San Joaquin County, CA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone 0
- 0-5 ft ember-resistant
- Zone 1
- 5-30 ft lean/clean
- Zone 2
- 30-100 ft reduced fuel
- New Build
- CBC Chapter 7A
- Authority
- PRC §4291 / CalFire
Summary
CalFire's Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps designate portions of eastern San Joaquin County, Lodi foothills, Clements, Linden, and Farmington areas, as Moderate or High LRA (Local Responsibility Area) hazard zones. PRC §4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in SRA (State Responsibility Areas). New construction in designated zones must comply with California Building Code Chapter 7A (wildland-urban interface) fire-resistive materials.
(a) A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in the state responsibility area shall at all times do all of the following:
(1) (A) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line, except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary shall consider the flammability of the structure as affected by building material, building standards, location, and type of vegetation. Fuels shall be maintained and spaced in a condition so that a wildfire would be unlikely to ignite the structure. This subparagraph does not apply to single specimens of trees or other vegetation that are well-pruned and maintained so as to effectively manage fuels and not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from other nearby vegetation to a structure or from a structure to other nearby vegetation or to interrupt the advance of embers toward a structure. The intensity of fuels management may vary within the 100-foot perimeter of the structure, with more intense fuel reductions being utilized between 5 and 30 feet around the structure, and an ember-resistant zone being required within 5 feet of the structure, based on regulations promulgated by the board, in consultation with the department, to consider the elimination of materials in the ember-resistant zone that would likely be ignited by embers.
(2) Remove that portion of a tree that extends within 10 feet of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe.
(3) Maintain a tree, shrub, or other plant adjacent to or overhanging a building free of dead or dying wood.
(4) Maintain the roof of a structure free of leaves, needles, or other vegetative materials.
Full Breakdown
CalFire's 2023 Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps classify the eastern foothill portions of San Joaquin County, including areas near Lodi foothills (Clements, Linden, Farmington), and the far eastern edge near Calaveras County line, as Moderate to High fire hazard in the Local Responsibility Area (LRA), with some State Responsibility Area (SRA) coverage in unincorporated foothill land. California Public Resources Code §4291 requires property owners in SRA and Very High FHSZ LRA to maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures: Zone 0 (0-5 feet, ember-resistant, no combustibles per AB 3074), Zone 1 (5-30 feet, lean-clean-green), and Zone 2 (30-100 feet, reduced fuel with spacing between shrubs and trees).
Grass must be mowed to 4 inches. New construction in any designated fire-hazard zone must meet California Building Code Chapter 7A (Materials and Construction Methods for Exterior Wildfire Exposure), fire-resistive siding, Class A roof assembly, ember-resistant vents (ASTM E2886), dual-pane tempered windows, and no gaps over 1/8 inch in exterior assemblies. Insurance companies use CalFire and ISO hazard scores to underwrite; AB 38 (2019) requires defensible space inspection and disclosure at sale. The San Joaquin County Consolidated Fire Protection District and the Lodi Rural County Fire Protection District conduct inspections during fire season. The FAIR Plan (CA FAIR Plan Association) provides last-resort coverage for properties declined by private carriers.
Violations & Fines
Defensible space violation in SRA: CalFire administrative fine $100 to $500 first offense, up to $1,500 after hearing under PRC §4291.1. New-construction Chapter 7A non-compliance: correction order and Certificate of Occupancy hold. AB 38 disclosure failure at sale: rescission or damages remedy for buyer. Insurance: non-compliance with PRC §4291 can void policy or lead to non-renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my Lodi foothill property in a fire zone?
Can my insurance drop me over defensible space?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Joaquin County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Joaquin County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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