Statewide rule status, Nov 10, 2026: adopted, not in forceState rule, Nov 10, 2026: not in force
Based on your answers
The first 5 feet would need to change
Based on your answers (a home in the State Responsibility Area or a Very High zone): under the adopted state rule, the first 5 feet of a fence or gate that attaches to the house, or comes within 1 foot of it, would need to be noncombustible. The rest of a wood fence could stay and be repaired with wood. Existing homes would get 3 to 5 years from the date the rule takes effect.
The state rule is not in force yet: the Board of Forestry adopted it on Aug 19, 2026, and it was not in effect when we last checked on Nov 10, 2026.
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The state rule covers only the State Responsibility Area and local Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, so your zone decides whether any of this applies. Look up your address on the CAL FIRE fire hazard severity zone map (on CAL FIRE's website).