Fire Hazard Severity Zones in California: What Homeowners Need to Know
CAL FIRE has mapped different areas across California into Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs). These zones help determine what safety and building requirements apply to homes, especially for properties near wildland areas that face higher fire risks.
Even if you’re not planning new construction, it’s important to understand how these zones may affect your property, insurance, and future home sales.
How the Zones Work
Depending on whether your property is in a Very High, High, or Moderate fire hazard severity zone, different rules and responsibilities may apply.
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
If your property is in this zone:
Defensible Space: New buildings must have at least 100 feet of defensible space (clear area between buildings and flammable vegetation). Even for existing homes, creating defensible space is required for wildfire safety.
Building Standards: New construction must use ignition-resistant materials and follow Chapter 7A of the California Building Code. This often means special roofing, siding, windows, and vents designed to resist wildfire embers.
Disclosure when Selling: Sellers are required to provide a Natural Hazard Disclosure Report noting that the property lies in a fire hazard zone and conduct a vegetation management inspection by our fire department. Click here for more information on that inspection.
High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
If your property is in this zone:
Defensible Space: Not currently required by code, but strongly recommended for wildfire safety.
Building Standards: Any new buildings still need to follow wildfire-resistant construction rules (Chapter 7A).
Disclosure when Selling: Sellers must also provide the Natural Hazard Disclosure Report in these areas and conduct a vegetation management inspection by our fire department. Click here for more information on that inspection.
Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone
If your property is in this zone:
There are no specific state-mandated wildfire construction requirements at this time.
However, voluntary fire-safe practices (like defensible space and ember-resistant construction) are still highly encouraged.
Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Home
There are many proactive steps homeowners can take:
Protect your home from wildfires through these recommended actions:
- Creating defensible space
- Hardening your home
- Install ember-resistant vents and fireproof roofing materials
- Ensure windows are dual-paned with tempered glass on both panes
- Selecting fire-smart plants
- Plant drought-tolerant and fire-resistant plants
- Avoid highly flammable species like junipers and cypress at least 30 feet from the structures
- Have an emergency plan
- Create a family evacuation plan
- Build an emergency kit
- Stay informed by signing up for emergency notifications
Bottom line: Being in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone doesn’t just affect building permits—it impacts insurance, resale, and most importantly, your safety. Even if the rules don’t formally apply to you, following wildfire preparedness practices can better protect your home and neighborhood.
2025 LRA FHSZ Map Viewing
To learn more about Fire Hazard Severity Zones, visit the California Office of the State Fire Marshal's official page:
Statewide OSFM 2025 LRA FHSZ Map Viewer
This resource provides detailed information on how zones are determined, what each classification means, and how they may impact property owners.
Alternatively, the areas that are just within the boundaries of the City of Santee can be viewed on the Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Santee - Map.
Additional resources regarding FHSZ:
CAL FIRE provided a fact sheet and answers to frequently asked questions, which you can see at
LRA Legislation Factsheet - English
Preguntas Frecuentes Sobre LRA Legislación – Spanish
State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara provided a set of questions and answers about how this map will affect insurance availability and costs. You can view it at CDI - FHSZ.
Additional information regarding the FHSZ maps and the process of development can be found at: CAL FIRE FHSZ Maps.