Skip to main content

Create a defensible space on your property

Learn how to create a 100 foot zone of defensible space on your property.

Need to know

Every homeowner must maintain a 100 foot defensible space around their home. It’s California state law.

What to do

  1. Create "Zone 0"

    Zone 0 is the area closest to your house. It should extend 0 to 5 feet from your house. Sometimes, Zone 0 is called the "Ember Resistant Zone." In Zone 0, you should:

    • Use only metal or other non-combustible outdoor furniture.
    • Use a heavy rubber mat or metal grates instead of a natural fiber or jute doormat.
    • Move any combustible materials. This includes garbage and recycling containers, lumber, trash, or patio accessories. Don't store any lumber or firewood within 30 feet of your house.
    • Don't keep any vegetation in Zone 0.
    • Clear away any fallen leaves or needles.
    • Cut back all tree limbs that extend into Zone 0.
    • Use stone or gravel instead of a combustible mulch.

  2. Create "Zone 1"

    Zone 1 should be the 30 feet immediately around your house. In Zone 1, you should: 

    • Remove all dry or dead plants, grass, and weeds.
    • Remove all dead vegetation and fallen leaves. Make sure to clean up your roof and gutters, in addition to your yard. 

  3. Create "Zone 2"

    Zone 2 should start where Zone 1 ends. Zone 2 should be 70 feet wide. Both Zones together should add up to 100 feet. In Zone 2, you should: 

    • Cut or mow grass to a maximum height of 4 inches. 

  4. Keep all tree branches cut back correctly, in all Zones

    You should keep all tree branches cut to: 

    • 6 feet away from the ground;
    • 10 feet away from your chimney;
    • At least 6 feet away from your roof.
       

  5. Make sure there’s horizontal and vertical space around all trees and shrubs

    Space your trees and shrubs at least 10 feet apart. Remove any plants or shrubs from around the base of a tree. This makes it harder for fires to travel up from a plant into a larger tree.  
     

  6. Learn more

    Learn more about defensible space and fire-resistant plants at FireSafeMarin.org.

Related

Page last updated on December 4, 2024.

Was this page helpful?