Wildfire Prepared Home Standard

Zone 0 — The Noncombustible Zone

The first five feet around your home is a noncombustible moat that prevents wind-driven embers from igniting materials next to your structure. This is the single highest-impact action you can take.

0-5 ftNoncombustible zone

90%Homes lost to embers

6Action categories below

During a wildfire, embers travel miles ahead of the flame front. What's within 5 feet of your home determines whether it survives.

Zone 0 rules are changing

California's Board of Forestry and Fire Protection adopted updated Zone 0 regulations in August 2026, but they have not yet taken effect. Implementation for existing homes will be phased in after the regulations become effective. In the meantime, you can take practical steps now, pursue available grant funding, and plan improvements over time.

See Zone 0 grant funding

How California's 2026 framework works

Zone 0 is still the first five feet around your home, but it is not a single “nothing can be here” strip. The 2026 framework focuses on noncombustible safety areas around the most vulnerable parts of your home, with more flexibility for the rest of Zone 0.

Noncombustible safety areas

Keep these vegetation- and fuel-free:

At least 1 foot from the structure, or to the outer edge of the eaves, whichever is greater
2 feet from windows, glass doors, and vents
5 feet around attached decks, stairs, and pergolas

The rest of Zone 0

Certain well-maintained landscaping may remain, subject to the adopted standards:

Qualifying non-woody plants
Low groundcover or lawn
Some small potted plants in noncombustible containers

How to Measure Zone 0

The 0-5 Foot Noncombustible Zone is measured horizontally from the edge of your home's exterior walls and, if present, from the outermost posts of any attached deck, porch, or overhead structure — extending outward to five feet.

Pay special attention to what is overhead. Keep tree branches and foliage from overhanging the most vulnerable areas of your home, such as the roof, eaves, and vents, and remove any dead material.

If you don't have a 5-foot setback between your house and the property line, you may need to coordinate with your neighbor or HOA to achieve this requirement.

Annotated photos showing the 5-foot noncombustible zone measured from home exterior walls, with labels indicating the 5-foot perimeter

The 5-foot zone is measured horizontally from exterior walls and deck posts. Source: Wildfire Prepared Home

Aerial view of a home showing the noncombustible zone perimeter from above

Aerial perspective: the noncombustible zone surrounds the entire structure, creating a defensible perimeter.

Back to Prevention

Zone 0 Best-Practice Checklist

The checklist below reflects the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home standard, a voluntary best-practice standard that is more stringent than California's adopted rules. Use it as a practical guide to reduce your home's risk; refer to the California framework above for the state's adopted requirements, which are not yet in effect.

Vegetation

Keep the required safety areas free of vegetation. Certain well-maintained low plants may remain elsewhere in Zone 0.

Within the required noncombustible safety areas (see "How California's 2026 framework works" above), keep the space free of vegetation and combustible fuels.
Zone 0 does not mean removing all vegetation throughout the entire five feet. Outside the safety areas, certain well-maintained, low-growing plants and groundcovers may remain, subject to the adopted standards.
Remove dead and dying vegetation, weeds, and vegetative debris throughout Zone 0.

Noncombustible gravel and brick hardscape replacing vegetation around a home foundation

Trees, Limbs, and Branches

Maintain trees — don't automatically remove them.

Properly maintained trees may remain in Zone 0.
Remove dead material, maintain appropriate branch clearance, and prevent debris from accumulating on the ground, roof, and in gutters.
Keep foliage from overhanging the most vulnerable areas, such as the roof, eaves, and vents.

View from roofline showing clear space around home with no overhanging branches

Groundcover

Use noncombustible surfaces in the required safety areas. Low, maintained groundcover may remain elsewhere.

In the required noncombustible safety areas, remove wood mulch, wood chips, pine needles, and other combustible groundcover.
Outside the safety areas, low, well-maintained groundcover or lawn may be permitted, subject to the adopted standards.

Noncombustible options for safety areas

GravelPaversRiver rocksDecomposed granite (DG)SteppingstonesConcrete

Noncombustible 6-inch base siding on stucco home with hardscape groundcover

Fences and Gates

Address combustible fences and gates where they connect to the home.

Prioritize noncombustible materials where fences and gates connect to, or are very near, the structure.
Existing fencing does not necessarily require wholesale replacement. Under the adopted standards, new combustible fencing is treated more restrictively.

Noncombustible materials

Metal — aluminum, chain link, steel, ironConcrete or masonry

Metal chain-link gate properly connected to stucco wall as noncombustible fencing

Vehicles and Parked Items

Reduce vehicles and other fuels near the home, especially during high fire danger.

Vehicles, trailers, boats, and RVs can be a significant fuel source. When practical, keep them away from the home, especially during Red Flag Warnings or extended absences.
This is a recommended risk-reduction practice. A blanket five-foot vehicle prohibition is not part of the state's adopted Zone 0 requirements.

Propane tank placed on noncombustible gravel pad with proper clearance from structure

Combustible Items

Remove readily combustible fuels. Some items may remain outside the required safety areas.

Remove firewood, wood mulch and chips, dead vegetation, and other readily combustible materials from Zone 0. Keep roofs and gutters clear.
Not every combustible item is categorically prohibited. Some items, including qualifying potted plants in noncombustible containers, may be allowed outside the required safety areas.

Exceptions

Movable items (trash/recycle bins, door mats, garden hoses, propane BBQ grills, bird feeders, pet beds, kids' toys) are best relocated indoors or 30+ feet away during Red Flag Warnings or extended absences.
As a best practice, replace combustible furniture (wood, wicker, plastic) near the home with noncombustible-framed alternatives — cast iron, aluminum, or metal.

Under-deck area with mesh screening installed to prevent ember intrusion and debris accumulation

Building Feature Requirements

Clearing vegetation and combustibles is half the equation. The structure itself must resist ember intrusion at every opening and surface. These are required for the Wildfire Prepared Home Base designation.

Roof

Class A fire-rated covering required — asphalt shingles, concrete/clay tile, slate, or metal. Wood roofs and plastic corrugated panels are not permitted. Keep roof clear of all vegetative debris.

Gutters

Must be noncombustible (metal). Clear all vegetative debris regularly. Plus level: add noncombustible gutter guards to prevent debris accumulation.

1/8-inch metal mesh screen installed over foundation vent in stone wall

Vents

All vents (roof, attic gable, eave/soffit, under-home) must have flame- and ember-resistant screens or 1/8-inch corrosion-resistant metal mesh. Exception: do not mesh dryer vents — ensure they have functional louvers or flaps instead.

Fiber-cement siding on exterior wall showing noncombustible material

6-Inch Noncombustible Base

Exterior walls must have at least 6 vertical inches of noncombustible siding at ground level and above any attached horizontal surface (deck, patio). Acceptable: exposed concrete foundation, fiber-cement, brick, stone, stucco, or metal flashing.

Enclosed eave soffit with recessed lighting and noncombustible materials

Eaves and Soffits

Plus level: enclose exposed eave undersides with noncombustible soffit — fiber-cement, stucco, or 2-inch nominal lumber. Soffit vents must be flame- and ember-resistant or covered with 1/8-inch metal mesh.

Noncombustible tile deck with metal cable railing on hillside home

Decks and Structures

Attached patios, decks, stairs, and overhead structures are part of the building footprint. Each needs its own 0-5 foot noncombustible zone measured from outermost posts. Keep surfaces clear of debris, remove combustible furniture, and enclose under-deck areas.

Full structural hardening details

Wildfire Prepared Home Designation

Base Designation

Ember defense — the essential level

Create the 0-5 foot noncombustible zone
Maintain 30 feet of defensible space
Upgrade vulnerable building features (roof, gutters, vents, siding)

Plus Designation

Enhanced protection — radiant heat + direct flame

All Base requirements plus:
Enclosed eaves with noncombustible soffit
Tempered glass skylights and dual-pane windows
Noncombustible exterior wall covering (all siding)
Noncombustible decks and gutter guards
No detached structures within 30 feet

Based on the latest science from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). Learn more and apply at wildfireprepared.org

Red Flag Warning / Extended Absence Protocol

When a Red Flag Warning is issued or you'll be away from home for an extended period, take these additional steps:

Clear all vegetative debris from the 0-5 foot zone
Relocate trash/recycle bins, door mats, BBQ grills, and other movable combustible items indoors or 30+ feet away
Move vehicles, trailers, boats, and RVs at least 30 feet from the home or into a closed garage
Remove all vegetative debris from roof and gutters
Move patio furniture cushions, potted plants, and kids' toys indoors

Sources

Regulatory framework (primary): California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, Guidance for Establishing and Maintaining Defensible Space for Zones 0-2 (September 2026) · bof.fire.ca.gov
Voluntary best-practice standard: Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), Wildfire Prepared Home Technical Standard · wildfireprepared.org · CAL FIRE — Ready for Wildfire

Completed Your Zone 0 Work?

Every hour of defensible space work counts toward your annual Firewise requirement. Log your hours now to maintain our community's certification — and your insurance discount eligibility.

Log Your Firewise Hours Apply for Designation CAL FIRE Self-Assessment