San Diego County, CA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Hazard designation
- Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (CAL FIRE)
- WUI standards
- County Fire Code Ch. 47 / Appendix II-A
- Structure setback
- Min 30 ft from property lines (Sec. 4707.1.1)
- Construction
- Ignition-resistant (CBC Chapter 7A)
- Defensible space
- 100 feet (Secs. 68.401-68.406)
- Road width
- Min 24 ft for >2 dwellings
Summary
Most of unincorporated San Diego County is mapped as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) area. The County Consolidated Fire Code imposes WUI building standards, 100-foot defensible space, structure setbacks, and ignition-resistant construction. CAL FIRE and the County Fire Authority enforce these rules.
ed mapping across California under the California Public Resources Code 4201-4204, encompassing all State Responsibility Areas (SRA). What are Fire Hazard Severity Zones? The State Fire Marshal is mandated to classify lands within State Responsibility Areas into Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ). Fire Hazard Severity Zones fall into one of the following classifications: Moderate High Very High The California laws that require Fire Hazard Severity Zones include California Public Resources Code 4201-4204, California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 1280 and California Government Code 51175-89.
Full Breakdown
Large portions of unincorporated San Diego County are designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) by CAL FIRE and lie within the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). The County Consolidated Fire Code adopts WUI fire-area standards (Chapter 47 / Appendix II-A) that impose stricter requirements on new construction and on properties in hazardous fire areas. Under the County's Wildland-Urban Interface amendments (Sec. 4707), the building official sets minimum structure setbacks in WUI fire areas; Sec. 1 requires buildings to be set back at least 30 feet from property lines and open-space easements unless zoning requires more, with limited exceptions.
New homes in WUI areas must use ignition-resistant construction (such as Class A roofing, ember-resistant vents, and fire-resistant exterior materials) per the California Building Code Chapter 7A. The 100-foot defensible space requirement (County Code Secs. , 24 feet for roadways serving more than two single-family dwellings. Combustible vegetation along driveways and around structures must be cleared, and outdoor fires and fireworks are restricted or banned. The County Fire Authority, local fire protection districts, and CAL FIRE share enforcement; the Fire Authority Having Jurisdiction reviews discretionary projects for compliance.
Violations & Fines
Building in a WUI fire area without meeting ignition-resistant construction, setback, access, or defensible-space standards violates the County Fire Code and can block permit approval. Existing violations (such as inadequate defensible space) are abatable as public nuisances under Sec. 68.405, and Fire Code violations are misdemeanors under Sec. 109.3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my unincorporated property in a wildfire zone?
What extra rules apply to building in a WUI fire area?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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