Jurisdiction · City of San Diego

San Diego's Zone 0 rules

San Diego moved before the state did. Its dates are already running, its plant rules are more prescriptive than the state's, and its guidance marks every point where an insurer will want more than the code does.

Who it applies to

All structures located in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone within the City of San Diego. The legal basis is San Diego Municipal Code 512.0604, the San Diego Wildland Urban Interface Code, implementing Zone 0 alongside AB 3074 and the California WUI Code.

Outside city limits, this page does not apply. Unincorporated San Diego County and the other cities in the county have their own authorities having jurisdiction.

The dates

Date	What happens
28 February 2026	Applies to all new structures applying for a building permit on or after this date. Also the cutoff defining an existing structure.
Feb 2026 – Feb 2027	Year 0, education. Door-to-door outreach and community education. No enforcement.
28 February 2027	Applies to existing structures. Enforcement may begin. Year 1, maintenance.
28 February 2028	Year 2, vegetation removal.
28 February 2029	Year 3, full compliance, including replacing noncompliant fences and gates.

Beyond 2029, a longer-term compliance plan may be offered for detached non-habitable structures such as pergolas and gazebos, and for unique situations including historic trees and structures.

San Diego is faster than the state. The state gives existing structures three years for the middle tier and up to five for the last. San Diego wants full compliance by February 2029. If you are in the city, plan to the city's dates.

What each phase year expects

Year 1, from Feb 2027: removal of dead vegetation and accumulated debris; relocation of firewood piles, trash bins and stored combustibles; relocation of under-deck storage; removal of anything the fire code official determines is a significant fire hazard.
Year 2, from Feb 2028: continued removal of non-compliant vegetation and replacement with Fire-Smart vegetation.
Year 3, from Feb 2029: full compliance, including fences and gates.

The twelve plant conditions

Potted and in-ground plants are permitted in Zone 0, but only where every one of these is met:

Combustible mulch is prohibited
All plants must be Fire-Smart or herbaceous
Plantings healthy, well maintained, irrigated and free of dead material
Containers no larger than five-gallon capacity
Containers noncombustible, on the ground or balcony floor
Maximum height 18 inches, measured from soil to top of plant
Not beneath or in front of windows; at least two feet from openings
Spaced at least 1.5 times the plant's height from each other, and one foot from decks and stairs
Artificial turf and grass lawns at least two feet from decks, stairs and structure walls
Grass lawn height not exceeding three inches
No horizontal or vertical fuel continuity to adjacent plantings or the structure
In-ground plants and containers at least one foot from structure walls

If the home has ignition-resistant construction features, or is noncombustible Type I, II or IV construction, all twelve still apply with one relaxation: no separation distance is required from the structure walls.

Fences and gates

Three distinct rules, often conflated:

Perpendicular attachment. Where an existing fence or gate attaches and extends perpendicular from the structure, a minimum five-foot noncombustible transitional span is required. The rest of the fence is unaffected.
Parallel fencing. Combustible fencing running parallel within Zone 0 that creates a continuous fuel pathway capable of transmitting fire to the structure is prohibited. This covers both a single shared fence and a pair of parallel fences.
Outside Zone 0. No changes and no new requirements.

Exceptions under an approved compliance plan:

Existing vinyl fencing without combustible reinforcement may remain if it runs parallel, sits at least four feet from the structure, is in sound condition, is kept free of debris, and has no vegetation between fence and structure.
Existing wood fencing may be permitted where it does not create a continuous fuel pathway, as determined by the fire code official.
New parallel wood fencing only if it is Fire Retardant Treated Wood meeting the vinyl conditions above and listed in the OSFM WUI Products Handbook for exterior use.

Decks, storage and outbuildings

Attached combustible decks, balconies and stairs do not require replacement — they are treated as part of the existing structure. Zone 0 applies to what sits on and beneath them:

Within five feet of exterior walls, no firewood, combustible storage, combustible planters or combustible outdoor furniture on deck surfaces
Beneath decks: free of combustible storage and vegetative debris. For decks four feet or less in height, 1/8-inch noncombustible mesh is required
Potted plants may sit on decks if at least five feet from adjacent exterior walls and away from openings

Prohibited within five feet: long-term storage of flammable or combustible materials; garbage and recycling containers except on collection days, and moved away on Red Flag Warning days; boats, recreational vehicles and trailers. Temporary parking of operational vehicles is permitted.

Non-habitable detached structures — gazebos, pergolas, sheds — in Zone 0 must be noncombustible.

Where insurance is stricter than the code

The city's own guidance marks each point where an insurer or the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home standard may demand more. Worth knowing before you buy materials once.

Item	Code allows	Insurer may require
Potted plants	Permitted under the twelve conditions	A restricted number, or none
In-ground vegetation, artificial turf	Permitted under conditions	Not allowed at all
Parallel fences	Both may remain under conditions	At least one noncombustible
Vinyl or FRTW fencing	Permitted under conditions	Not allowed within five feet
Under-deck mesh	Required for decks 4 ft or less	Required regardless of height
Exterior walls and siding	Ignition-resistant	Noncombustible
Eaves	Protected boxed or enclosed	Closed with noncombustible materials
Windows	Tempered or multi-pane	Dual-paned, both panes tempered
Decking	Fire-resistant where required	Noncombustible construction

What the discounts are actually worth →

Historic structures

Historic structures may use alternative compliance measures providing equivalent or greater fire protection, supported by a technical report. Alternatively, where strict application conflicts with preservation requirements, the owner may sign an affidavit acknowledging that Fire-Rescue has identified a condition posed by combustible materials likely to be ignited by embers, provided substantially similar fire-protection outcomes are achieved.

Historic here means designated under the National Register, the California Register, a local historic ordinance, or subject to a Mills Act agreement.

Enforcement posture

The city's stated approach is education and progress rather than violations. Where a specific violation is observed, an individual compliance plan may be established. Where compliance cannot be achieved, homeowners may be offered the option to sign an affidavit acknowledging the identified condition.

Home Risk Assessment

San Diego Fire-Rescue offers a Home Risk Assessment giving personalised guidance on defensible space including Zone 0. The published fee is $163, requested through an online form. Confirm current availability and price with the department.

Rules where you live

Source: City of San Diego Fire-Rescue, Zone 0 Guidelines for Existing Structures, revision dated 22 April 2026; San Diego Municipal Code 512.0604. The city states its guidance is subject to change at the discretion of the Fire Code Official — confirm before relying on any requirement here.