New Zone 0 Regulations
New California state regulations call for a five-foot ember-resistant zone around structures to increase community resilience to wildfire. Zone 0 will take effect for existing homes in Oakland in 2029.
Over the last ten years, wildfires in California have become more frequent and more destructive. In response, California lawmakers created Zone 0. This is a set of rules for the five-foot area around buildings in high-risk fire areas. In 2026, the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection will announce which materials will be permitted in this zone. The goal is to create an ember-resistant buffer right at the edge of your home or building.
Once the rules are published, new buildings will need to comply right away. Existing buildings will have three years to comply, which is estimated to be around mid-2029.
In Oakland, Zone 0 rules will apply to all buildings in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Area, also known as the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. If your property is in the WUI Fire Area you already receive annual inspections by the Vegetation Management Unit. Zone 0 inspections will be added to that existing program.
What is Zone 0?
Defensible Space Zones 0, 1, and 2 around a structure (CAL FIRE)
Zone 0 is the five-foot area directly around your home, including attached decks and stairs. It includes the ground, fences, gates, plants, and furniture.
This zone is called the "ember-resistant" zone. During a wildfire, embers frequently travel over a mile. By eliminating combustible materials within Zone 0, we reduce the risk of these traveling embers from igniting homes near an active wildfire.
What is the new legislation?
In 2020, California passed Assembly Bill 3074. This law requires stricter defensible space regulations within five feet of homes in high fire risk areas. The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection was tasked with defining the specific rules.
The January 2025 Southern California wildfires showed how urgent it is to build community wildfire resilience. In response, Governor Newsom ordered the Board to publish the Zone 0 rules by the end of 2025. That deadline was not met, and the Board is set to resume meetings on April 23, 2026.
Once the Board defines Zone 0 rules, new homes will need to comply right away. Existing homes will have three years to comply after the rules are finalized.
AB 3074 Executive Order N-18-25
This page will be updated once final rules are published.
Why is Zone 0 important?
Wildfires in California are happening more often and causing more damage. Because of this, Oakland neighborhoods are at greater risk. Creating an ember-resistant Zone 0 is one of the best ways to protect your home and community.
Climate change is making the hot, dry, and windy conditions that fuel wildfires more common and more dangerous. These are the same conditions that caused the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire. Oakland Fire Department, nearby fire agencies, and CAL FIRE are better prepared than ever. However, wildfire threat in Oakland keeps growing.
Post-wildfire research has shown that most homes burn because of accumulation of embers. Wind can carry embers far ahead of a fire where they can land on or near your home. If combustible materials are present, embers can cause them to ignite and spread the fire towards your structure. The first five feet surrounding the structure are the most critical for preventing the spread of fire to that structure.
By reducing combustible material near homes, we lower the risk and reduce the speed of a wildfire. This gives firefighters critical time to protect lives and homes. When Zone 0 is created, the benefits are cumulative. Neighborhood wildfire risk reduces as more homes create an ember-resistant Zone 0.
The following video, courtesy of Marin Fire, shows how quickly embers can travel across a road and ignite vegetation near a home. It was taken during the 2016 Fort McMurray Fire in Alberta, Canada.
Watch the video here
Who is impacted by Zone 0?
California law states that Zone 0 regulations will apply to all areas CAL FIRE has designated as Very High Hazard Severity Zones, the state's most severe wildfire hazard rating. In Oakland, this zone is known as the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Area.
See whether your Oakland address is in the WUI Fire Area and will be subject to new Zone 0 requirements by visiting this interactive map and entering your address.
Visit the interactive mapClick here for a PDF Map of the Oakland WUI Fire Area(PDF, 6MB)
Notice: In 2024, CAL FIRE released new fire hazard maps that would have made Oakland's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) smaller. Oakland has a serious wildfire history, with the 1991 Tunnel Fire taking 25 lives and destroying 3,469 houses and apartments. Because of this, the City chose to expand the VHFHSZ to cover the entire Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area. The Oakland City Council approved this change on June 17, 2025, in Ordinance 13851.
The Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area is the area where Oaklanders are at highest wildfire risk. Parcels in this zone are subject to the Measure MM Parcel Tax and receive yearly vegetation inspections.
The Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone is CAL FIRE's most serious wildfire risk rating. Local governments cannot make these zones smaller, but they can make them larger based on local conditions. Oakland expanded its VHFHSZ because of serious wildfire risk throughout the hills and the City's commitment to protecting residents.
When does Zone 0 go into effect?
Zone 0 regulations will not go into effect in Oakland until state regulations are final.
The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection was directed to finalize Zone 0 rules by December 31, 2025. This deadline has passed and the next Board meetings are scheduled for April 23, 2026. OFD will update this page as soon as additional details are available.
AB 3074 states that Zone 0 will take effect at different times for new construction and existing homes. Once final regulations are adopted:
- The rules will apply immediately to new construction.
- Existing homes will have a three-year period to comply. OFD's estimate for this deadline is mid-2029.
Please see the graphic below for more information on Oakland's three-year phased approach for existing homes.
Year 1
2026
Zone 0 guidelines released
- Guidelines released by the Board of Forestry
- Education and outreach begins for residents
- Learn how to achieve Zone 0 compliance in coming years
Year 2
2027
Guidance & mock inspections
- Mock Zone 0 inspections conducted alongside your annual inspection
- Learn what to expect from future inspections
Year 3
2028
Official inspections — not enforced
- Zone 0 officially incorporated into annual inspections
- You will receive clear, actionable feedback on what to update ahead of 2029
Year 4
2029
Official inspections — enforced
- Zone 0 takes full effect; compliance is required
- You must demonstrate progress toward achieving an ember-resistant Zone 0
How do I comply with Zone 0?
Notice: Regulations are Pending - Information Subject to Change
The California Board of Forestry has not yet finalized Zone 0 rules. The lists below are based on what has been proposed so far. They are meant to help you start thinking about what changes you may need to make around your home. Nothing in these lists is official yet, and things may change. Check back here for updates once guidance is official.
Proposed Prohibited & Restricted Materials
- Grass
- Ornamental plants
- Native plants
- Shrubs & branches
- Fallen leaves, needles & weeds
- Combustible mulch (bark, woodchips)
- Combustible boards & timbers
- Firewood
- Synthetic lawn
- Window boxes (attached)
- Trellises
- Combustible gates (attached)
- Combustible fences (within 5 ft or attached)
- Outbuildings (non-fire-resistant)
- Vegetation under decks, balconies & stairs
Proposed Permitted Features & Materials
Hardscaping
Hardscaping describes the non-living parts of your yard, like fences and ground materials. Non-combustible materials like gravel, pavers, concrete, or rock are permitted. You must use noncombustible materials for any fences and gates in Zone 0. These may be running parallel or connected to your house.
Potted plants
You may be allowed to have a limited number of potted plants if they meet the following criteria:
- 18 inches or shorter in height
- In non-combustible containers that are smaller than five gallons
- Placed away from windows, doors, or vents
- Able to be moved out of Zone 0 during Red Flag days
Trees
You may be allowed to have trees in Zone 0 as long as they meet the following requirements:
- Lower branches must be pruned 6 feet above the ground to prevent fire from climbing into the canopy
- No dead or dying branches
- No branches within 10 feet of the roof, walls, or chimneys
"Single specimen" trees and trees protected by local ordinance may have exceptions from these regulations. In Oakland, some of these include Coast Redwoods, Coast Live Oaks, Madrone, California Buckeye, and California Bay Laurel.
Movable furniture
You may have metal or other non-combustible outdoor furniture in Zone 0 as long as combustible portions, like cushions and pillows, are removable.
Frequently Asked Questions
CAL FIRE released an informative Zone 0 FAQ document(PDF, 808KB) that answers common questions about Zone 0, including the purpose, timeline, and considerations for implementing Zone 0 at your home.
To complement the CAL FIRE resource, OFD has developed additional FAQs tailored to the needs of Oakland residents.
Is home hardening part of Zone 0 requirements?
Yes, but only some home hardening elements are required for Zone 0. This includes noncombustible gates and fences, as well as hardscaping.
Other home‑hardening improvements are not required as part of Zone 0, but they are strongly encouraged to increase your home’s wildfire resilience. For more information on how you can harden your home against wildfire, visit our home hardening webpage.
Is there any financial assistance available?
Currently, there is no financial assistance from the City of Oakland for individual residents. However, the State of California is working to release a number of grants that will provide resources for residents to complete home hardening over the coming years. OFD is keeping an eye on these opportunities and will apply for city-level opportunities as they become available.
Does Zone 0 apply to manufactured and mobile homes?
Yes, Zone 0 applies to manufactured and mobile homes. Check out Fire Safe Marin’s webpage on Mobile Home Wildfire Safety for home hardening tips for manufactured and mobile homes.
Can you recommend specific contractors or vendors for my Zone 0 upgrades?
OFD is not able to endorse any specific vendors for completing defensible space and home hardening work, however, we are able to share some best practices for finding a reputable contractor.
Start by asking neighbors or community organizations for recommendations. Verify that anyone you're considering is licensed, insured, and has experience with defensible space or vegetation management work in the Oakland area.
Interview at least two or three contractors, ask for references, and follow up on them. Get everything in writing before any work begins, including scope of work, timeline, and cost. When comparing bids, the lowest price isn't always the best deal; consider the full picture of experience, communication, and reliability.
I'm a renter, am I responsible for maintaining Zone 0?
Property owners are accountable for maintaining defensible space at their own properties in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Please reach out directly to your landlord for any questions regarding your own rental and lease agreement.
You are responsible for keeping your personal combustible materials out of the ember-resistant zone.
Will I need a permit to replace my fence for Zone 0?
You do not need a permit for:
- New front yard fences under 3.5ft
- New side and back yard fences under 8ft
- Replacement fences of the same height
You do need a permit for:
- New front yard fences over 3.5ft
- New side and back yard fences over 8ft
- Replacement fences that exceed these height thresholds
Visit our webpage on fence permits for more information.
Will Zone 0 apply to commercial properties?
Yes. Zone 0 applies to all structures within Oakland’s Wildland Urban Interface Fire Area, including commercial properties. These parcels receive the same annual vegetation inspections and will follow the same compliance timeline.