AB 3074 Zone 0 Ember-Resistant Zone (Mandate)
CAL FIRE / Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (rulemaking); local fire authority (enforcement)
What you get
Typical cost to comply: $500–$8,000 per home
Range depends on what's already in the first 5 feet. Bark mulch swap + plant removal is the low end. Replacing a wood fence, deck attachment, or hardscaping pulls it higher. This is cost-to-comply, not money received.
Deadline: September 30, 2026
Current status
Final regulations approved by the Board of Forestry Aug 19, 2026; expected legally effective ~late Sept 2026 after OAL review. New construction complies immediately. Existing homes: roof/gutter/dead-branch duties immediate, full combustible removal within 3 years, remaining items within 3-5 years (local fire agency discretion). Applies to all SRA parcels and LRA Very High zones only.
Who qualifies
- Geography
- CA · all California counties · in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
- Income
- No income limit
- Property
- single family, condo, manufactured, townhouse, mixed use, rental
What work qualifies
- Zone 0 vegetation clearing (first 5 ft)
- Ember-resistant fencing
- Fence-to-house break
· DIY work allowed
Other rules: Applies to first 5 feet around any structure in a High or Very High FHSZ.
How to apply
- 01Confirm your home meets the eligibility above.
- 02Complete the qualifying work (or document existing work if it already meets the spec).
- 03Submit to CAL FIRE / Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (rulemaking); local fire authority (enforcement) with photos, contractor invoices, and any required forms.
How RF1 helps
If you're in a Very High zone, you have until Jan 1, 2027 to clear the first 5 feet. We do this work and document it for your insurance discount in the same visit.
Most homeowners qualify on paper but never claim — hiring the crew, capturing the work to spec, and crafting the submission stops them. We run end-to-end home hardening with vetted installers, document every install for each program's filing, and stack every claim into one project.