failures: city abatement at owner cost. PRC §4291 fines up to $500/day.
Burbank, CA
Burbank does NOT operate a proactive Rental Housing Inspection Program. The City launched a Housing Enforcement Unit (HEU) in March 2025 to investigate compl...
Burbank, CA
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Burbank, CA
Burbank does not have a standalone dark sky ordinance. CA Title 24 energy standards govern outdoor lighting efficiency. The city's proximity to Hollywood Bur...
Burbank, CA
Burbank regulates building heights by zone under BMC Title 10, Article 13. Residential zones have specific height caps. Height is measured from finished grad...
Burbank, CA
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Burbank, CA
Burbank uses an averaging method for front yard setbacks: determined by average of lots within 250 ft on the same block. Side yard setbacks are calculated as...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle wildfire zones.
See how Burbank's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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