Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14 § 1299.03

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 49, December 6, 2024

Section 1299.03 - Requirements

Defensible space is required to be maintained at all times, whenever flammable vegetative conditions exist. One hundred feet (100 ft.) of defensible space clearance shall be maintained in two distinct "Zones" as follows: "Zone 1" extends thirty feet (30 ft.) out from each "Building or Structure," or to the property line, whichever comes first; "Zone 2" extends from thirty feet (30 ft.) to one hundred feet (100 ft.) from each "Building or Structure," but not beyond the property line. The vegetation treatment requirements for Zone 1 are more restrictive than for Zone 2, as provided in (a) and (b) below. The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's "Property Inspection Guide, 2000 version, April 2000," provides additional guidance on vegetation treatment within Zone 1 and Zone 2, but is not mandatory and is not intended as a substitute for these regulations.

(a) Zone 1 Requirements:

(1) Remove all dead or dying grass, plants, shrubs, trees, branches, leaves, weeds, and pine needles from the Zone whether such vegetation occurs in yard areas around the "Building or Structure," on the roof or rain gutters of the "Building or Structure," or any other location within the Zone.

(2) Remove dead tree or shrub branches that overhang roofs, below or adjacent to windows, or which are adjacent to wall surfaces, and keep all branches a minimum of ten feet (10 ft.) away from chimney and stovepipe outlets.

(3) Relocate exposed firewood piles outside of Zone 1 unless they are completely covered in a fire resistant material.

(4) Remove flammable vegetation and items that could catch fire which are adjacent to or under combustible decks, balconies and stairs.

(b) Zone 2 Requirements:

(1) In this zone create horizontal and vertical spacing among shrubs and trees using the "Fuel Separation" method, the "Continuous Tree Canopy" method or a combination of both to achieve defensible space clearance requirements. Further guidance regarding these methods is contained in the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection's, "General Guidelines for Creating Defensible Space, February 8, 2006," incorporated herein by reference, and the "Property Inspection Guide" referenced elsewhere in this regulation.

(2) In both the Fuel Separation and Continuous Tree Canopy methods the following standards apply:

(A) Dead and dying woody surface fuels and aerial fuels shall be removed. Loose surface litter, normally consisting of fallen leaves or needles, twigs, bark, cones, and small branches, shall be permitted to a maximum depth of three inches (3 in.).

(B) Cut annual grasses and forbs down to a maximum height of four inches (4 in.).

(C) All exposed wood piles must have a minimum of ten feet (10 ft.) of clearance, down to bare mineral soil, in all directions.

(c) For both Zones 1 and 2:

(1) "Outbuildings" and Liquid Propane Gas (LPG) storage tanks shall have the following minimum clearance: ten feet (10 ft.) of clearance to bare mineral soil and no flammable vegetation for an additional ten feet (10 ft.) around their exterior.

(2) Protect water quality. Do not clear vegetation to bare mineral soil and avoid the use of heavy equipment in and around streams and seasonal drainages. Vegetation removal can cause soil erosion, especially on steep slopes. Keep soil disturbance to a minimum on steep slopes.

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 1299.03

1. New section filed 3-6-2013; operative 7-1-2013. Provisions derived from repealed section 1299, subsections (a), (b) and (d) (Register 2013, No. 10).
2. New subsection (b)(2)(A) filed 8-19-2013; operative 10-1-2013 (Register 2013, No. 34).
3. Change without regulatory effect amending first paragraph and subsection (b)(1) filed 3-27-2018 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2018, No. 13).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 4290 and 4291, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 4291, Public Resources Code; and Sections 18908 and 18917, Health and Safety Code.