Fire Hazard Severity Zone

CALFIRE has classified areas that are particularly susceptible to wildfire as very high, high, or moderate fire hazard severity zones. Where these zones fall within city boundaries, cities may have adopted these zones as well.
Buildings and properties in certain FHSZs must meet more stringent requirements for building construction and vegetation maintenance.

FHSZ Maps

Areas that are at an increased risk of a wildfire are known as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ). FHSZs are ranked as Very High, High, and Moderate
and can be located within city boundaries (Local Responsibility Areas or LRA) or on unincorporated land (State Responsibility Area or SRA).
To see if your property is in a FHSZ, please consult the following maps:

SRA Map

LRA Map

What does it mean if I'm in a FHSZ?

Below is a partial list of the requirements that may apply to your property in each zone:

SRA (unincorporated county land)

Very High FHSZ

CBC Ch 7A construction features on new (and sometimes remodeled) buildings
Compliance with defensible space regulations
Defensible space compliance disclosure for real estate transactions
Landscaping restrictions

High FHSZ

CBC Ch 7A construction features on new (and sometimes remodeled) buildings
Compliance with defensible space regulations
Defensible space compliance disclosure for real estate transactions
Landscaping restrictions

Moderate FHSZ

CBC Ch 7A construction features on new (and sometimes remodeled) buildings
Compliance with defensible space regulations
Landscaping restrictions

LRA (within city boundaries)

Very High FHSZ

Requirements can vary from city to city, but generally CBC Ch 7A construction features are required for new construction and sometimes on remodeled buildings depending on the scope of work
Compliance with defensible space regulations
Defensible space compliance disclosure for real estate transactions
Landscaping restrictions

High FHSZ

Defensible space compliance disclosure for real estate transactions

Moderate FHSZ

none