Fontana, CA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- High hazard area
- Northern Fontana foothills mapped as VHFHSZ by CAL FIRE
- Defensible space
- 100 feet required in VHFHSZ under PRC 4291
- New construction code
- CBC Chapter 7A ignition-resistant materials required
- AB 38 disclosure
- Pre-2010 home sellers must provide DSIR in FHSZ
- Annual inspection
- SBCoFD conducts PRC 4291 inspections each summer
Summary
Northern Fontana foothills are mapped as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by CAL FIRE. Parcels there need 100 feet defensible space and Chapter 7A building materials for new construction.
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). Fire Hazard Severity Zones fall into one of the following classifications: Moderate High Very High The California laws that require Fire Hazard Severity Zones include California Public Resources Code 4201-4204, California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 1280 and California Government Code 51175-89. The Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps are developed using a science-based and field-tested model that assigns a hazard score based on the factors that influence fire likelihood and fire behavior. Many factors are considered such as fire history, existing and potential fuel (natural vegetation), predicted flame length, blowing embers, terrain, and typical fire weather for the area. There are three levels of hazard in the State Responsibility Areas: moderate, high, and very high. Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps evaluate “hazard,” not “risk”. They are like flood zone maps, where lands are described in terms of the probability level of a particular area being inundated by floodwaters, and not specifically prescriptive of impacts. “Hazard” is based on the physical conditions that create a likelihood and expected fire behavior over a 30 to 50-year period without considering mitigation measures such as home hardening, recent wildfire, or fuel reduction efforts. “Risk” is the potential damage a fire can do to the area under existing conditions, accounting for any modifications such as fuel reduction projects, defensible space, and ignition resistant building construction. Classification of all lands within State Responsibility Areas into fire hazard severity zones is required by law. Therefore, the fire hazard severity zone designations and accompanying maps must follow the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) and be approved by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). The regulation can be found in Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 1280.01 and entitled “Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the SRA”.
Full Breakdown
CAL FIRE has mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zones across California under Public Resources Code 4201-4204 (State Responsibility Area) and Government Code 51175-51189 (Local Responsibility Area). In Fontana, the northern foothill neighborhoods above Duncan Canyon Road and the upper Hunters Ridge and North Fontana communities sit within or directly adjacent to Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, while most of the central and southern valley floor carries a moderate or low rating. Parcels in VHFHSZ must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around every structure under PRC 4291 and GC 51182, with Zone 0 (0-5 feet) ember-resistant per AB 3074, Zone 1 (5-30 feet) lean and green, and Zone 2 (30-100 feet) reduced-fuel.
New construction and substantial remodels in these zones must meet California Building Code Chapter 7A requirements: ignition-resistant exterior materials, ember-resistant vents, dual-pane tempered windows, Class A roof assemblies, and noncombustible decks within 10 feet of structures. Under AB 38, sellers of homes in high or very high fire zones built before 2010 must provide a Defensible Space Inspection Report and disclose retrofit requirements as part of the real estate transaction. Fontana Fire Prevention (SBCoFD) conducts PRC 4291 inspections each year and issues notices of violation with deadlines for compliance. Insurance carriers also rely on FHSZ maps, so homes in these zones often face higher premiums or nonrenewal without documented mitigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out if my Fontana address is in a high fire zone?
Do all Fontana homes need Chapter 7A materials?
Will my home insurance be affected by the fire zone rating?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fontana
California rules heatmap·Compare Fontana to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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Wildfire Zones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle wildfire zones.