Rialto, CA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- 2025 FHSZ maps
- OSFM release March 24, 2025
- Zone levels in Rialto
- Moderate, High, Very High
- Very High FHSZ duty
- 100 ft defensible space + disclosure
- Local firebreak rule
- 100 ft clearance (CFC 304.5 as amended)
- State law
- Gov. Code 51179; PRC 4291
Summary
Rialto adopted the State Fire Marshal's updated 2025 fire hazard severity zone maps, which place parts of the city in Moderate, High, or Very High zones. Very High zone properties must maintain 100 feet of defensible space and meet home-hardening and disclosure rules.
304.5 Clearance of brush or vegetation growth from structures. Persons owning, leasing, controlling, operating, or maintaining buildings or structures in, upon or adjoining hazardous fire areas (FRAP-LRA very high fire hazard severity zone) and persons owning, leasing or controlling land adjacent to such building(s) or structure(s), shall at all times maintain an effective firebreak or fuel modification zone by removing, clearing, or modifying away the combustible vegetation and other flammable materials from areas within 100-feet from such buildings or structures as directed by the Fire Marshal.
Full Breakdown
On March 24, 2025, the Office of the State Fire Marshal released updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps, and under Government Code section 51179(b)(3) local agencies like Rialto may not decrease the zone levels OSFM recommends; state law (AB 211, 2022) requires adoption within 120 days. The city's FHSZ page explains that properties in a Very High FHSZ must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures, comply with home-hardening and wildland-urban interface (WUI) building codes, and disclose the designation when selling; High zone properties face home-hardening and WUI construction requirements for new construction.
Rialto's fire code amendments back this up locally: Ordinance No. 3 ties vegetation clearance to Public Resources Code sections 4290 and 4291. Residents can look up their parcel on CAL FIRE's FHSZ map viewer or contact the Rialto Fire Department at 131 S Willow Ave.
Violations & Fines
The fire chief or fire code official may issue notices to correct hazardous vegetation conditions, impose daily penalties under amended CFC section 113.4 (up to $1,000 per day as a misdemeanor), abate the hazard, and place a lien on the property for the abatement cost (Ord. No. 1706, amended CFC secs. 304.1.3, 304.5.1).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out if my Rialto home is in a fire hazard severity zone?
What must I do if my property is in a Very High zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rialto
California rules heatmap·Compare Rialto 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.