Kern County, CA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Local WUI code
- Kern County Ordinance Code ch. 17.34 (2021 IWUIC as amended)
- Hazardous Fire Area basis
- State Fire Hazard Severity Zones (PRC 4201-4204; GC 51175-51189)
- 2025 FHSZ update
- Moderate, High, and Very High zones mapped in LRAs under SB 63
- WUI dwelling fire flow
- 500 gpm minimum for 30 minutes (one- and two-family dwellings)
- Defensible space in zones
- 100 ft required (Government Code sec. 51182)
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor: up to $1,000 fine and/or 6 months jail; each day a separate offense
Summary
Kern County adopted its own Wildland-Urban Interface Code (Ordinance Code Chapter 17.34), tying local hazardous fire areas to the state Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and in 2025 released updated FHSZ maps adding Moderate, High, and Very High zones in Local Responsibility Areas under SB 63.
302.1 Declaration. The wildland-urban interface areas shall include any land which is covered with grass, grain, brush or forest, whether privately or publicly owned, which is so situated or is of such inaccessible location, that a fire originating upon such land would present an abnormally difficult job of suppression or would result in great and unusual damage through fire or resulting erosion. The Chief shall officially determine and publicly announce the creation of each wildland-urban interface area. The boundaries of the Hazardous Fire Area referred to in this code shall include the geographical area identified by the state as a "Fire Hazard Severity Zone" in accordance with the Public Resources Code Sections 4201 through 4204 and Government Code Sections 51175 through 51189, and other such areas determined to be at a significant risk from wildfires.
Full Breakdown
34 adopts the 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (with Appendices A and C), as amended, as the Kern County Wildland-Urban Interface Code, enforced by the Kern County Fire Department with the Fire Chief as code official (Ordinance G-9179, adopted November 8, 2022). 1, wildland-urban interface areas include any land covered with grass, grain, brush, or forest so situated that a fire would present an abnormally difficult suppression job, and the boundaries of the Hazardous Fire Area include geographic areas identified by the state as Fire Hazard Severity Zones under Public Resources Code sections 4201-4204 and Government Code sections 51175-51189.
5). Separately, in April 2025 Kern County published updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps for Local Responsibility Areas for public review; under Senate Bill 63 (2021), counties must adopt all three classifications (Moderate, High, and Very High) by ordinance. Owners in High or Very High LRA zones and all SRA zones must maintain 100-foot defensible space (Government Code section 51182), follow Wildland-Urban Interface building standards (California Building Code Chapter 7A), and disclose the zone designation when selling property.
Violations & Fines
Violating the Kern County Wildland-Urban Interface Code is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both; each day a prohibited condition continues is a separate offense. Administrative penalties are assessed under Kern County Ordinance Code Chapter 8.54 (section 8.54.060).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Kern County property is in a fire hazard severity zone?
What rules apply if my property is in a Kern County wildfire zone?
Who enforces wildfire zone rules in unincorporated Kern County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.