California note
Zone 0 is five feet; the statewide filing is not a start date
The Board approved Zone 0 text in August 2026, but its emergency filing was withdrawn September 8. Check the current rule before setting a compliance deadline.
Treat the first five feet around a structure as a careful ember-safety area. But check the rule’s status before treating a landscaping checklist as final California law. State law tells the Board of Forestry to create an ember-resistant Zone 0. It runs from the structure out to five feet.
The Board approved regulation text on August 19, 2026. But the Office of Administrative Law lists emergency filing 2026-0828-03E as withdrawn on September 8. Its September 15 emergency-review list shows no replacement Zone 0 filing. Board approval alone does not establish an effective statewide rule, so do not calculate a compliance deadline from the withdrawn filing.
Some low-regret work can still start now. Clear loose leaves, needles, and other debris from roofs, gutters, decks, and the space beside structures. Move portable combustible items away during fire weather.
Check the Board and OAL pages for a later filing before you remove permanent landscaping or rebuild this strip. Ask the local fire authority too. Existing Zone 1 and Zone 2 duties can still apply in State Responsibility Areas. They can also apply in very high hazard Local Responsibility Areas. Local rules may be stricter.
Where to see it
Office of Administrative Law filing status and Board of Forestry defensible-space guidance.
Official sources
Official pages
Reviewed September 15, 2026
Current maps, alerts, conditions, and public safety guidance.
Conditions and public guidance can change quickly. Check the current page before you act.
Related notes
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