California officials outline timetable, funding and enforcement plans for 5‑foot "Zone 0" defensible‑space rule

The Joint Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee and Budget Subcommittee 2 convened a hearing to review state progress on adopting and implementing a new defensible‑space requirement known as Zone 0 — a five‑foot ember‑resistant area immediately surrounding a structure — and the challenges of enforcing it across California.

State and local officials said the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is on a fast regulatory schedule and CAL FIRE is expanding inspections and homeowner assistance to boost compliance while acknowledging cultural, legal and funding challenges.

The Board of Forestry’s assistant executive officer, Dan Stapleton, described Zone 0 as “a new defensible space zone within the first 5 feet of a home or building” and said the board’s March 21 draft rule prohibits “landscaping or other materials that are likely to be ignited by embers” in that area except for limited potted plants that meet specifications. Stapleton said trees shorter than the roof would not be allowed in Zone 0 and that perpendicular fences attached to buildings must be noncombustible.

California State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant told the committee that preventing structure ignitions is critical because “homes that ignite on wildfire have a 90% chance of being completely destroyed.” He said the state seeks a layered approach — forest management, community mitigation, home hardening and defensible space — and noted a goal to reach every home in the State Responsibility Area on a three‑year cycle. Berlant said CAL FIRE set an annual target of 250,000 inspections and…