Riverside County, CA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone map adoption
- Ord. 787, CFC Section 4904.2.1 adopts CAL FIRE VHFHSZ-in-LRA maps
- Classifications
- Moderate, High, Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ)
- Authority
- Gov. Code 51175–51189; CAL FIRE / OSFM (2025 LRA maps released 3/24/2025)
- VHFHSZ defensible space
- 100 ft around structures (PRC 4291)
- Building standards
- Wildland-Urban Interface / home-hardening codes apply
- Disclosure
- FHSZ designation must be disclosed when selling
Summary
Much of unincorporated Riverside County, foothills and mountains, is mapped as High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ). Riverside County Ordinance 787 (CFC Section 4904.2.1) adopts CAL FIRE's VHFHSZ maps. Properties in these zones and in State Responsibility Areas must maintain 100 feet of defensible space (PRC 4291) and meet Wildland-Urban Interface building standards.
Fire Hazard Severity Zones Fire Hazard Severity Zones California’s seasonally dry Mediterranean climate lends itself to wildfires, and in an effort to better prepare, CAL FIRE is required to classify the severity of fire hazard in areas of California. The History of Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps arose from major destructive fires, prompting the recognition of these areas and strategies to reduce wildfire risks. Legislative response led to mandated mapping across California under the California Public Resources Code 4201-4204, encompassing all State Responsibility Areas (SRA). What are Fire Hazard Severity Zones? The State Fire Marshal is mandated to classify lands within State Responsibility Areas into Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ).
Full Breakdown
1 adopting the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps for Local Responsibility Areas (LRA), as published by the Director of CAL FIRE under Government Code Sections 51175–51189; the most recent VHFHSZ-in-LRA map is on file with the Fire Chief and supersedes prior County high-fire-hazard maps. CAL FIRE also designates State Responsibility Area (SRA) lands and maps three classifications, Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, based on long-term fuel, terrain, weather, and burn-probability modeling. In 2025, OSFM issued updated recommended LRA FHSZ maps for Riverside County (released March 24, 2025), which the County must adopt by ordinance within the statutory window.
), and disclose the FHSZ designation when selling. High-FHSZ properties must meet home-hardening and WUI building requirements for new construction and renovations and also disclose at sale. Because Riverside County spans deserts, brush-covered wildlands, and mountains rising over 10,000 feet, wildfire exposure is among the highest in California. The Fire Chief may close hazardous fire areas during extreme conditions (Ord. 13).
Violations & Fines
Failure to maintain defensible space in a VHFHSZ/SRA is enforced under PRC 4291 (CAL FIRE) and Riverside County Ordinances 695/772 (abatement with cost recovery). WUI building-standard violations are handled through building/fire code enforcement under Ord. 787. Real-estate disclosure of FHSZ status is required by state law at sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my unincorporated Riverside County property in a fire hazard zone?
What extra rules apply if I'm in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Riverside County
California rules heatmap·Compare Riverside County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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