Home Hardening in Los Angeles
The six systems of a Zone 0 hardened home
Work top of the list down. The first two have deadlines; the rest have consequences.
Fences & gates
New combustible fences are banned in the zone the day regulations are adopted; existing ones get a Phase 2 replacement window.
Fence rules →Landscaping
Combustible mulch, dead vegetation, and plants against the structure leave the first five feet, est. 2027–2028.
Landscaping rules →Decks & patios
Attached combustible decks inside the zone are built items. Expect them in Phase 2, with material and clearance requirements.
Roof & gutters
Embers land on roofs first. Clean gutters, gutter guards, and Class A roofing protect everything the zone work buys you.
Vents & openings
Fine-mesh ember-resistant vents block the most common path fire takes into a house: through the attic and crawlspace.
Sheds & outbuildings
A combustible shed within 5 feet of the house is part of your Zone Zero. Move it, harden it, or plan around it.
Where to start
Clear before you build. Phase 1 landscaping work is the cheapest step and the first deadline. Do it before any structural spending.
Break the fence fuse. The fence-to-house connection is the highest-risk five feet on the property and often a small, targeted fix.
Then chase embers upward. Gutters, vents, and deck clearance turn a compliant yard into a survivable home.
One visit, one plan, all six systems
A free assessment from a CSLB-licensed local contractor covers every category on this page, with deadlines mapped to your parcel.