[ { "slug": "bark-mulch", "name": "Bark and wood chip mulch", "question": "Can I have bark mulch in Zone 0?", "verdict": "no", "answer": "No. Combustible mulch, including bark and wood chips, is not allowed within 5 feet of the house.", "details": [ "The draft bans combustible mulch in Zone 0.", "The only exception is temporary, for erosion control during construction under stormwater rules." ], "instead": "Swap it for something that does not burn, such as gravel, rock or pavers.", "timing": "Existing homes: within 3 years of the rule taking effect.", "sources": [ "bof_notice" ], "keywords": "wood chips mulch shredded bark rubber mulch" }, { "slug": "gravel", "name": "Gravel, rock and pavers", "question": "Is gravel allowed in Zone 0?", "verdict": "yes", "answer": "Yes. The draft does not name gravel, but it only limits materials that burn, and gravel, rock and pavers do not.", "details": [ "This is our reading of the draft, not a line from it.", "Plant rules still apply to anything growing through the gravel." ], "instead": null, "timing": null, "sources": [ "bof_notice" ], "keywords": "rock stone pavers concrete decomposed granite dg river rock" }, { "slug": "firewood", "name": "Firewood", "question": "Can I store firewood next to my house?", "verdict": "no", "answer": "No. Firewood cannot be stored within 5 feet of the house.", "details": [ "This one is already in state law, so for existing homes it applies as soon as the rule takes effect." ], "instead": "Stack it more than 5 feet from the house. Farther is better.", "timing": "Existing homes: right away once the rule takes effect.", "sources": [ "bof_notice" ], "keywords": "wood pile woodpile logs lumber" }, { "slug": "leaves-and-needles", "name": "Dead leaves and pine needles", "question": "Are leaves and pine needles allowed in Zone 0?", "verdict": "no", "answer": "No. Leaves, needles and other small debris that burn cannot build up within 5 feet of the house, on the roof or in gutters.", "details": [ "The same limit covers roofs and gutters." ], "instead": "Rake and sweep the first 5 feet, and clean gutters before fire season.", "timing": "Existing homes: within 3 years of the rule taking effect.", "sources": [ "bof_notice" ], "keywords": "pine needles debris gutters roof leaves" }, { "slug": "lawn", "name": "Lawn and low ground cover", "question": "Can I have grass in Zone 0?", "verdict": "limits", "answer": "Yes, with limits. Well-kept, non-woody plants under 3 inches tall are allowed, outside the plant-free strips.", "details": [ "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." ], "instead": null, "timing": "Existing homes: within 3 years, or up to 5 on a local fire agency's schedule.", "sources": [ "bof_notice" ], "keywords": "grass turf clover groundcover ground cover" }, { "slug": "small-plants", "name": "Small plants (3 to 18 inches)", "question": "What plants are allowed in Zone 0?", "verdict": "limits", "answer": "Some. Non-woody plants 3 to 18 inches tall are allowed outside the plant-free strips, if kept free of dead material and spaced apart.", "details": [ "Non-woody means soft green stems, like grasses, most flowers and succulents.", "Each planting must be under 1 square foot.", "Space plantings at least 1.5 times the height of the tallest plant.", "Woody plants and shrubs are not on the allowed list." ], "instead": null, "timing": "Existing homes: within 3 years, or up to 5 on a local fire agency's schedule.", "sources": [ "bof_notice" ], "keywords": "flowers perennials succulents herbs annuals vegetables garden bed" }, { "slug": "potted-plants", "name": "Potted plants", "question": "Can I have potted plants in Zone 0?", "verdict": "limits", "answer": "Yes, with limits. Non-woody plants under 18 inches, in noncombustible pots under 5 gallons, spaced apart.", "details": [ "Noncombustible means pots that do not burn, like ceramic, concrete or metal. Plastic and wood pots do not qualify.", "Space pots at least 1.5 times the plant's height." ], "instead": null, "timing": "Existing homes: within 3 years, or up to 5 on a local fire agency's schedule.", "sources": [ "bof_notice" ], "keywords": "pots planters containers" }, { "slug": "shrubs", "name": "Shrubs and woody plants", "question": "Can I keep shrubs within 5 feet of my house?", "verdict": "no", "answer": "Not under the draft. Only non-woody plants are on the allowed list for Zone 0.", "details": [ "Woody plants have stiff, bark-covered stems that stay through winter, like roses, juniper, rosemary and lavender.", "Shrubs can usually stay farther out, in Zone 1 (5 to 30 feet), under existing defensible space rules." ], "instead": "Move or replace them with low non-woody plants, or gravel.", "timing": "Existing homes: within 3 years, or up to 5 on a local fire agency's schedule.", "sources": [ "bof_notice" ], "keywords": "bush bushes hedge roses rose juniper rosemary lavender boxwood manzanita oleander bamboo" }, { "slug": "plants-near-windows-and-vents", "name": "Plants against the house", "question": "How far from the house do plants have to be?", "verdict": "no", "answer": "Nothing can grow under the eaves, within 1 foot of the walls, within 2 feet of windows, doors, posts and vents, or within 5 feet of attached decks, stairs and pergolas.", "details": [ "These are the plant-free strips. Allowed low plants can only go outside them." ], "instead": "Use gravel or pavers in these strips.", "timing": "Existing homes: within 3 years, or up to 5 on a local fire agency's schedule.", "sources": [ "bof_notice" ], "keywords": "ivy vines climbing plants foundation planting eaves windows vents" }, { "slug": "wood-fence", "name": "Wood fence attached to the house", "question": "Do I have to replace my wood fence for Zone 0?", "verdict": "limits", "answer": "Partly. A combustible fence or gate cannot attach to the house. You need a 5-foot section that does not burn where it meets the house.", "details": [ "No new combustible fences or gates within 5 feet of the house after the rule takes effect.", "Repairs can use noncombustible materials." ], "instead": "Replace the last 5 feet with metal or masonry.", "timing": "Existing homes: within 3 years, or up to 5 on a local fire agency's schedule.", "sources": [ "bof_notice" ], "keywords": "fence gate wooden fence vinyl fence" }, { "slug": "shed", "name": "Sheds and outbuildings", "question": "Can I have a shed in Zone 0?", "verdict": "limits", "answer": "Only if the shed is entirely noncombustible. A wood or plastic shed cannot sit within 5 feet of the house.", "details": [], "instead": "Move it more than 5 feet out, or replace it with a metal shed.", "timing": "Existing homes: within 3 years, or up to 5 on a local fire agency's schedule.", "sources": [ "bof_notice" ], "keywords": "outbuilding storage shed playhouse" }, { "slug": "under-deck-storage", "name": "Storage under decks and stairs", "question": "Can I store things under my deck?", "verdict": "no", "answer": "No. The space under decks, balconies, pergolas and stairs must be free of plants and anything that burns.", "details": [ "That includes stored lumber, cushions, boxes and dry weeds." ], "instead": "Clear it out and keep it clear.", "timing": "Existing homes: within 3 years of the rule taking effect.", "sources": [ "bof_notice" ], "keywords": "deck stairs porch storage under the deck" }, { "slug": "tree-branches", "name": "Tree branches near the house", "question": "How far do tree branches need to be from my house?", "verdict": "limits", "answer": "Trees can stay, but no dead branches, no branches under the eaves, and live branches at least 10 feet from chimneys and stovepipes.", "details": [ "Where there is no eave, keep live branches at least 1 foot from the wall.", "Keep live branches at least 5 feet above the roof.", "Remove ladder fuels: the lower 6 feet or lower third of the tree, whichever is less.", "The dead branch, chimney and under-eave rules are already in state law." ], "instead": null, "timing": "Existing homes: dead branches, chimney clearance and under-eave limbs right away, because state law already requires them. Wall and roof clearance and ladder fuels within 3 years.", "sources": [ "bof_notice" ], "keywords": "trees branches overhanging chimney limbs" } ]