Most of unincorporated Madera County is mapped by CAL FIRE as State Responsibility Area, with the eastern foothills (Oakhurst, Coarsegold, North Fork, Bass Lake) in Very High and High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Madera County applies Title 14 CCR (Wildland-Urban Interface) building standards under PRC §4290.
CAL FIRE's Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps designate much of eastern Madera County as Very High or High FHSZ, particularly the foothill communities along Highway 41 and Highway 49. The Madera County Fire Marshal enforces Cal. Public Resources Code §4290 (SRA Fire Safe Regulations, 14 CCR §§1270 et seq.) requiring all-weather road access, minimum road widths, water-supply standards, and address visibility for new construction in the SRA. Buildings in WUI zones must comply with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code (ignition-resistant exterior materials, ember-resistant vents, Class A roofs). The County's Community Wildfire Protection Plan coordinates fuel-reduction projects with the Eastern Madera County Fire Safe Council.
Failure to comply with PRC §4290 prevents issuance of building permits and certificates of occupancy. Defensible space violations are cited under PRC §4291 (see brush-clearance). Insurance non-renewals are common in Very High FHSZ areas absent Cal. FAIR Plan coverage.
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Habitual barking is regulated through Madera County Code Chapter 9.58 (Noise Regulations) and Chapter 6.04 (Animal Control). A barking dog that disturbs neig...
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Madera County Code Chapter 9.58 (Noise Regulations) governs unincorporated areas. A March 2025 update set quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. with decibel-lim...
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Madera County requires apiary registration with the Agricultural Commissioner, either directly or via the statewide BeeWhere portal. Cal. Food & Ag Code §290...
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Madera County allows poultry and livestock in agricultural and large-lot residential zones under Title 18 (Zoning). Section 18.04.190 (Farm, poultry) defines...
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Madera County Code § 6.04.580 (Running at large) prohibits dogs from being on public streets, roads, parks or another's private property without restraint. D...
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Madera County has no countywide year-round irrigation calendar; restrictions are imposed locally by water districts. Madera Ranchos and other Madera County w...
See how Madera's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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