Is Zone Zero a law in California? Status on Nov 10, 2026

The 5 foot ember-resistant zone is in state statute, but the statute waits on the Board’s regulations, so homeowners have no state Zone 0 standard to meet yet. Some cities, San Diego in particular, already apply their own. The full rule is on our Zone Zero California law page; this page is updated when the status changes.

Did Zone Zero pass?

The statutes passed, but the rule they depend on has not taken effect. AB 3074 (2020) added “an ember-resistant zone being required within 5 feet of the structure, based on regulations promulgated by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection” to Government Code 51182 and Public Resources Code 4291. The statute says the requirement does not take effect for new structures until the Board updates its regulations and guidance (PRC 4291(g)(1)).

The Board voted 8 to 0 on 19 August 2026 to adopt those regulations. An emergency regulation takes effect only after OAL approves it and files it with the Secretary of State, and that has not happened.

What is the Zone Zero timeline so far?

Why was the Zone 0 rule withdrawn?

OAL’s record shows the withdrawal but not the reason. The Mountain Democrat reported on 28 October 2026, quoting Board staff, that OAL had raised questions, including about the emergency rulemaking authority, and that the Board pulled the package to add information to the file. Staff expected it to return to the Board at its early November meeting (the paper named 5 November) for approval of changes, then go back to OAL. A staff member said: “The soonest I believe (Zone 0) could become effective would be like at the very end of November, maybe early December.”

We could not confirm whether the Board acted then, and as of 10 November 2026 the package was not back on OAL’s review list.

What happens next?

The Board refiles the package with OAL. OAL’s published process for emergency rules:

1. OAL posts notice of the filing on its website, which opens a five calendar day public comment period.
2. OAL has 10 calendar days to review the file and decide.
3. If OAL approves, it files the regulation with the Secretary of State. An emergency regulation “usually becomes effective when filed with the Secretary of State.”

Ordinary emergency rules expire after 180 days unless readopted. These are different: AB 1455 says Zone 0 emergency regulations “shall remain in effect until revised” by the Board (Government Code 51182.4(d)).

How will I know when Zone Zero takes effect?

Watch two OAL pages:

• Emergency Regulations Under Review. A refiled package will appear here as a Board of Forestry and Fire Protection entry with a new file number.
• Recent Actions Taken on Emergency Regulations. The September filing is listed here as “Zone 0 Defensible Space,” withdrawn. An approval will show as “Approved” with a date.

Until an approval appears, no state compliance clock has started.

What deadlines start on the effective date?

Under the 19 August 2026 text, which could change before refiling:

• New homes (building permit applied for after the effective date) comply immediately (14 CCR 1298.04(c)(1); 1299.03(e)(1)).
• Existing homes in local Very High zones: most debris items in 3 years; the plant buffer, fences, gates and outbuildings in 3 years, or up to 5 on a local timeline (1298.04(c)(3) and (c)(4)).
• Existing homes in the State Responsibility Area: most debris items in 3 years; the plant buffer, fences, gates and outbuildings in 5 years, or not less than 3 on the CAL FIRE Director’s timeline (1299.03(e)(3) and (e)(4)).

For what the gate rule would mean on your side yard, see Zone 0 gate requirements.

Are any Zone Zero rules already in force?

Yes, locally. AB 1455 lets cities and fire agencies adopt their own Zone 0 ordinances, including stricter ones. San Diego’s Zone 0 Guidelines (Rev. 4/22/2026) have applied to new structures in its Very High zones since 28 February 2026 and phase in existing homes from 28 February 2027, with full compliance, fences and gates included, targeted for 28 February 2029.

The Board’s September 2026 guidance says local Zone 0 ordinances also existed in Los Angeles, Berkeley, Shasta County, Ventura County and South Lake Tahoe when it was written. We have not confirmed that each of those is in force today. See Zone Zero rules by city and San Diego Zone 0 fence rules.

Does Zone Zero apply when you sell a house?

No. The point-of-sale trigger depended on SB 326, which was vetoed on 11 October 2025. State law has no Zone Zero requirement tied to a sale.