Reviewed by Brendan McKee, Managing Broker, DRE #01882732, on October 20, 2026.

California law requires anyone who owns, leases, controls, operates or maintains a building in a covered fire hazard area to keep 100 feet of defensible space around it, but not beyond the property line (Public Resources Code § 4291; Government Code § 51182). The state's Zone 0 rule for the 5 feet next to a home is not in effect: the package was withdrawn from state review on September 8, 2026. San Diego County adds two local layers: the City of San Diego has its own Zone 0 rule in its municipal code (SDMC § 512.0604), and unincorporated County areas require 150 feet of fuel modification around buildings in or next to a hazardous fire area.

The short version

  • State law: 100 feet of defensible space in the State Responsibility Area and in local Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
  • State Zone 0: withdrawn from state review on September 8, 2026; not in effect as of October 19, 2026.
  • City of San Diego: its own Zone 0 applies to new structures now; City guidance says enforcement for existing structures begins on or after February 28, 2027, phased in through 2029.
  • Unincorporated County: 150 feet of fuel modification in or next to a hazardous fire area, which the fire authority may reduce but never below 100 feet.
  • Tenants are named in several of these laws, but City brush management falls on the landowner. Put yard duties in the lease.
  • Selling in a high or very high zone requires defensible space documentation, or a written agreement for the buyer to get it (Civil Code § 1102.19).

Step 1: Find your zone and your fire agency

The Office of the State Fire Marshal's Fire Hazard Severity Zones page (opens in a new tab) lets you look up an address. State Responsibility Area maps took effect April 1, 2024; recommended Local Responsibility Area maps were released in early 2025.

The City of San Diego adopted its own map (Ordinance O-21992, effective August 30, 2025), adding areas beyond the state's. The City says roughly two-thirds of San Diego property lies in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Its map is on the San Diego Fire-Rescue (SDFD) fire hazard severity zones page (opens in a new tab).

Then identify who enforces the rules:

  • City of San Diego: San Diego Fire-Rescue (brush and weed complaints, 619-533-4444).
  • Unincorporated County: the San Diego County Fire Authority's Fire Warden, or the district fire chief inside a fire protection district.
  • Other cities: your city's fire department.

Step 2: Know which rule applies

PointState lawCity of San DiegoUnincorporated County
Distance100 ft from each side, not beyond the property line100 ft (SDMC § 512.0604); brush management within 100 ft of a structure where native or naturalized vegetation grows (SDMC § 142.0412)150 ft in or next to a hazardous fire area, reducible but never under 100 ft (County WUI Code § 604.6)
ZonesStatute describes an ember-resistant zone within 5 ft, based on Board regulations (not in effect; see Zone 0 below), and more intense fuel reduction from 5 to 30 ftCity sources differ: § 142.0412 uses Zone One 35 ft and Zone Two 65 ft; § 512.0604 and SDFD's owner guide use 0-5, 5-30 and 30-100 ftZone 0 0-5 ft, Zone 1 to 50 ft, Zone 2 to 100 ft (§ 604.12)
WhoA person who "owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains" the buildingBrush management: the owner of the land with the vegetation; WUI duties: a "responsible person," which includes a tenantA person "owning, leasing, controlling, operating or maintaining" the building

Because City sources differ, check the City's current defensible space guide (opens in a new tab) before work begins.

Zone 0: what is and is not in effect

State. The Board of Forestry adopted Zone 0 rules in August 2026, but the Office of Administrative Law lists the package as withdrawn on September 8, 2026. The state rule was not in effect as of October 19, 2026.

City of San Diego. The City's own Wildland-Urban Interface Code (O-22042) took effect February 28, 2026. SDMC § 512.0604 applies Zone 0 to new structures applying for a building permit from that date, and to existing structures one year later. The City calls it "state-mandated," but the 2027 date comes from the City's code and SDFD guidance, not state law. SDFD's Zone 0 Guidelines for Existing Structures (revised April 22, 2026) set phases:

PhaseBeginsFocus
Year 1February 28, 2027Maintenance: dead vegetation and debris, firewood piles, trash bins, storage under decks
Year 2February 28, 2028Vegetation removal
Year 3February 28, 2029Full compliance, including replacing fences and gates that do not comply

The guidelines say owners are not required to act now, do not require home-hardening retrofits, and are subject to change. Under § 512.0604, Zone 0 is the 5 feet around the structure: no ember-prone plants, leaves, weeds or combustible mulch, and no combustible items such as firewood, window boxes or trellises. Roof, gutters and the area under decks and stairs must be kept clear.

Unincorporated County. The 2026 County WUI Code (effective April 2, 2026) has a Zone 0 section calling for hardscape or noncombustible materials within 5 feet. Ask County Fire (fire@sdcounty.ca.gov) or your district when it applies to existing homes.

Ongoing upkeep checklist

These duties appear in PRC § 4291(a) and the City and County codes.

  • Remove any part of a tree within 10 feet of a chimney or stovepipe outlet (PRC § 4291(a)(2)).
  • Keep trees and shrubs next to or over the building free of dead or dying wood (§ 4291(a)(3)).
  • Keep the roof free of leaves, needles and other plant material (§ 4291(a)(4)).
  • City Zone 1: plants mostly under 4 feet except trees; remove dead plant material; move exposed firewood out unless fully enclosed in fire-resistant material.
  • City Zone 2: cut annual grasses to 4 inches; clear about half of plants over 24 inches.
  • County Zone 1: irrigated vegetation no taller than 6 feet; firewood at least 30 feet from buildings.

Nesting season. In sensitive coastal sage and chaparral habitat, the City limits clearing from late winter through mid-August. SDMC § 142.0412(d) gives March 1 through August 15, while SDFD's owner guide gives February 1 through August 15. Check the City's page for current dates before scheduling.

Who does the work on a rental

State law and the County code name both owners and people who lease. SDMC § 142.0412(l) places City brush management on "the owner of the property that contains the native and naturalized vegetation," even when the structure protected is a neighbor's. Under its WUI code the City can cite a "responsible person," which SDMC § 11.0210 says includes a tenant. No law divides the work between landlord and tenant inside a lease.

In practice:

  1. Write the duty into the lease: who mows, prunes and clears brush, and who pays.
  2. If a tenant handles yard care, name Zone 0 items such as mulch and firewood.
  3. Ask counsel how to allocate these duties for your property.

See who pays for rental repairs and the repairs and maintenance clause.

Santa Ana and Red Flag days

NOAA says Santa Ana winds commonly occur from October to February, peaking in December. The National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning when critical fire weather is ongoing or imminent; SDFD's guidelines suggest moving trash containers into a garage and bringing loose materials inside on those days. Share that with tenants.

SDG&E may cut power in high-risk weather (a Public Safety Power Shutoff), and says it begins notifying customers about 48 hours ahead. Its Alerts by SDGE app tracks up to five addresses without an account number. See the maintenance calendar for seasonal timing.

When you sell

In a high or very high fire hazard severity zone, Civil Code § 1102.19 requires defensible space documentation at sale (see the FAQ below). Homes built before January 1, 2010 in those zones also get a notice under Civil Code § 1102.6f.

For owners

Look up each property's zone and enforcing agency, and schedule a walk before fall. SDFD's voluntary Home Risk Assessment was listed at $163 in October 2026. OSFM links a Department of Insurance notice titled "CAL FIRE Hazard Maps Do Not Affect Insurance Rates or Availability." For coverage questions, see landlord insurance for Coronado rentals as related reading.

Local rules

Cities and fire protection districts in San Diego County set their own rules. Check San Diego Fire-Rescue in the City of San Diego, the San Diego County Fire Authority or your fire protection district in unincorporated areas, and your city's fire department elsewhere.

Frequently asked questions

Is Zone 0 law in California now?

Not under state law: the Board of Forestry's package was withdrawn from state review on September 8, 2026. The City of San Diego has its own Zone 0 rule in its municipal code, and City guidance says enforcement for existing structures begins on or after February 28, 2027.

How much defensible space does a San Diego County rental need?

State law and the City of San Diego use 100 feet, not beyond the property line. Unincorporated County areas require 150 feet around buildings in or next to a hazardous fire area, which the fire authority may reduce but never below 100 feet.

Does the tenant or the landlord have to clear brush?

State law and the County code name both owners and people who lease. The City of San Diego places brush management on the owner of the land with the vegetation but can cite any responsible person, including a tenant. No law splits the work in a lease, so write it down and ask counsel.

Do I need a defensible space inspection to sell a rental in a fire zone?

In a high or very high fire hazard severity zone, Civil Code § 1102.19 requires the seller to give the buyer documentation that the property complies with PRC § 4291 or local vegetation management ordinances; if the seller has none, the seller and buyer sign a written agreement for the buyer to obtain it. In the City of San Diego, SDFD's Real Estate Defensible Space Inspection was listed at $118 in October 2026, and the City says inspections typically take 10 to 14 business days from the request date, so book early.

McKee Properties manages rentals and runs an in-house maintenance division, Certified Property Maintenance; see maintenance services.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm your situation with a California attorney, your local building or fire department, or a licensed professional.

Sources

Verified October 19, 2026.

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