What Is Defensible Space?

Defensible space refers to the buffer zones you create between a building and the surrounding vegetation or flammable materials. These areas help slow or stop the spread of wildfire and provide firefighters with a safer space to defend your home.

The State of California breaks defensible space into three zones:

• Zone 0 (0–5 feet): The ember-resistant zone. This area should be completely free of flammable materials like mulch, wood piles, or plants close to windows or vents.

• Zone 1 (5–30 feet): The lean, clean, and green zone. Keep vegetation well-spaced, remove dead plants, and trim branches at least 10 feet from chimneys.

• Zone 2 (30–100 feet): The reduced fuel zone. Mow grasses, space out trees, and remove surface litter and debris.

Where Compliance Is Required

If your property is in a State Responsibility Area (SRA)—generally rural and wildland areas—or a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) as designated by CAL FIRE or local jurisdictions, you are legally required to create and maintain defensible space.

This includes homes in:

• Wildland-urban interface zones

• Hillside and canyon areas

• Brush-heavy regions throughout coastal and inland California

You can check your property's status using the California Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer online.

What Happens If You Don’t Comply

Failing to meet defensible space standards has serious implications:

• Fines and Citations: Fire inspectors can issue notices of violation, and continued non-compliance may result in escalating fines.

• Insurance Loss: Many insurers now require annual defensible space inspections. Failure to comply could result in higher premiums or dropped coverage altogether.

• Home Sale Delays: Non-compliance may appear during disclosures or inspections, delaying closings or requiring costly last-minute work.

• Increased Fire Risk: Most importantly, the safety of your home and family is compromised if proper clearance and precautions aren’t in place.

Why DIY Yard Work Isn’t Enough

Maintaining defensible space is more technical than most homeowners realize. It’s not just about mowing the lawn or trimming trees:

• Trees must be spaced both horizontally and vertically to avoid creating fire ladders.

• Shrubs must be separated from trees to prevent flames from jumping.

• Embers can ignite bark mulch, wood fences, or stored firewood near your structure.

Even well-meaning efforts can backfire if they don’t meet code—or worse, violate environmental regulations like protected species or slope stability laws.

How Tradehaus Helps You Get It Right

At Tradehaus, we specialize in proactive property preparation with a focus on compliance and long-term safety. Our services include:

• On-site defensible space assessments

• Vegetation management and tree spacing

• Removal of combustible materials within critical proximity

• Erosion-safe clearing for Zone 2 compliance

• Ongoing maintenance contracts

We work with licensed arborists and follow CAL FIRE and local jurisdiction standards. Our team understands the nuances of local codes and can pull permits or coordinate with inspectors as needed.

Planning Ahead Is Key

Don’t wait until fire season—or worse, until you receive a notice of violation. Creating a defensible space plan now gives you the flexibility to:

• Apply for cost-sharing programs or grants

• Get ahead of inspection windows

• Avoid the spring rush when demand spikes and crews book out

It also gives your home a better chance of survival if wildfire does strike. Research shows that homes with maintained defensible space are far more likely to survive a wildfire than those without.

Final Thoughts

The time to address defensible space isn’t when the smoke’s already in the air. It’s now.

At Tradehaus, we take a proactive, expert-led approach to preparing your property—and we handle it with the same professionalism and precision we bring to every project.

If your property is in a wildfire-prone area, don’t leave compliance to chance. Let’s protect your home and community together.

Get in touch with Tradehaus today to schedule a defensible space assessment.