Santa Clara is largely not mapped in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, but adjacent foothill communities are. Check the CAL FIRE map before building or landscaping near open space.
The California Office of the State Fire Marshal publishes Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps for both State Responsibility Areas and Local Responsibility Areas. Under the updated 2024 maps, most of the City of Santa Clara sits on the valley floor and is outside the Very High, High, and Moderate zones. However, unincorporated hillside parcels to the west and south of the city, including portions of the Santa Cruz Mountains foothills, are mapped as Moderate to Very High. Properties in or within 1,000 feet of mapped zones must comply with PRC 4291 defensible space and may trigger Chapter 7A of the California Building Code for ignition-resistant construction on new builds or substantial remodels. Always verify your parcel on the official CAL FIRE viewer.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara regulates amplified sound and music through City Code Chapter 9.10, requiring permits for amplified events and prohibiting audible music at 50 fe...
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara regulates outdoor music at venues including Levis Stadium and Santana Row under City Code Chapter 9.10 and conditional use permits, with amplifie...
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara requires encroachment permits for new driveways, limits driveway width by zoning, and prohibits parking across sidewalks regardless of property o...
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara tows abandoned vehicles after 72 hours under CVC 22651(k) and participates in the Santa Clara County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program for priv...
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara limits recreational vehicle street parking to 72 hours, requires permits for extended street storage, and restricts driveway RV storage under zon...
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara fences must meet height, material, setback, and visibility standards under City Code Title 18 Zoning, with special rules for corner lots, histori...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle wildfire zones.
See how Santa Clara's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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