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San Bernardino Zone 0 status: maps adopted, Zone 0 still proposed

Ordinance 4489 put FHSZ maps on the books. That is not Zone 0. Statewide Zone 0 is Proposed — not in force. No 2027 to 2028 statewide clock.

Quick answer: As of September 19, 2026 there is no statewide Zone 0 regulation in force. The Board of Forestry emergency filing (OAL 2026-0828-03E) was withdrawn September 8, 2026. AB 3074 directed the state to create an ember-resistant zone; that is not a current statewide rule requiring Zone 0 to be kept clear. Existing defensible-space law still applies: PRC section 4291 and Government Code section 51182, plus local defensible-space rules. Ordinance 4489 (June 10, 2025) adopted LRA FHSZ maps; maps are not Zone 0. This pass does not assert a countywide existing-home Zone 0 from FPD 26-02. The first five feet is Recommended now.

The timeline

Local status, not a statewide Phase 1 calendar

Already here County fire adopted the new maps, Ord. 4489, 6/2025 Sep 2026 OAL filing withdrawn; no statewide Zone 0 not in force Not a live calendar Statewide: proposed, not in force Recommended now First five feet act now, no statewide clock
The statewide draft calendar did not become law. Local status is in the table. Your jurisdiction sets the specifics.
RequirementStatusApplies
Existing defensible space (PRC 4291 / Gov. Code 51182)Required nowAlready in force
Ordinance 4489 LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone mapsRequired nowMap adoption June 10, 2025. Maps, not Zone 0.
Statewide Zone 0 (AB 3074 implementing regulation)Proposed — not in forceOAL 2026-0828-03E withdrawn September 8, 2026. No 2027 to 2028 statewide clock. FPD 26-02 is not cited here as existing-home Zone 0.
First five feet around the structureRecommended nowHighest-leverage prevention; not cited as a countywide existing-home Zone 0 ordinance
Trash/recycling containers and outdoor cushions in the first 5 feetRecommended nowUnsourced as a local mandate

Your jurisdiction sets the specifics. County fire covers most of the mountains and the city of San Bernardino; CAL FIRE serves Highland and Yucaipa under contract; Running Springs, Big Bear, Redlands, and Rancho Cucamonga field their own departments. Ordinance 4489 put the new hazard maps on the books. Source: https://sbcfire.org/fire-hazard-severity-zone-map/

Questions

Quick answers

Did Ordinance 4489 create a Zone 0 deadline?

As of September 19, 2026 there is no statewide Zone 0 regulation in force. The Board of Forestry emergency filing (OAL 2026-0828-03E) was withdrawn September 8, 2026. AB 3074 directed the state to create an ember-resistant zone; that is not a current statewide rule requiring Zone 0 to be kept clear. Existing defensible-space law still applies: PRC section 4291 and Government Code section 51182, plus local defensible-space rules. There is no 2027 to 2028 statewide clock. Ordinance 4489 (June 10, 2025) adopted LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps; that is a map adoption, not Zone 0.

What is Required now versus Proposed — not in force?

Required now: existing defensible space and the adopted FHSZ maps. Proposed — not in force: statewide Zone 0. Recommended now: the first five feet, plus unsourced items such as trash containers and outdoor cushions. Chapter 7A still applies to new construction where locally adopted.

Do mountain and valley parcels follow the same fire authority?

No. County fire covers most of the mountains and the city of San Bernardino; CAL FIRE contracts in Highland and Yucaipa; independent departments in Running Springs, Big Bear, Redlands, and Rancho Cucamonga. Statewide Zone 0 is Proposed — not in force for all of them. A Redlands ordinance is not treated as a countywide Zone 0 rule.

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