CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code

How does the CWUIC define wildfire, wildland, WUI area and defensible space?

Section 202 is the CWUIC’s definitions chapter. The CWUIC uses that section and explicit cross‑references to state law (PRC 4291 and CCR Title 14/19) to define **wildfire**, **wildland**, **WUI area**, and **defensible space**. Numeric clearances you’ll commonly encounter in the CWUIC are **10 ft** (outbuilding / road clearances), **30 ft** (clearance from ignition sources), and authorized firebreaks up to **300 ft** in special cases — but the CWUIC points you to PRC/CCR for the definitive defensible‑space distances and local enforcement details, so confirm with the local code official and the referenced statutes for the exact requirements .

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

The single most important point: Section § 202 is the CWUIC’s definitions section — it is the place to look first for how the code uses terms, and the CWUIC frequently relies on and cross‑references State law and CCR Title 14/19 definitions (see § 202 and the Chapter 2 roster) .

What the code requires — 2–4 sentences

The CWUIC puts all term definitions in § 202 (Chapter 2) as the controlling definitions repository; when the CWUIC does not restate a term it expressly references the California Code of Regulations or Public Resources Code for the definition it relies on (for example, defensible space is defined by reference to CCR Title 14 / PRC definitions in the CWUIC text) — see § 202 and the CWUIC cross‑references in Chapter 6 and Appendix H . In practice the CWUIC: (1) treats WUI area as the geographic area where the code applies (see § 101.2 and Chapter 4); and (2) implements required vegetation clearances and maintenance by cross‑reference to PRC 4291 and CCR Title 14 where the defensible‑space distances and criteria are specified .

Requirements in detail

Where the definitions live

  • § 202 — Chapter 2 is the code’s definitions chapter; it is the controlling place the CWUIC uses to define terms for the rest of the code (see Chapter 2 table and index) .
  • The CWUIC also reprints and relies on definitions from CCR Title 14 and Title 19 in Appendix H when it refers to state regulatory terms (e.g., the CCR definitions used in the WUI context) .

Key terms (plain English, where the CWUIC points you)

  • wildfire — (term located in the code’s definitions repository; the CWUIC uses the CCR / PRC definitions where applicable). The CWUIC repeatedly uses the term in Chapters 3–6 but defers to reprinted Title 14/19 definitions in Appendix H for the canonical state regulatory meaning .
  • wildland — (defined in the code’s definitions repository / cross‑references). The CWUIC treats “wildland” as the vegetated fuel environment outside the built environment; the exact statutory/CCR phrasing appears in the definitions chapter or referenced regulations (see § 202 and Appendix H) .
  • WUI area (wildland‑urban interface area) — the geographic area to which the CWUIC provisions apply (see § 101.2 and Chapter 4 applicability language). The code applies its special construction, access and vegetation rules to buildings located within that WUI area .
  • defensible space — defined in CWUIC Chapter 6 by direct citation to CCR Title 14 definitions: the buffer a landowner must create between a building/structure and surrounding fuels; the CWUIC references CCR Title 14 / PRC standards for how that buffer is measured and maintained (see § 601.3 and § 604.1–604.3) .

Decision‑relevant dimensions and values (how to decide what to do)

Decision dimension / value What it means for the owner / designer Code reference
WUI area — is the property inside the WUI? If yes, CWUIC building, access and vegetation rules apply to new buildings and many renovations. § 101.2, Chapter 4 (WUI Area scope)
Defensible space (buffer) — requirement exists; exact radius/criteria CWUIC defers to PRC 4291 and CCR Title 14 for the specific defensible‑space distances and standards; owners must follow those referenced laws where CWUIC points to them (see § 601.3 and § 604.3) § 601.3, § 604.3 (refs to PRC 4291 and CCR T14)
Outbuildings clearance — 10 feet to bare mineral soil Outbuildings must have a minimum clearance of 10 feet down to bare mineral soil in all directions; vegetation between 10 and 20 feet from outbuildings must be fire‑smart § 604.4
Clearance on each side of fire apparatus access roads / driveways — 10 feet Code official may require areas within 10 feet on each side of portions of fire apparatus access roads and driveways to be cleared of non‑fire‑smart vegetation (exceptions for single ornamental trees/groundcovers) § A102.2 (Appendix A)
Clearance from ignition sources — 30 feet Clearance between ignition sources and grass/brush/combustibles shall be maintained at not less than 30 feet § A104.3 (Appendix A)
Authorized larger firebreak radius — up to 300 feet (when authorized) PRC 4291 (reprinted/quoted in CWUIC Appendix material) authorizes firebreaks/vegetation management up to 300 ft from certain critical facilities or when the director authorizes it for life/property protection PRC 4291 text referenced in CWUIC (see reproduced text in appendices)

Notes:

  • The CWUIC often points to other California authorities (PRC, CCR) for the numeric defensible‑space requirements; where it does so, the CWUIC makes the external standard mandatory by reference (see § 601.3, § 604.3) .
  • Appendix G contains voluntary home‑hardening recommendations (informational only) and is not mandatory; do not treat Appendix G as the definitional source for code compliance .

Where the CWUIC borrows definitions from (important cross‑references)

  • CCR Title 14 (State Minimum Fire Safe Regulations) — multiple definitions (reprinted / referenced in Appendix H) — see Appendix H / § 1270.01 and related entries reproduced in the CWUIC .
  • PRC 4291 — referenced repeatedly for defensible‑space duties and distances (CWUIC makes compliance with PRC 4291 a requirement for areas the code covers) .

Exceptions & special cases

  • The CWUIC delegates precise defensible‑space distance rules to PRC 4291 and CCR Title 14; where the CWUIC does not restate a numeric distance it expects you to follow the referenced statute/regulation — check local jurisdiction adoption and enforcement for the exact radius that applies to your parcel (CWUIC §§ 601.3, 604.3) .
  • Road and access‑related clearance rules in Section 403 do not apply to roads used solely for agriculture, mining, timberland management or harvesting of forest products (exemption in CCR Title 14 as reprinted in CWUIC) — see the Section 403 user note and the CCR cross‑reference .
  • Appendix G items are voluntary (informational) — helpful for homeowners but not mandatory code requirements .
  • Where CWUIC authorizes the code official to require greater clearances, the official may adopt case‑specific fuel breaks or different clearances based on local hazard analysis (see fuel‑break and code‑official authority provisions) .

Common mistakes

  • Treating Appendix G recommendations as mandatory compliance — Appendix G is informational; mandatory obligations come from body text and the statutes/CCR the CWUIC references .
  • Assuming the CWUIC itself always lists numeric defensible‑space distances — the CWUIC frequently points to PRC 4291 and CCR Title 14 for the distance and maintenance rules; you must consult those referenced laws for the exact numeric requirements instead of relying solely on CWUIC chapter text (see § 601.3 and § 604.3) .
  • Applying a single “rule of thumb” distance statewide — local jurisdictions may adopt or enforce specific WUI area boundaries and very high fire hazard zones that change what applies to a parcel. Always confirm whether the parcel lies inside a jurisdictional WUI area or an SRA/LRA designation (see § 101.3.1 and Chapter 3 mapping) .
  • Confusing required clearances around outbuildings (explicit in the CWUIC) with voluntary home‑hardening actions — the 10‑ft outbuilding minimum clearance is a CWUIC requirement; other home‑hardening measures may be voluntary (Appendix G) .

Worked example — concrete scenario applying the CWUIC rules

Scenario: A homeowner is building a new house in a mapped WUI area. There is a detached shed 15 ft from the house and a private driveway with vegetation along it.

  1. Is the property in the WUI area?

    • Check the WUI designation and the code’s scope. If within the WUI area the CWUIC building and vegetation rules apply (see § 101.2, Chapter 4) .

  2. Outbuilding clearance (apply CWUIC numeric rule that appears in Chapter 6):

    • The CWUIC requires outbuildings to have a minimum clearance of 10 feet down to bare mineral soil in all directions; vegetation greater than 10 feet but less than 20 feet from the outbuilding must be fire‑smart. In this scenario the shed is 15 ft from the house; the shed itself must have 10 ft bare‑soil clearance, and vegetation between 10–20 ft must be fire‑smart (CWUIC § 604.4) .

  3. Driveway / access clearance:

    • The code official may require vegetation to be cleared 10 ft on each side of portions of fire apparatus access roads/driveways (Appendix A A102.2). The homeowner should expect to manage vegetation within 10 ft of the driveway where the code official requires it, subject to local implementation and the exception for single ornamental specimens .

  4. Defensible space around the house:

    • The CWUIC requires compliance with PRC 4291 / CCR Title 14 for defensible‑space creation and maintenance; the homeowner must follow the PRC/CCR criteria (CWUIC § 601.3, § 604.3) — confirm the exact distance and zone requirements with local enforcement because the CWUIC references the state law rather than restating every numeric threshold in Chapter 2 .

  5. If a larger fuel break is needed:

    • The PRC/CCR authorities (as reprinted/cited in CWUIC appendices) authorize firebreaks up to 300 ft from certain critical facilities when the director or fire official authorizes it — such actions require authorization and are not unilateral homeowner decisions (see PRC 4291 text referenced in CWUIC) .

Related provisions (CWUIC sections to read next)

  • § 202 — Chapter 2 definitions (start here)
  • § 101.2 — Scope and how WUI area is applied (what “WUI area” means for applicability)
  • § 301 / § 302.1 — Mapping and designation of Wildland‑Urban Interface Areas (how jurisdictions map WUI boundaries)
  • § 403.1.1 — Defensible space definition as used for access/roads (CCR Title 14 reprint)
  • § 601.3 — Defensible space cross‑reference to CCR Title 14 §1299.02(a) (chapter 6 definition)
  • § 604.1–604.5 — Maintenance of defensible space and numeric outbuilding clearances (e.g., § 604.4: 10 ft)
  • Appendix A A102.2 — Clearance of brush from roadways (10 ft) and other ignition‑source control rules (A104.3: 30 ft)
  • Appendix H — Reprints / references to CCR Title 14 and PRC (where the CWUIC borrows many regulatory definitions)

Code references

Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

  • CWUIC § 3.1 High relevance — show source text

    Its purpose is to provide fire protection measures supplemental to those found in Chapter 6 to reduce the threat of wildfire in a wildland-urban interface area and improve the capability for controlling such fires. This appendix includes detailed requirements for vegetation control; the code official’s authority to close wildland-interface areas in times of high fire danger; control of fires, fireworks usage and other sources of ignition; storage of hazardous materials and combustibles; bans on the dumping of waste materials and ashes and coals in wildland-urban interface areas; protection of pumps and water supplies; and limits on temporary uses within the wildland-urban interface area.

    SECTION A101—GENERAL

    A101.1 Scope. The provisions of this appendix establish general requirements applicable to new and existing properties located within wildland-urban interface areas .

    A101.2 Objective. The objective of this appendix is to provide necessary fire protection measures to reduce the threat of wildfire in a wildland-urban interface area and improve the capability of controlling such fires.

    SECTION A102—VEGETATION CONTROL

    A102.1 General. Vegetation control shall comply with Sections A102.2 through A102.4.

    A102.2 Clearance of brush or vegetative growth from roadways. The code official is authorized to require areas within 10 feet (3048 mm) on each side of portions of fire apparatus access roads and driveways to be cleared of nonfire-smart vegetation growth.

    Exception: Single specimens of trees, ornamental vegetative fuels or cultivated ground cover, such as green grass, ivy, succulents or similar plants used as ground cover, provided they do not form a means of readily transmitting fire.

    A102.3 Clearance of brush and vegetative growth from electrical transmission and distribution lines. Clearance of brush and vegetative growth from electrical transmission and distribution lines shall be in accordance with Sections A102.3.1 through A102.3.2.3.

    Exception: Sections A102.3.1 through A102.3.2.3 do not authorize persons not having legal right of entry to enter on or damage the property of others without consent of the owner.

    A102.3.1 Support clearance. Persons owning, controlling, operating or maintaining electrical transmission or distribution lines shall have an approved program in place that identifies poles or towers with equipment and hardware types that have a history of becoming an ignition source, and provides a combustible free space consisting of a clearing of not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in each direction from the outer circumference of such pole or tower during such periods of time as designated by the code official.

    Exception: Lines used exclusively as telephone, telegraph, messenger call, alarm transmission or other lines classed as communication circuits by a public utility.

    A102.3.2 Electrical distribution and transmission line clearances. Clearances between vegetation and electrical lines shall be in accordance with Sections A102.3.2.1 through A102.3.2.3.

    A102.3.2.1 Trimming clearance. At the time of trimming, clearances not less than those established by Table A102.3.2.1 shall be provided. The radial clearances shown are minimum clearances that shall be established, at time of trimming, between the vegetation and the energized conductors and associated live parts.

    Exception: The code official is authorized to establish minimum clearances different than those specified by Table A102.3.2.1 when evidence substantiating such other clearances is submitted to and approved by the code official.

  • CWUIC § 601.1 High relevance — show source text

    SECTION 601—GENERAL

    601.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter establish general requirements for new and existing buildings, structures and premises located within wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas .

    601.2 Objective. The objective of this chapter is to establish minimum requirements to mitigate conditions that might cause a fire originating in a structure to ignite vegetation in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) area, and conversely, a wildfire burning in vegetative fuels to transmit fire to buildings and threaten to destroy life, overwhelm fire suppression capabilities or result in large property losses.

    601.3 Chapter 6 definitions. Where used in this chapter, the term listed below shall be defined as follows:

    DEFENSIBLE SPACE. The buffer that landowners are required to create on their property between a “Building or Structure” and the plants, brush and trees or other items surrounding the “Building or Structure” that could ignite in the event of a fire. [CCR Title 14 §1299.02(a)]

    SECTION 602— FIRE PROTECTION PLANS

    602.1 General. The code official is authorized to require the owner or owner’s authorized agent to provide a fire protection plan. The fire protection plan shall be prepared to determine the acceptability of fire protection and life safety measures designed to mitigate wildfire hazards presented for the property under consideration.

    The fire protection plan shall be prepared by a registered design professional, qualified landscape architect, qualified fire safety specialist or similar specialist acceptable to the code official and shall analyze the wildfire risk of the building, project, premises or region to recommend necessary changes.

    The code official is authorized to require a preliminary fire protection plan prior to the submission of a final fire protection plan.

    602.2 Contents. The fire protection plan shall be based on a project-specific wildfire hazard assessment that includes considerations of location, topography, aspect and climatic and fire history.

    The plan shall identify conformance with all applicable state wildfire protection regulations, statutes and applicable local ordi- nances, whichever are more restrictive.

    The plan shall address fire department access, egress, road and address signage and water supply in addition to fuel reduction in accordance with Public Resources Code (PRC) 4290; the defensible space requirements in accordance with PRC 4291 or Government Code 51182; and the applicable building codes and standards for wildfire safety. The plan shall identify mitigation measures to address the project’s specific wildfire risk and shall include the information required in Sections 602.3 through 602.3.2.

    602.3 Project information. The final fire protection plan shall be reviewed and approved prior to start of construction.

    602.3.1 Preliminary fire protection plan. When a preliminary fire protection plan is submitted, it shall include, at a minimum, the following: 1. Total size of the project. 2. Information on the adjoining properties on all sides, including current land uses, and if known, existing structures and densi- ties, planned construction, natural vegetation, environmental restoration plans, roads and parks. 3. A map with all project boundary lines, property lines, slope contour lines, proposed structure foundation footprints, and proposed roads and driveways. The map shall identify project fuel modification zones and method of identifying the fuel modification zone boundaries.

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  • CWUIC § 609.2.3 High relevance — show source text

    609.2.3 Location of fuel breaks. Fuel breaks may be required at locations such as, but not limited to: (1) Directly adjacent to defensible space as defined by Title 14 CCR Section 1299.02 to reduce radiant and convective heat expo- sure and ember impacts, or support firefighting tactics. (2) Directly adjacent to roads to manage radiant and convective heat exposure and ember impacts, increase evacuation safety, or support firefighting tactics. (3) Directly adjacent to a hazardous land use to limit the spread of fire from such uses, reduce radiant and convective heat exposure, or support firefighting tactics. (4) Strategically located along ridgelines, in greenbelts, or in other locations to reduce radiant and convective heat exposure and ember impacts, or support community level firefighting tactics.

    [CCR T14 §1276.03(d)]

    609.2.4 Timing. Fuel breaks shall be completed prior to the commencement of any permitted construction. [CCR T14 §1276.03(e)]

    609.2.5 Construction. Fuel breaks shall be constructed using the most ecologically and site appropriate treatment option, such as, but not limited to, prescribed burning, manual treatment, mechanical treatment, prescribed herbivory, and targeted ground applica- tion of herbicides. [CCR T14 §1276.03(f)]

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    FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

    609.2.6 Maintenance of fuel breaks. Where a local jurisdiction requires fuel breaks, maintenance mechanisms shall be established to ensure the fire behavior objectives and thresholds are maintained over time.

    The mechanisms required shall be binding upon the property for which the fuel break is established, shall ensure adequate main- tenance levels, and may include: written legal agreements; permanent fees, taxes, or assessments; assessments through a homeowners’ association; or other funding mechanisms. [CCR T14 §1276.03(g) and (h)]

    609.2.7 Greenbelts, greenways, open spaces and parks. Where a greenbelt, greenway, open space, park, landscaped or natural area or portion thereof is intended to serve as a fuel break, the space or relevant portion thereof shall conform with the requirements in California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 1276.03. [CCR T14 §1276.04]

    SECTION 610—FIRE SAFE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

    610.1 General. Pursuant to Public Resources Code, Section 4290, all residential, commercial and industrial building construction within state responsibility areas approved after January 1, 1991, and within lands classified and designated as an LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 51177 of the Government Code after July 1, 2021, shall comply with the SRA Fire Safe Development Regulations as specified in Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2.

  • CWUIC § 6-1 High relevance — show source text

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    6 FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

    User notes:

    About this chapter: In addition to the building construction requirements in the California Building Code and California Residential Code, this chapter contains requirements for development and construction in Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and areas designated by the State Fire Marshal as State Responsibility Areas (SRA). While many of these provisions are found in Title 14 and Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, they are replicated here for the code user. The local jurisdiction has the authority to apply the same regulations to LRA when the regulations are adopted by local ordinance.

    The requirements in this chapter reference the process for adoption of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the LRA; criteria for evaluating existing subdivisions that are at significant fire risk and are without an adequate secondary egress; and criteria for fire safety provisions required in the Safety Element of a city or county General Plan.

    The chapter includes mitigation strategies to reduce the hazards of fire originating within a structure spreading to wildland and fire originating in wildland spreading to structures. These strategies are included in the following requirements:

    1. Development of fire protection plans.

    2. Development of landscape plans and long-term vegetation management.

    3. Creation and maintenance of defensible space to protect structures and subdivisions.

    SECTION 601—GENERAL

    601.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter establish general requirements for new and existing buildings, structures and premises located within wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas .

    601.2 Objective. The objective of this chapter is to establish minimum requirements to mitigate conditions that might cause a fire originating in a structure to ignite vegetation in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) area, and conversely, a wildfire burning in vegetative fuels to transmit fire to buildings and threaten to destroy life, overwhelm fire suppression capabilities or result in large property losses.

    601.3 Chapter 6 definitions. Where used in this chapter, the term listed below shall be defined as follows:

    DEFENSIBLE SPACE. The buffer that landowners are required to create on their property between a “Building or Structure” and the plants, brush and trees or other items surrounding the “Building or Structure” that could ignite in the event of a fire. [CCR Title 14 §1299.02(a)]

    SECTION 602— FIRE PROTECTION PLANS

    602.1 General. The code official is authorized to require the owner or owner’s authorized agent to provide a fire protection plan. The fire protection plan shall be prepared to determine the acceptability of fire protection and life safety measures designed to mitigate wildfire hazards presented for the property under consideration.

    The fire protection plan shall be prepared by a registered design professional, qualified landscape architect, qualified fire safety specialist or similar specialist acceptable to the code official and shall analyze the wildfire risk of the building, project, premises or region to recommend necessary changes.

    The code official is authorized to require a preliminary fire protection plan prior to the submission of a final fire protection plan.

  • CWUIC § 402.1.1 High relevance — show source text

    402.1.1 Access. New subdivisions, as determined by this jurisdiction, shall be provided with fire apparatus access roads in accordance with the California Fire Code; the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Article 2; and access requirements in accordance with Section 403.

    402.1.2 Water supply. New subdivisions as determined by this jurisdiction shall be provided with water supply in accordance with Section 507 of the California Fire Code; California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Article 4; and Section 404.

    402.1.2.1 Parcel map approval. Water supply requirements shall apply in the tentative and parcel map process when new parcels are approved by the local jurisdiction.

    402.2 Individual structures. Individual structures shall comply with Sections 402.2.1 and 402.2.2.

    402.2.1 Access. Individual structures hereafter constructed or relocated into or within wildland-urban interface areas shall be provided with fire apparatus access in accordance with the California Fire Code; the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Subsection 1273; and Section 403 .

    402.2.2 Water supply. Individual structures hereafter constructed or relocated into or within wildland-urban interface areas shall be provided with a conforming water supply in accordance with the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Article 4; California Fire Code Section 507; and Section 404.

    402.3 Existing conditions. Existing buildings shall be provided with address markers in accordance with Sections 403.2.4 and 403.2.5 . Existing roads and fire protection equipment shall be provided with markings in accordance with Sections 403.4 and 404.8, respectively.

    SECTION 403—ACCESS

    USER NOTE: The standards in Section 403 applicable to roads shall not apply to roads used solely for agriculture; mining; or the management of timberland or harvesting of forest products. [CCR, Title 14 §1270.03(d)]

    403.1 General. Roads and driveways, whether public or private, unless exempted under 14 CCR § 1270.03(d), shall provide for safe access for emergency wildfire equipment and civilian evacuation concurrently, and shall provide unobstructed traffic circulation during a wildfire emergency consistent 403.1.1 to 403.1.9. [CCR, Title 14 §1273.00]

    403.1.1 Section 403 definitions. When used in Section 403, the term listed below shall be defined as follows:

    DEFENSIBLE SPACE. The area within the perimeter of a parcel, development, neighborhood or community where basic wildland fire protection practices and measures are implemented to defend against encroaching wildfire or to escape structure fires. The perimeter as used in this regulation [CCR Title 14] is the area encompassing the parcel or parcels proposed for construction and/or development, excluding the physical structure itself. The area is characterized by the establishment and maintenance of emer- gency vehicle access, emergency water reserves, road names and identification, and fuel modification measures. [CCR Title 14 §1270.01(f)]

  • CWUIC § 101.1 High relevance — show source text

    PART 1—GENERAL PROVISIONS

    SECTION 101—SCOPE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

    [A] 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code of [ NAME OF JURISDICTION ], hereinafter referred to as “this code.”

    [A] 101.2 Scope. This code applies to building materials, systems and/or assemblies used in the exterior design and construction of new buildings located within a wildland-urban interface (WUI) area and contains minimum requirements to mitigate conditions that might cause a fire originating in a structure to ignite vegetation in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) area, and conversely, a wildfire burning in vegetative fuels to transmit fire to buildings and threaten to destroy life, overwhelm fire suppression capabilities or result in large property losses.

    [A] 101.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices shall not apply unless specifically adopted.

    [A] 101.3 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to establish minimum regulations for the safeguarding of life and for property protection. Regulations in this code are intended to mitigate the risk to life and structures from intrusion of fire from wildland fire exposures and fire exposures from adjacent structures and to mitigate structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels. The extent of this regulation is intended to be tiered commensurate with the relative level of hazard present.

    The unrestricted use of property in wildland-urban interface areas is a potential threat to life and property from fire and resulting erosion. Safeguards to prevent the occurrence of fires and to provide adequate fire protection facilities to control the spread of fire in wildland-urban interface areas shall be in accordance with this code.

    This code shall supplement the jurisdiction’s building and fire codes, if such codes have been adopted, to provide for special regulations to mitigate the fire- and life-safety hazards of the wildland-urban interface areas.

    101.3.1 Application. New buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone or Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Area designated by the enforcing agency constructed after the application date shall comply with the provisions of this code. This shall include all new buildings with residential, commercial, educational, institutional or similar occupancy type use, which shall be referred to in this code as “applicable buildings,” as well as new buildings and structures accessory to those applicable buildings.

    Exceptions: 1. Group U occupancy accessory buildings of any size located at least 50 feet (15 240 mm) from an applicable building on the same lot.

    2. Group U occupancy agricultural buildings, as defined in Section 202 of the California Building Code of any size located at least 50 feet (15 240 mm) from an applicable building. 3. Group C occupancy special buildings conforming to the limitations specified in Section 450.4.1 of the California Building Code. 4. New accessory buildings and miscellaneous structures specified in Section 504.11 shall comply only with the requirements of that section.

    5. Additions to and remodels of buildings originally constructed prior to July 1, 2008.

    101.3.1.1 Application date and where required. New buildings for which an application for a building permit is submitted on or after July 1, 2008, located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone or Wildland-Urban Interface Area shall comply with this code, including all of the following areas:

  • CWUIC § 6-4 Medium relevance — show source text

    structure.

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    FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

    SECTION 604—MAINTENANCE OF DEFENSIBLE SPACE

    604.1 General. Hazardous vegetation and fuels shall be managed to reduce the severity of potential exterior wildfire exposure to build- ings and to reduce the risk of fire spreading to buildings as required by applicable laws and regulations.

    Defensible space shall be managed around all buildings and structures in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) as required in Public Resources Code 4291.

    604.2 Application. Buildings and structures located in the following areas shall maintain the required hazardous vegetation and fuel management: 1. All unincorporated lands designated as a State Responsibility Area (SRA). 2. Land designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by a city or local agency. 3. Land designated in a city or local agency ordinance as a wildland-urban interface (WUI) area.

    604.3 Requirements. Hazardous vegetation and fuels around all buildings and structures shall be maintained in accordance with the following laws and regulations: 1. Public Resources Code, Section 4291.

    2. California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 3, Article 3, Section 1299.03. 3. California Government Code, Section 51182.

    4. California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 7, Subchapter 1, Section 3.07.

    604.4 Outbuildings. Outbuildings shall have a minimum clearance of 10 feet (3048 mm) down to bare mineral soil in all directions. Vege- tation more than 10 feet (3048 mm) but less than 20 feet (6096 mm) from outbuildings shall be fire-smart vegetation.

    604.5 Disposal of flammable vegetation and fuels. The disposal, including burning or removal to a site approved by the local jurisdic- tion in consultation with the fire authority, of flammable vegetation and fuels caused by site, road and driveway construction shall be in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. [CCR T14 §1276.05]

    SECTION 605—SPARK ARRESTORS

    605.1 General. Chimneys serving fireplaces, barbecues, incinerators or decorative heating appliances in which solid or liquid fuel is used shall be provided with a spark arrestor. Spark arrestors shall be constructed of woven or welded wire screening of 12 USA standard gage wire (0.1046 inch) (2.66 mm) having openings not exceeding [1] / 2 inch (12.7 mm).

    605.2 Net free area. The net free area of the spark arrestor shall be not less than four times the net free area of the outlet of the chimney.

    SECTION 606—LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS INSTALLATIONS

    606.1 General. The storage of liquefied petroleum gas (LP-gas) and the installation and maintenance of pertinent equipment shall be in accordance with the California Fire Code .

    606.2 Location of containers or tanks. LP-gas containers or tanks shall be located within the defensible space in accordance with the California Fire Code .

  • CWUIC § 403.2 Medium relevance — show source text

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    Access Applicability 402 Driveways 403.2 Fire apparatus access roads 403.3 Grade 403.7

    Individual structures 402.2 Marking of roads 402.3, 403.4 Restricted 403.1

    Subdivisions 402.1 Accessory Buildings and Miscellaneous Structures

    Defined 202

    Detached 504.11 Exempt from permit 105.3 Additions or Alterations 101.5

    Address Markers 402.3 Agriculture 202 Alternative Materials or Methods 104.2.2

    Appeals 112 Appendices 101.2.1 Applicable Building 202 Applicability 102 Approved 202 Approved Agency 104.2.2.6.1, 202 Authority of Code Official 104

    Building 202 Building Official 202

    Certificate of Completion 111 Certificate of occupancy 111.2 Revocation 111.4

    Temporary occupancy 111.3

    Code Official 202 Code Official, Authority 104 Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework Appendix C Compliance Alternatives 105 Construction Documents 106

    Amended 106.10

    Examination of 106.9 Information on plans and specifications 106.2 Phased 106.12

    Previous approval 106.11 Retention of 106.8 Site plan 106.3 Vegetation management plans 106.4 Control of Storage Appendix A, A105 Critical Fire Weather 202

    Dead-end Road 202 Defensible Space 403, 601.3 Vegetation Plan 603 Definitions 202 Designation of Wildland-Urban Interface Area 302.1

    Director 202 Driveway 202 Dumping Appendix A, A106 Dwelling 202

    Exterior Covering 202

    INDEX

    Fees 109 Findings of Fact Appendix E Fire Chief 202 Fire Danger Rating System Appendix D Fire Flow Calculation Area Application 404.5 Defined 202 Fire Hazard Severity Zones 1.1.2, 202, 302.1, 302.2, Appendix D, Appendix H Fire Protection Plans 602

    Fire Weather 202

    Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction 501.3 Fire-Resistive Vegetation Appendix F Fire-Retardant-Treated Lumber or

    Wood 503.2, 504.5, 504.7, 504.11 Flame Spread Index 202 Flashing 504.2.1, 504.5.1 Fuel Break 202, 609 Fuel Models Appendix D Fuel Modification 202

    Fuel Modification Distance 603.2

    Fuel Mosaic 202 Fuel-Loading 202

    General Requirements Appendix A Green Belt 202

    Greenways 202

  • CWUIC § 4-1 Medium relevance — show source text

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    4 WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS

    User notes:

    About this chapter: Chapter 4 provides requirements that apply to all occupancies in the wildland-urban interface and pertain to all of the following:

    1. Fire service access to the property that is to be protected, including fire apparatus access roads and off-road driveways.

    2. Premises identification.

    3. Key boxes to provide ready access to properties secured by gated roadways or other impediments to rapid fire service access.

    4. Fire protection water supplies, including adequate water sources, pumper apparatus drafting sites, fire hydrant systems and system reliability.

    5. Fire department access to equipment such as fire suppression equipment and fire hydrants.

    SECTION 401—GENERAL

    401.1 Scope. Wildland-urban interface areas shall be provided with emergency vehicle access and water supply in accordance with this chapter.

    401.2 Objective. The objective of this chapter is to establish the minimum requirements for emergency vehicle access and water supply for buildings and structures located in the wildland-urban interface areas.

    401.3 General safety precautions. General safety precautions shall be in accordance with this chapter. See also Appendix A.

    SECTION 402—APPLICABILITY

    402.1 Subdivisions. Subdivisions shall comply with Sections 402.1.1 and 402.1.2.

    402.1.1 Access. New subdivisions, as determined by this jurisdiction, shall be provided with fire apparatus access roads in accordance with the California Fire Code; the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Article 2; and access requirements in accordance with Section 403.

    402.1.2 Water supply. New subdivisions as determined by this jurisdiction shall be provided with water supply in accordance with Section 507 of the California Fire Code; California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Article 4; and Section 404.

    402.1.2.1 Parcel map approval. Water supply requirements shall apply in the tentative and parcel map process when new parcels are approved by the local jurisdiction.

    402.2 Individual structures. Individual structures shall comply with Sections 402.2.1 and 402.2.2.

    402.2.1 Access. Individual structures hereafter constructed or relocated into or within wildland-urban interface areas shall be provided with fire apparatus access in accordance with the California Fire Code; the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Subsection 1273; and Section 403 .

    402.2.2 Water supply. Individual structures hereafter constructed or relocated into or within wildland-urban interface areas shall be provided with a conforming water supply in accordance with the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Article 4; California Fire Code Section 507; and Section 404.

  • CWUIC § 4291.6 Medium relevance — show source text
    1. of Title 24 of the California Code of_ Regulations. (2) “Qualified entities” means the following entities that have completed the program developed and received a certifica- tion, pursuant to Section 4291.6: (A) Counties, state conservancies, special districts, and other political subdivisions of the state. (B) Members of the California Conservation Corps, the Board of Commissioners under California Volunteers described in Section 8411 of the Government Code, local conservation corps, resource conservation districts, fire safe coun- cils, and Firewise USA organizations. (C) University of California fire advisors. (D) Registered Professional Foresters. (E) Other entities or individuals deemed appropriate by the director. (3) “Wildfire safety improvements” mean wildfire resilience and fire safety improvements, including measures for home hardening, the creation of defensible space, and other appropriate fuel reduction activities, to residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other real property identified by the State Fire Marshal, in consultation with the director. (b) The director shall establish a statewide program to allow qualified entities to support and augment the department in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and education efforts. Qualified entities participating in the program shall be authorized by the director to conduct defensible space assessments to assess compliance with Section 4291 within the state responsibility area, educate property owners about wildfire safety improvements that may be undertaken to harden a struc- ture and make it more resistant to fire, and assess whether wildfire safety improvements have been completed in or on a

    structure.

    (c) (1) The director shall establish a common reporting platform that allows defensible space and home hardening assessment data, collected by the qualified entities, to be reported to the department and shall establish any necessary quality control measure to ensure that the assessment data is accurate and reliable.

    (2) The department shall compile the data submitted pursuant to paragraph (1). (d) The director may use the defensible space and home hardening assessment data to do any of the following: (1) Direct inspection and enforcement resources away from landowners who meet or exceed the department’s standards and regulations for maintaining defensible space.

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    APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS

    (2) Direct inspection and enforcement resources toward landowners who do not meet the department’s standards and regulations for maintaining defensible space. (3) Direct educational resources toward landowners who own or maintain structures that can be hardened to make them more resistant to fire.

    (4) Assist in estimating defensible space compliance in the state responsibility area. (e) The department may expand or amend existing programs for the implementation of this section. (f) This section does not grant any right of entry onto private land or regulatory or enforcement authority to participating quali- fied entities.

  • CWUIC § 1-3 Medium relevance — show source text

    Appendix G Voluntary Home-Hardening Recommendations.

    Appendix G is an informational appendix that provides discussion of some elements of the proposed self-defense mechanisms and their role in enhancing the protection of exposed structures in the wildland-urban interface. The items provided in this appendix provide owners with suggestions for increasing the survivability of their structure. These items are not mandatory but can be considered by owners to increase the safety of structures.

    Appendix H Referenced California Documents.

    Appendix H contains portions of California statutes and regulations located in other documents. They are reprinted in Appendix H to aid the user in understanding the requirements applicable to wildland-urban interface areas and to provide a background for the provi- sions. Much of the text in the CWUIC is based on the requirements found in these other documents.

    Appendix I Board of Appeals.

    Appendix I contains the provisions for appeal and the establishment of a board of appeals. The provisions include the application for an appeal, the makeup of the board of appeals and the conduct of the appeal process.

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    CONTENTS

    CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3

    DIVISION I CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATION

    1.1 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

    1.11 Office of the State Fire Marshal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

    1.12 Board of Forestry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

    DIVISION II SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15

    PART 1—GENERAL PROVISIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15

    101 Scope and General Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15

    102 Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16

    PART 2—ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17

    103 Code Compliance Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17

    104 Duties and Powers of the Code Official . . . . . . . . . 1-17

    105 Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19

    106 Construction Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20

    107 Temporary Uses, Equipment and Systems . . . . . . 1-21

  • CWUIC § 3.2 Medium relevance — show source text

    Caulk or plug gaps greater than_ [1] / 8 inch (3.2 mm) in siding and replace any damaged boards, including those with dry rot. 8. Install weather stripping to fill gaps greater than [1] / 8 inch (3.2 mm) between garage doors and door frames to prevent ember intrusion. The weather stripping must be compliant with UL Standard 10C. 9. When it’s time to replace your windows, replace them with multipaned windows that have at least one pane of tempered glass. Choose products that have been approved and labeled as OSFM Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Products. 10. When it’s time to replace your siding or deck, use noncombustible, ignition-resistant, or other OSFM-approved Wildland- Urban Interface (WUI) Products. 11. Cover openings to operable skylights with noncombustible metal mesh screen with openings in the screen not to exceed [1] / 8 inch (3.2 mm). 12. Install a minimum 6-inch metal flashing, applied vertically on the exterior of the wall at the deck-to-wall intersection to protect the combustible siding material. 13. Enclose openings beneath decks or cantilevered construction with one of the materials required in Section 504.5. Openings beneath decks which are four feet (1219 mm) or less above grade can be covered with a noncombustible and corrosion- resistant mesh with [1] / 16 -inch (1.6 mm) to [1] / 8 -inch (3.2 mm) openings. 14. Remove or replace combustible fences within 5 feet (1524 mm) of the structure. Detached fences that are located within 5 feet (1524 mm) of the structure should be replaced with noncombustible or ignition-resistant building materials.

    G101.3 Defensible space features. The maintenance and defensible space features listed in Section G101.3.1 were developed as a best practices guide to assist homeowners to increase the effectiveness of their defensible space and improve the effects of the home-harden- ing features to increase the survivability of their homes from wildfires.

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    APPENDIX G—VOLUNTARY HOME-HARDENING RECOMMENDATIONS

    G101.3.1 Maintenance and defensible space. The following maintenance and operational procedures assist to limit the impact on a home from an approaching wildfire. 1. Roofs—regularly clean your roof, including roof-to-wall intersections and skylights to remove accumulated fallen leaves, needles and other flammable materials; repair damaged or deteriorated sections of the roof or roof covering; remove all trees, branches, shrubs or other plants adjacent to or overhanging buildings. 2. Rain gutters—keep roof gutters free of combustible debris. 3. Decks—regularly clean your deck, including deck-to-wall intersections to avoid the accumulation of fallen leaves, needles and other flammable materials; ensure that all combustible materials are removed from underneath, on top of or within five feet (1524 mm) of a deck or balcony. _4.

  • CWUIC § 4.1 Medium relevance — show source text

    4|Combustible
    materials|N||||||||| |A105.4.1|Individual piles|N||||||||| |A105.4.2|Separation|N||||||||| |A106|Dumping|N||||||||| |A106.1|Waste material|N||||||||| |A106.2|Ashes and coals|N||||||||| |A107|Protection of pumps
    and water storage
    facilities|N||||||||| |A107.1|General|N||||||||| |A107.2|Objective|N||||||||| |A107.3|Fuel modification
    area|N||||||||| |A107.4|Trees|N||||||||| |A107.5|Protection of electri-
    cal power supplies|N||||||||| |A108|Land use limitations|N||||||||| |A108.1|General|N||||||||| |A108.2|Objective|N||||||||| |A108.3|Permits|N||||||||| |A108.4|Access roadways|N||||||||| |A109|Referenced standards|N||||||||| |A109.1|General|N|||||||||

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    APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS

    2025 CWUIC—continued Col2 Adopted
    Yes/No    		 IWUIC
    Section    		 CBC
    Section    		 CFC
    Section    		 Title 14,
    Division 1.5
    Section    		 Title 19,
    Division 1
    Section    		 Gov Code
    Section    		 PRC
    Section    		 HSC
    Section
    Section Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title
    Appendix B Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan
    B101 General N
    B101.1 Scope N
    B101.2 Plan content N
    B101.3 Fuel modification N
    Appendix C Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework **_Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI)
  • CWUIC § 1-2 Medium relevance — show source text

    Population growth and the expanding urban development into traditionally nonurban areas have increasingly brought humans into contact with wildfires. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), every year, wildfires burn across the United States and a growing number of people are living where wildfires are a real risk. In 2018 more than 58,000 fires burned nearly 9 million acres across the US. More than 25,000 structures were destroyed, including 18,137 residences and 229 commercial structures. California accounted for the highest number of structures lost in one state due to the number of significant fires, including the Mendocino Complex, Carr, Camp and Woolsey fires.

    The IWUIC is a model code that is intended to be adopted and used supplemental to the adopted building and fire codes of a jurisdiction. The unrestricted use of property in wildland-urban interface areas is a potential threat to life and property from fire and resulting erosion. The IWUIC has as its objective the establishment of minimum special regulations for the safeguarding of life and

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    property from the intrusion of fire from wildland fire exposures and fire exposures from adjacent structures and to prevent structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels, even in the absence of fire department intervention.

    Safeguards to prevent the occurrence of fires and to provide adequate fire protection facilities to control the spread of fire in wildland-urban interface areas are provided in a tiered manner commensurate with the relative level of hazard present.

    ARRANGEMENT AND FORMAT OF THE 2025 CWUIC

    The format of the CWUIC allows each chapter to be devoted to a particular subject. The following table shows how the CWUIC is divided. The chapter synopses detail the scope and intent of the provisions of the CWUIC.

    CHAPTER TOPICS Col2
    CHAPTER SUBJECT
    1-2 Administration and Definitions
    3-4 Wildland-Urban Interface Area Designation and Requirements
    5 Building Construction Regulations
    6 Fire Protection Requirements
    7 Referenced Standards
    Appendices A-I Adoptable and Informational Appendices

    Chapter 1 Scope and Administration.

    Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.

    Chapter 2 Definitions.

    Chapter 2 is the repository of the definitions of terms used in the body of the code. The user of the code should be familiar with and consult this chapter because the definitions are essential to the correct interpretation of the code and because the user may not be aware that a term is defined.

    Chapter 3 Wildland-Urban Interface Areas.

    Chapter 3 provides for the fundamental aspect of applying the code—the legal declaration and establishment of wildland-urban interface areas within the adopting jurisdiction, mapping of the area, periodic review and updates.

    Chapter 4 Wildland-Urban Interface Area Requirements.

    The requirements of Chapter 4 apply to all occupancies in the wildland-urban interface and pertain to all of the following:

    1. Fire service access to the property that is to be protected, including fire apparatus access roads and off-road driveways.

    2. Premises identification.

Frequently asked questions

What do I do first if I own land in a suspected WUI area?

Confirm whether your parcel is inside a mapped WUI area or a State Responsibility Area (SRA) / Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone; the CWUIC applies where the property is inside a WUI area and points to local/state rules for specific distances (see § 101.2 and Chapter 3) .

Where does the CWUIC state the numeric defensible‑space distance I must create?

The CWUIC references state law (PRC 4291) and CCR Title 14 for the exact numeric defensible‑space standards; the CWUIC chapters direct you to follow those standards (see § 601.3 and § 604.3) .

Is the “defensible space” described in Appendix G mandatory?

No. Appendix G is informational and voluntary. Mandatory defensible‑space obligations are in the CWUIC body where it references PRC/CCR or in those statutes/regulations themselves .

If my shed is 12 ft from my house, what does the CWUIC require?

CWUIC § 604.4 requires outbuildings to have a 10‑ft minimum clearance to bare mineral soil; vegetation 10–20 ft away should be fire‑smart, so a 12‑ft separation triggers the outbuilding clearance rule and the fire‑smart vegetation expectation around the outbuilding (see § 604.4) .

Who can authorize a larger fuel break than the standard defensible space?

The State director or a local fire official can authorize larger firebreaks or vegetation management (PRC 4291 allows up to 300 ft in certain cases); the CWUIC points to those statutory authorities for authorization and process .

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Where are definitions located and how do they affect interpretation?

Definitions for access, roads, fuel modification and Title 14 cross-references

Definitions and Key Terms

California Wildland-Urban Interface Code