Zone 3 or the “Access Zone” Zero to 10 feet horizontally and 14 feet vertically from roads and driveways However, they may be permitted to a depth of 3 inches if erosion control is an issue. Remove fallen leaves, needles, twigs, bark, cones, and small branches.Create vertical spacing between grass, shrubs, and trees.Create horizontal spacing between shrubs and trees.Cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of 4 inches.Work with your neighbor to gain permission to clear defensible space on their property if it will help protect your home!Įxtending from 30′-100′ or to your property line at a minimum (you may be required to provide more clearance due to steep slopes, nearby vegetation conditions, and/or other conditions identified by the fire department). This zone should include at a minimum: California and local laws do not require you to create defensible space on property you don’t own. Zone 2 extends from 30′ to at least 100’–more defensible space may be required based on topography, vegetation, or building construction (for example, if you live on a hill, in a drainage, or an area surrounded by unusually dense or flammable vegetation, or have a wood shake roof, as much as 150′ may be required). Maintain regularly, focusing on the areas closest to structures.Outbuildings and liquid propane storage tanks should have at least 10’ of clearance.Clear vegetation around fences, sheds, outdoor furniture, play structures.Remove combustibles around and under decks and awnings.Move firewood & lumber out of Zone 1, or cover in a fire-resistant enclosure.Remove branches that overhang your roof or within 10’ of chimneys.Trim trees to remove limbs 6’ to 10’ from the ground.Provide spacing between shrubs, at least 2 times the height of the mature plant.Choose only fire-smart plants, and keep them healthy and well irrigated.Use only compost or heavy bark mulch to maintain soil moisture, or for erosion control.Remove “Gorilla Hair” or shredded bark mulch.Remove all fallen leaves, needles, twigs, bark, cones, and small branches.Remove all dead grasses, weeds, plants, & foliage.This extends 0′-30′ out from buildings, structures, decks, etc, and overlaps the Home Ignition Zone described above. Zone 1, sometimes referred to as the “home Ignition Zone” extends from your house’s exterior walls to a distance of 30 feet (the “Lean, Clean, and Green” zone). Hardscaping is strongly recommended around the base of structures.Use only inorganic, non-combustible mulches such as stone or gravel.Do not store firewood, lumber, or combustibles here, even (especially) under decks or overhangs. Move stored combustibles inside or at least 30’ from any structure.Remove tree limbs that extend into this zone. Fire-prone tree varieties should be removed if they extend into this zone.No vegetation is recommended within 5’ of any structure.Remove or relocate all combustible materials including garbage and recycling containers, lumber, trash, and patio accessories.Replace jute or natural fiber doormats with heavy rubber or metal grates.Remove combustible outdoor furniture. Replace with metal or non-combustible varieties.This area is most vulnerable and should be more aggressively maintained for fire resistance. It’s the area closest to your house, including plants, decks, outdoor furniture, and the outside walls and coverings. This zone extends 0 to 5 feet from your house. There should be ZERO combustibles in this zone! Take steps to harden your home with fire and ignition-resistant materials and design! Zone 0, sometimes referred to as the “Immediate Zone” is the area nearest your house, 0 to 5 feet, including the surfaces of the structure itself. Specific recommendations for each zone are described below. The Access Zone, Zone 3, is adjacent to roads and driveways, fourteen feet overhead and ten feet from the edge of the roadway. Greater defense zone widths may be necessary if your home is on a steep slope or in a windswept exposure. Zone 2 lies beyond the home defense zone, extending at least 100 feet from the house or to your property line.Zone 1 begins five feet from your house and extends 30 feet away. The most aggressive clearance is required closest to the structure.Zone 0 extends zero to five feet from structures, including the building itself, and should be completely free of combustibles.Three zones make up the required 100 feet of defensible space: Fire Safe Marin recommends homeowners utilize the “Home Ignition Zone” concept to make up the required 100 feet of defensible space.
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