Significant portions of Thousand Oaks are designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones due to the city's location bordering the Santa Monica Mountains. Properties in these zones face enhanced building, landscaping, and vegetation management requirements under California Government Code Section 51175-51189.
Thousand Oaks has substantial areas classified as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ), particularly neighborhoods adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Wildwood Regional Park, and the Conejo Open Space. The city adopted the CAL FIRE fire hazard severity zone maps and incorporated them into its General Plan Safety Element. Properties in VHFHSZ must comply with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code requiring ignition-resistant construction materials for roofing, exterior walls, windows, vents, and decking. New development and significant remodels in fire zones require fire-resistant landscaping plans. The city's 2018 Woolsey Fire experience led to enhanced fire safety requirements and evacuation planning. Real estate transactions must include Natural Hazard Disclosure Statements identifying fire zone status. The Thousand Oaks Fire Adapted Community program provides resources for zone-specific compliance.
Non-compliant construction in fire zones may result in stop-work orders, permit revocation, and required retrofitting. Failure to maintain fire-resistant landscaping carries fines of $100-$500 per day after notice. Disclosure failures in real estate transactions expose sellers to civil liability and potential transaction rescission. Contact VCFPD Fire Prevention at (805) 389-9710 for zone verification or Thousand Oaks Code Enforcement at (805) 449-2100.
Thousand Oaks, CA
Thousand Oaks does not have a citywide ordinance restricting residential lawn ornaments, statuary, religious displays, or seasonal yard decor. Restrictions o...
Thousand Oaks, CA
Thousand Oaks does not regulate residential inflatable holiday displays by ordinance. Setup is subject only to general code provisions — electrical safety un...
Thousand Oaks, CA
Thousand Oaks's municipal code does not set citywide hours or brightness limits for residential holiday light displays. Displays must comply with TOMC Chapte...
Thousand Oaks, CA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Thousand Oaks require building, gas, electrical, and plumbing permits from Building Division under TOMC Title 8 (which adopts th...
Thousand Oaks, CA
Thousand Oaks does not separately regulate backyard pellet, wood, or charcoal smokers but applies TOMC Chapter 5-21 noise limits, California Fire Code cleara...
Thousand Oaks, CA
Thousand Oaks adopts the California Fire Code by reference in TOMC Title 8, which prohibits open-flame charcoal and propane grills on combustible balconies, ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Ventura County.
See how other cities in Ventura County handle wildfire zones.
See how Thousand Oaks's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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