Home / Is it allowed? / Lawn and low ground cover
Can I have grass in Zone 0?
Can stay, with limitsUnder the August 2026 state draft. Not law yet, though some cities have their own rules.
Yes, with limits. Well-kept, non-woody plants under 3 inches tall are allowed, outside the plant-free strips.
- Plant-free strips: under eaves, within 1 foot of walls, within 5 feet of attached decks, stairs and pergolas, and within 2 feet of windows, doors, posts and vents.
- Keep it short and green. No dead material.
Timing: Existing homes: within 3 years, or up to 5 on a local fire agency's schedule.
Source
- Notice of proposed emergency action: Zone 0 defensible space, California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, August 20, 2026