Zone Zero. It’s Official. What Does It Mean?

By FireSafe38, a program of the Mill Creek Canyon Fire Safe Council

We have been hearing about Zone Zero for quite a while. Now the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has approved the final draft of the regulations.

So, what does that mean for homeowners?

First, nobody needs to panic or start tearing out every plant around their home. The regulations still have to complete the state’s administrative review process before they become legally effective. Existing homes will also have several years to make the required changes.

Here is what we know so far.

What is Zone Zero?

Zone Zero, officially called Zone 0, is the first five feet around a home or other structure.

Research and experience have shown that this is one of the most important areas for protecting a home from wildfire. Windblown embers can collect against exterior walls, under eaves and decks, in gutters, in bark mulch, and around fences or stored materials.

If something within those first five feet catches fire, the flames are already beside the home.

The purpose of Zone Zero is to reduce the materials that can allow an ember to become a flame and then spread to the structure.

Where will it apply?

The state requirements apply to properties located in:

• State Responsibility Areas

• Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones within Local Responsibility Areas

Many mountain, foothill, and canyon communities fall within these areas.

Does this mean no plants within five feet?

No. The approved policy does not prohibit every plant within five feet of a home.

Instead, Zone Zero contains two areas.

The first is an immediate noncombustible safety area beside the structure and beneath the eaves. This area must extend at least one foot from the structure. If the eaves extend farther, the safety area generally extends to the edge of the eaves.

Additional vegetation-free clearances will be required around windows, doors, vents, and attached decks.

The remainder of the five-foot area is considered a low-combustibility area. Certain healthy and well-maintained plants may be allowed there.

Examples include:

• Small nonwoody flowers

• Succulents

• Certain low ground covers

• Maintained grass or lawn

• Plants in movable, noncombustible containers

Trees may also remain if they are properly maintained. Dead wood and lower ladder-fuel branches must be removed. Branches must be kept away from roofs, eaves, and chimneys.

What will existing homeowners need to do?

The requirements for existing homes will be introduced in two phases.

Phase 1: Within the first three years

Homeowners will be expected to:

• Move firewood and other combustible materials outside Zone Zero

• Remove dead leaves, branches, and vegetation

• Remove combustible bark mulch and wood chips

• Keep roofs and gutters clean

• Maintain permitted plants

• Trim trees and remove ladder fuels

Phase 2: Within five years

Local jurisdictions will establish timelines for additional work, including:

• Creating the required safety area beneath eaves

• Replacing combustible gates or fence sections that connect to a home

• Addressing sheds and outbuildings located within Zone Zero

• Making other necessary fencing or structural changes

A noncombustible section will generally be required where a fence connects to a home. Sheds and outbuildings within Zone Zero will need noncombustible exterior roofs and walls.

Can local requirements be different?

Yes. California communities are not all the same.

Local governments may develop alternative approaches if they provide the same level of fire protection. They may also adopt stronger requirements when local wildfire conditions justify them.

The state has said that the early emphasis will be on education, assistance, and giving homeowners time to make changes.

What can you do now?

There is no need to wait before taking the simple steps that already make good wildfire-safety sense:

• Clean your roof and gutters

• Remove dead vegetation beside your home

• Move firewood away from structures

• Check beneath eaves and decks

• Remove combustible materials stored against exterior walls

• Identify bark mulch and wood chips within five feet

• Look at where wooden fences and gates connect to your home

• Start planning improvements before they become urgent

The final administrative review and local implementation process will determine when the requirements become enforceable.

FireSafe38 will continue following the process and sharing reliable information as it becomes available.

The basic message is simple. The closer combustible material is to your home, the greater the chance that a windblown ember can start a structure fire. Creating a safer first five feet can help protect your home, your neighbors, and our entire canyon community.

More information is available from the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.

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