CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
What is fire‑smart vegetation (characteristics)?
For homeowners: choose plants listed as fire‑smart or documented by a landscape architect or local agency; keep shrubs ≤ 6 ft, group clumps ≤ 10 ft and separated 15 ft from other clumps and 30 ft from structures, and place/maintain trees so their mature drip lines meet the 10‑ft or 30‑ft clearance options in § 603.4. Use Appendix F’s eight characteristics as guidance when selecting low‑risk plants.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — 2–4 sentences
The California Wildland‑Urban Interface Code requires that all new vegetation in designated Fire Hazard Severity Zones be fire‑smart vegetation according to the rules in § 603.4 . Appendix F describes the eight characteristics of fire‑smart vegetation as an informational guide in § F101.1 . To be considered fire‑smart under § 603.4, a plant must meet at least one of three approval paths (listed sources, licensed landscape architect justification, or local agency approval) .
The operating rule: new plantings near structures must be selected and arranged so they reduce fuel, flame length, and ember/heat transfer — i.e., meet § 603.4 acceptance criteria and follow the Appendix F characteristics as guidance.
Requirements in detail
Defined term (first use)
Fire‑smart vegetation — Plants, shrubs, trees and other vegetation that show properties (for example, high moisture content, little accumulation of dead vegetation, low sap or resin content) that make them less likely to ignite or to contribute heat/rapid flame spread than native vegetation usually found in the region. This definition is in the code definitions and supports how the term is applied in § 603.4.
Core acceptance paths (what the code requires)
To be considered fire‑smart a plant must meet at least one of these, per § 603.4:
- Be listed as fire‑smart in an approved book, journal or listing from an approved organization.
- Be identified as fire‑smart by a licensed landscape architect with supporting justification.
- Be a species approved by the local enforcing agency.
Appendix F (§ F101.1) provides eight practical characteristics that make plants good candidates for fire‑smart lists (informational only). Use Appendix F characteristics to choose species or justify selections to a local agency or landscape architect.
Appendix F — the eight characteristics (informational)
Appendix F lists eight characteristics of fire‑smart vegetation (informational guidance only; Appendix F is not mandatory). These include:
- Growth with little or no accumulation of dead vegetation.
- Nonresinous plants (examples: willow, poplar, tulip tree).
- Low volume of total vegetation (e.g., grass area vs. forest).
- High live fuel moisture (high water content vs dry weight).
- Drought‑tolerant plants with deep roots and thick leaves.
- Stands without ladder fuels (no fine branches connecting ground to canopy).
- Plants requiring little maintenance (slow growing when maintained).
- Woody stems/branches that require prolonged heating to ignite.
Decision‑relevant dimensions (table)
| Decision dimension | Required value / limit | Why it matters | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum shrub height | 6 feet (1829 mm) | Keeps shrub flame length and heat lower near structures. | § 603.4.1.1 |
| Maximum shrub grouping aggregate diameter | 10 feet (3048 mm) | Limits continuous fuel area and reduces continuous flame spread. | § 603.4.1.2 |
| Minimum separation between shrub groupings | 15 feet (4572 mm) | Breaks surface fuel continuity; reduces fire spread between clumps. | § 603.4.1.3 |
| Minimum separation from structures (shrubs) | 30 feet (9144 mm) | Ensures shrubs do not form a direct fuel path to buildings. | § 603.4.1.4 |
| Understory / tree branch clearance over shrubs | ≥ 3× shrub height or 10 ft (3048 mm) | Prevents ladder fuels from carrying fire into tree crowns. | § 603.4.1.5 |
| New tree drip line distance from combustibles | 10 feet (3048 mm) | Reduces likelihood of crown/structure ignition via proximity. | § 603.4.2.1 |
| Horizontal crown separation (new trees) | 10 feet (3048 mm) | Limits potential for crown fire spread between adjacent trees. | § 603.4.2.2 |
| Chimney / stovepipe clearance (existing trees) | 10 feet (3048 mm) | Reduces ignition risk from hot exhaust/embers. | § 603.4.2.3 |
| Nonfire‑smart tree placement option A | Drip line at maturity ≥ 30 ft (9144 mm) from building | Accepts higher‑risk species only when set far back. | § 603.4.2.1.1 |
| Nonfire‑smart tree placement option B | Drip line at maturity ≥ 10 ft (3048 mm) + well‑pruned & maintained (no rapid fire path) | Allows closer placement if ongoing maintenance prevents quick fire transmission. | § 603.4.2.1.2 |
Plan & documentation requirements that matter when selecting plants
- Landscape plans (when required) must delineate the 30‑foot and 100‑foot fuel management zones, identify existing and proposed plants, irrigated areas, a plant legend (botanical and common names), and identify groundcover within the 30‑foot zone — useful to show compliance with § 603.3 and related planting limits.
- Final fire protection plans must list proposed plants with life form, scientific/common name, and expected mature height/width so reviewers can check spacing and drip line distances. See § 602.3.2 for required plan contents.
Exceptions & special cases
- The code permits trees classified as nonfire‑smart (examples: many conifers, palms, pepper trees, eucalyptus) provided they comply with the separate planting/maintenance options in § 603.4.2.1 (plant so drip line ≥ 30 ft from a building, or drip line ≥ 10 ft if well pruned and maintained so they will not rapidly transmit fire). This is a formal exception in § 603.4.
- Appendix F is explicitly informational only and is not intended for adoption; its eight characteristics are guidance for selection and justification, not an alternative compliance path on their own. Use Appendix F to support the three acceptance paths in § 603.4.
- Local enforcing agencies can approve species not in national lists — always confirm local lists/approvals as one of the acceptable acceptance paths in § 603.4.
Common mistakes
- Treating Appendix F as a mandatory species list — Appendix F is informational; compliance must follow § 603.4 acceptance paths.
- Measuring from the wrong point: the code refers to a tree’s drip line at maturity and shrub grouping diameters — use mature size and not the current young plant size when locating plantings. See § 603.4.2 and § 603.4.1.
- Forgetting to document species and mature dimensions on the landscape / fire protection plan — reviewers need scientific/common names and mature height/width per § 602.3.2 and § 603.3.1.
- Relying on “drought‑tolerant” or “low maintenance” claims alone — those are Appendix F characteristics (informational). You still need one of the three acceptance paths in § 603.4.
Worked example — applying the rule with numbers
Scenario: You plan to plant a landscape in the 30‑foot zone around a new house.
Given:
- You want groupings of ornamental shrubs under future trees and one new ornamental tree.
Step 1 — Shrub decisions (apply § 603.4.1):
- Select shrubs that mature at ≤ 6 feet tall and group them so each clump is at most 10 feet in aggregate diameter. (Example: three shrubs spaced to produce a 10 ft aggregate clump.) This meets § 603.4.1.1 and § 603.4.1.2.
- Place shrub groups at least 15 feet apart and at least 30 feet away from the house walls (or from the structure edge), per § 603.4.1.3–.4. If the house wall is here, measure 30 ft out and locate shrubs beyond that or choose smaller shrubs and maintain fuel breaks.
Step 2 — Tree decisions (apply § 603.4.2):
- You plan a tree species whose drip line at maturity will be 12 feet. For a fire‑smart tree that is acceptable if the drip line at maturity is ≥ 10 feet from the structure; plant the trunk at least 22 feet from the structure face so the 12‑ft drip line stops 10 ft from the house (12 ft drip line radius + 10 ft clearance = 22 ft trunk setback). This satisfies the new‑tree rule in § 603.4.2.1.
- If instead the tree were a nonfire‑smart eucalyptus with a 25‑ft drip line at maturity, you must plant it so the drip line at maturity is ≥ 30 ft from the building (so trunk setback ≥ 5 ft more than the drip line radius). Alternatively, you could plant it with drip line only 10 ft from the building but then you must maintain it well‑pruned and maintained to prevent rapid fire transmission (the maintenance option in § 603.4.2.1).
Step 3 — Documentation: show species, scientific names, and expected mature height & width on your landscape/fire protection plan per § 602.3.2 and § 603.3.1 so the reviewer can verify the setbacks and spacing.
Related provisions
- § 603.3 — Landscape plan content and 30‑ft / 100‑ft fuel management zone delineation.
- § 603.4.1 — Shrub‑specific limits (height, group size, separations).
- § 603.4.2 — Tree management within the 30‑foot zone.
- § 603.4.2.1 — Special provisions for nonfire‑smart vegetation (tree options/maintenance).
- § 602.3.2 — Final fire protection plan required contents (plant species, mature sizes).
- § 604.1 — Maintenance of defensible space and hazardous vegetation management (related maintenance obligations).
- § F101.1 — Appendix F informational characteristics of fire‑smart vegetation (guidance only).
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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APPENDIX F-2 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
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F CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE-SMART VEGETATION
This appendix is for informational purposes and is not intended for adoption.
User notes:
About this appendix: Appendix F is an informational appendix provided for the convenience of the code user. It is simply a compilation of the eight characteristics of fire-smart vegetation that can be used effectively within wildland-urban interface areas to reduce the likelihood of fire spread through vegetation.
SECTION F101—GENERAL
F101.1 Characteristics of fire-smart vegetation. All plants will burn under extreme fire weather conditions, such as drought. However, plants burn at different intensities and rates of consumption. Fire-smart plants burn at a relatively low intensity, slow rates of spread and with short flame lengths. The following are characteristics of fire-smart vegetation:
- Growth with little or no accumulation of dead vegetation (either on the ground or standing upright).
- Nonresinous plants (willow, poplar or tulip trees).
- Low volume of total vegetation (for example, a grass area as opposed to a forest or shrub-covered land).
- Plants with high live fuel moisture (plants that contain a large amount of water in comparison to their dry weight).
- Drought-tolerant plants (deeply rooted plants with thick, heavy leaves).
- Stands without ladder fuels (plants without small, fine branches and limbs between the ground and the canopy of overtopping shrubs and trees).
- Plants requiring little maintenance (slow-growing plants that, when maintained, require little care).
- Plants with woody stems and branches that require prolonged heating to ignite.
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APPENDIX F-4 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
CWUIC § F101 High relevance — show source text
SECTION F101—GENERAL
F101.1 Characteristics of fire-smart vegetation. All plants will burn under extreme fire weather conditions, such as drought. However, plants burn at different intensities and rates of consumption. Fire-smart plants burn at a relatively low intensity, slow rates of spread and with short flame lengths. The following are characteristics of fire-smart vegetation:
- Growth with little or no accumulation of dead vegetation (either on the ground or standing upright).
- Nonresinous plants (willow, poplar or tulip trees).
- Low volume of total vegetation (for example, a grass area as opposed to a forest or shrub-covered land).
- Plants with high live fuel moisture (plants that contain a large amount of water in comparison to their dry weight).
- Drought-tolerant plants (deeply rooted plants with thick, heavy leaves).
- Stands without ladder fuels (plants without small, fine branches and limbs between the ground and the canopy of overtopping shrubs and trees).
- Plants requiring little maintenance (slow-growing plants that, when maintained, require little care).
- Plants with woody stems and branches that require prolonged heating to ignite.
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CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE
APPENDIX G – VOLUNTARY HOME HARDENING RECOMMENDATIONS
(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)
Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CGSFM Col5 HCD Col7 Col8 DSA Col10 OSHPD Col12 Col13 Col14 Col15 Col16 BSCC DPH AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CGT-24 T-19* 1 2 1/AC AC SS 1 1R 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Adopt Entire Chapter X Adopt Entire Chapter as
amended (amended sections
listed below)Adopt only those sections that
are listed below[California Code of Regulations,
Title 19, Division 1]Chapter / Section CWUIC § 1270.01 High relevance — show source text
FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED CONSTRUCTION. The use of materials and systems in the design and construction of a building or structure to safeguard against the spread of fire within a building or structure and the spread of fire to or from buildings or structures to the wildland-urban interface area.
FIRE-SMART VEGETATION. Plants, shrubs, trees and other vegetation that exhibit properties, such as high moisture content, little accu- mulation of dead vegetation and low sap or resin content, that make them less likely to ignite or contribute heat or spread flame in a fire than native vegetation typically found in the region.
( Note: The following sources contain examples of types of vegetation that can be considered as fire-smart vegetation: Fire-resistant Plants for Home Landscapes, A Pacific Northwest Extension publication; Home Landscaping for Fire, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Sunset Western Garden Book.)
[BG] FLAME SPREAD INDEX. A comparative measure, expressed as a dimensionless number, derived from visual measurements of the spread of flame versus time for a material tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723.
FUEL. Any combustible material, including petroleum-based products, cultivated landscape plants, grasses, weeds and wildland vegetation.
FUEL BREAK (applicable to CCR, Title 14 provisions only). A strategically located area where the volume and arrangement of vegetation has been managed to limit fire intensity, fire severity, rate of spread, crown fire potential and/or ember production. [CCR Title 14 §1270.01(n)]
FUEL MODIFICATION. A method of modifying fuel load by reducing the amount of nonfire-smart vegetation or altering the type of vegetation to reduce the fuel load.
FUEL MOSAIC. A fuel modification system that provides for the creation of islands and irregular boundaries to reduce the visual and ecological impact of fuel modification.
FUEL-LOADING. The oven-dry weight of fuels in a given area, usually expressed in pounds per acre (lb/a) (kg/ha). Fuel-loading may be referenced to fuel size or time-lag categories, and may include surface fuels or total fuels.
GREEN BELT (applicable to CCR, Title 14 provisions only). Open space, parks, wildlands, other areas or a combination thereof, as desig- nated by Local Jurisdictions, which are in, surround or are adjacent to a city or urbanized area, that may function as Fuel Breaks and where Building construction is restricted or prohibited. [CCR Title 14 §1270.01(o)]
GREENWAYS (applicable to CCR, Title 14 provisions only). Linear open spaces or corridors that link parks and neighborhoods within a community through natural or manmade trails and paths. [CCR Title 14 §1270.01(p)]
HAMMERHEAD/T (applicable to CCR, Title 14 provisions only). A “T” shaped, three-point turnaround space for fire apparatus on a road or driveway, being no narrower than the road or driveway that serves it. [CCR Title 14 §1270.01(q)]
CWUIC § 603.2 High relevance — show source text
603.2 Application. All new plantings of vegetation in State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall comply with Sections 603.3 through 603.4.2.1.
603.3 Landscape plans. Landscape plans shall be provided when required by the code official. The landscape plan shall include devel- opment and maintenance requirements for the vegetation management zone adjacent to structures and roadways, and provide significant fire hazard reduction benefits for public and firefighting safety.
603.3.1 Contents. Landscape plans shall contain the following: 1. Delineation of the 30-foot (9144 mm) and 100-foot (30 480 mm) fuel management zones from all structures. 2. Identification of existing vegetation to remain and proposed new vegetation. 3. Identification of irrigated areas. 4. A plant legend with both botanical and common names, and identification of all plant material symbols. 5. Identification of ground coverings within the 30-foot (9144 mm) zone.
603.4 Vegetation. All new vegetation shall be fire-smart vegetation in accordance with this section.
Exception: Trees classified as nonfire-smart vegetation complying with Section 603.4.2.1.
To be considered fire-smart vegetation, vegetation must meet at least one of the following: 1. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation in an approved book, journal or listing from an approved organization. 2. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation by a licensed landscape architect with supporting justification. 3. Plants considered fire-smart vegetation and approved by the local enforcing agency.
603.4.1 Shrubs. All new plantings of shrubs shall comply with the following: 1. Shrubs shall not exceed 6 feet (1829 mm) in height. 2. Groupings of shrubs are limited to a maximum aggregate diameter of 10 feet (3048 mm). 3. Shrub groupings shall be separated from other groupings a minimum of 15 feet (4572 mm). 4. Shrub groupings shall be separated from structures a minimum of 30 feet (9144 mm). 5. Where shrubs are located below or within a tree’s drip line, the lowest tree branch shall be a minimum of three times the height of the understory shrubs or 10 feet (3048 mm), whichever is greater.
603.4.2 Trees. Trees shall be managed as follows within the 30-foot zone (9144 mm) of a structure: 1. New trees shall be planted and maintained so that the tree’s drip line at maturity is a minimum of 10 feet (3048 mm) from any combustible structure. 2. The horizontal distance between crowns of new trees and crowns of adjacent trees shall not be less than 10 feet (3048 mm). 3. Existing trees shall be trimmed to provide a minimum separation of 10 feet (3048 mm) away from chimney and stovepipe outlets per California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 1299.03.
CWUIC § 2-3 High relevance — show source text
EXTERIOR WALL COVERING. A material or assembly of materials applied on the exterior side of exterior walls for the purpose of providing a weather-resisting barrier, insulation or for aesthetics, including but not limited to veneers, siding, exterior insulation and finish systems, rainscreen systems, architectural trim, and embellishments such as cornices, soffits, facias, gutters and leaders.
[F] FIRE CHIEF. The chief officer or the chief officer’s authorized representative of the fire department serving the jurisdiction.
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DEFINITIONS
FIRE CODE OFFICIAL. The fire chief or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the California Fire Code, or a duly authorized representative.
FIRE FLOW CALCULATION AREA. The floor area, in square feet (square meters), used to determine the adequate water supply.
FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES. Geographical areas designated pursuant to California Public Resources Codes, Sections 4201 through 4204 California Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189.
The map, approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, is hereby incorporated by reference and entitled “State Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones,” dated September 29, 2023.
FIRE PROTECTION PLAN. A document prepared for a specific project or development proposed for the wildland-urban interface area. It describes ways to minimize and mitigate potential for loss from wildfire exposure.
FIRE WEATHER. Weather conditions favorable to the ignition and rapid spread of fire. In wildfires, this generally includes high temperatures combined with strong winds and low humidity. See “Critical fire weather.”
FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED CONSTRUCTION. The use of materials and systems in the design and construction of a building or structure to safeguard against the spread of fire within a building or structure and the spread of fire to or from buildings or structures to the wildland-urban interface area.
FIRE-SMART VEGETATION. Plants, shrubs, trees and other vegetation that exhibit properties, such as high moisture content, little accu- mulation of dead vegetation and low sap or resin content, that make them less likely to ignite or contribute heat or spread flame in a fire than native vegetation typically found in the region.
( Note: The following sources contain examples of types of vegetation that can be considered as fire-smart vegetation: Fire-resistant Plants for Home Landscapes, A Pacific Northwest Extension publication; Home Landscaping for Fire, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Sunset Western Garden Book.)
[BG] FLAME SPREAD INDEX. A comparative measure, expressed as a dimensionless number, derived from visual measurements of the spread of flame versus time for a material tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723.
FUEL. Any combustible material, including petroleum-based products, cultivated landscape plants, grasses, weeds and wildland vegetation.
FUEL BREAK (applicable to CCR, Title 14 provisions only). A strategically located area where the volume and arrangement of vegetation has been managed to limit fire intensity, fire severity, rate of spread, crown fire potential and/or ember production. [CCR Title 14 §1270.01(n)]
CWUIC § 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 § 6-3 High 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 § 102.4 High relevance — show source text
The chapter includes mitigation strategies to reduce the hazards of fire originating within a structure spreading to wildland and fire originating in wildland spreading to structures.
Chapter 7 Referenced Standards.
Chapter 7 lists all of the product and installation standards and codes that are referenced throughout Chapters 1 through 6 and includes identification of the promulgators and the section numbers in which the standards and codes are referenced. As stated in Section 102.4, these standards and codes become an enforceable part of the code (to the prescribed extent of the reference) as if printed in the body of the code.
Appendix A General Requirements.
Appendix A, while not part of the code, can become part of the code when specifically included in the adopting ordinance. Its purpose is to provide fire-protection measures supplemental to those found in Chapter 6 to reduce the threat of wildfire in a wildland-urban interface area and improve the capability for controlling such fires. This appendix includes detailed requirements for vegetation control; the code official’s authority to close wildland-interface areas in times of high fire danger; control of fires, fireworks usage and other sources of ignition; storage of hazardous materials and combustibles; bans on the dumping of waste materials and ashes and coals in wildlandurban interface areas; protection of pumps and water supplies; and limits on temporary uses within the wildland-urban interface area.
Appendix B Vegetation Management Plan.
Appendix B, while not part of the code, can become part of the code when specifically included in the adopting ordinance. Its purpose is to provide criteria for submitting vegetation management plans, specifying their content and establishing a criterion for considering vegetation management as being a fuel modification.
Appendix C Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework.
Appendix C contains a preliminary Community WUI Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework as a suggested methodology to begin to support communities at risk in the identification of their unique hazards and to provide common metrics for comparisons between communities. This preliminary framework includes information on community size, population and fuels; on notification and evacuation; and on the community infrastructure and firefighting response potential. Aspects of this framework may already be included in various community- level documents, such as Community Wildfire Protection Plans or evacuation plans. Development of a standard framework will (1) consolidate relevant WUI fire hazard and planning information in one place, and (2) allow for cross-community comparisons.
The evaluation required to implement this framework will support prefire hazard assessment and during-fire response operations. An increased understanding of fire evacuation, fire structural response and fire defensive action relationships is needed to assess the over- all community WUI fire hazard. The quantification of these relationships will enable communities to optimize the community-level response to WUI fire hazards in a more integrated approach and result in increased life safety and reduced losses.
Appendix D Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption.
Appendix D is an informational appendix that is a sample ordinance designed as guidance for a city, county, city and county, or fire district to establish and designate fire hazard severity zones within their jurisdiction.
Appendix E Reserved.
Appendix F Characteristics of Fire-Smart Vegetation.
Appendix F is an informational appendix provided for the convenience of the code user. It is simply a compilation of the eight characteristics of fire-smart vegetation that can be used effectively within wildland-urban interface areas to reduce the likelihood of fire spread through vegetation.
**App
CWUIC § 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 § 603.4.1 High relevance — show source text
603.4.1 Shrubs. All new plantings of shrubs shall comply with the following: 1. Shrubs shall not exceed 6 feet (1829 mm) in height. 2. Groupings of shrubs are limited to a maximum aggregate diameter of 10 feet (3048 mm). 3. Shrub groupings shall be separated from other groupings a minimum of 15 feet (4572 mm). 4. Shrub groupings shall be separated from structures a minimum of 30 feet (9144 mm). 5. Where shrubs are located below or within a tree’s drip line, the lowest tree branch shall be a minimum of three times the height of the understory shrubs or 10 feet (3048 mm), whichever is greater.
603.4.2 Trees. Trees shall be managed as follows within the 30-foot zone (9144 mm) of a structure: 1. New trees shall be planted and maintained so that the tree’s drip line at maturity is a minimum of 10 feet (3048 mm) from any combustible structure. 2. The horizontal distance between crowns of new trees and crowns of adjacent trees shall not be less than 10 feet (3048 mm). 3. Existing trees shall be trimmed to provide a minimum separation of 10 feet (3048 mm) away from chimney and stovepipe outlets per California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 1299.03.
603.4.2.1 Nonfire-smart vegetation. New trees not classified as fire-smart vegetation, such as conifers, palms, pepper trees and eucalyptus species, shall be permitted provided the tree is planted and maintained in accordance with one of the following: 1. The tree is planted so that the tree’s drip line at maturity is a minimum of 30 feet (9144 mm) from an applicable building. 2. The tree is planted so that the tree’s drip line at maturity is a minimum of 10 feet (3048 mm) from any combustible struc- ture, and is well pruned and maintained so as not to form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from other nearby vegetation to the structure or from the structure to nearby vegetation or to interrupt the advance of embers toward a
structure.
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FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 604—MAINTENANCE OF DEFENSIBLE SPACE
604.1 General. Hazardous vegetation and fuels shall be managed to reduce the severity of potential exterior wildfire exposure to build- ings and to reduce the risk of fire spreading to buildings as required by applicable laws and regulations.
Defensible space shall be managed around all buildings and structures in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) as required in Public Resources Code 4291.
604.2 Application. Buildings and structures located in the following areas shall maintain the required hazardous vegetation and fuel management: 1. All unincorporated lands designated as a State Responsibility Area (SRA). 2. Land designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by a city or local agency. 3. Land designated in a city or local agency ordinance as a wildland-urban interface (WUI) area.
CWUIC § 1.11. Medium relevance — show source text
APPENDIX F – CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE-SMART VEGETATION
(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)
Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CGSFM Col5 HCD Col7 Col8 DSA Col10 OSHPD Col12 Col13 Col14 Col15 Col16 BSCC DPH AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CGT-24 T-19* 1 2 1/AC AC SS 1 1R 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Adopt Entire Chapter Adopt Entire Chapter as
amended (amended sections
listed below)X Adopt only those sections that
are listed below[California Code of Regulations,
Title 19, Division 1]Chapter / Section F101.1 X - The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.
The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Division 1.5 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are not listed in the Matrix Adoption Tables as they are not within the State Fire Marshal’s authority to adopt. These provisions are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 14, Division 1.5 text for the code user’s convenience only and are identified in the body of the code by square brackets containing references to applicable Title 14 sections.
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F CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE-SMART VEGETATION
This appendix is for informational purposes and is not intended for adoption.
User notes:
Frequently asked questions
Who decides whether a plant is “fire‑smart” for compliance?
Either a plant listed in an approved reference, a licensed landscape architect who documents why the plant meets fire‑smart characteristics, or the local enforcing agency can approve species per § 603.4.
Is Appendix F mandatory?
No. Appendix F (§ F101.1) is informational guidance on desirable characteristics; compliance depends on § 603.4 acceptance paths.
If I plant small saplings now, how do I show compliance?
You must document the expected mature height and width for each species on the plan; spacing and setbacks are evaluated based on mature sizes, per § 602.3.2 and § 603.3.1.
Can I keep a planting of nonfire‑smart trees close to my home if I maintain them?
Yes — for nonfire‑smart trees the code allows either a 30‑ft drip‑line setback or a 10‑ft setback if the tree is well pruned and maintained so it will not rapidly transmit fire (see § 603.4.2.1).
What is a practical “first check” for homeowners planning new landscaping?
Confirm species appear on an approved fire‑smart list or get a licensed landscape architect to justify selection; then verify all shrubs and trees meet the spacing and setback numbers in § 603.4.1 and § 603.4.2.
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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