CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
What are the characteristics of fire‑smart vegetation?
Fire‑smart vegetation (per Appendix F § F101.1) means plants that burn with lower intensity because they hold more moisture, produce little dead material, are nonresinous, lack ladder fuels, and have low overall fuel volume. For new plantings in hazard zones, the CWUIC requires using fire‑smart species or documented approval and follows numeric rules for shrub and tree spacing and distances (see § 603.3–603.4).
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — 2-4 sentences
The California Wildland‑Urban Interface Code identifies fire‑smart vegetation as plants that, compared with typical native fuels, burn at lower intensity, slower rates of spread, and with shorter flame lengths. The code lists eight characteristics that make vegetation fire‑smart — for example, high live‑fuel moisture, low total vegetation volume, and little or no accumulation of dead material (see § F101.1) . Appendix F is informational (not mandatory), but Chapter 6 requires new plantings to be fire‑smart or approved as such (§ 603.4) .
The single most important idea: choose and manage plants so they contain more live moisture, have less dead material, and do not create ladder fuels — these properties make them less likely to ignite and to transmit flame. (See § F101.1)
Requirements in detail
Core characteristics (the code’s checklist)
Appendix F collects eight specific traits used to identify fire‑smart vegetation. Each trait is a decision‑relevant property you can use when selecting or approving plants (see § F101.1) :
- Growth with little or no accumulation of dead vegetation (no heavy litter or standing dead material).
- Nonresinous plants (examples given: willow, poplar, tulip trees).
- Low total vegetation volume (e.g., grass or sparsely planted areas rather than dense shrub/forest).
- High live‑fuel moisture (plant tissue holds a high proportion of water vs. dry weight).
- Drought‑tolerance by deep roots and thick, heavy leaves (plants that stay less flammable even in dry spells).
- Stands without ladder fuels (no small branches/limbs that connect ground fuels to canopy).
- Plants requiring little maintenance when properly maintained (slow growing, not producing large dead material quickly).
- Woody stems/branches that require prolonged heating to ignite (in other words, high ignition resistance).
These characteristics come from § F101.1 and the Appendix F compilation (informational guidance) .
How the code decides whether a planting is “fire‑smart”
Chapter 6 requires that all new plantings in designated high‑hazard areas be fire‑smart vegetation; to be considered fire‑smart, the planting must meet at least one of these three options (§ 603.4) :
- Be listed as fire‑smart in an approved book/journal/listing from an approved organization.
- Be identified as fire‑smart by a licensed landscape architect with supporting justification.
- Be approved by the local enforcing agency as fire‑smart.
Numeric, spatial, and planting controls you must use in plans
When preparing landscape or vegetation plans the code requires specific dimensions and separations in the fuel‑management zones adjacent to structures (see § 603.3.1 and § 603.4.1–603.4.2) .
| Decision dimension | Required value / threshold | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel‑management zone delineation | 30‑ft and 100‑ft zones from structures (must be shown on plans) | § 603.3.1 |
| Maximum shrub height (new plantings) | 6 feet (1829 mm) | § 603.4.1.1 |
| Max aggregate diameter for shrub groupings | 10 feet (3048 mm) | § 603.4.1.2 |
| Minimum separation between shrub groupings | 15 feet (4572 mm) | § 603.4.1.3 |
| Minimum separation from structures (shrub groupings) | 30 feet (9144 mm) | § 603.4.1.4 |
| Tree dripline – distance from combustible structure (new trees) | Minimum 10 feet (3048 mm) | § 603.4.2.1(1) and § 603.4.2.1(2) |
| Horizontal crown separation (new trees) | Minimum 10 feet (3048 mm) between crowns | § 603.4.2.2 |
| Where shrubs under tree canopy | Lowest tree branch clearance = 3× the understory shrub height or 10 ft, whichever is greater | § 603.4.1.5 |
| Non‑fire‑smart trees allowed only if | Dripline at maturity ≥ 30 ft from building OR dripline ≥ 10 ft and well pruned/maintained to prevent rapid fire transmission | § 603.4.2.1 (exception for nonfire‑smart species) |
(These plan and planting dimensions are drawn from Chapter 6 vegetation plan and planting rules — see § 603.3.1, § 603.4.1, § 603.4.2, and § 603.4.2.1) .
Exceptions & special cases
- Appendix F itself is informational and is not mandatory; it compiles desirable characteristics (see § F101 / § F101.1) .
- Chapter 6 provides a specific exception for planting non‑fire‑smart trees (e.g., many conifers, palms, pepper trees, eucalyptus) provided they meet the distance and maintenance conditions in § 603.4.2.1 (dripline spacing or strict pruning/maintenance) .
- “Fire‑smart” status may be established by approved literature, licensed landscape architect justification, or local agency approval — so species or cultivars that are borderline can be accepted through documentation or local approval (§ 603.4) .
Common mistakes
- Assuming “fire‑smart” means “non‑flammable.” The code explicitly notes all plants will burn under extreme fire weather; the point is relative lower intensity and slower spread (see § F101.1) .
- Ignoring dead fuel. Failing to remove accumulated dead material (litter or standing dead) undermines a plant’s fire‑smart value (characteristic #1 in § F101.1) .
- Planting dense shrub masses that exceed the 10‑ft aggregate diameter limit or placing groupings closer than 15 ft to each other or 30 ft from the structure (violates § 603.4.1) .
- Planting nonresinous trees (or assuming any named species is automatically fire‑smart) without documentation or local approval — the code requires listing, licensed‑professional justification, or local approval to qualify (§ 603.4) .
- Forgetting ladder fuels — not pruning lower limbs so that ground fires can climb into canopies (characteristic #6 in § F101.1) .
Worked example — concrete scenario with numbers
Scenario: You are planting a defensible landscape immediately around a house in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
- You plan a shrub "hedge" composed of repeating clumps. To comply, each shrub grouping must have an aggregate diameter ≤ 10 ft, groupings must be ≥ 15 ft apart (edge to edge), and groupings must be ≥ 30 ft from the structure (see § 603.4.1.2–.4) .
- If your house façade to the first shrub grouping center is 35 ft, and the grouping is 10 ft diameter (edges extend 5 ft from its center), the edge‑to‑wall distance is 30 ft (35 − 5 = 30), which meets the 30 ft requirement. .
- You plant a new shade tree near the driveway. The mature dripline must be ≥ 10 ft from the house if it is a fire‑smart tree and crown separation from adjacent trees must be ≥ 10 ft (see § 603.4.2.1 and § 603.4.2.2) .
- If the mature dripline will be 12 ft from the structure, and the tree is nonresinous with small litter and no ladder fuels, that satisfies the 10 ft rule. If you instead select a non‑fire‑smart tree (e.g., eucalyptus), you must either site it so the mature dripline is ≥ 30 ft from the building or ensure aggressive pruning/maintenance per § 603.4.2.1 .
- Documentation: include the plant legend (botanical + common names), indicate irrigated zones, and show the 30‑ft and 100‑ft fuel‑management zones on the landscape plan as required by § 603.3.1 .
Related provisions
- § F101.1 — Characteristics of fire‑smart vegetation (Appendix F)
- § F101 — Appendix F general / Appendix is informational (see preface text)
- § 603.4 — All new vegetation shall be fire‑smart; how to qualify (approved listing / landscape architect / local approval)
- § 603.4.1 — Shrub planting limits and separations (6‑ft height, 10‑ft aggregate diameter, 15‑ft separation, 30‑ft from structures)
- § 603.4.2 — Tree management within a 30‑ft zone (dripline and crown separation rules)
- § 603.4.2.1 — Rules for nonfire‑smart vegetation (alternate siting or maintenance conditions)
- § 603.3.1 — Landscape plan contents (show 30‑ft and 100‑ft fuel‑management zones, plant legend, irrigated areas)
- § 604.1 — Maintenance of defensible space and hazardous vegetation management (maintenance obligations)
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CWUIC § F101 High relevance — show source text
SECTION F101—GENERAL
F101.1 Characteristics of fire-smart vegetation. All plants will burn under extreme fire weather conditions, such as drought. However, plants burn at different intensities and rates of consumption. Fire-smart plants burn at a relatively low intensity, slow rates of spread and with short flame lengths. The following are characteristics of fire-smart vegetation:
- Growth with little or no accumulation of dead vegetation (either on the ground or standing upright).
- Nonresinous plants (willow, poplar or tulip trees).
- Low volume of total vegetation (for example, a grass area as opposed to a forest or shrub-covered land).
- Plants with high live fuel moisture (plants that contain a large amount of water in comparison to their dry weight).
- Drought-tolerant plants (deeply rooted plants with thick, heavy leaves).
- Stands without ladder fuels (plants without small, fine branches and limbs between the ground and the canopy of overtopping shrubs and trees).
- Plants requiring little maintenance (slow-growing plants that, when maintained, require little care).
- Plants with woody stems and branches that require prolonged heating to ignite.
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CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE
APPENDIX G – VOLUNTARY HOME HARDENING RECOMMENDATIONS
(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)
Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CGSFM Col5 HCD Col7 Col8 DSA Col10 OSHPD Col12 Col13 Col14 Col15 Col16 BSCC DPH AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CGT-24 T-19* 1 2 1/AC AC SS 1 1R 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Adopt Entire Chapter X Adopt Entire Chapter as
amended (amended sections
listed below)Adopt only those sections that
are listed below[California Code of Regulations,
Title 19, Division 1]Chapter / Section CWUIC § 1.11. High relevance — show source text
- The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.
The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Division 1.5 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are not listed in the Matrix Adoption Tables as they are not within the State Fire Marshal’s authority to adopt. These provisions are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 14, Division 1.5 text for the code user’s convenience only and are identified in the body of the code by square brackets containing references to applicable Title 14 sections.
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F CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE-SMART VEGETATION
This appendix is for informational purposes and is not intended for adoption.
User notes:
About this appendix: Appendix F is an informational appendix provided for the convenience of the code user. It is simply a compilation of the eight characteristics of fire-smart vegetation that can be used effectively within wildland-urban interface areas to reduce the likelihood of fire spread through vegetation.
SECTION F101—GENERAL
F101.1 Characteristics of fire-smart vegetation. All plants will burn under extreme fire weather conditions, such as drought. However, plants burn at different intensities and rates of consumption. Fire-smart plants burn at a relatively low intensity, slow rates of spread and with short flame lengths. The following are characteristics of fire-smart vegetation:
- Growth with little or no accumulation of dead vegetation (either on the ground or standing upright).
- Nonresinous plants (willow, poplar or tulip trees).
- Low volume of total vegetation (for example, a grass area as opposed to a forest or shrub-covered land).
- Plants with high live fuel moisture (plants that contain a large amount of water in comparison to their dry weight).
- Drought-tolerant plants (deeply rooted plants with thick, heavy leaves).
- Stands without ladder fuels (plants without small, fine branches and limbs between the ground and the canopy of overtopping shrubs and trees).
- Plants requiring little maintenance (slow-growing plants that, when maintained, require little care).
- Plants with woody stems and branches that require prolonged heating to ignite.
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CWUIC § 603.2 High relevance — show source text
603.2 Application. All new plantings of vegetation in State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall comply with Sections 603.3 through 603.4.2.1.
603.3 Landscape plans. Landscape plans shall be provided when required by the code official. The landscape plan shall include devel- opment and maintenance requirements for the vegetation management zone adjacent to structures and roadways, and provide significant fire hazard reduction benefits for public and firefighting safety.
603.3.1 Contents. Landscape plans shall contain the following: 1. Delineation of the 30-foot (9144 mm) and 100-foot (30 480 mm) fuel management zones from all structures. 2. Identification of existing vegetation to remain and proposed new vegetation. 3. Identification of irrigated areas. 4. A plant legend with both botanical and common names, and identification of all plant material symbols. 5. Identification of ground coverings within the 30-foot (9144 mm) zone.
603.4 Vegetation. All new vegetation shall be fire-smart vegetation in accordance with this section.
Exception: Trees classified as nonfire-smart vegetation complying with Section 603.4.2.1.
To be considered fire-smart vegetation, vegetation must meet at least one of the following: 1. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation in an approved book, journal or listing from an approved organization. 2. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation by a licensed landscape architect with supporting justification. 3. Plants considered fire-smart vegetation and approved by the local enforcing agency.
603.4.1 Shrubs. All new plantings of shrubs shall comply with the following: 1. Shrubs shall not exceed 6 feet (1829 mm) in height. 2. Groupings of shrubs are limited to a maximum aggregate diameter of 10 feet (3048 mm). 3. Shrub groupings shall be separated from other groupings a minimum of 15 feet (4572 mm). 4. Shrub groupings shall be separated from structures a minimum of 30 feet (9144 mm). 5. Where shrubs are located below or within a tree’s drip line, the lowest tree branch shall be a minimum of three times the height of the understory shrubs or 10 feet (3048 mm), whichever is greater.
603.4.2 Trees. Trees shall be managed as follows within the 30-foot zone (9144 mm) of a structure: 1. New trees shall be planted and maintained so that the tree’s drip line at maturity is a minimum of 10 feet (3048 mm) from any combustible structure. 2. The horizontal distance between crowns of new trees and crowns of adjacent trees shall not be less than 10 feet (3048 mm). 3. Existing trees shall be trimmed to provide a minimum separation of 10 feet (3048 mm) away from chimney and stovepipe outlets per California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 1299.03.
CWUIC § 2-3 High relevance — show source text
EXTERIOR WALL COVERING. A material or assembly of materials applied on the exterior side of exterior walls for the purpose of providing a weather-resisting barrier, insulation or for aesthetics, including but not limited to veneers, siding, exterior insulation and finish systems, rainscreen systems, architectural trim, and embellishments such as cornices, soffits, facias, gutters and leaders.
[F] FIRE CHIEF. The chief officer or the chief officer’s authorized representative of the fire department serving the jurisdiction.
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DEFINITIONS
FIRE CODE OFFICIAL. The fire chief or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the California Fire Code, or a duly authorized representative.
FIRE FLOW CALCULATION AREA. The floor area, in square feet (square meters), used to determine the adequate water supply.
FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES. Geographical areas designated pursuant to California Public Resources Codes, Sections 4201 through 4204 California Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189.
The map, approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, is hereby incorporated by reference and entitled “State Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones,” dated September 29, 2023.
FIRE PROTECTION PLAN. A document prepared for a specific project or development proposed for the wildland-urban interface area. It describes ways to minimize and mitigate potential for loss from wildfire exposure.
FIRE WEATHER. Weather conditions favorable to the ignition and rapid spread of fire. In wildfires, this generally includes high temperatures combined with strong winds and low humidity. See “Critical fire weather.”
FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED CONSTRUCTION. The use of materials and systems in the design and construction of a building or structure to safeguard against the spread of fire within a building or structure and the spread of fire to or from buildings or structures to the wildland-urban interface area.
FIRE-SMART VEGETATION. Plants, shrubs, trees and other vegetation that exhibit properties, such as high moisture content, little accu- mulation of dead vegetation and low sap or resin content, that make them less likely to ignite or contribute heat or spread flame in a fire than native vegetation typically found in the region.
( Note: The following sources contain examples of types of vegetation that can be considered as fire-smart vegetation: Fire-resistant Plants for Home Landscapes, A Pacific Northwest Extension publication; Home Landscaping for Fire, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Sunset Western Garden Book.)
[BG] FLAME SPREAD INDEX. A comparative measure, expressed as a dimensionless number, derived from visual measurements of the spread of flame versus time for a material tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723.
FUEL. Any combustible material, including petroleum-based products, cultivated landscape plants, grasses, weeds and wildland vegetation.
FUEL BREAK (applicable to CCR, Title 14 provisions only). A strategically located area where the volume and arrangement of vegetation has been managed to limit fire intensity, fire severity, rate of spread, crown fire potential and/or ember production. [CCR Title 14 §1270.01(n)]
CWUIC § 102.4 High relevance — show source text
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.
Chapter 7 Referenced Standards.
Chapter 7 lists all of the product and installation standards and codes that are referenced throughout Chapters 1 through 6 and includes identification of the promulgators and the section numbers in which the standards and codes are referenced. As stated in Section 102.4, these standards and codes become an enforceable part of the code (to the prescribed extent of the reference) as if printed in the body of the code.
Appendix A General Requirements.
Appendix A, while not part of the code, can become part of the code when specifically included in the adopting ordinance. 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 wildlandurban interface areas; protection of pumps and water supplies; and limits on temporary uses within the wildland-urban interface area.
Appendix B Vegetation Management Plan.
Appendix B, while not part of the code, can become part of the code when specifically included in the adopting ordinance. Its purpose is to provide criteria for submitting vegetation management plans, specifying their content and establishing a criterion for considering vegetation management as being a fuel modification.
Appendix C Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework.
Appendix C contains a preliminary Community WUI Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework as a suggested methodology to begin to support communities at risk in the identification of their unique hazards and to provide common metrics for comparisons between communities. This preliminary framework includes information on community size, population and fuels; on notification and evacuation; and on the community infrastructure and firefighting response potential. Aspects of this framework may already be included in various community- level documents, such as Community Wildfire Protection Plans or evacuation plans. Development of a standard framework will (1) consolidate relevant WUI fire hazard and planning information in one place, and (2) allow for cross-community comparisons.
The evaluation required to implement this framework will support prefire hazard assessment and during-fire response operations. An increased understanding of fire evacuation, fire structural response and fire defensive action relationships is needed to assess the over- all community WUI fire hazard. The quantification of these relationships will enable communities to optimize the community-level response to WUI fire hazards in a more integrated approach and result in increased life safety and reduced losses.
Appendix D Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption.
Appendix D is an informational appendix that is a sample ordinance designed as guidance for a city, county, city and county, or fire district to establish and designate fire hazard severity zones within their jurisdiction.
Appendix E Reserved.
Appendix F Characteristics of Fire-Smart Vegetation.
Appendix F is an informational appendix provided for the convenience of the code user. It is simply a compilation of the eight characteristics of fire-smart vegetation that can be used effectively within wildland-urban interface areas to reduce the likelihood of fire spread through vegetation.
**App
CWUIC § 603.4.1 High relevance — show source text
603.4.1 Shrubs. All new plantings of shrubs shall comply with the following: 1. Shrubs shall not exceed 6 feet (1829 mm) in height. 2. Groupings of shrubs are limited to a maximum aggregate diameter of 10 feet (3048 mm). 3. Shrub groupings shall be separated from other groupings a minimum of 15 feet (4572 mm). 4. Shrub groupings shall be separated from structures a minimum of 30 feet (9144 mm). 5. Where shrubs are located below or within a tree’s drip line, the lowest tree branch shall be a minimum of three times the height of the understory shrubs or 10 feet (3048 mm), whichever is greater.
603.4.2 Trees. Trees shall be managed as follows within the 30-foot zone (9144 mm) of a structure: 1. New trees shall be planted and maintained so that the tree’s drip line at maturity is a minimum of 10 feet (3048 mm) from any combustible structure. 2. The horizontal distance between crowns of new trees and crowns of adjacent trees shall not be less than 10 feet (3048 mm). 3. Existing trees shall be trimmed to provide a minimum separation of 10 feet (3048 mm) away from chimney and stovepipe outlets per California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 1299.03.
603.4.2.1 Nonfire-smart vegetation. New trees not classified as fire-smart vegetation, such as conifers, palms, pepper trees and eucalyptus species, shall be permitted provided the tree is planted and maintained in accordance with one of the following: 1. The tree is planted so that the tree’s drip line at maturity is a minimum of 30 feet (9144 mm) from an applicable building. 2. The tree is planted so that the tree’s drip line at maturity is a minimum of 10 feet (3048 mm) from any combustible struc- ture, and is well pruned and maintained so as not to form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from other nearby vegetation to the structure or from the structure to nearby vegetation or to interrupt the advance of embers toward a
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.
CWUIC § 6-3 Medium relevance — show source text
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FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
602.3.2 Final fire protection plan. Final fire protection plan shall include items listed in Section 602.3.1 and the following: 1. A map identifying all proposed plants in the fuel modification zones with a legend that includes a symbol for each proposed plant species. The plan shall include specific information on each species proposed, including but not limited to: 1.1. The plant life-form;
1.2. The scientific and common name; and
1.3. The expected height and width for mature growth. 2. Identification of irrigated and nonirrigated zones. 3. Requirements for vegetation reduction around emergency access and evacuation routes. 4. Identification of points of access for equipment and personnel to maintain vegetation in common areas. 5. Legally binding statements regarding community responsibility for maintenance of fuel modification zones. 6. Legally binding statements to be included in covenants, conditions and restrictions regarding property owner responsibili- ties for vegetation maintenance.
SECTION 603— VEGETATION PLAN
603.1 General. Planting of vegetation for new landscaping shall be selected to reduce vegetation in proximity to a structure and to maintain vegetation as it matures.
603.2 Application. All new plantings of vegetation in State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall comply with Sections 603.3 through 603.4.2.1.
603.3 Landscape plans. Landscape plans shall be provided when required by the code official. The landscape plan shall include devel- opment and maintenance requirements for the vegetation management zone adjacent to structures and roadways, and provide significant fire hazard reduction benefits for public and firefighting safety.
603.3.1 Contents. Landscape plans shall contain the following: 1. Delineation of the 30-foot (9144 mm) and 100-foot (30 480 mm) fuel management zones from all structures. 2. Identification of existing vegetation to remain and proposed new vegetation. 3. Identification of irrigated areas. 4. A plant legend with both botanical and common names, and identification of all plant material symbols. 5. Identification of ground coverings within the 30-foot (9144 mm) zone.
603.4 Vegetation. All new vegetation shall be fire-smart vegetation in accordance with this section.
Exception: Trees classified as nonfire-smart vegetation complying with Section 603.4.2.1.
To be considered fire-smart vegetation, vegetation must meet at least one of the following: 1. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation in an approved book, journal or listing from an approved organization. 2. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation by a licensed landscape architect with supporting justification. 3. Plants considered fire-smart vegetation and approved by the local enforcing agency.
CWUIC § 1-3 Medium relevance — show source text
Appendix C contains a preliminary Community WUI Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework as a suggested methodology to begin to support communities at risk in the identification of their unique hazards and to provide common metrics for comparisons between communities. This preliminary framework includes information on community size, population and fuels; on notification and evacuation; and on the community infrastructure and firefighting response potential. Aspects of this framework may already be included in various community- level documents, such as Community Wildfire Protection Plans or evacuation plans. Development of a standard framework will (1) consolidate relevant WUI fire hazard and planning information in one place, and (2) allow for cross-community comparisons.
The evaluation required to implement this framework will support prefire hazard assessment and during-fire response operations. An increased understanding of fire evacuation, fire structural response and fire defensive action relationships is needed to assess the over- all community WUI fire hazard. The quantification of these relationships will enable communities to optimize the community-level response to WUI fire hazards in a more integrated approach and result in increased life safety and reduced losses.
Appendix D Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption.
Appendix D is an informational appendix that is a sample ordinance designed as guidance for a city, county, city and county, or fire district to establish and designate fire hazard severity zones within their jurisdiction.
Appendix E Reserved.
Appendix F Characteristics of Fire-Smart Vegetation.
Appendix F is an informational appendix provided for the convenience of the code user. It is simply a compilation of the eight characteristics of fire-smart vegetation that can be used effectively within wildland-urban interface areas to reduce the likelihood of fire spread through vegetation.
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
CWUIC § 4291.5 Medium relevance — show source text
F**|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation| |F101|General|Y||||||||| |F101.1|Characteristics of_fire-_
smart vegetation|Y||||||||| |Appendix G|Voluntary Home-Hardening Recommendations|Voluntary Home-Hardening Recommendations|Voluntary Home-Hardening Recommendations|Voluntary Home-Hardening Recommendations|Voluntary Home-Hardening Recommendations|Voluntary Home-Hardening Recommendations|Voluntary Home-Hardening Recommendations|Voluntary Home-Hardening Recommendations|Voluntary Home-Hardening Recommendations|Voluntary Home-Hardening Recommendations| |G101|General|Y|||||||4291.5|| |G101.1|Identification of the
problem|Y||||||||| |G101.2|Structural
survivability|Y||||||||| |G101.2.1|Home-hardening
features|Y||||||||| |G101.3|Defensible space
features|Y||||||||| |G101.3.1|Maintenance and
defensible space|Y||||||||| |Appendix H|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents| ||General|N||||||||| |H101|California Civil Code|N||||||||| |H102|California Govern-
ment Code|N||||||Various||| |H103|California Public
Resources Code|N|||||||Various|| |H104|California Code of
Regulations, Title 14,
Division 1.5|N||||Various||||| |H104.1|Subchapter 2 State
Minimum Fire Safe
Regulations|N||||Subchapter 2||||| |H104.2|Subchapter 3 Fire
Hazard|N||||Subchapter 3||||| |H105|California Code of
Regulations, Title 19|N|||||2201|||| |H106|Health and Safety
Code|N||||||||Various| |H107|Cross Reference Tool|N|||||||||2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX H-35
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APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
CWUIC § 1.11. Medium relevance — show source text
APPENDIX F – CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE-SMART VEGETATION
(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)
Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CGSFM Col5 HCD Col7 Col8 DSA Col10 OSHPD Col12 Col13 Col14 Col15 Col16 BSCC DPH AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CGT-24 T-19* 1 2 1/AC AC SS 1 1R 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Adopt Entire Chapter Adopt Entire Chapter as
amended (amended sections
listed below)X Adopt only those sections that
are listed below[California Code of Regulations,
Title 19, Division 1]Chapter / Section F101.1 X - The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.
The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Division 1.5 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are not listed in the Matrix Adoption Tables as they are not within the State Fire Marshal’s authority to adopt. These provisions are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 14, Division 1.5 text for the code user’s convenience only and are identified in the body of the code by square brackets containing references to applicable Title 14 sections.
2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX F-1
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APPENDIX F-2 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
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F CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE-SMART VEGETATION
This appendix is for informational purposes and is not intended for adoption.
User notes:
CWUIC § 2025 Medium relevance — show source text
A104 Ignition Source Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-5
A105 Control of Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-5
A106 Dumping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-6
A107 Protection of Pumps and Water Storage Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-6
A108 Land Use Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-6
A109 Referenced Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-7
APPENDIX B VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX B-3
B101 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX B-3
APPENDIX C COMMUNITY WILDLAND-URBAN
INTERFACE (WUI) FIRE HAZARD
EVALUATION FRAMEWORK . . . . APPENDIX C-3
C101 Community WUI Hazard Evaluation Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX C-3
APPENDIX D MODEL ORDINANCE FOR FIRE HAZARD
SEVERITY ZONE ADOPTION . . . . APPENDIX D-3
D101 Model Ordinance for Designation of Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX D-3
APPENDIX E RESERVED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX E-1
APPENDIX F CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE-SMART
VEGETATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX F-3
F101 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX F-3
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CONTENTS
APPENDIX G VOLUNTARY HOME-HARDENING
RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX G-3
G101 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX G-3
APPENDIX H REFERENCED CALIFORNIA
DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .APPENDIX H-3
Frequently asked questions
What exactly does “fire‑smart” mean in one sentence?
Fire‑smart vegetation is plant material that, because of properties like high live‑fuel moisture, low dead fuel, nonresinous tissues, and lack of ladder fuels, is less likely to ignite or carry fire than typical native fuels (see § F101.1) .
If a plant is listed in an approved guide, is that enough?
Yes — being identified as fire‑smart in an approved book, journal or listing is one of the three ways the code accepts a plant as fire‑smart (see § 603.4) .
Are the Appendix F characteristics mandatory?
No — Appendix F is informational guidance (it compiles desirable characteristics) but Chapter 6 does require new plantings to be fire‑smart by one of the methods in § 603.4; the Appendix itself is not a mandatory stand‑alone regulation (see § F101 and § F101.1) .
Can I plant a eucalyptus or palm near my house?
Eucalyptus and many palms are listed as nonfire‑smart in the code. They may still be planted only if they meet the siting and maintenance options in § 603.4.2.1 (e.g., dripline ≥ 30 ft from building or dripline ≥ 10 ft plus strict pruning/maintenance) .
How should I show fire‑smart compliance on a landscape plan?
Provide the 30‑ft and 100‑ft fuel‑management zones, a plant legend with botanical/common names, identify irrigated areas, and list the fire‑smart source or justification (approved listing, landscape architect statement, or local approval) as required by § 603.3.1 and § 603.4 .
More in California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
- Administration and Definitions
- Board of Appeals, Administration & Enforcement (permits, code official duties, appeals process)
- Wildland‑Urban Interface Area Designation & Mapping
- Fire Service Access & Water Supply (fire apparatus roads, driveways, hydrants, draft sites, standby power)
- Wildland‑Urban Interface Area Requirements (access, water, premises identification, key boxes)
- Referenced Standards & Test Methods
- Special Building Construction Regulations (ignition‑resistant construction, roof/vent/assembly requirements)
- Appendices and Model Ordinances (vegetation plans, severity‑zone adoption, home‑hardening guidance)
- Fire Protection Requirements (fire protection plans, systems, safety element provisions)
- Referenced California Documents & Matrix (CCR/Title 14 & 19 cross‑references, statutory references)
- Vegetation Management & Defensible Space (vegetation plans, maintenance, fire‑smart characteristics)
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