State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection: defensible space requirements: ember-resistant zones: emergency regulations.

Assembly Member Bryan's wildfire prevention legislation revises California's defensible space requirements, mandating the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to implement new regulations for ember-resistant zones within 5 feet of structures in high-risk fire areas. The bill requires property owners in state responsibility areas and very high fire hazard severity zones to eliminate materials that could ignite from embers within this perimeter.

The legislation establishes distinct standards for new and existing structures while allowing staged implementation to address compliance costs. For new construction, requirements take effect upon adoption of updated regulations, while existing structures have a three-year compliance window. The bill authorizes emergency rulemaking if standard procedures would prevent meeting the December 2025 deadline set by executive order.

Property owners must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures, with varying fuel management requirements at different distances. The bill preserves existing provisions allowing insurance companies and local ordinances to require greater clearance distances with proper documentation. Implementation guidance will be updated within one year of the new regulations to include region-specific vegetation management strategies that balance fire safety with erosion control and native species preservation.