Auburn requires a clear 5 feet around new buildings
Since July 10, 2024, the City of Auburn has required every new building to have a 5-foot area clear of plants and anything that burns. For existing homes it is voluntary.
The Auburn Fire Department calls it the Ember Resistant Zone. It comes from the city code, section 100.87, subsection D.
Within 5 feet of a new building: no plants, grass, leaves or needles, no bark, wood chips or artificial turf, and no combustible boards or planters. Fences and gates that touch the building must not burn for their first 5 feet.
Rock, gravel, decomposed granite, concrete and pavers are on the city's list of materials that work.
What it means for you
- If you build in Auburn, plan the first 5 feet as hardscape from the start.
- If you already live in Auburn, the city does not require this for existing buildings. The fire department strongly encourages it. Is your yard ready?
- Insurers already have to offer a discount for a clear 5 feet. How it works
- Elsewhere, ask your own city or fire district. Cities with their own rules
Added to this site on October 11, 2026.
Get Zone Zero Watch by email
We'll email you when the Zone 0 rule, the deadlines or insurance rules change. Nothing else.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your email. Privacy
Sources
- Ember Resistant Zone requirements (Auburn Municipal Code 100.87, Subsection D), City of Auburn Fire Department, July 10, 2024
More updates
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.