Contra Costa County, CA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Hazardous Vegetation defined
- Fire Code Section 202
- Defensible space (state)
- 100 ft (PRC Section 4291)
- Suppression cost recovery
- Yes (H&S Section 13009)
- Repeat-violation rule
- Each 10 days
- Rural area threshold
- >10 acres
Summary
Wildfire rules in unincorporated Contra Costa County combine the state's 100-foot defensible-space requirement (PRC §4291) with the county fire code's hazardous-vegetation standards. Fire districts enforce, can abate uncleared parcels, and can bill owners for the work and for suppression costs.
(h) Section 202 or Chapter 2 (Definitions) is amended to include the following additional defined terms:
"Hazardous Vegetation. Vegetation that is combustible and endangers the public safety by creating a fire hazard including but not limited to seasonal and recurrent grasses, weeds, stubble, brush, dry leaves, dry needles, dead, dying or diseased trees and any other vegetation as determined by the fire code official."
"Fire Trail. A graded firebreak of sufficient width, surface, and design to provide access for personnel and equipment to suppress and to assist in preventing a surface extension of fires. Must be able to support the safe travel of a Type 3 Fire Apparatus."
"Rural Area. An area generally designated for agricultural or open space uses with parcels more than 10 acres (4.046873ha) in size."
"Rural Residential Area. An area generally designated for single-family residential use with parcels between three (1.214061ha) and 10 (4.046873ha) acres in size."
Full Breakdown
Wildfire obligations in unincorporated Contra Costa County stack state and local rules. California's Public Resources Code §4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas, which cover most of the rural county. The county fire code reinforces this through its hazardous-vegetation provisions (Section 202 definition), enforced by the local fire protection districts, Contra Costa County FPD, East Contra Costa FPD or Crockett-Carquinez FPD, through their fire code officials. Enforcement has teeth: districts can abate uncleared vegetation and bill the owner (H&S §13009), repeat violations can be cited every 10 days, and rural parcels over 10 acres get their own treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much vegetation clearance is required around my home?
Who enforces weed-abatement in unincorporated areas?
Can the County bill me for clearing my hazardous vegetation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Contra Costa County
California rules heatmap·Compare Contra Costa County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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