Santa Monica, CA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Designating authority
- CAL FIRE, per Government Code § 51178
- Map location
- Office of the City Clerk
- Designation ordinance
- Ord. No. 2819CCS, adopted June 24, 2025
- WUI Code adopted
- California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, 2025 Edition (Ord. No. 2831CCS, 10/14/2025)
- Applicable areas
- High/Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and WUI-designated areas
Summary
Santa Monica has formally designated Fire Hazard Severity Zones based on recommendations by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Properties in High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and wildland-urban interface areas must maintain required hazardous vegetation and fuel management under the adopted California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
§ 8.46.010. Designation. The City of Santa Monica hereby designates the Fire Hazard Severity Zones as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Government Code Section 51178. The map, approved by the City, is hereby incorporated by reference, and entitled, "City of Santa Monica Fire Hazard Severity Zones." (Ord. No. 2819CCS, 6/24/2025) § 8.46.020. Map. The City of Santa Monica Fire Hazard Severity Zones map shall be retained on file with the Office of the City Clerk. (Ord. No. 2819CCS, 6/24/2025) § 8.46.030. Notice to County. The City shall post a notice at the Office of the Los Angeles County recorder, Los Angeles County Assessor, and Los Angeles County Planning Department identifying the location of the City of Santa Monica Fire Hazard Severity Zones map adopted pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. No. 2819CCS, 6/24/2025)
Full Breakdown
The designation was adopted by Ord. No. 2819CCS on June 24, 2025 per Government Code Section 51178. The Fire Hazard Severity Zones map is maintained at the City Clerk's office and filed with the Los Angeles County Recorder, Assessor, and Planning Department. Santa Monica also adopted the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (WUI Code), which requires buildings in SRA-designated, High/Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, or local WUI ordinance-designated areas to maintain hazardous vegetation and fuel management. No separate local brush clearance distances are set out in the code text: compliance is governed by the state WUI Code standards.
Violations & Fines
Properties in designated Fire Hazard Severity Zones must maintain required hazardous vegetation and fuel management in compliance with the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code. Failure to comply is subject to enforcement under the Fire Code and applicable building regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find out if my property is in a Santa Monica fire hazard zone?
What are the vegetation management requirements for fire hazard zone properties?
When were Santa Monica's fire hazard zones officially designated?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Monica
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Monica to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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Wildfire Zones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle wildfire zones.