From the San Diego Union Tribune published May 9, 2026: Garden Mastery: Working with California’s new ‘Zone Zero’ home fire safety perimeter. Here are ways to comply with new regulations on creating and maintaining an ember-resistant buffer around structures.
By Susan Pransky, a UC Master Gardener since 2012, for The Union-Tribune:
Did you know that an exceptionally large percentage of home ignitions during wildfires are caused by embers landing near a structure? And that these flying embers can come from a fire that is a mile or more away? “Zone Zero” is the 0 to 5-foot area immediately surrounding a home or building. The goal of “Zone Zero” is to create a perimeter with zero combustible material so that embers cannot ignite small fires that eventually reach your home.
In San Diego, Zone Zero requirements went into effect on Feb. 15, 2026, for all new building permits.
Requirements for existing homes vary by location, with many major cities setting a compliance deadline of February 2027. However, compliance deadlines are somewhat irrelevant. The rules have already effectively started to be enforced by our home insurance companies, even in areas that are considered very low risk for wild fire. Threats of refusal to renew our home insurance policies without compliance to Zone Zero regulations make this issue immediately important to virtually all of us.
That’s an excerpt. Read the entire news item from the Union Tribune with this Gift Share Link:
Garden Mastery: Working with California’s new ‘Zone Zero’ home fire safety perimeter
See also Zone 0 Compliance:
Guide to Defensible Space for Property Owners – Zone 0 and Phased Compliance Timeline
For more information about the University City Fire Safe Council, visit:
