ZONE 0

No. The new Zone 0 regulations are not yet in effect. They remain under review by the California Office of Administrative Law.Once they take effect, some requirements will apply immediately, while others will have phased deadlines. Existing defensible-space and maintenance requirements still apply today.

In the City of Del Mar, the pending state Zone 0 requirements would apply to properties in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Check your address using the 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone layer in Del Mar’s Property Map. Then contact the Del Mar Fire Department to confirm the requirements for your property.Even if your property is outside the Very High zone, reducing combustible materials near your home can improve wildfire safety.

Existing homes would have phased deadlines measured from the regulations’ effective date.When the regulations take effect: Keep roofs and gutters clear of combustible debris, remove dead or dying tree branches, and maintain required branch clearance from chimneys and beneath eaves.Within three years: Complete other required fuel removal, under-deck clearing and specified tree-clearance work.Within three years, or up to five years if the Del Mar Fire Department sets that timeline: Complete specified vegetation and safety-zone changes, along with fence, gate and outbuilding requirements.The five-year period is not automatic. Existing defensible-space and maintenance obligations still apply today.

Zone 0 covers the first five feet around your home and the edges of attached decks or stairs. Within that area, a stricter noncombustible safety zone protects vulnerable places such as the base of walls, areas under eaves, and spaces near windows, doors and vents.The safety zone must remain free of vegetation and combustible materials, subject to specific exceptions for existing trees. Outside that safety zone, limited, maintained low-growing plants may be allowed within Zone 0.See the illustrations above for examples of how roof overhangs, projecting upper floors and attached decks affect these clearances.

No. Zone 0 does not mean five feet of bare soil around your home. Gravel, stone, concrete and pavers can provide noncombustible surfaces.Under the pending requirements, limited low-growing vegetation may be allowed outside the stricter noncombustible safety zone, provided it meets location, height, spacing and maintenance conditions. Existing trees have separate maintenance and clearance requirements.See the illustrations above to understand how the safety zone varies with your home’s walls, eaves and attached decks.

Existing trees may remain in Zone 0 if they meet maintenance and clearance requirements. Remove dead or dying branches, reduce ladder fuels, maintain required clearance from roofs, eaves and chimneys, and clear fallen leaves and needles.Some low-growing plants may also remain outside the noncombustible safety zone. Allowable plants must meet location, height, spacing and maintenance requirements. These may include non-woody plants, maintained lawn, groundcovers and small plants in noncombustible pots.Before planting a new tree near your home, check with the Del Mar Fire Department about applicable placement and clearance requirements.

UC ANR recommends noncombustible materials such as gravel, rock, concrete or pavers within the first five feet of your home and other structures.Wood chips, bark, pine needles and rubber mulch can burn. Even composted wood chips can smolder. Keep noncombustible surfaces clear of fallen leaves and other debris, and do not rely on watering combustible mulch to make it safe.View the UC ANR Mulch Safety Guide

The pending Zone 0 requirements would generally prohibit combustible materials within the first five feet around your home.Remove or relocate firewood, wood mulch, bark, wood chips, dead vegetation and other easily ignited materials. Noncombustible materials such as gravel, stone or pavers are better choices next to the home.Existing firewood-storage and debris-removal requirements still apply. You can reduce wildfire risk now without waiting for the new regulations to take effect.

Existing wood fences do not all need to be replaced. Under the pending requirements, existing combustible fences may remain and be repaired with similar materials. However, fences or gates attached to your home, or within one foot of it, would need a five-foot noncombustible section nearest the structure. New combustible fences and gates would not be allowed within Zone 0.Decks and sheds have separate requirements. Areas beneath attached decks and stairs would need to remain free of vegetation and combustible items, with a five-foot vegetation-free buffer around their edges. Sheds within Zone 0 would need to be constructed entirely of noncombustible materials.Check with the Del Mar Fire Department about the compliance timeline before planning major replacements or alterations.

Homeowners can take practical steps now that also reduce wildfire risk.Remove dead vegetation and debris next to the home, move firewood and other combustible materials away from structures, keep roofs and gutters clean, and review combustible mulch, fencing, gates and items stored beneath decks or eaves.Before replacing fencing, removing established trees or modifying structures, check with the Del Mar Fire Department and City Planning staff about applicable requirements and any permits needed.