Oakland WUI parcels get yearly vegetation inspections

If a parcel is in Oakland’s Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area, vegetation inspection is a yearly requirement. The 2026 season began in June and will continue until all WUI parcels are inspected. That is about 26,000 parcels.

Use Oakland’s current checklist before the inspector arrives. It calls for at least 30 feet of defensible space in Zone 1 and up to 100 feet in Zone 2, depending on slope. It also covers dead plants, roof and gutter debris, branches near roofs and chimneys, and other fuel around the property. The current checklist says Zone 0 is not yet required for existing homes.

After an inspection, check the result in Accela Citizen Access. A compliant result needs no further action. For a noncompliant result, the owner has 45 days to correct the listed items and may send photo proof. If the city verifies the proof, there is no reinspection or reinspection fee. Without proof, the city conducts a second inspection and charges a fee. A parcel still out of compliance 14 days later may receive a third inspection and more fees.

That inspection process is separate from a live wildfire. During an active incident, follow current evacuation alerts and fire officials rather than the annual checklist.