Fire Safe Regulations

On August 16, 2022, the Board of Forestry adopted amendments to the State Minimum Fire Safe Regulations (14 CCR 1270.00 et seq.) The regulations are currently under review by the Office of Administrative Law and, if approved, will likely go into effect on January 1, 2023. The amendments were adopted for the narrow purpose of establishing standards for fuel breaks, preserving ridgelines, clarifying inspection and enforcement authority, promoting compliance, and increasing flexibility for local jurisdictions. There were no regulatory changes related to standards for existing roads or the exceptions to standards process and authority. When development proposals cannot meet all technical requirements, the County will continue to review all aspects of a project, including existing offsite roads, when evaluating a request for exceptions to standards to ensure there are adequate fire safety measures in place that provide the same practical effect toward providing defensible space and fire safety.

• • Chapter 13 – Sonoma County Fire Safety Ordinance
  • Chapter 13A – Duty to Maintain Defensible Space and Abate Hazardous Vegetation and Combustible Material

The following are standards adopted by the California Board of Forestry:

• State Code SRA-4291
• State Code Title 14 Fire Safe Regulations
• Drawings: Illustrations are to assist in Fire Safe Standards and BOF Fire Safe Regulation compliance.

CAL FIRE has notified local government fire and planning departments about the potential release of the 2025 Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Fire Hazard Severity Maps. While the exact release date is yet to be determined, CAL FIRE issued written notice to agencies in December 2024.

Local governments must adopt these maps when changes affect areas designated as LRA VHFSZ. Under an agreement with CAL FIRE, Sonoma County serves as the inspection authority and enforces fire safety requirements outlined in Sections 13-21 of the county code and Title 14 of the Natural Resources Code. The Fire Safety Ordinance acknowledges these minimum fire safety standards for the LRA and the county will assist with public outreach and development standards related to LRA VHFSZ areas.

Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps (FHSZ): 

• City of Cloverdale (PDF)
• City of Cotati (PDF)
• City of Healdsburg (PDF)
• City of Petaluma (PDF)
• City of Rohnert Park  (PDF)
• City of Santa Rosa (PDF)
• City of Sebastopol (PDF)
• City of Sonoma (PDF)
• City of Windsor (PDF)
• County Of Sonoma (PDF)

For questions regarding unincorporated Sonoma County:

Steve Mosiurchak, Fire Marshal
County of Sonoma
steve.mosiurchak@sonoma-county.org

For incorporated cities, you can find your local contact information on the Fire Department Contact List.

• Policies and Procedures
• Instructions and Forms