AB-3074 & Zone 0 Compliance Services

Wildfire Compliance and Zone 0 Services

California has implemented new wildfire-mitigation standards that require all properties in High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to meet updated defensible-space and ember-resistant construction requirements. Beginning this year, fire agencies throughout Ventura County, Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara County will begin incorporating Zone 0 into their inspection programs. This marks an important shift toward reducing the primary cause of home ignition: wind-driven embers.

SoCal Brush provides professional wildfire-mitigation services designed to help homeowners, businesses, landowners, and HOAs meet these expanding requirements quickly, safely, and in full compliance with state and local standards.

Zone 0 Compliance (0–5 Feet Around Structures)

Zone 0 is the area immediately surrounding your home or building. Under Assembly Bill 3074, this zone must remain free of combustible materials so that embers cannot ignite siding, decks, or other building components. As California agencies move toward enforcement, Zone 0 has become the most critical part of wildfire preparation.

Our team evaluates the area around your structures to identify combustible materials, vegetation, and features that increase vulnerability. We then establish a clean, ember-resistant perimeter using non-combustible surfaces and approved plant materials. This approach follows CAL FIRE and Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety research showing that homes with a defensible Zone 0 are significantly more likely to survive wildfire events.

Defensible Space Services (0–100 Feet)

Beyond Zone 0, state law requires a minimum of 100 feet of defensible space around all structures in designated fire-hazard areas. This space slows the spread of fire, reduces radiant heat, and provides firefighters with safer conditions.

We perform full-property defensible-space assessments and implement vegetation management strategies tailored to the property’s slope, fuel load, and surrounding conditions. This may include selective vegetation removal, proper spacing of trees and shrubs, strategic thinning of plant groupings, and the removal of ladder fuels that can carry flames upward into tree canopies. Our work is aligned with PRC 4291 and all local fire-code requirements.

Brush Clearance and Vegetation Management

Many properties in Southern California require more than basic defensible space. Larger parcels, hillside lots, open-space interfaces, and older properties often contain significant fuel loads that need professional mitigation.

Our crews provide comprehensive vegetation management, including seasonal brush clearance, invasive plant removal, slope and hillside treatments, and large-parcel fuel-reduction projects. Whether maintaining an existing property or restoring a neglected one, we deliver work that meets or exceeds local agency requirements.

Tree and Structural Mitigation Services

Trees and structural features can present significant wildfire hazards when not maintained properly. We offer tree assessments, pruning, and canopy spacing services designed specifically around wildfire behavior and defensible-space standards. Our team also identifies structural vulnerabilities such as aging vents, debris accumulation, combustible fencing, or overhanging branches. We provide practical recommendations and solutions that align with CAL FIRE home-hardening guidelines.

Real Estate and AB-38 Pre-Compliance Services

For properties located in High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, AB-38 requires a defensible-space inspection during the sale process. We provide pre-inspection services for sellers and agents, ensuring the property meets local standards before the official inspection. This prevents delays in escrow and reduces the likelihood of unexpected remediation requirements.

Commercial, HOA, and Large-Property Mitigation

We support businesses, HOAs, and multi-parcel properties with coordinated wildfire-mitigation programs. These services may include annual defensible-space maintenance, open-space fuel reduction, greenbelt management, and long-term mitigation planning. Our approach helps organizations meet regulatory obligations while protecting structures, residents, and shared assets.

Preparing for Upcoming Enforcement

Fire agencies across Southern California have announced their intent to begin issuing Zone 0 notices this year, marking the beginning of a phased rollout. Early compliance helps property owners avoid citations, reinspection fees, forced abatement, and insurance complications. It also significantly reduces the likelihood of home ignition during wildfire events.

Our team remains current on all relevant state laws, local ordinances, and evolving wildfire-mitigation standards to ensure your property is fully prepared as these requirements expand.

To learn exactly what applies in your area, click on the location links below for county-specific wildfire and defensible-space requirements.

-Ventura County

-Los Angeles City

-Los Angeles County

-Santa Barbara County