Defensible Space Maintenance & Legal Requirements

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

• 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 § 3.1 High relevance — show source text

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

  SECTION A101—GENERAL

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

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

  SECTION A102—VEGETATION CONTROL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  6 FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

  User notes:

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

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

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

  1. Development of fire protection plans.

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

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

  SECTION 601—GENERAL

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

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

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

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

  SECTION 602— FIRE PROTECTION PLANS

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

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

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

• CWUIC § 609.2.3 High relevance — show source text

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

  [CCR T14 §1276.03(d)]

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

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

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  FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

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

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

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

  SECTION 610—FIRE SAFE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

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

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

  structure.

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  FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

  SECTION 604—MAINTENANCE OF DEFENSIBLE SPACE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  SECTION 605—SPARK ARRESTORS

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

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

  SECTION 606—LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS INSTALLATIONS

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

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

• CWUIC § 2.1. Medium relevance — show source text

  A103.2 Trespassing on posted private property. Where the code official determines that a specific area within a wildland-urban interface area presents an exceptional and continuing fire danger because of the density of natural growth, difficulty of terrain, proximity to structures or accessibility to the public, such areas shall be restricted or closed until changed conditions warrant termination of such restriction or closure. Such areas shall be posted in accordance with Section A103.2.1.

  A103.2.1 Signs. Approved signs prohibiting entry by unauthorized persons and referring to this code shall be placed on every closed area.

  A103.2.2 Trespassing. Entering and remaining within areas closed and posted is prohibited.

  Exception: Owners and occupiers of private or public property within closed and posted areas; their guests or invitees; authorized persons engaged in the operation and maintenance of necessary utilities such as electrical power, gas, telephone, water and sewer; and local, state and federal public officers and their authorized agents acting in the course of duty.

  A103.3 Use of fire roads and defensible space. Motorcycles, motor scooters and motor vehicles shall not be driven or parked on, and trespassing is prohibited on, fire roads or defensible space beyond the point where travel is restricted by a cable, gate or sign, without the permission of the property owners. Vehicles shall not be parked in a manner that obstructs the entrance to a fire road or defensible space.

  Exception: Public officers acting within their scope of duty.

  A103.3.1 Obstructions. Radio and television aerials, guy wires thereto, and other obstructions shall not be installed or maintained on fire roads or defensible spaces, unless located 16 feet (4877 mm) or more above such fire road or defensible space.

  A103.4 Use of motorcycles, motor scooters, ultralight aircraft and motor vehicles. Motorcycles, motor scooters, ultralight aircraft and motor vehicles shall not be operated within wildland-urban interface areas, without a permit by the code official, except on clearly established public or private roads. Permission from the property owner shall be presented when requesting a permit.

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  APPENDIX A—GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

  A103.5 Tampering with locks, barricades, signs and address markers. Locks, barricades, seals, cables, signs and address markers installed within wildland-urban interface areas, by or under the control of the code official, shall not be tampered with, mutilated, destroyed or removed.

  A103.5.1 Gates, doors, barriers and locks. Gates, doors, barriers and locks installed by or under the control of the code official shall not be unlocked.

  SECTION A104—IGNITION SOURCE CONTROL

  A104.1 General. Ignition sources shall be controlled in accordance with Sections A104.2 through A104.10.

  A104.2 Objective. Regulations in this section are intended to provide the minimum requirements to prevent the occurrence of wildfires.

  A104.3 Clearance from ignition sources. Clearance between ignition sources and grass, brush or other combustible materials shall be maintained at not less than 30 feet (9144 mm).

• CWUIC § 404.9 Medium relevance — show source text

  May_ 1988.

  404.9 Testing and maintenance. Water sources, draft sites, hydrants and other fire protection equipment required by this code shall be subject to periodic tests as required by the code official. Such equipment installed under the provisions of this code shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and shall be repaired or replaced where defective. Additions, repairs, alterations and servicing of such fire protection equipment and resources shall be in accordance with approved standards.

  404.10 Reliability. Water supply reliability shall comply with Sections 404.10.1 through 404.10.3.

  404.10.1 Objective. The objective of this section is to increase the reliability of water supplies by reducing the exposure of vegetative fuels to electrically powered systems.

  404.10.2 Clearance of fuel. Defensible space shall be provided around water tank structures, water supply pumps and pump houses in accordance with Section 603.

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  WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS

  404.10.3 Standby power. Standby power shall be provided to pumps, controllers and related electrical equipment so that stationary water supply facilities within the wildland-urban interface area that are dependent on electrical power can provide the required water supply. The standby power system shall be in accordance with Section 2702 of the California Building Code and Section 1203 of the California Fire Code . The standby power source shall be capable of providing power for not less than 2 hours.

  Exceptions:

  1. Where approved by the code official, a standby power supply is not required where the primary power service to the stationary water supply facility is underground.
  2. A standby power supply is not required where the stationary water supply facility serves not more than one singlefamily dwelling.

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  CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

  CHAPTER 5 – SPECIAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS

  (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 § 3.1 Medium 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.

  2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX G-3

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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 § 4291.6 Medium relevance — show source text

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

  structure.

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

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

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  APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS

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

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

• CWUIC § 1.5 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 § 3.2 Medium relevance — show source text

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

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

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  APPENDIX G—VOLUNTARY HOME-HARDENING RECOMMENDATIONS

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

• CWUIC § 3.5 Medium relevance — show source text

  E107.3.5 Structures located in a wildland-urban interface zone. Tiny houses and manufactured homes that are located in a wildland-urban interface area shall be provided with defensible space in accordance with Section 603 of the California Wildland- Urban Interface Code .

  APPENDIX E-4 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE

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  APPENDIX E—TEMPORARY EMERGENCY USES

  SECTION E108—REFERENCED STANDARDS

  E108.1 General. See Table E108.1 for standards that are referenced in various sections of this appendix. Standards are listed by the standard identification with the effective date, standard title and the section or sections of this appendix referenced in the standard.

  TABLE E108.1—REFERENCED STANDARDS	Col2	Col3
  STANDARD ACRONYM	STANDARD NAME	SECTIONS REFERENCED HEREIN
  IBC—24	International Building Code®	E106.3, E106.5.1
  IFC—24	International Fire Code®	E106.4, E106.4.1, E106.4.2, E106.4.5, E106.7.1, E107.1.3, E107.2.2, E107.3.3, E107.3.4
  IWUIC—24	International Wildland-Urban Interface Code®	E107.3.5
  NFPA 550—2017	Guide to the Fire Safety Concepts Tree	E106.4.3

  2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE APPENDIX E-5

  on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

  APPENDIX E-6 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE

  on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

  CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

  RESOURCE A

  GUIDELINES ON FIRE RATINGS OF ARCHAIC MATERIALS AND ASSEMBLIES

  Not adopted by the State of California (May be available for adoption by local ordinance. See Section 1.1.11.)