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The short version

California is creating a new set of rules for the first five feet around your home, called "Zone 0." This is the area where flying embers are most likely to start a fire during a wildfire. On August 19, 2026, the state's Board of Forestry and Fire Protection approved a final set of these rules. They are not law yet. Before they take effect, they still need to clear a state review process, which could happen as early as September 2026.

Once the rules are in effect, existing homes will have time to comply, up to five years for some requirements. New construction will need to meet the standards right away.

This page explains what is coming, who it applies to, and what you can start doing now.

Who this applies to

These rules apply to homes located in:

• State Responsibility Areas (SRA)
• Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones within Local Responsibility Areas (LRA)

Much of the Sonoma Valley Fire District's service area falls within these zones. If you are unsure whether your property is included please use this  look up tool - CLICK HERE 

Where is Zone 0, exactly?

Zone 0 is the first five feet around your home, deck, and any attached structures. It is broken into two parts:

1. The safety zone, right next to your home and under the eaves. This area must be completely free of anything that can burn. Its width matches the width of your eaves. A home with two-foot eaves needs a two-foot safety zone.
2. The low-combustibility zone, covering the rest of the five feet. Some plants and landscaping are allowed here, but with limits.

What is not allowed in Zone 0

• Mulch, dead leaves, wood chips, or firewood stored against the home
• Dead or dying plants
• Combustible material on roofs or in gutters
• New wood fences or gates built within five feet of the home (existing ones can still be repaired)
• Vegetation within two feet of windows, doors, and vents
• Vegetation within five feet of attached decks

What is allowed, with care

• Well-maintained flowers and small non-woody plants, spaced out
• Low ground covers like moss or creeping thyme
• Mowed grass or lawn
• Potted plants in non-combustible containers that are easy to move
• Trees, as long as they are limbed up and kept clear of the home. Branches should stay ten feet from chimneys, five feet above the roof, and clear of the eaves. Dead wood and low limbs should be removed.

When does this take effect?

Right now, these rules are not yet law. Before they become official, they still need to go through the state's Office of Administrative Law, including a short public comment period. State fire officials have said this could be complete as early as September 2026, though that date could shift.

Once the rules are officially adopted:

• New construction must comply immediately.
• Existing homes get a phased timeline:
  • Within 3 years: Clear combustible materials from around the home, clean gutters, remove dead vegetation, and adjust landscaping to meet the rules.
  • Within 5 years: Create the non-combustible safety zone under eaves, replace combustible gates, and update sheds or fencing attached to the home.

The state has said the early focus will be on education and outreach, not penalties, as homeowners work toward compliance.

What you can do now

You do not need to wait for the rules to become official to start reducing your risk. Consider starting with the easiest, highest-impact steps:

• Clear leaves, needles, and debris from your roof and gutters
• Move firewood piles at least five feet from your home
• Remove dead or dying plants near your foundation
• Trim tree branches away from your roof, eaves, and chimney

Questions?

Sonoma Valley Fire District's Fire Prevention Bureau is here to help you understand how these changes may affect your property.

Sonoma Valley Fire District 630 Second Street West, Sonoma, CA 95476 707-996-2102

This page will be updated as the state finalizes these regulations. Requirements described here are based on the version approved by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection on August 19, 2026, and may change before becoming official.