San Benito County, CA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Baseline roof
- Class B, all new buildings
- VHFHSZ roof
- Class A required
- Reroof trigger
- 50%+ of roof within 1 yr
- Exempt
- greenhouses
Summary
New buildings anywhere in unincorporated San Benito County need at least a Class B roof, but buildings in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must use Class A roofing.
R102.1 General. (FIRE 026). Roofing requirements for all new buildings shall be a minimum Class "B" roof assembly as defined by the California Building Code. EXCEPTION: Greenhouses shall be exempt from the requirements of this section.
2. R102.2 Very High Hazard Severity Zones. (FIRE 027). Roofing requirements for all new buildings in Very High Hazard Severity Zones shall be a minimum Class "A" roof assembly as defined by the California Building Code.
3. R102.3 Reserved SBCO EXCLUDED.
(c) SECTION R103 EXISTING BUILDINGS.
1. R103.1 General. (FIRE 026). Roofing requirements for existing buildings when fifty percent (50%) or more of the roof area is reroofed within a one-year period after the issuance of a building permit shall be a minimum Class "B" roof assembly as defined by the California Building Code. Where there is no permit issued, this section is applicable to buildings constructed after the effective date of this code and to buildings where fifty percent (50%) or more of the roof area is reroofed within a one-year period after commencing construction.
2. R103.2 Very High Hazard Severity Zone. (FIRE 027). Roofing requirements for existing buildings within a very high hazard severity zone when fifty percent (50%) or more of the roof area is reroofed within a one-year period after the issuance of a building permit shall be a minimum Class "A"
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: current through Ordinance 1078).
Full Breakdown
The county's fire code amendments to the 2022 California Building Code set a baseline Class B roof assembly for all new buildings countywide, but require a stricter minimum Class A roof assembly for new buildings within Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The same Class A standard applies to existing buildings in those zones when 50% or more of the roof is replaced within a one-year period. Greenhouses are exempt. This applies only in unincorporated San Benito County; Hollister and San Juan Bautista apply their own building codes.
Violations & Fines
Installing a roof below the required class for the applicable hazard zone fails building inspection and blocks permit final under the County Building Official.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my property is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone?
Does the Class A rule apply to re-roofing an old house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Benito County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Benito County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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