▼

Wildfire Defensible Space Program

Show All Answers

1. Who can I call to get more information on defensible space?

You can call the Defensible Space Hotline at 858-668-4611.

2. What is defensible space?

Creating defensible space refers to managing the vegetation within 100-feet of a structure. It requires:

• Cutting and trimming of highly flammable chaparral
• Removal of dead or dying trees and shrubs

It is important to have a landscape design that considers the types of plants used and their arrangement that achieves the objectives stated above as outlined in Section 6 of the City of Poway’s landscape guidelines titled Vegetative Fuel Management. Please note that these landscape guidelines apply only to new developments, however the concepts and ideas contained within this document can assist homeowners and designers reduce their wildfire risk. Defensible space does not require clearing, grubbing, grading, or the exposure of bare soil.

3. When is the Wildfire Defensible Space Program in effect?

This ordinance is effective as of September 19, 2008. Successful implementation of this new program required the hiring of an additional code compliance officer and several temporary officers before the end of the 2008 calendar year.

4. What is the purpose of this program?

The goal is to save homes during wildfires. This primarily involves the reduction of flammable vegetation around structures. Reducing highly flammable vegetation will shorten the flame length and reduce the speed and intensity of a wildfire. Defensible space around structures will increase the ability to survive a wildfire.

5. Why should the city do this?

The creation of defensible space is an important part of the comprehensive strategy to lessen the devastating impacts of wildfire. It is the Fire Department’s experience that providing for defensible space is an effective, efficient, proven, and practical action that a community can take to reduce our significant wildfire risk.

6. What does the Wildfire Defensible Space Program include?

The program includes:

• The reduction of flammable vegetation on city-owned land near structures
• Providing individualized home assessments to homeowners whose properties require flammable vegetation reduction citywide
• Public education
• Annual maintenance
• Annual inspections to ensure that the reduction of flammable vegetation is maintained
• The issuance of certificates of compliance to homeowners who create and maintain 100 feet of defensible space

7. What vegetation would be included in this program?

This program calls for the reduction of highly flammable chaparral species (such as sumac, chamise, scrub oak, and sage) and annual weeds. This program does not include ornamental landscaping, although some ornamental landscaping may be highly flammable. City staff will make non-binding recommendations on how to reduce this risk. Low-flammability, native species will not be recommended for reduction or removal, e.g. toyon, yucca, and lemonade berry. The city will provide a residential guide to fire safe landscaping.

8. What about trees? Will they be required to be trimmed?

Tree trimming may be recommended, but will not be required. Trees that are dead or dying would need to be removed if they pose a fire hazard as determined by the city's Fire Marshal. Staff may consult with our city arborist, landscape architect, or biologist to determine the condition of an existing tree. If a resident does not agree that a tree is dead or dying, a written opinion from an arborist should be obtained by the property owner and provided to the city. Heritage trees are not included in this program.

9. What constitutes a structure?

A structure is defined as any of the following:

• A home and any attached garage or other attached building
• A building designed primarily for human use
• A building designed to house farm animals

This definition of a structure does not include sheds, storage buildings, or detached garages.

10. Why is there a 100-foot defensible space distance?

A distance of 100 feet is used to:

• Help prevent a fire from igniting a structure
• Reduce the risk of burning embers penetrating a structure
• Enhance firefighter safety

11. What if a 100-foot space around my home overlaps onto my neighbor’s property?

• For existing homes, you would be responsible for managing the vegetation up to your property line. Your neighbor would be responsible for managing the vegetation on his/her property in order to achieve 100 feet of defensible space from your structure.
• For homes being newly built or for existing homes being significantly remodeled, providing for defensible space will initially be the responsibility of the individual making the improvements.

12. What areas of the city will be included in this program?

The program is citywide, and includes city, state, special district, utility, and privately-owned land where structures are within 100-feet of highly flammable chaparral. The focus will be on areas where chaparral is found near structures. Streambeds, banks, and vernal pools are excluded from this program based upon prior agreements with wildlife agencies.

13. How is this program going to be implemented?

1. The city will examine aerial photographs to identify structures that are at risk and that do not meet the 100-foot defensible space standard.
2. The identified structures will then be prioritized based on current fire risk.
3. In order of priority, city staff will contact the property owner and make an appointment to conduct a home assessment. A home assessment is required before any work can begin.
4. A site-specific plan will be developed in cooperation with each property owner, which includes reasonable timelines for completion.
5. City staff will conduct follow-up inspections.
6. Certificates of compliance will be provided to homeowners who create 100 feet of defensible space.
7. City staff will send out annual notifications of required maintenance.

14. Who will conduct the assessments?

The city’s compliance officers, in consultation with the city’s Fire Department, landscape architect, arborist, and biologist, will conduct the assessments. The city’s compliance officers are knowledgeable about flammable plant species and wildland fire behavior.

15. If I have not been contacted by the city, may I request a home assessment?

Yes, you may request a home assessment by contacting Development Services. Staff will call you within 2 working days to schedule an appointment. Home assessments will be conducted based on fire risk, as determined by staff.

16. Will a permit be required to do the work?

A no-fee application must be completed prior to the removal of any vegetation. The application will be completed by city staff during the home assessment process. This application allows the city to track the amount and type of vegetation removed for fire safety.

17. What will it cost the average homeowner to comply with this program?

Costs will vary greatly. Some homeowners have 100 feet of defensible space, and will not incur additional costs. Some homeowners will have to reduce the flammable chaparral vegetation in varying distances to reach 100 feet of defensible space. This work is highly labor intensive.

• Homeowners may do the work themselves and utilize the city’s unlimited green curbside refuse service.
• Homeowners may choose to hire a contractor, in which case, costs will vary considerably. Upon request, the city will provide contractor information for estimates.

18. What if someone refuses a home assessment or inspection of his/her property?

We encourage and expect a high degree of cooperation, as this is a valuable city service being provided to residents. City staff will attempt to view the property from offsite in order to complete an inspection. As a last resort, the city may obtain an entry warrant in order to inspect the property.

19. What if someone refuses to reduce the flammable vegetation on his/her property?

The city would have the ability to perform the work by a city contractor using the same process as our weed abatement program. The property owner would be responsible for paying the cost of the work plus an administrative fee.

20. What about wood chips and organic compost?

Wood chips and organic compost are allowed as mulch at a depth of no more than 6 inches. Wood chip piles are regulated through the Fire Code since they can be a fire danger.

21. Can defensible space and maintenance be accomplished with minimal impact to wildlife?

Yes. Work should not be conducted during nesting season. Staff can assist in providing guidelines for the timing. This program calls for the reduction of flammable vegetation through cutting and trimming, not the clearing of wildlife habitat.

22. Is there an appeal process?

Yes. Property owners may appeal using the process established in the Poway Municipal Code.

23. What about fences, decks, and patio covers?

Existing fences, decks, and detached patio covers may remain within the wildfire defensible space area. However, as these features may present an increased fire risk to the structure, nonbinding fire safe recommendations will be provided by city staff to residents. In high fire risk areas, the materials and method of construction of new fences, decks, and patio covers are regulated by Chapter 15.05 of the Wildland-Urban Interface Code in the Poway Municipal Code Chapter 15.05.

24. Will San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) be required to reduce the vegetation under overhead utility lines?

Yes.