Properties mapped Moderate, High, or Extreme hazard in the wildland-urban interface must maintain defensible space of 30, 50, or 100 feet respectively. The Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District enforces the International WUI Code across the Sparks foothills and Spanish Springs edge.
The Reno-Sparks area sits in a wildland-urban interface where sagebrush and cheatgrass meet subdivisions. The Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District enforces the 2018 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code as adopted by Washoe County. Under Table 603.2, required defensible space is 30 feet at Moderate hazard, 50 feet at High, and 100 feet at Extreme. Tree crowns within 10 feet of a structure must be pruned to keep a 10-foot horizontal clearance, and limbs below 6 feet from the ground must be removed. If defensible space was required when a structure was built, it must be maintained for the life of the building.
Noncompliant properties receive an inspection notice and correction deadline from the fire district. Failure to clear hazardous fuels can lead to abatement and fines, and insurers may decline or cancel coverage in high-hazard zones without documented defensible space.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Washoe County.
See how Sparks's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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