Home Hardening in San Diego
The six systems of a Zone 0 hardened home
Work top of the list down. The first two have deadlines; the rest have consequences.
Fences & gates
Unincorporated county: non-combustible Zone 0 since April 13, 2023. City of San Diego existing fence replacement is February 28, 2029. February 2027 is Year 1 maintenance, not the fence date.
Fence rules →Landscaping
Combustible mulch, dead vegetation, and plants against the structure leave the first five feet. City of San Diego vegetation replacement is February 28, 2028. February 2027 is Year 1 maintenance, not the landscaping date.
Landscaping rules →Decks & patios
Attached combustible decks inside the first five feet are a local question. County Zone 0 already covers combustible attachments. Statewide draft language is not in force. Recommended now as prevention.
Roof & gutters
Embers land on roofs first. Clean gutters, gutter guards, and Class A roofing protect everything the zone work buys you.
Vents & openings
Fine-mesh ember-resistant vents block the most common path fire takes into a house: through the attic and crawlspace.
Sheds & outbuildings
A combustible shed within 5 feet of the house is part of your Zone Zero. Move it, harden it, or plan around it.
Where to start
Clear before you build. Removing combustibles from the first five feet is the cheapest prevention step and, in unincorporated county, already required. Do it before any structural spending.
Break the fence fuse. The fence-to-house connection is the highest-risk five feet on the property and often a small, targeted fix.
Then chase embers upward. Gutters, vents, and deck clearance turn a compliant yard into a survivable home.
Have a question about your property?
Send a request and the team will follow up by email.