Section 4907.4 of the California fire code is hereby added to read as follows:
4907.4 Defensible space zones. All existing habitable buildings and structures withing the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) shall maintain defensible space in accordance with sections 4907.4.1, 4907.4.2, and 4907.4.3. The fire code official may require additional fuel modification measures to be taken by the property owner when extreme hazardous vegetation conditions are present.
4907.4.1 Zone Zero (0-5 feet) - Ember Resistant. Zone zero zones shall be maintained in accordance with sections 4907.4.1.1 through 4907.4.1.8.
4907.4.1.1 Vegetation. Vegetation shall be in accordance with the following:
1. Ornamental and native shrubs shall be thinned, relocated, or removed to provide no more than fifty (50) percent density and/or coverage and shall be positioned to limit plan continuity and inhibit fire progression.
2. Remove all dead, dying, or diseased vegetation, including where applicable on portions of live vegetation and dead, dying, or diseased grass, plants, shrubs, branches, leaves, and weeds.
3. Maintain grasses to a maximum height of four (4) inches.
4. Maintain large shrubs and hedges exceeding six (6) feet in height such that limbs are not within 4 feet of the ground or one-third of its height, whichever is less.
5. Vines are to be limited on the structure.
6. Vegetation under windows shall be kept to below eighteen (18) inches.
7. Consideration shall be given to properties with more fire-resistive construction, lower flammability plant species, and frequent irrigation.
4907.4.1.2 Tree Maintenance. Tree maintenance shall be in accordance with the following:
1. Trees shall be maintained (i.e., cleaned, thinned, raised) to reduce the spread of fire.
2. Tree branches shall have six (6) feet of clearance above roofs, combustible fences, combustible structures, and the ground. Additional clearance equal to three (3) times the height of the shrub is needed if shrubs are located under tree branches.
3. Dead, dying, or diseased trees shall be removed. An evaluation by a licensed arborist with recommendations on removal of dying or diseased trees may be required by the fire code official.
4907.4.1.3 Balconies, Overhangs, and Porches. The underside of balconies, overhangs, and porches shall be kept clear of combustible vegetation.
4907.4.1.4 Organic Wood Chips and Mulch. Organic mulch and wood chip application is prohibited. Non-combustible materials such as concrete, gravel, decomposed granite, or other approved materials shall be used within this zone.
4907.4.1.5 Firewood. Firewood shall not be stored within this zone.
4907.4.1.6 Chimneys. All chimneys shall have a spark arrestor and all branches shall be a minimum of ten (10) feet from chimneys, stovepipe outlet, and heater outlets.
4907.4.1.7 Propane Tanks. Dead, dying, or diseased vegetation shall be removed from within ten (10) feet of propane tanks.
4907.4.1.8 Roofs and Gutters. Maintain the roof and gutters to be free of leaves, needles, or other vegetation.
4907.4.1.9 Firefighter Access. Remove hazardous items that would hinder existing firefighter access to all sides of the structure.
4907.4.2 Zone One (5-30 feet) - Lean, Clean, and Green Zone. Zone one zones shall be maintained in accordance with sections 4907.4.2.1 through 4907.4.2.5.
4907.4.2.1 Vegetation. Vegetation shall be in accordance with the following:
1. Ornamental and native shrubs shall be thinned, relocated, or removed to provide no more than fifty (50) percent density and/or coverage and shall be positioned to limit plan continuity and inhibit fire progression.
2. Remove all dead, dying, or diseased vegetation, including where applicable on portions of live vegetation and dead, dying, or diseased grass, plants, shrubs, branches, leaves, and weeds.
3. Maintain grasses to a maximum height of four (4) inches.
4. Maintain large shrubs and hedges exceeding six (6) feet in height such that limbs are not within 4 feet of the ground or one-third of its height, whichever is less.
5. Consideration shall be given to properties with more fire-resistive construction, lower flammability plant species, and frequent irrigation.
4907.4.2.2 Tree Maintenance. Tree maintenance shall be in accordance with the following:
1. Trees shall be maintained (i.e., cleaned, thinned, raised) to reduce the spread of fire.
2. Tree branches shall have six (6) feet of clearance above roofs, combustible fences, combustible structures, and the ground. Additional clearance equal to three (3) times the height of the shrub is needed if shrubs are located under tree branches.
3. Dead, dying, or diseased trees shall be removed. An evaluation by a licensed arborist with recommendations on removal of dying or diseased trees may be required by the fire code official.
4907.4.2.3 Organic Wood Chips and Mulch. Organic mulch and wood chips shall be kept at a depth of three (3) inches.
4907.4.2.4 Propane Tanks. Dead, dying, or diseased vegetation shall be removed from within ten (10) feet of propane tanks.
4907.4.2.5 Firefighter Access. Remove hazardous items that would hinder existing firefighter access to all sides of the structure.
4907.4.3 Zone Two (30-100 feet) - Fuel Reduction Zone. Zone one zones shall be maintained in accordance with sections 4907.4.3.1 through 4907.4.3.5.
4907.4.3.1 Vegetation. Vegetation shall be in accordance with the following:
1. Ornamental and native shrubs shall be thinned, relocated, or removed to provide no more than sixty (60) percent density and/or coverage and shall be positioned to limit plan continuity and inhibit fire progression.
2. Remove all dead, dying, or diseased vegetation, including where applicable on portions of live vegetation and dead, dying, or diseased grass, plants, shrubs, branches, leaves, and weeds.
3. Maintain grasses to a maximum height of eighteen (18) inches.
4. Maintain large shrubs and hedges exceeding six (6) feet in height such that limbs are not within four (4) feet of the ground or one-third of its height, whichever is less.
5. Consideration shall be given to properties with more fire-resistive construction, lower flammability plant species, and frequent irrigation.
4907.4.3.2 Tree Maintenance. Tree maintenance shall be in accordance with the following:
1. Trees shall be maintained (i.e., cleaned, thinned, raised) to reduce the spread of fire.
2. Tree branches shall have six (6) feet of clearance above roofs, combustible fences, combustible structures, and the ground. Additional clearance equal to three (3) times the height of the shrub is needed if shrubs are located under tree branches.
3. Dead, dying, or diseased trees shall be removed. An evaluation by a licensed arborist with recommendations on removal of dying or diseased trees may be required by the fire code official.
4. All exposed wood piles shall have a minimum of ten (10) feet of clearance down to bare mineral soil in all direction.
4907.4.3.3 Organic Wood Chips and Mulch. Organic mulch and wood chips shall be kept at a depth of three (3) inches.
4907.4.3.4 Propane Tanks. Dead, dying, or diseased vegetation shall be removed from within ten (10) feet of propane tanks.
4907.4.3.5 Firefighter Access. Remove hazardous items that would hinder existing firefighter access to all sides of the structure.
(Ord. 2948, 2022: Ord. 2900, 2019: Ord. 2840, 2016)