In areas served by the Ventura County Fire Protection District (VCFPD), the Ventura County Fire Code and State law require at least 100 ft of defensible space around buildings. Fuel modification zones may be wider when local conditions or a Fire Protection Plan call for it.
Standard 515: spacing inside the zone
VCFD Standard 515, Defensible Space and Fuel Modification Zones (January 1, 2023), sets spacing requirements for plants, trees and vegetation within defensible space, so “fuel mosaic” planting is not left to guesswork. Read it before you lay out beds.
The plan process
- Submit conceptual fuel modification zone plans through your City or County Planning Department.
- Landscape and fuel modification plans must be approved by the Fire Prevention Division before installation.
- A Fuel Modification Covenant and Agreement (VCFD form 641) is recorded against the property, and a Fuel Modification Affidavit (form 642) goes to the Fire Prevention Division before the final occupancy inspection.
City of Ventura
The City of Ventura Fire Department separately requires a Defensive Vegetation Landscape Plan for homes in its Fire Hazard Severity Zones, showing the 100 ft fuel modification zone and existing vegetation. Its checklist also addresses non-fire-resistive trees such as conifers, palms, pepper trees and eucalyptus. City Fire: (805) 658-4717.
Contact
VCFPD Fire Hazard Reduction Program: 805-389-9759 · FHRP@ventura.org. Fire Prevention Bureau: 2400 Conejo Spectrum Street, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320.
Sources: VCFD Standard 515 · Form 641 · City of Ventura landscape plan. Details change; confirm with the agency before you design or submit.
Next: plants to avoid · spacing rules · validate your water design at MWELO.com.