Fremont east foothills including Mission Peak, Weibel, Vargas Plateau, and Niles Canyon are mapped as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones by CAL FIRE, triggering stricter building and clearance rules.
CAL FIRE has mapped approximately 30 percent of Fremont, primarily the eastern foothills and ridgelines, as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ). Neighborhoods affected include Mission San Jose foothills, Weibel, Vineyards, Vargas Plateau, parts of Niles, and the Mission Peak Regional Preserve boundary. Properties in the VHFHSZ must comply with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code requiring ember-resistant construction: Class A roofs, enclosed eaves, ember-resistant vents, dual-pane tempered windows, and noncombustible siding for new construction and major remodels. PRC 4291 defensible space (100 feet) is mandatory. Real estate sales require a Natural Hazard Disclosure statement. AB 38 requires a home hardening disclosure for homes built before 2010. Fremont participates in Firewise USA community programs and the East Bay Hills Wildfire Coalition.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Fremont, CA
Fremont limits leaf blower use to daytime hours and must comply with California AB 1346 banning sales of new gas blowers statewide as of 2024.
Fremont, CA
Fremont limits industrial noise to 70 dBA at commercial property lines and 55 dBA at abutting residential lines under FMC Chapter 5.30.
Fremont, CA
Fremont treats persistent dog barking as a public nuisance under FMC Chapter 6, with Animal Services investigating complaints and issuing citations.
Fremont, CA
Fremont permits wood, masonry, vinyl, and metal fences but restricts barbed wire, electric fencing, and combustible materials in fire-hazard zones.
Fremont, CA
Retaining walls over 3 feet high require engineered permits in Fremont, with extra scrutiny for Mission Peak and Hayward Fault slope areas.
Fremont, CA
Fremont prohibits exotic and wild animals under California Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 671 and FMC Chapter 6, preempting most exotics.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle wildfire zones.
See how Fremont's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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