Zone zero regulations close to the finish line

By Jolena Voorhis, legislative advocate (public safety)

The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection recently held hearings on its proposed Zone Zero regulation. The defensible space rules focus on the five feet around a home or structure that, if cleared of combustible materials, could prevent it from burning during an urban conflagration.

At the direction of Gov. Gavin Newsom, the board published the draft regulations and held eight public workshops. The intention was to adopt Zone Zero by June 2025. But the number of public comments and concerns raised by property owners, including survivors from the Eaton and Palisades fires, delayed this effort.

Regulators now hope to adopt Zone Zero by the beginning of 2026. The new regulations would only impact communities in Very High Fire Severity Zones. They would apply immediately to new construction and in three years to existing structures.

The draft regulations would prohibit the following in the surrounding five feet:

• Outbuildings, such as a detached shed
• Wooden fences and gates
• Vegetation
• Tree branches near the roof and the side of the house. There are exceptions for protected trees.
• Landscaping materials that are likely to ignite. Potted plants would be allowed if they are not directly next to the structure.

During a hearing in Altadena on Sept. 18, the board heard concerns over Zone Zero's impact on trees, vegetation, biodiversity, shade, and neighborhood aesthetics. There were also disagreements about the science behind the proposed rules. Some residents asked the board to wait for more studies on how an urban conflagration affects plants and vegetation, arguing that some native species can help prevent the spread of the wildfires.

Several local council members also raised concerns about how Zone Zero would impact properties with small lot sizes. They argued that cities should be able to make the final call or that the state should allow for a regional approach.

The board also provided an overview of the draft regulations on Sept. 22 in Sacramento. Property owners there also raised some concerns, but many provided robust support for Zone Zero.

Cal Cities has been monitoring the workshops, alongside fire chiefs and other local government partners. Cal Cities' policy is focused on defensible space, wildfire mitigation, and the impact the regulations would have on local inspections.

At the most recent workshop, the board noted it would revise the draft regulations in October and hold another workshop to receive public comments on the changes. If your city has concerns over these new draft regulations, send your comments to the Board of Forestry and participate in upcoming workshops.

For more information, please refer to the Board of Forestry's FAQ.