When Is The Annual Deadline For My VCFD Fire Clearance Check?

"When is the deadline for my VCFD fire clearance?"

With the intensification of wildfires, the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) has made the "Fire Hazard Reduction Program" (FHRP) a massive priority for homeowners in the "Wildland Urban Interface" (WUI).

The Fire Hazard Reduction Program (FHRP) is Ventura County's mandatory defensible space initiative. It is designed to create a "buffer" that gives firefighters a tactical advantage and protects homes from wind-driven embers, which are the leading cause of home ignitions during wildfires.

If you live in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, here is how the program works for 2026:

1. The Important Deadlines

• Late April: The VCFD mails the annual "Notice to Abate Fire Hazard" to property owners.
• June 1st: This is the final deadline for all brush and tree clearance to be completed.
• First Week of June: Fire stations begin their "Inspection Sweeps" to verify compliance across all 18,000+ parcels in the program.

2. The "Zones" of Protection

Ventura County uses a multi-zone approach to fuel management. As of 2025/2026, the "Zone 0" rules have become significantly more strict.

• Zone 0 (The Ember-Resistant Zone: 0–5 feet): * Prohibited: Combustible mulch (bark, wood chips), dry leaves, and wood piles. Trees: Branches must be trimmed back at least 10 feet from chimneys and kept clear of roofs. Trend: Many new regulations now limit high-moisture "ornamental" plants in this zone to prevent direct flame contact with the structure.
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• Zone 1 (The Lean & Green Zone: 5–30 feet): * Remove all dead or dying plants. Single specimens of trees are allowed but must be spaced at least 15 feet apart to prevent fire from jumping between canopies.
• Zone 2 (The Reduced Fuel Zone: 30–100 feet): Cut all annual grasses to a maximum height of 3 inches. "Limb up" trees: For trees over 18 feet tall, prune lower branches so no foliage is within 6 feet of the ground.
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3. New for 2026: Real Estate Inspections

Effective January 1, 2026, a new ordinance (Ordinance 34) requires a mandatory Defensible Space Inspection before any residential property in a high-hazard zone can be sold or transferred.

• If the property fails, corrections must be made within 30 days or before escrow closes.
• Buyers and sellers can agree to shift the responsibility, but the VCFD must receive a signed agreement before the close of escrow.

4. Penalties for Non-Compliance

If you ignore the June 1st deadline, the county doesn't just issue a fine—they take action:

1. Forced Abatement: The Fire District will hire a private contractor to clear your land.
2. Administrative Fees: You will be charged for the contractor's work plus a hefty administrative fee (recently noted at $1,830).
3. Tax Lien: These costs are placed as a lien on your property tax bill.

Prohibited "High-Fire" Plants

The VCFD strongly recommends (and may mandate the removal of) highly flammable "gasoline on a stick" plants within 100 feet of your home:

• Junipers
• Italian Cypress
• Eucalyptus
• Pines & Cedars
• Pampas Grass

We stand ready to help clear any unwanted or illegal trees and brush. Give us a  call at  Ventura Tree Services.