The 2026 Wildfire Vegetation Management Inspection season will begin in June 2026 and continue until all parcels in the WUI Fire Area have been inspected. Start preparing today!
Each year, the Vegetation Management Unit inspects around 26,000 parcels in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Area of the Oakland Hills. These inspections are intended to identify and mitigate hazards that could contribute to the spread and growth of a wildfire. Learn more about the inspection process and how to make your home fire-safe and inspection-ready below.
Is my home within the WUI Fire Area?
The WUI Fire Area is characterized by hot and dry summer and fall seasons with high winds, steep terrain, and limited accessibility for emergency responders. See whether your Oakland address is in the WUI Fire Area 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)
What is the difference between the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone?
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.
Notice on Oakland's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
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.
Vegetation Inspection Overview
Still have questions? See the Frequently Asked Questions section below or contact us at wildfireprevention@oaklandca.gov.
Wildfire District Inspection Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Inspections
Why are inspections required so often?
Inspections for vegetation in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Area are required to be completed annually per the Oakland Municipal Code.
Who is inspecting my property?
Firefighters and fire inspectors complete all initial developed property inspections. Vacant lots, special circumstance properties, and all re-inspections will be completed by a fire inspector from the Fire Prevention Bureau. Battalion Chiefs also conduct quality assurance inspections.
Can I schedule my annual inspection?
Sorry, not at this time. If there is an issue accessing your property, it will be handled on a case-by-case basis and we will contact you if needed.
Why doesn't the door hanger tell me what I need to correct?
Please register with the Accela Citizen Access website to find out more information immediately following an inspection. This helps keep all information about your property private.
Non-compliance & Enforcement
What happens if I fail an inspection?
Properties found non-compliant have 45 days to provide photos of proof of abatement to the Vegetation Management Unit. You may do this by:
If proof of abatement is not provided within 45 days, a follow-up in-field inspection will be performed. A third in-field re-inspection may occur after 14 days from a non-compliant re-inspection if proof of abatement still isn't provided. All in-field re-inspections will assess a fee per the City of Oakland's Master Fee Schedule.
What enforcement methods does the Vegetation Management Unit use?
The VMU will inspect parcels, assess fees if necessary, and as a last resort, place a lien on the property for unpaid inspection fees. Continuous non-compliant properties may be referred to the City Attorney. The VMU does not hire outside contractors to mitigate vegetation hazards on private property.
Can the Vegetation Management Unit force someone to remove a tree?
No. The Oakland Fire Department does not have the authority to require anyone to remove a standing tree. The Oakland Fire Code doesn't consider most live or dead standing trees a fire hazard.
Fees & Payments
What are inspection fees?
Inspection fees are issued when a parcel fails an initial inspection and requires any in-field re-inspections. All fees are set by the City of Oakland Master Fee Schedule and go into the City's General Fund. Fees are not received by the Fire Prevention Bureau.
How can I pay my inspection fees?
To pay online, go to the Accela Citizen Access website — no account required. Follow these steps:
- Select "Pay Fee"
- Select "Search & Pay Fire"
- Select "Payments"
- Select "Fees"
- Select "Pay Fees"
- On the payment screen, use "View Cart" to choose which items you'd like to pay.
Note: If you searched by record number, there may be additional fees owed under other records.
To pay by check, make checks payable to:
City of Oakland
150 Frank H Ogawa Plaza, Suite 5342
Oakland, CA 94612
Remember to write the Record # and Inspection Reference # on your check.
Who handles billing questions?
All billing matters should be directed to FPBilling@oaklandca.gov. Firefighters at fire stations do not have the authority to act on billing issues.
Inspection Records
How can I see my inspection records?
Inspection records can be viewed with a registered account on the Accela Citizen Access website. Non-registered users can see basic results. For detailed results including photos, registration is required — you'll need to provide proof of ownership such as a driver's license or ID card. Click "Register" on the site for more information.
Can I access a neighbor's inspection record?
Although simple results are available online, the Vegetation Management Unit will not share details of any inspection to persons who don't own the property being asked about.
Additional Questions
How can I remove large volumes of vegetation debris from my parcel?
If you have vegetation debris that needs pickup, please call Waste Management at (510) 613-8710.
My neighbor has blatant vegetation violations — what is being done?
Each property in the WUI Fire Area is inspected each year, and everyone is given 45 days to correct a non-compliant inspection. The Vegetation Management Unit does not hire outside contractors to mitigate vegetation hazards on private property. The VMU will inspect parcels, assess fees if necessary, and place a lien on the property in the event of unpaid inspection fees as a last resort.
What if I have a vegetation complaint outside the WUI Fire Area?
Please call Oakland Code Enforcement at (510) 238-3381.
Is Oakland a Firewise Community?
There are numerous Firewise Communities within Oakland, but the city itself is not a Firewise Community.