ZONE 0

Fire-Resistant Fencing

Protect Your Home & Meet Insurance Requirements

Zone 0 (zero) is officially defined as the 5-foot area directly around a home within it's defensible space that must now be 100% "ember resistant" including fencing. According to the recently updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) map, a substantial portion of San Diego County is now classified within high-risk fire zones. These designations indicate that many areas in the county will be subject to more strict wildfire regulations prompted by Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-18-25. The goal of Zone 0 is to reduce the risk of home ignition by removing flammable materials from a structure's local perimeter. It's never to early to prepare your home.

Give us a call for more information on protecting your home or to set up and on-site consultation.

WEBPAGE UPDATED JUNE 2026

NBC 7 News (2/27/26)

NPR News (1/2/26)

San Diego Union Tribune (12/21/25)

City of San Diego Zone 0 Guidelines (4/22/26)

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Your First Line of Defense Against Wildfire Starts at Zone 0

What is Zone 0?

Zone 0, officially the "Ember-Resistant Zone" is a 0 to 5 foot buffer measured from any structure on your property, including your home, garage, deck, shed, and stairs. In a wildfire or urban firestorm this zone is at the highest risk for ember ignition spreading to the primary structure.

Under California Assembly Bill 3074 (AB 3074) and Public Resources Code §4291, all combustible materials within this zone must be removed or replaced with non-combustible, ember-resistant alternatives.

Homeowners will have 3 years to comply or retrofit and there will be no "grandfathering" provisions included once finalized by the state which is expected some time in 2026 with City of San Diego enforcement anticipated to begin February 2027.

Why Homeowners (and Insurers) Care About Zone 0

A rapidly changing climate will bring drier winters and hotter summers to the region and the recent fire disasters in Los Angeles in early 2025 have shown just how vulnerable Southern California neighborhoods will become to the dangers of wildfire in the coming years. The threat is no longer exclusive to the back country or mountain communities.

When fire strikes, the property damage and financial fall out is significant. A properly maintained Zone 0 is a critical component of structure defense and can significantly reduce a homes fire exposure. Fire resistant materials in Zone 0 can stop flames from spreading directly to homes, drastically slowing a fires progress in an urban setting.

What should homeowners do now?

Review the updated Fire Maps (there are two). One is a state map that applies to county and unincorporated areas. The other is a San Diego City map that applies to the city limits. If your property appears on EITHER map in a high severity area, Zone 0 will apply to your home.

Insurance providers are likely to consider Zone 0 compliance in future coverage decisions. So before making any investments or considering changes to you property, contact your insurance carrier to see how Zone 0 implementation may affect your policy in the coming months.

Ensure your neighbors and HOA boards are informed. These regulations will influence how you landscape, maintain, and insure your home regardless of preparedness.

Use the following resources to keep track of Zone 0 and AB 3074 updates.

zone 0 resources

2026 FHSZ Maps

(Fire Hazard Severity Zone)

🗺️CAL FIRE State & County Map

🗺️City of San Diego City Map

Websites

🔥 City of SD FHSZ Webpage

🔥 City of SD Defensible Space Guide

🔥 CAL FIRE FHSZ Webpate

🔥 CAL FIRE Defensible Space Guide

Documents

🔥 CA Executive Order N-18-25

🔥 Assembly Bill 3074

🔥 2025 LRA SDFD FHSZ PowerPoint Presentation (Download)

Fire-Safe Fencing Options

Approved "Ember-Resistant" Fencing Materials

Must Meet ASTM E136, E84, & E2768 Class A Fire Standards

✔ Metal Fencing (Steel, Aluminum, Chain-link, Wrought Iron)

✔ Masonry & Concrete Fencing

Fencing Materials NOT Compliant for Zone 0

❌ Wood Fences including Hardwoods (Golden Balau, Red Balau, Ipe) Saferwood treated lumber, and bamboo
❌ Vinyl Fences (can melt and burn under extreme heat exposure, failed ASTM E5768) Link to Testing Results

❌ Composite Fencing (Typically only rated up to Class B)

Disclaimer: The information and advice provided on this website regarding Zone 0 compliance are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional safety advice. Balboa Fence Company LLC assumes no liability for material selections that do not meet local fire codes or insurance requirements; customers are responsible for verifying compliance with their local fire authority and homeowners insurance provider before installation. All final decisions regarding fencing materials and their placement rest solely with the property owner.