State approves 'Zone Zero' fire-safe landscaping rules, reshaping yards for millions of Californians

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Set us as preferred After nearly six years of debate and backlash, California’s Board of Forestry and Fire Protection voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt new landscaping requirements within five feet of homes — an area dubbed “Zone Zero” — for millions of Californians living in fire-prone areas.The rules ban all plants within a foot of the home and require the first five feet around homes to be free of combustible materials such as firewood, fallen leaves and branches, and mulch or wood chips.They also prohibit wooden sheds in the zone and wooden fences where attached to the house.The new requirements apply only to Californians living in some of the worst fire hazard zones designated by Cal Fire — specifically, State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in local responsibility areas, applying to an estimated 2 million homes.

Local areas will have some flexibility to tailor the regulations to their communities.After the formal rule-making process completes, most likely in September, Californians will have up to five years to comply.New constructions will have to adhere immediately.Board chair Terrence O’Brien acknowledged that the plan has been controversial, but said it is necessary to “address the crisis of wildfire in our communities.” “The regulations will make our communities safer,” he said during the meeting.

“Waiting and postponing is not, in my opinion, an option.” Climate & Environment Cal Fire added at least 2.8 million Californians to fire hazard zones.Here’s how to check which zone you’re in and what that means.Zone Zero is only one line of wildfire defense required by the state in areas with significant fire hazard.Other defensible space requirements have been on the books for decades, and dictate how homeowners must manage their yard through the spacin...