CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
Voluntary Home‑Hardening & Defensible Space (Appendix G)
Appendix G provides voluntary, practical home‑hardening and defensible‑space recommendations (see §G101.2.1 and §G101.3.1) to help homeowners reduce wildfire ignition risk.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
Overview
Appendix G of the California Wildland‑Urban Interface Code (CWUIC) is an informational, non‑mandatory appendix that compiles best‑practice recommendations homeowners can use to reduce structure ignition and improve survivability during wildfires. The appendix is expressly "for informational purposes and is not intended for adoption," and is written as retrofit and maintenance guidance for existing homes in the wildland‑urban interface.
The appendix focuses on two complementary areas: structural home‑hardening (materials and detail upgrades to reduce ember and flame entry) and defensible‑space / maintenance practices (vegetation and housekeeping actions to reduce fuel near structures). Key, directly useful provisions are organized under §G101 (General) and the subsections §G101.2.1 (Home‑hardening features) and §G101.3.1 (Maintenance and defensible space), which list actionable items such as Class A roof coverings, ember‑resistant vents, gap‑sealing, and routine roof, gutter, deck, chimney and vegetation maintenance.
Appendix G is intended as a practical supplement to the regulatory requirements in the rest of the CWUIC and referenced California regulations: use it to inform homeowner retrofit priorities, education programs, and voluntary mitigation planning alongside mandatory defensible‑space rules (see referenced material in Appendix H).
In this section
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
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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G VOLUNTARY HOME-HARDENING RECOMMENDATIONS
This appendix is for informational purposes and is not intended for adoption.
User notes:
About this appendix: Appendix G is an information 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.
SECTION G101—GENERAL
G101.1 Identification of the problem. The California Wildland-Urban Interface Code establishes a set of minimum standards to reduce the loss of property from wildfire. The purpose of these standards is to prevent wildfire spreading from vegetation to a building. Many homes were built in the wildland-urban interface areas prior to the implementation of provisions found in this code. As a result, many homes are lacking in their ability to survive an approaching wildfire. Many of the features discussed in this appendix are designed as low- cost features to retrofit existing homes. Additionally, recommendations are provided beyond the minimum code requirements for those homeowners who desire to increase the survivability of their home. This appendix chapter provides a discussion of some possible self- defense features to enhance survivability and harden the structure against an approaching wildfire.
G101.2 Structural survivability. The home-hardening features listed in Section G101.2.1 were developed as a best practices guide to assist homeowners in increasing the ignition resistance of their homes from wildfires. Some of these items are based on upgrading to more stringent building materials when that building component is due for replacement as part of its normal maintenance or lifespan, such as the roof covering.
CWUIC § 2.1 High relevance — show source text
This appendix is for informational purposes and is not intended for adoption.
User notes:
About this appendix: Appendix G is an information 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.
SECTION G101—GENERAL
G101.1 Identification of the problem. The California Wildland-Urban Interface Code establishes a set of minimum standards to reduce the loss of property from wildfire. The purpose of these standards is to prevent wildfire spreading from vegetation to a building. Many homes were built in the wildland-urban interface areas prior to the implementation of provisions found in this code. As a result, many homes are lacking in their ability to survive an approaching wildfire. Many of the features discussed in this appendix are designed as low- cost features to retrofit existing homes. Additionally, recommendations are provided beyond the minimum code requirements for those homeowners who desire to increase the survivability of their home. This appendix chapter provides a discussion of some possible self- defense features to enhance survivability and harden the structure against an approaching wildfire.
G101.2 Structural survivability. The home-hardening features listed in Section G101.2.1 were developed as a best practices guide to assist homeowners in increasing the ignition resistance of their homes from wildfires. Some of these items are based on upgrading to more stringent building materials when that building component is due for replacement as part of its normal maintenance or lifespan, such as the roof covering.
G101.2.1 Home-hardening features. If homes are not already provided with the suggested protection, the following items should be considered in hardening a home against wildfire. 1. When it is time to replace your roof, replace it with roof assembly classified as Class A when tested in accordance with ASTM E108 or UL 790.
2. Block any spaces at the eaves between your roof covering and sheathing with noncombustible materials (bird stops). 3. Install a noncombustible rain gutter and downspouts. Install rain gutter covers to prevent the accumulation of leaves and debris in the gutters. 4. Cover your chimney and stovepipe outlets with a noncombustible, corrosion-resistant metal mesh screen (spark arrestor), with [3] / 8 -inch (9.5 mm) to [1] / 2 -inch (12.7 mm) openings. 5. Install ember- and flame-resistant vents. Choose products that have been approved and labeled as OSFM Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Products. A temporary solution is to cover the vent openings with a noncombustible and corrosion-resistant mesh with [1] / 16 -inch (1.6 mm) to [1] / 8 -inch (3.2 mm) openings. 6. Caulk and plug gaps greater than [1] / 8 inch (3.2 mm) around exposed rafters and blocking to prevent ember intrusion into the attic or other enclosed spaces. 7. _Inspect exterior siding for dry rot, gaps, cracks and warping.
CWUIC § 3.1 High relevance — show source text
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. Chimneys—ensure spark arrestor is in place; remove all branches within 10 feet of any chimney or stovepipe outlet. 5. Windows—remove or relocate all combustibles away from windows. Older windows that are single-pane or double-pane without tempering can be vulnerable to direct flame contact or radiant heat exposure; remove vegetation or other combus- tible materials that are within five feet of windows.
6. Doors—inspect the door for dry rot, gaps, cracks and warping and caulk or plug gaps greater than [1] / 8 inch. Install weather stripping to fill gaps greater than [1] / 8 inch (3.2 mm) between garage doors and door frames to prevent ember intrusion; remove vegetation or other combustible materials that are within five feet (1524 mm) of doors. 7. Exterior walls—inspect exterior siding for dry rot, gaps, cracks and warping and caulk or plug gaps greater than [1] / 8 inch in siding and replace any damaged boards, including those with dry rot. 8. Firewood—exposed firewood is stored at least 30 feet (9144 mm) away from structures or completely covered in a fire-resis- _tant material that will not allow embers to penetrate.
CWUIC § 1-3 High 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 § 1-3 High 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 § 3.2 High 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 § 1276.04 High relevance — show source text
_ prescribed burning, manual treatment, mechanical treatment, prescribed herbivory, and targeted ground application of herbicides.
(g) Where a Local Jurisdiction requires Fuel Breaks, maintenance mechanisms shall be established to ensure the fire behavior objectives and thresholds are maintained over time. (h) The mechanisms required shall be binding upon the property for which the Fuel Break is established, shall ensure adequate maintenance levels, and may include written legal agreements; permanent fees, taxes, or assessments; assessments through a homeowners' association; or other funding mechanisms.
1276.04 Greenbelts, greenways, open spaces and parks. (a) Where a Greenbelt, Greenway, open space, park, landscaped or natural area, or portions thereof, is intended to serve as a Fuel Break, the space or relevant portion thereof shall conform with the requirements in § 1276.03 (Fuel Breaks).
1276.05 Disposal of flammable vegetation and fuels.
The disposal, including burning or removal to a site approved by the Local Jurisdiction, in consultation with the Fire Authority, of flam- mable vegetation and fuels caused by site construction, Road, and Driveway construction shall be in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
H104.2 Subchapter 3 Fire Hazard.
Article 3. Fire Hazard Reduction Around Buildings and Structures
1299.01 Purpose. The intent of this regulation is to provide guidance for implementation of Public Resources Code Section 4291 to improve safety for fire fighters defending a home as well as increase the survivability of a “Building or Structure” as defined, that exists in grass, brush, and forest covered lands within the designated State Responsibility Area (SRA) of California.
1299.02 Definitions. The following definitions apply to this article: (a) 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.
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APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
(b) Building or Structure. Anything constructed that is designed or intended for support, enclosure, shelter, or protection of persons, animals, or property, having a permanent roof that is supported by walls or posts that connect to, or rest on the ground. (c) Outbuilding. Buildings or structures that are less than one hundred-twenty (120) square feet in size and not used for human habitation. For purposes of this Section, an “Outbuilding” is not a “Building or Structure” as defined in subsection (b) above.
1299.03 Requirements. Defensible space is required to be maintained at all times, whenever flammable vegetative conditions exist. One hundred feet (100 ft.) of defensible space clearance shall be maintained in two distinct “Zones” as follows: “Zone 1” extends thirty feet (30 ft.) out from each “Building or Structure,” or to the property line, whichever comes first; “Zone 2” extends from thirty feet (30 ft.) _to one hundred feet (100 ft.) from each “Building or Structure,” but not beyond the property line.
CWUIC § 4291.6 High relevance — show source text
- 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 § 4291.5 High 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 § 4291.5 Medium relevance — show source text
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||||||||| |F101.1|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.CWUIC § 1.5 Medium relevance — show source text
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.
(g) Any local governmental entity that is qualified to conduct defensible space assessments pursuant to this section in very high and high fire hazard severity zones, as identified by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code or Article 9 (commencing with Section 4201) of this chapter or by a local agency pursuant to Section 51179 of the Government Code and reports that information to the department, shall report that information using the common reporting platform established pursuant to subdivision (c). (h) (1) On December 31, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department shall report to the Legislature all defensible space data collected pursuant paragraph (2) of subdivision (c). The report may include information on the proportion of unique parcels that were inspected, the degree of compliance with requirements set forth in Section 4291, any enforcement actions that may have been taken for noncompliant parcels, and the proportion of parcels that were found to be in compliance across jurisdictions. At minimum, the report shall include data with sufficient detail to facilitate comparisons of community compliance with the requirements of Section 4291 between local governmental entities qualified to conduct defensible space assessments pursuant to this section and local governmental entities that are not. (2) A report submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(i) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2026, and as of that date is repealed.
SECTION H104—CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 14, DIVISION 1.5
H104.1 Subchapter 2 State Minimum Fire Safe Regulations.
1270.01 Definitions.
CWUIC § 1.5 Medium relevance — show source text
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
2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE xiii
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
CONTENTS
APPENDIX G VOLUNTARY HOME-HARDENING
RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX G-3
G101 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX G-3
APPENDIX H REFERENCED CALIFORNIA
DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .APPENDIX H-3
H101 California Civil Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX H-3
H102 California Government Code . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX H-4
H103 California Public Resources Code . . . . . . APPENDIX H-6
H104 California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX H-10
H105 California Code of Regulations, Title 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX H-17
H106 Health and Safety Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX H-18
H107 Cross Reference Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX H-19
APPENDIX I BOARD OF APPEALS . . . . . . . . . . .APPENDIX I-3
I101 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX I-3
INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INDEX-1
HISTORY NOTE APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HIST-1
xiv 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
Frequently asked questions
Is Appendix G mandatory?
No. Appendix G is explicitly informational and "not intended for adoption." It provides voluntary recommendations and retrofit options rather than enforceable requirements.
Which sections should I read for concrete actions I can take?
Start with §G101.2.1 for home‑hardening measures (roof coverings, vents, flashing, WUI‑approved products, etc.) and §G101.3.1 for defensible‑space and maintenance practices (roof and gutter cleaning, deck and chimney clearance, vegetation management). These subsections list specific, practical steps.
How should homeowners use Appendix G?
Treat it as a best‑practices checklist for retrofit and maintenance: prioritize long‑life upgrades (e.g., Class A roofs, ember‑resistant vents), seal openings to prevent ember intrusion, and maintain defensible space and housekeeping around the structure. Use the appendix alongside local defensible‑space regulations and OSFM WUI product guidance.
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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Model Ordinance — Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption (Appendix D)
Vegetation Management Plans (Appendix B & landscape plans)
Fire‑Smart Vegetation & Fuel‑Modification Standards
Appendices and Model Ordinances (vegetation plans, severity‑zone adoption, home‑hardening guidance)
California Wildland-Urban Interface Code