California’s New Landscaping Rules: You May Soon Be Required to Fire-Proof Your Yard

July 8, 2025

California's Assembly Bill 3074, passed in 2020, requires property owners in high fire hazard areas to create an "ember-resistant zone" within five feet of their homes to reduce wildfire risks. Despite Governor Newsom's February 2024 executive order to expedite implementation, the regulations have faced delays and are still in the "pre-rulemaking phase," with full implementation not expected until the end of 2025. Many homeowners like Oakland resident Tina Sanders remain unaware of these pending rules and have concerns about compliance costs and potential impacts on property values.

Who is affected

Homeowners in State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones
Residents in specific high-risk areas including parts of Los Angeles County (Rancho Palos Verdes, Calabasas, Malibu), Ventura County, portions of Riverside, San Diego, and San Bernardino counties
Homeowners in El Dorado County (South Lake Tahoe, Pollock Pines) and Lake Arrowhead
Property owners concerned about compliance costs and property values
Residents unaware of the pending regulations like Tina Sanders

What action is being taken

The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is working to adopt Zone 0 regulations following Governor Newsom's executive order
Fire departments have completed nearly 6,000 inspections, identifying over 1,900 violations of existing fire safety regulations
Some local governments like Berkeley are already providing guidance to homeowners on fireproofing their homes
CAL FIRE is providing prevention information about "fire smart landscaping" on their website
The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is conducting meetings to discuss Zone 0 implementation

Why it matters

Wind-driven embers during wildfires are a leading cause of structural fires
The regulations aim to reduce the risk of homes igniting during wildfires
Implementation could help lower insurance rates for homeowners and renters
Public safety experts warn that without significant changes to landscaping practices, urban areas remain at risk of destructive fires
Compliance will require changes to common landscaping elements, potentially affecting property aesthetics and values

What's next

The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection aims to have these regulations in place by the end of 2025
Once finalized, the rules will apply immediately to new constructions in designated high-risk areas
Other areas are expected to be designated in other hazard zones across the state soon after implementation
The regulations will likely prohibit combustible materials such as wooden fences, mulch, and flammable vegetation within Zone 0

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint