09/01/2026
California just approved Zone 0 - the ember-resistant zone in the first five feet around your house.
The Board of Forestry signed off on the final draft on August 19. It is not law yet; it still has to clear Office of Administrative Law review. But when it takes effect, new construction and fire rebuilds comply on day one, and existing homes phase in over roughly three to five years.
For West LA hillside owners the practical part is this: bark beds, wood gates, and the last section of fence where it meets the house are now design decisions. Cheap to draw. Expensive to retrofit.
Our new brief covers what the rule actually says, how to check whether your parcel sits in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, and the questions to ask your contractor before you build.
Solid Ground Construction - design-build and remodeling in West Los Angeles since 2007. CA License #890624. (310) 421-8821.
California approved Zone 0 on August 19, 2026. What the ember-resistant five-foot rule requires, when it applies, and how to design for it in West LA.