San Bernardino, CA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)

CAL FIRE and the Office of the State Fire Marshal publish statewide Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps under California Public Resources Code 4202 for State Responsibility Areas and Government Code 51178 for Local Responsibility Areas. The 2023 and 2024 updated maps classify large sections of northern San Bernardino, particularly the neighborhoods climbing toward the San Bernardino National Forest and the Waterman Canyon area, as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. In these VHFHSZ areas, several overlapping rules apply. First, 100-foot defensible space under PRC 4291 as described above. Second, California Building Code Chapter 7A requires new construction and substantial remodels to use ignition-resistant exterior materials, ember-resistant vents, Class A roofs, tempered window glazing, and enclosed eaves. Third, California Civil Code Section 1103 requires sellers to disclose to buyers whether the property is in a VHFHSZ and whether the buyer will be responsible for defensible space. Fourth, homeowner insurance carriers routinely use the CAL FIRE maps to decide whether to write or renew a policy, and FAIR Plan coverage is common in these zones. Fifth, many VHFHSZ homes must also comply with AB 3074 Zone 0 ember-resistant rules taking effect under CAL FIRE regulations. The City of San Bernardino Community Development Department provides VHFHSZ map lookups for permit and disclosure purposes, and the county fire district conducts annual Hazard Abatement inspections in these zones each spring.