Vegetation Management Guide

Help the Town of Paradise prepare for fire season. 

In California, fire season is no longer limited to a few months; wildfire risk exists year-round. As a result, the Town of Paradise Defensible Space/Hazardous Fuel Management Ordinance does not establish a specific compliance deadline. Maintaining your property is an ongoing, year-round responsibility.

The Town of Paradise Fire Prevention Inspectors conduct inspections throughout the year to verify compliance. If your property meets the required standards, we appreciate your continued efforts to reduce fire hazards in the community. If violations are identified, property owners will be notified, and code enforcement actions will continue until compliance is achieved.

Requirements for clearing your property

1. No vegetation shall exist within or overhang within five (5) feet of the structure. Any overhanging limbs or branches shall be removed.
2. Maintain an area adjacent to any structure with a one-hundred (100) foot fuel break.
3. Parcels one and one-half (1.5) acres and smaller shall maintain the entire parcel as a fuel break.
4. Parcels larger than 1.5 acres and larger shall maintain a 50-foot fuel break from the property line and a one-hundred (100) foot fuel break from any structure.

Fuel Break requirements shall include the following;

1. Weeds, grass, and dry brush shall be mowed and removed to a maximum height of four (4) inches.
2. Remove ladder fuels and dead portions of trees and shrubs.
3. Trees shall be pruned up to six (6) feet from the ground. For shorter-height trees, pruning shall not exceed one-third (⅓) of the overall tree height.
4. Remove downed trees and slash.

FORMS AND DOCUMENTS