California is moving ahead with new wildfire prevention rules that could change how millions of homeowners manage the space around their properties. The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is advancing regulations for “Zone 0”, the first five feet surrounding a home or other structure. The goal is to create an ember-resistant buffer that can help prevent windblown embers from igniting materials next to buildings.
What is Zone 0?
Zone 0 covers the area immediately surrounding a structure, from zero to five feet. That space is especially important during wildfires because embers can travel well ahead of the main flames. If they land on dry vegetation, mulch, firewood or other combustible materials next to a house, they can potentially ignite the structure. The new regulations are intended to make this area more resistant to that threat. The rules focus on limiting combustible materials and vegetation close to buildings.
Depending on the property and applicable requirements, homeowners may need to:
- Remove dead leaves, needles and dry vegetation
- Move firewood and other combustible storage away from the house
- Limit certain types of combustible mulch and landscaping
- Keep areas around vulnerable parts of the home clear of potential fuel
The state is also maintaining broader defensible-space requirements beyond those first five feet.
Does this apply accross California?
Not necessarily to every home. The requirements are particularly relevant to properties in areas covered by California’s wildfire protection rules, including the State Responsibility Area and designated high-risk fire zones. Local governments may also establish additional requirements.
That means homeowners should check their property’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone rather than assuming the new rules apply to everyone statewide.
When do the rules take effect?
The state is currently moving through the regulatory process for Zone 0, with the Board of Forestry listing an August 2026 Zone 0 regulation package among its current rulemaking materials. Requirements and effective dates may change before the regulations are finalized. Under the current draft released by the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, once the regulations become effective:
- New structures would be required to comply with all applicable Zone 0 requirements immediately upon the effective date.
- Existing structures would have a phased compliance schedule.
According to the Sonoma Valley Fire District, these would be the phased schedule requirements:
Immediately upon the effective date:
- Keep roofs and gutters clear of combustible debris
- Remove firewood from Zone 0
- Remove dead or dying tree branches
- Keep live branches at least 10 feet from chimneys and stovepipe outlets
- Keep live branches from extending beneath eaves
Within 3 years:
- Remove combustible materials from Zone 0
- Keep areas beneath decks, balconies, stairs, and pergolas free of vegetation and combustible items
- Remove required ladder fuels
- Meet applicable tree clearance requirements above roofs and near walls
Within approximately 3 to 5 years:
- Meet vegetation-free buffer requirements around vulnerable portions of the structure
- Bring vegetation within Zone 0 into compliance with the permitted planting standards
- Meet applicable fence and gate requirements
- Meet applicable outbuilding requirements
