Much of east Alameda County including the Oakland Hills, Castro Valley, and Sunol foothills is designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by CAL FIRE, triggering strict defensible space rules.
CAL FIRE has mapped significant portions of unincorporated Alameda County as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) in both State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA). The designation follows the devastating 1991 Oakland Hills Firestorm that killed 25 people and destroyed over 3,000 structures, and the 2017 Fountain Fire context. Properties in VHFHSZ are subject to PRC Section 4291 defensible space requirements, Chapter 7A ignition-resistant building standards for new construction and additions, and CA Civil Code 1103 natural hazard disclosure at point of sale. The Alameda County Fire Department and CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit enforce defensible space inspections. Homeowners must maintain 100 feet of defensible space, use ember-resistant vents, Class A roofing, and address specific zone hardening under the Home Hardening program. Insurance availability and rates are significantly affected by VHFHSZ status.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Alameda County, CA
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See how Alameda County's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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