No landscaping materials that are likely to be ignited by embers are permitted within Zone 0. This includes, but is not limited to grass, ornamental or native plants, shrubs, fallen leaves and tree needles, weeds, and combustible mulches including bark and woodchips.

Exception: Plants in pots are allowable if they are in areas that are not directly beneath, above, or in front of a window, glass door, or vent; are kept in an unaffixed, not combustible pot or container that is no larger than five (5) gallon capacity; and set apart by one and a half (1.5) times the height of the plant or twelve inches (12”), whichever is greater, from the structure and each other. These plants shall be no greater than 18 inches in height. Dead or dying material on the plants shall be removed.

All live tree branches shall be maintained five feet (5’) above the adjacent Building or Structure’s roof, ten feet (10’) away from chimneys and stovepipe outlets, and five feet (5’) away from the sides of any Building or Structure.

(B) Exception: this subdivision does not apply to single specimens of trees or other vegetation that are well-pruned and maintained so as to effectively manage fuels and fuel ladders, as provided in Public Resources Code Section 4291.

Approximately two million structures in California that reside in very high fire hazard zones would be ordered to comply.

Regulations would apply to places such as the Sunset Strip, UCLA, and Chinatown as well as residences.

Statewide clearance mandates are the same for urban and wildland settings.

New construction must comply immediately; existing structures have three years to comply.