Most of unincorporated Riverside County is mapped in Fire Hazard Severity Zones by CAL FIRE, triggering Chapter 7A building codes, 100-ft defensible space, and AB 38 disclosures.
CAL FIRE maps Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) throughout Riverside County, with vast areas designated Moderate, High, or Very High - particularly the San Jacinto Mountains (Idyllwild, Pine Cove, Mountain Center), Santa Rosa Mountains, San Bernardino National Forest fringe, Cleveland National Forest edge, and chaparral hillsides across the county. State Responsibility Area (SRA) parcels are primarily protected by CAL FIRE contract with Riverside County Fire. Construction in Very High FHSZ must comply with California Building Code Chapter 7A requiring ignition-resistant exterior materials, ember-resistant vents, Class A roofing, and dual-pane tempered windows. Property owners must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under PRC §4291 and Ord. 787. California AB 38 (2020) requires home-hardening disclosure on sale of pre-2010 homes in high or very high FHSZ, and a final defensible-space inspection must be completed before close of escrow effective July 1, 2025. Insurance market restrictions under California FAIR Plan apply heavily in these zones.
Building code violations trigger stop-work orders; defensible-space noncompliance leads to abatement liens; AB 38 disclosure failures are civil matters.
Riverside County, CA
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See how Riverside County's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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