Understanding the New Fire Safety Laws
Defensible Space Requirements
Defensible Space Laws in Sonoma County and California
This page summarizes California State Law (PRC 4291 & 14 CCR §1299) and Sonoma County Code Chapter 13A—complete with interactive mapping and dynamic update sources.
Interactive Sonoma County Hazard Zone Map
Use this tool to determine if your property lies within State (SRA) or Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) and which severity zone (Moderate / High / Very High) applies.
CAL Fire Sonoma County State Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map
Search for your property on the Draft Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map for California
California State Requirements
Sections 4290 and 4291 of the (PRC) are the laws requiring California property owners to establish “Defensible Space” around structures in SRA or very high zones in LRA. The law now requires property owners to extend Defensible Space clearance around homes and structures from 30 feet to 100 feet.
Zone 0 (0–5 ft Ember-Resistant Zone)
Remove combustible items—wooden fences, plants, mulch—to reduce
ember ignition risk. PRC 4291 and AB 3074/SB 504 require this protection by Dec 31, 2025.
Zone 1 (5–30 ft)
Maintain low-growing plants (≤3 ft), separate by non-combustible breaks, remove ladder fuels.
Zone 2 (30–100 ft)
Reduce vegetation, thin tree canopies, create fuel breaks. Total radius: 100 ft or to property line.
Sonoma County (Unincorporated)
Sonoma County enacted Fire Safety and Defensible Zone regulations in Chapter 13 & Chapter 13A of the Code of Ordinances. This applies to both improved (with structures) and unimproved parcels in SRA and LRA.
Zone 1 (0–30 ft)
Prune branches (≥10 ft from chimney), clear rooftops/gutters, remove dead vegetation, maintain vines.
Zone 2 (30–100 ft)
Reduce ladder fuels, thin trees, maintain clean ground. Annual inspections begin late spring via Fire Prevention Division. Enforcement
through notice, abatement, fines.
Clearance from roads
10 ft clearance required near roads and and 10 ft from chimneys/stovepipes per
PRC 4291.
California Federal Regulation
Assembly Bill 38 established that, as of July 1, 2021, California Civil Code Section 1102.19 requires a seller of real property in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone to provide the buyer with documentation stating the property complies with defensible space requirements. The law allows that if documentation demonstrating compliance cannot be obtained by the close of escrow, the seller and buyer can enter into a written agreement showing that the buyer agrees to obtain compliance documentation within one year of the close of escrow. CHAPTER 6.8. Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones [51175 – 51189]
California Code Regulations
14 CCR Section 1299 – Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Title 14. Natural Resources, California Code of Regulations § 1299.03. Requirements. Latest version. Defensible space must be maintained at all times whenever flammable vegetative conditions exist.
State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (BOF)
State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (BOF) BOF General Guidelines item 4 – Remove fuels by the Fuel Separation or Continuous Tree Canopy guidelines (see back), under BOF General Guidelines item 4. All exposed woodpiles must have a minimum of ten feet (10 feet) clearance, down to bare mineral soil, in all directions.
Sonoma County Readiness Resources
County of Sonoma Emergency Readiness, Response and Recovery
FIre Safe Sonoma
Sonoma Resource Conservation District (Free Chipper Service)
Sonoma County Wildfire Guide
California Readiness Resources
Cal Fire How to Create Defensible Space
Cal Fire Ready for Wildfire
Office of the Governor Wildfire Mitigation
Cal Fire Home Hardening Guide
University of California Homeowner’s Wildfire Mitigation Guide
Apply for a Wildfire Prepared Certificate from Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Federal Readiness Resources
Prepare for Wildfires
United States Forest Service Defensible Space
FEMA Homebuilder’s Guide to Defensible Space
Business Readiness Resources
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety Wildfire Guide for Home and Business Owners