Zone Zero Regulations Withdrawn from State Review
The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has withdrawn its proposed Zone Zero emergency regulations from review by the Office of Administrative Law.
OAL lists Zone 0 Defensible Space, File No. 2026-0828-03E, as withdrawn September 8, 2026. The regulations therefore did not move forward under this filing and may be revised and resubmitted.
Zone Zero is intended to reduce the risk of structure ignition by creating an ember-resistant area immediately surrounding buildings in designated fire-hazard areas.
The proposal generated substantial debate. Supporters emphasized the potential fire-safety benefits of reducing combustible materials close to structures, while critics raised concerns about how a statewide standard would apply in densely developed Southern California hillside communities.
For now, the current Zone Zero filing has been withdrawn.
