Statewide rule status, Nov 10, 2026: adopted, not in forceState rule, Nov 10, 2026: not in force
Based on your answers
Check what your fence is made of
The adopted rule asks for noncombustible material in the first 5 feet, meaning material that passes the ASTM E136 test. Steel, aluminum, concrete and masonry are the usual examples that do. Wood, vinyl and wood-plastic composite do not.
These pages explain how to tell, and what to ask a seller for.
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).