Large portions of unincorporated San Mateo County (Skyline, La Honda, Pescadero, Kings Mountain, Woodside hills) are in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. PRC §4291 mandates 100-foot defensible space. CalFire and County Fire enforce; WUI building standards apply to new construction.
San Mateo County contains extensive State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) covering the Santa Cruz Mountains ridge, Skyline Boulevard corridor, La Honda, Pescadero, Kings Mountain, Woodside hillsides, and Coastside chaparral. California Public Resources Code §4291 requires 100-foot defensible space around all structures in SRA/VHFHSZ areas: Zone 0 (ember-resistant zone 0-5 ft, added by AB 3074), Zone 1 (lean/clean/green 5-30 ft), Zone 2 (reduced fuel 30-100 ft). All new construction in WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface) zones must comply with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code: Class A roofing, ember-resistant vents (1/8 inch mesh), enclosed eaves, ignition-resistant siding, tempered glass windows, noncombustible decks within 10 feet. CalFire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit and County Fire (Cal Fire contract) conduct annual defensible space inspections starting May. Home hardening incentive programs available. AB 38 requires seller disclosure of fire hazard zone and compliance documents. Insurance coverage increasingly restricted by insurers; FAIR Plan fallback available.
PRC §4291 non-compliance: CalFire citation, fines up to $500 first offense, $1,000 second, $1,500 third. Failure after notice: County/CalFire abatement with lien. WUI construction violations: certificate of occupancy denied. Insurance cancellation risk. AB 38 disclosure failures: transaction void/damages.
San Mateo County, CA
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San Mateo County, CA
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San Mateo County, CA
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San Mateo County, CA
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San Mateo County, CA
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See how San Mateo County's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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