Shasta County board adopts expanded defensible-space ordinance, adds fines and grant-backed assistance

Shasta County supervisors voted 5-0 Aug. 26 to adopt an updated defensible-space ordinance that expands the county’s ability to require vegetation management around homes in unincorporated areas and creates a modest infraction schedule to encourage compliance.

The change, presented by Shasta County Fire Chief Sean O’Hara and Battalion Chief Matt Alexander of Cal Fire, tightens standards for parcels up to 10 acres, authorizes fines for repeat noncompliance and pairs the ordinance with grant money to help households that cannot complete defensible-space work on their own.

Chief Sean O’Hara told the board the county first enacted a defensible-space ordinance about six years ago and that recent fire behavior and grant funding made this the right time to expand the law’s reach. “We were very fortunate that, through the Zogg settlement, we had a designated person…to have Matt actually take the bull by the horns and get this through the finish line,” O’Hara said. He described grant funding of roughly $1 million to purchase equipment, fund outreach and provide assistance for residents who need help clearing hazards.

Battalion Chief Matt Alexander described how unmanaged vegetation on a single property increased the size and intensity of a recent local fire, and he said the ordinance aims to reduce similar events. The approved ordinance: extends application beyond the previous 2-acre limit, asks that parcels 0–2 acres meet the zone-2 Public Resource Code guidance for the whole parcel, and asks that parcels 2.01–10 acres meet zone-2 guidance for a 30-foot perimeter or follow a site-specific plan.

The ordinance establishes an infraction schedule (first offense $100, second $200 within 12 months, third $500) and directs collected fines into a committed fund to cover abatement where property owners cannot pay. Officials said they do not intend routine punitive enforcement but expect the schedule to motivate compliance. The board heard questions about privacy screens, inspections and assistance for low-income or disabled residents; Alexander and Chief O’Hara said inspectors and grant-funded crews will work with homeowners to create site-specific plans and that the grant includes funding to help eligible residents.

The board also heard that the county is buying heavy equipment (an excavator or “masticator”) and funding public education, with roughly $100,000 earmarked for media and outreach and several hundred thousand dollars available for direct abatement assistance. The staff emphasized the county’s existing inspection resources and provided a public phone number for defensible-space assistance and paid-call firefighter recruitment: (530) 225-2418.

Supervisors praised the collaboration between Cal Fire, county staff and fire-safe councils, noting the measure was intended to reduce catastrophic losses, help preserve insurance availability and protect volunteer firefighters. Supervisor Harmon noted concerns about insurance companies not recognizing homeowner mitigation work and urged county staff to pursue insurance incentives for compliant properties.

The board approved the ordinance by voice vote, 5-0. As adopted, the ordinance applies to unincorporated Shasta County; cities may adopt it separately if they choose.

Supporters said the ordinance pairs regulatory authority with grant funds and in-person education to increase voluntary compliance. Opponents were not noted in the record; several supervisors emphasized outreach and assistance for older or disabled homeowners as implementation priorities.

Implementation steps described on the record include inspector outreach and education this fall and spring rollout to align with the next high-risk fire season.