Santa Barbara County has two main rule sets: the City of Santa Barbara Fire Department and Santa Barbara County Fire. Check which serves your address.
City of Santa Barbara: four landscape zones
| Zone | Distance from structure |
|---|---|
| Zone 1 | 0–30 ft |
| Zone 2 | 30–50 ft |
| Zone 3 | 50–70 ft |
| Zone 4 | 70–100 ft (Foothill Zone) or 70–150 ft (Extreme Foothill Zone) |
- Landscape plans in the High Fire Hazard Area must delineate these zones around all structures.
- Defensible space is 100 ft in the Foothill Zone and 150 ft in the Extreme Foothill Zone.
- The Fire Department supports going beyond 100 ft on slopes over 20%; call for approval before doing the work.
- The City publishes High Fire Hazard Area landscape requirements with plant placement recommendations.
City Fire Prevention: 925 Chapala St., Santa Barbara · (805) 564-5702.
Santa Barbara County Fire
County Fire publishes Development Standard 6, Defensible Space (revised February 19, 2026) through its Fire Prevention Division. A plan check fee applies to installing or changing a fire-related landscape plan. Its Hazard Reduction Program issues annual notices with clearing deadlines.
Sources: City landscape requirements · County Standard 6 · City defensible space. Details change; confirm with the agency before you design or submit.
Next: plants to avoid · spacing rules · validate your water design at MWELO.com.
Fire-safe still needs a water budget. Validate your hydrozones, WUCOLS plant ratings and MAWA water budget, and get permit-ready compliance documents, at MWELO.com. For fuel-mod plant choices, see the MWELO fuel mod guide.