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Is Zone 0 law yet?

Where the rule stands

1. ✓Done: Adopted by the BoardAug 19, 2026
2. ✓Done: Sent for state reviewAug 28, 2026
3. ✕Stopped: Withdrawn before a rulingSep 8, 2026
4. Not yet: Refiled for reviewNot yet
5. Not yet: Approved, becomes lawNot yet

Check my yardWhat it means for insurance

Zone 0 is not law yet. 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.

Last checked October 11, 2026. The 100-foot rules: CAL FIRE.

Cities with their own rules

• San Diego. 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: City of San Diego
• Berkeley. 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: The Berkeley Scanner
• Auburn. 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: City of Auburn Fire Department

Other cities and fire districts may have rules too. Ask yours.

Timeline

1. September 29, 2020
   AB 3074 signed. It tells the Board of Forestry to create an ember-resistant zone within 5 feet of buildings. Source: California Defensible Space Guide (independent site)
2. February 6, 2025
   Executive Order N-18-25 sets a deadline of December 31, 2025 for the rule. Source: Office of the Governor
3. December 31, 2025
   The deadline passes without a final rule. Source: Sonoma Index-Tribune
4. August 19, 2026
   Adopted
   The Board of Forestry adopts emergency Zone 0 regulations. Source: Best Best & Krieger (law firm)
5. August 20, 2026
   The Board publishes its notice of proposed emergency action. Source: California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
6. August 28, 2026
   Sent for review
   The package goes to the Office of Administrative Law for review. Source: California Office of Administrative Law
7. September 8, 2026
   Withdrawn
   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: California Office of Administrative Law
8. October 11, 2026
   Not law
   Not refiled. Zone 0 is not on the Office of Administrative Law's list of emergency rules under review. Source: California Office of Administrative Law

What happens 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.

Latest updates

• Oct 10, 2026Rule status Still no statewide Zone 0 rule As of October 10, 2026, the state's list of emergency rules under review has nothing from the Board of Forestry. The statewide rule is not law. Some cities, like San Diego and Berkeley, have their own.
• Sep 8, 2026Rule status State pulls Zone 0 rules back before a ruling The Board of Forestry withdrew its Zone 0 rules from final state review on September 8, 2026, before the Office of Administrative Law ruled on them. The rules never took effect.
• Aug 19, 2026Rule status Board of Forestry adopts Zone 0 rules On August 19, 2026, the Board of Forestry adopted emergency rules for the 5 feet around homes in fire zones. They still needed state approval to take effect.

All updates

Sources

• Recent actions taken on emergency regulations (file 2026-0828-03E, Zone 0 Defensible Space), California Office of Administrative Law, checked October 11, 2026
• Emergency regulations under review, California Office of Administrative Law, checked October 11, 2026
• Defensible space, CAL FIRE (Ready for Wildfire), checked October 10, 2026
• State-mandated Zone Zero requirements set to go into effect to build wildfire resilience, City of San Diego, February 12, 2026
• Final Berkeley vote on strict new wildfire plan expected tonight, The Berkeley Scanner, June 17, 2025 (not an official source)
• Ember Resistant Zone requirements (Auburn Municipal Code 100.87, Subsection D), City of Auburn Fire Department, July 10, 2024
• Notice of proposed emergency action: Zone 0 defensible space, California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, August 20, 2026
• Governor Newsom signs executive order to further prepare for future urban firestorms, Office of the Governor, February 6, 2025
• California Board of Forestry adopts emergency Zone 0 regulations under AB 3074, Best Best & Krieger (law firm), September 2026 (not an official source)
• Is Zone Zero law yet?, California Defensible Space Guide (independent site), September 20, 2026 (not an official source)
• California again delays Zone Zero wildfire protection rules for homes, Sonoma Index-Tribune, December 10, 2025 (not an official source)