California Passes Toughest Wildfire Rules in the U.S. for Home Landscaping

High fire-risk California homes must limit trees, plants, fences under new ‘Zone 0’ rules

State legislators voted to create the regulations more than five years ago as California was reeling from massive wildfires in 2020 that razed thousands of homes and killed 31 people, requiring an "ember-resistant" zone, known as Zone 0, near homes.

Homes could face new wildfire-safety requirements under 'Zone 0'

Some Californians might soon be living in a new kind of danger zone. Wildfire safety rules approved by the state Board of Forestry and Fire Protection would require homeowners in fire-prone areas to reduce combustible materials within five feet of their homes. The board approved the final draft of its first-in-the-nation “Zone 0” defensible-space regulations on Wednesday, which are intended to reduce the risk that wind-driven embers will ignite …

State approves 'Zone Zero' fire-safe landscaping rules, reshaping yards for millions of Californians

The California Board of Forestry approved 'Zone Zero' regulations outlining what residents in fire-prone areas can plant, build and store near their homes.

California passes toughest wildfire rules in the U.S. for home landscaping

California has adopted the toughest new rules in the country that require homeowners to manage the plants around their houses. Fire experts say it helps protect houses from burning, but public pushback has been strong.