{
  "last_checked": "2026-10-11",
  "headline": "Zone 0 is not law yet.",
  "summary": "The Board of Forestry adopted emergency Zone 0 rules on August 19, 2026, then withdrew them from state review on September 8, before a ruling. As of October 11, 2026, the rules have not been refiled with the Office of Administrative Law. No statewide Zone 0 deadline applies today. Some cities have their own rules: San Diego applies Zone Zero to new homes in its Very High fire zones and expects existing homes to comply by February 2027, Berkeley started Zone 0 inspections in two hillside areas in May 2026, and Auburn has required a clear 5 feet around new buildings since July 2024. Existing state defensible space rules, which cover the 100 feet around homes in fire zones, still apply.",
  "timeline": [
    {
      "date": "2020-09-29",
      "event": "AB 3074 signed. It tells the Board of Forestry to create an ember-resistant zone within 5 feet of buildings.",
      "source": "cadefensiblespace"
    },
    {
      "date": "2025-02-06",
      "event": "Executive Order N-18-25 sets a deadline of December 31, 2025 for the rule.",
      "source": "gov_eo"
    },
    {
      "date": "2025-12-31",
      "event": "The deadline passes without a final rule.",
      "source": "sonomanews"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-08-19",
      "tag": "Adopted",
      "tag_class": "limits",
      "event": "The Board of Forestry adopts emergency Zone 0 regulations.",
      "source": "bbk"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-08-20",
      "event": "The Board publishes its notice of proposed emergency action.",
      "source": "bof_notice"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-08-28",
      "tag": "Sent for review",
      "tag_class": "limits",
      "event": "The package goes to the Office of Administrative Law for review.",
      "source": "oal_recent"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-09-08",
      "tag": "Withdrawn",
      "tag_class": "no",
      "event": "The Board withdraws the package before a ruling. The Office of Administrative Law records it as withdrawn (file 2026-0828-03E). No reason has been published.",
      "source": "oal_recent"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-11",
      "tag": "Not law",
      "tag_class": "no",
      "event": "Not refiled. Zone 0 is not on the Office of Administrative Law's list of emergency rules under review.",
      "source": "oal_review"
    }
  ],
  "next": [
    "If the Board refiles, the rule takes effect once the Office of Administrative Law approves it and it is filed with the Secretary of State.",
    "The refiled version could match the August draft or change it.",
    "Under the August draft, deadlines for existing homes would start counting from the date it takes effect."
  ],
  "track": [
    {
      "label": "Adopted by the Board",
      "date": "2026-08-19",
      "state": "done"
    },
    {
      "label": "Sent for state review",
      "date": "2026-08-28",
      "state": "done"
    },
    {
      "label": "Withdrawn before a ruling",
      "date": "2026-09-08",
      "state": "stop"
    },
    {
      "label": "Refiled for review",
      "date": null,
      "state": "todo"
    },
    {
      "label": "Approved, becomes law",
      "date": null,
      "state": "todo"
    }
  ],
  "local": [
    {
      "place": "San Diego",
      "what": "Zone Zero applies to new homes in the city's Very High fire zones since February 12, 2026. Existing homes are expected to comply by February 2027.",
      "source": "sd_2026"
    },
    {
      "place": "Berkeley",
      "what": "The EMBER rules ban plants within 5 feet of homes in the Grizzly Peak and Panoramic Hill areas, about 1,200 homes. Fire department inspections started in May 2026.",
      "source": "berkeley_scanner"
    },
    {
      "place": "Auburn",
      "what": "Since July 10, 2024, new buildings must have a 5-foot area clear of plants and anything that burns. For existing buildings it is voluntary, though the fire department urges it.",
      "source": "auburn_erz"
    }
  ]
}