CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
What are the fuel‑modification distances and landscape‑plan requirements?
If your property is in an SRA/LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone, a code official may require a landscape plan that draws and labels the **30‑ft** and **100‑ft** fuel‑management zones from structures and lists existing/proposed plants, irrigation areas, a plant legend, and the type of groundcover in the 30‑ft zone (see **§ 603.2**, **§ 603.3**, **§ 603.3.1**).
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — 2–4 sentences
All new plantings in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) that are designated a Fire Hazard Severity Zone must comply with the CWUIC landscape‑plan and fuel‑management requirements. The code official may require a landscape plan that (at minimum) delineates 30‑foot and 100‑foot fuel management zones from structures and identifies existing/proposed plants, irrigated areas, a plant legend, and ground coverings for the near zone. See § 603.2, § 603.3, and § 603.3.1.
The single most important rule: when the code official requires a landscape plan, the plan must show the 30‑foot and 100‑foot fuel‑management zones and the specific plant/groundcover and irrigation information needed to reduce wildfire hazard. § 603.3.1.
Requirements in detail
Where this applies (scope)
- All new plantings of vegetation in SRAs and LRAs that are in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone. See § 603.2.
When a landscape plan is required
- The code official may require a landscape plan; when required the plan must address development and maintenance of the vegetation management zone adjacent to buildings and roadways and provide fire hazard reduction benefits for public and firefighting safety. See § 603.3.
Minimum contents of the landscape plan (must include)
Per § 603.3.1, the landscape plan shall contain at least the following items (listed and explained below).
| Decision item / dimension | What the plan must show or provide | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Which properties | Demonstrate the planting is in an SRA/LRA FHZ (application scope) | § 603.2 |
| Fuel management zones | Delineation of 30‑foot (9144 mm) and 100‑foot (30 480 mm) zones from all structures | § 603.3.1(1) |
| Plant lists | Identification of existing vegetation to remain and proposed new vegetation | § 603.3.1(2) |
| Irrigation map | Identification of irrigated and non‑irrigated areas (important for plant selection & maintenance) | § 603.3.1(3) |
| Plant legend | Botanical and common names; symbols for each plant species; expected mature size (see final plan requirements in § 602.3.2) | § 603.3.1(4) |
| Near‑zone groundcover | Identification of ground coverings within the 30‑foot zone (e.g., mulch types, pavers, exposed mineral soil) | § 603.3.1(5) |
Notes on plan detail:
- The final fire protection plan (when required by the code official) must also include plant symbols with expected mature height/width and identification of irrigated vs. non‑irrigated zones and maintenance/access points, per the final‑plan contents in § 602.3.2 (supporting requirement).
How the fuel‑modification distances relate to defensible‑space concepts
- The delineated 30‑foot and 100‑foot zones in the landscape plan are the CWUIC’s required mapping elements for vegetation management zones around structures; they dovetail with defensible‑space practices and other state laws (see Related provisions). § 603.3.1(1).
Exceptions & special cases
- The CWUIC text for § 603.3.1 lists the mandatory plan contents but does not itself exempt any of those contents; whether a plan is required is at the discretion of the code official under § 603.3.
- There is a specific exception elsewhere in Chapter 6 allowing certain trees classified as nonfire‑smart vegetation if they comply with § 603.4.2.1; that exception applies to the vegetation selection rules, not to the plan contents requirement. See § 603.4 and the exception text.
- To be considered a fuel modification under the Vegetation Management Appendix, continuous maintenance is required (i.e., one‑time work is not sufficient). See Appendix B (B101.3).
Common mistakes
- Failing to show both required zone lines: omitting the 30‑foot or 100‑foot delineation (required by § 603.3.1(1)).
- Not including a plant legend with both botanical and common names and symbols (required by § 603.3.1(4)).
- Omitting irrigated vs. non‑irrigated areas — reviewers use this to judge plant survivability and maintenance needs (required by § 603.3.1(3)).
- Forgetting to identify groundcover within the 30‑foot zone — this is explicitly required (see § 603.3.1(5)).
- Treating a one‑time clearing as a permanent fuel modification; Appendix B requires continuous maintenance for something to be considered fuel modification.
Worked example — concrete scenario
Scenario: New landscaping for a single‑family home located in an LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The owner must submit a landscape plan when requested by the code official.
Minimum items the plan must show (apply the numeric values exactly):
- Draw and label a line 30‑feet (9144 mm) from all sides of the structure and a second line 100‑feet (30 480 mm) from all sides — these are the two fuel‑management zones the plan must delineate. § 603.3.1(1).
- On the plan, mark existing trees and shrubs to remain and label proposed shrubs/trees by botanical and common names (plant legend with symbols). § 603.3.1(2) and (4).
- Shade or hatch irrigated areas and note which zones will be irrigated versus non‑irrigated (so the reviewer can evaluate plant choices). § 603.3.1(3).
- Explicitly identify the groundcover in the 30‑foot near zone (e.g., decomposed granite paths, concrete patio, mulch type, rockscape, or exposed mineral soil). § 603.3.1(5).
If the code official also requires a final fire protection plan, the owner must supply plant mature sizes and maintenance/access information as required by § 602.3.2 (useful when selecting spacing and species).
Related provisions
- § 603.2 — Application: all new plantings in SRAs and LRAs designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone must comply with §§ 603.3–603.4.2.1.
- § 603.3 — Landscape plans: when required, plans must provide development and maintenance requirements for the vegetation management zone.
- § 603.3.1 — Landscape plan contents: the specific list of items the plan must contain (30‑ft/100‑ft delineation; plant ID; irrigated areas; plant legend; 30‑ft groundcover).
- § 602.3.2 — Final fire protection plan contents (adds required plant species detail, mature sizes, irrigated vs non‑irrigated zones, maintenance responsibilities).
- Appendix B, B101.3 — To be considered a fuel modification (for code purposes), continuous maintenance of the clearance is required.
- CWUIC definitions (example): Defensible space definition (see § 601.3) — context for how these zones relate to defensible‑space policy.
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CWUIC § B101 High relevance — show source text
SECTION B101—GENERAL
B101.1 Scope. Vegetation management plans shall be submitted to the code official for review and approval as part of the plans required for a permit.
B101.2 Plan content. Vegetation management plans shall describe all actions that will be taken to prevent a fire from being carried toward or away from the building. A vegetation management plan shall include the following information:
- A copy of the site plan.
- Methods and timetables for controlling, changing or modifying areas on the property. Elements of the plan shall include removal of slash, snags, vegetation that may grow into overhead electrical lines, other ground fuels, ladder fuels and dead trees, and the thinning of live trees.
- A plan for maintaining the proposed fuel-reduction measures.
B101.3 Fuel modification. To be considered a fuel modification for purposes of this code, continuous maintenance of the clearance is required.
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CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE APPENDIX C – COMMUNITY WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) FIRE HAZARD EVALUATION FRAMEWORK
(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)
(Not adopted by the State Fire Marshal)
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)Adopt only those sections that
are listed below[California Code of Regulations,
Title 19, Division 1]Chapter / Section California Wildland-Urban Interface Code High relevance — show source text
(a) A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains an occupied dwelling or occupied structure in, upon, or adjoining a mountainous area, forest-covered land, shrub-covered land, grass-covered land, or land that is covered with flammable mate- rial, which area or land is within a very high fire hazard severity zone designated by the local agency pursuant to Section 51179, shall at all times do all of the following: (1) (A) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary shall consider the flammability of the structure as affected by building material, building standards, location, and type of vegetation. Fuels shall be maintained and spaced in a condition so that a wildfire burning under average weather conditions would be unlikely to ignite the structure. This subparagraph does not apply to single specimens of trees or other vege- tation that are well-pruned and maintained so as to effectively manage fuels and not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from other nearby vegetation to a structure or from a structure to other nearby vegetation or to interrupt the advance of embers toward a structure. The intensity of fuels management may vary within the 100-foot perimeter of the structure, with more intense fuel reductions being used between 5 and 30 feet around the structure, and an ember-resistant zone being required within 5 feet of the structure, based on regulations promulgated by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, in consultation with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, to consider the elimination of materials in the ember-resistant zone that would likely be ignited by embers. Consistent with fuels management objectives, steps should be taken to minimize erosion, soil disturbance, and the spread of flammable nonnative grasses and weeds. (B) A greater distance than that required under subparagraph (A) may be required by state law, local ordinance, rule, or regulation. Fuel modification beyond the property line may only be required by state law, local ordinance, rule, or regulation in order to maintain 100 feet of defensible space from a structure. Fuel modification on adjacent property shall only be conducted following written consent by the adjacent landowner. Any local ordinance related to fuel modification shall be in compliance with all applicable state laws, regulations, and policies. Any local ordinance may include provisions to allocate costs for any fuel modification beyond the property line. (C) An insurance company that insures an occupied dwelling or occupied structure may require a greater distance than that required under subparagraph (A) if a fire expert, designated by the fire chief or fire official from the authority having jurisdiction, provides findings that the fuel modification is necessary to significantly reduce the risk of trans- mission of flame or heat sufficient to ignite the structure, and there is no other feasible mitigation measure possible to reduce the risk of ignition or spread of wildfire to the structure. The greater distance may not be beyond the property line unless allowed by state law, local ordinance, rule, or regulation. (2) Remove that portion of a tree that extends within 10 feet of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe. (3) Maintain a tree, shrub, or other plant adjacent to or overhanging a building free of dead or dying wood. (4) _Maintain the roof of a structure free of leaves, needles, or other vegetative materials.
CWUIC § 1.11. Medium 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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B VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN
The provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance.
User notes:
About this appendix: 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.
SECTION B101—GENERAL
B101.1 Scope. Vegetation management plans shall be submitted to the code official for review and approval as part of the plans required for a permit.
B101.2 Plan content. Vegetation management plans shall describe all actions that will be taken to prevent a fire from being carried toward or away from the building. A vegetation management plan shall include the following information:
- A copy of the site plan.
- Methods and timetables for controlling, changing or modifying areas on the property. Elements of the plan shall include removal of slash, snags, vegetation that may grow into overhead electrical lines, other ground fuels, ladder fuels and dead trees, and the thinning of live trees.
- A plan for maintaining the proposed fuel-reduction measures.
B101.3 Fuel modification. To be considered a fuel modification for purposes of this code, continuous maintenance of the clearance is required.
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CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE APPENDIX C – COMMUNITY WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) FIRE HAZARD EVALUATION FRAMEWORK
CWUIC § 601.1 Medium 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.
2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE 6-3
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 § 602.2 Medium relevance — show source text
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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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.
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|||||||||APPENDIX H-34 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
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APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
2025 CWUIC—continued Col2 Adopted
Yes/NoIWUIC
SectionCBC
SectionCFC
SectionTitle 14,
Division 1.5
SectionTitle 19,
Division 1
SectionGov Code
SectionPRC
SectionHSC
SectionSection 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 § 4911 Medium relevance — show source text
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) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework|Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework| |C101|Community WUI Fire
Hazard Evaluation
Framework|N|||Appendix
P|||||| |C101.1|Definitions|N||||||||| |C101.2|Community|N||||||||| |C101.3|Fuels|N||||||||| |C101.4|Population|N||||||||| |C101.5|Notification|N||||||||| |C101.6|Evacuation|N||||||||| |C101.7|Infrastructure/
COOP/COG|N||||||||| |C101.8|Firefighting Response|N||||||||| |Appendix D|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption| |D101|Model ordinance|N|||4911|||||| |Appendix E|RESERVED|RESERVED|RESERVED|RESERVED|RESERVED|RESERVED|RESERVED|RESERVED|RESERVED|RESERVED| |Appendix 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.CWUIC § 601.3 Medium relevance — show source text
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
Hammerhead/T 202 Hazardous Land Use 202
Hazardous Materials 202 Heavy Timber Construction 202
Ignition Source Control Appendix A, A104 Ignition-Resistant Building Material 202, 503 Ignition-Resistant Construction 504 Appendages 504.7 Detached accessory structures 504.11 Eaves 504.3
Exterior doors 504.9
Exterior walls 504.5
Gutters and downspouts 504.4 Protection of eaves 504.3 Roof covering 504.2 Underfloor protection 504.6 Vents 504.10
Windows 504.8 Ignition-Resistant Construction and Material 503 Inspection and Enforcement 109 Abatement 109.3.8 Authority to inspect 109.1.2 Citations 109.3.4
Enforcement 109.2 Placarding 109.3.5.3 Prosecution 109.3.6
Reinspections 109.1.3 Right of entry 104.4 Testing 109.1.4 Unsafe conditions 109.3.5
Key Box 403.1
Land Use Limitations Appendix A, A108 Legal Defense of the Code Official 104.8.1 Liability of the Code Official 104.8
Log Wall Construction 202 LP-Gas Installations 606
Maintenance 101.6 Maintenance of Defensible Space 604 Modified area 604.2 Responsibility 604.3 Trees 604.4 Mapping of Wildland-Urban Interface Area 302.2 Multilayered Glazed Panels 202
Noncombustible Roof Covering 202
Outbuilding 202
CWUIC § 302.1 Medium relevance — show source text
SECTION 302—WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA DESIGNATIONS
302.1 Mapping . The State Fire Marshal shall classify lands into Fire Hazard Severity Zones in accordance with California Public Resources Code, Sections 4201 through 4204 for State Responsibility Areas and in accordance with Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189 for Local Responsibility Areas. The State Fire Marshal shall designate areas in the state as fire hazard severity zones and assign each zone based on the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in those areas. Each fire hazard severity zone shall embrace relatively homogeneous lands, and the classification shall be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather and other relevant factors including areas where winds have been identified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as a major cause of wildfire spread and other areas designated by the enforcing agency to be at a significant risk from wildfires.
302.2 Review of wildland-urban interface areas. The code official shall reevaluate and recommend modification to the wildlandurban interface areas in accordance with Section 302.1 on a 5-year basis or more frequently as deemed necessary by the legislative body. The State Fire Marshal shall periodically review the areas in the state identified as fire hazard severity zones and, as necessary, shall make recommendations relative to fire hazard severity zones. This review shall coincide with the review of state responsibility area lands every five years and, when possible, fall within the time frames for the county’s general plan update.
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CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE
CHAPTER 4 – WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS
(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)
CWUIC § 1270.01 Medium relevance — show source text
1|||||| ||Strategic
ridgeline (T14)|Y||||1270.01(dd)||||| ||Structure|Y|202|||1270.01(ee)||||| ||Subdivision|Y||||||||| ||Tree crown|Y||||||||| ||Undeveloped
ridgeline (T14)|Y||||1270.01(ii)||||| ||Unenclosed acces-
sory structure|Y||||||||| ||Vertical curve (T14)|Y||||1270.01(k)||||| ||Wildfire|Y||702A|4902.1|||||| ||Wildfire exposure|Y||702A|4902.1|||||| ||Wildland|Y||||||||| ||Wildland-urban inter-
face area|Y||702A|4902.1|||||| |Chapter 3|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas| |301|General|Y||||||||| |301.1|Scope|Y||||||||4201| |301.2|Purpose|Y|||||||51176|4201| |302|Wildland-Urban
Interface Area
Designations|Y||||||||| |302.1|Mapping|Y|||4904.2||||51178|4202
4203(a)
4204| |302.2|Review of wildland-
urban interface areas|Y|||||||51181|4204| |Chapter 4|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements| |401|General|Y||||||||| |401.1|Scope|Y||||||||| |401.2|Objective|Y||||1273.00||||| |401.3|General safety
precautions|Y||||||||| |402|Applicability|Y|||||||||APPENDIX H-26 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
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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,CWUIC § 4902.1 Medium relevance — show source text
01(i)||||| ||Exterior wall assembly|Y||702A||||||| ||Exterior wall covering|Y||702A||||||| ||Fire chief|Y||||||||| ||Fire code official|Y|||202|||||| ||Fire flow calculation
area|Y||||||||| ||Fire hazard severity
zones|Y||702A|4902.1|||2201||| ||Fire protection plan|Y||702A|4902.1|||||| ||Fire weather|Y||||||||| ||Fire-resistance-rated
construction|Y||||||||| ||Fire-smart vegetation|Y|||4902.1|1271.01||||| ||Flame spread index|Y||||||||| ||Fuel|Y||||||||4291(a)(1)(A)| ||Fuel break_(T14)|Y||||1270.01(n)||||| ||Fuel modification|Y||||||||| ||Fuel mosaic|Y||||||||| ||Fuel-loading|Y||||||||| ||Green belt(T14)|Y||||1270.01(o)||||| ||Greenways (T14)|Y||||1270.01(p)||||| ||Hammerhead/T (T14)|Y||||1270.01(q)||||| ||Hazardous land use
(T14)_|Y||||1270.01(r)||||| ||Hazardous materials|Y||||||||| ||Heavy timber
construction|Y||||||||| ||Ignition-resistant
building material|Y||||||||| ||Local responsibility
area (LRA)|Y||702A|4902.1|||||| ||Log wall construction|Y|||||||||2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX H-25
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APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
2025 CWUIC—continued Col2 Adopted
Yes/NoIWUIC
SectionCBC
SectionCFC
SectionTitle 14,
Division 1.5
SectionTitle 19,
Division 1
SectionGov Code
SectionPRC
SectionHSC
SectionSection Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Chapter 2 Definitions Definitions Definitions Definitions Definitions Definitions Definitions Definitions Definitions Definitions Multilayered glazed
panelsY Noncombustible roof
coveringY Outbuilding (T14) Y 1299.02(c) Peer review Y Rafter tail Y 702A Registered design
professionalY Residential unit (T14) Y 1270.01(w) Ridgeline
(topography) (T14)Y 1270.01(x) Road (T14) Y 1270.
Frequently asked questions
Who decides whether I need to submit a landscape plan?
The code official decides when a landscape plan is required; when required that plan must meet the contents listed in § 603.3.1.
Must the plan show both 30‑ft and 100‑ft lines even for small lots?
Yes — § 603.3.1(1) requires delineation of both 30‑foot (9144 mm) and 100‑foot (30 480 mm) fuel management zones from all structures.
Does the plan have to list every plant’s botanical name?
Yes — the plan must include a plant legend with both botanical and common names and symbols for each species, per § 603.3.1(4).
If I remove vegetation once, is that considered a fuel modification?
Not necessarily — Appendix B requires continuous maintenance for something to be considered a fuel modification under the code. See B101.3.
Can the local agency require more than these plan contents?
Yes — plans must also identify conformance with applicable state regulations and any applicable local ordinances; additional detail is often required in the final fire protection plan per § 602.3.2.
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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