Zone 0 landscaping: plan the first five feet.

Start with the property, then choose the materials

The first five feet around a building are an important place to reduce combustible material that can ignite beside the home. CAL FIRE recommends noncombustible surfaces close to structures, along with regular removal of accumulated leaves and other debris.

Before buying gravel or removing plants, make a simple sketch of the house, attached decks, stairs and fence connections. Mark the areas you use for access, the surfaces already in place and the spots that are difficult to keep clear. Use that sketch to discuss the project rather than applying one treatment to every side of the home.

• Understand how landscaping and building upgrades work together

Compare gravel, pavers and concrete

CAL FIRE lists gravel, pavers and concrete as alternatives to combustible bark or mulch near structures. A noncombustible surface still needs maintenance: leaves and other material can accumulate on top of it.

Use this comparison to prepare questions for an installer. The right choice depends on how the space is used and on the site’s drainage, access and construction details.

• Review project cost drivers and itemized-quote questions

Can plants or mulch stay near the house?

A plant’s drought tolerance or a “fire-resistant” label does not establish whether it is appropriate for a particular location. The answer depends on the applicable rules, its placement and condition, and details such as nearby openings and eaves.

City of San Diego guidance describes conditional planting allowances for certain existing structures. Unincorporated County properties and other fire districts can follow different requirements. Confirm the authority for your address before deciding which plants can remain or planning substantial removal.

If you are searching for noncombustible mulch, start by discussing mineral ground-cover options such as stone or gravel. Do not treat a product marketed as “fire-resistant” as automatically noncombustible or approved for the space next to your home.

• Check wildfire requirements by ZIP code

Review the places where the landscape meets the home

A narrow side yard, a fence that meets the house and an area beneath stairs can each need a different scope. Record what you can see safely and flag inaccessible locations for the assessment.

• Walls and openings: photograph the existing ground level, vents, door thresholds and any drainage concerns. Ask how proposed work will preserve required clearances and airflow.
• Decks and stairs: identify stored items and recurring leaf buildup. Separate clearing work from repairs or changes to the structure.
• Fences and gates: note where combustible components connect to the building. Discuss the connection as part of the overall project.
• Utilities and access: mark equipment, gates and routes that must remain accessible before agreeing to a new surface or layout.

• Review deck and fence improvements
• Discuss ember-resistant vents and required ventilation

Give the new landscape a maintenance plan

Plan how you will remove leaf and needle buildup, manage regrowth, and keep combustible belongings from returning to the area. Walk around the home after noticeable debris accumulation and review difficult-to-reach locations with the person maintaining the property.

For each area on your sketch, write down the task, who will do it and the condition that should prompt another check. That makes the plan easier to maintain than a single list of materials to buy.

• Plan one-time clearing or ongoing defensible-space maintenance
• Use the San Diego homeowner walk-around checklist

Check the rules for your address

As reviewed on November 1, 2026, the California Board of Forestry’s Zone 0 page says final review with the Office of Administrative Law is continuing. Board approval alone does not establish that a statewide requirement has taken effect. Existing local obligations still need to be checked.

City of San Diego guidance, the County’s rules for unincorporated areas, and individual fire-district requirements are separate sources. A San Diego mailing address does not by itself identify the authority responsible for the property. Check the current official guidance and confirm any notice or approved plan that applies to your address.

Our ZIP lookup provides a starting point for finding relevant authorities. Confirm the property’s jurisdiction, any habitat or removal restrictions, and the proposed scope before work begins.

• Find local wildfire requirements and official sources

Bring a clear brief to your free assessment

Share your address, photographs, approximate dimensions and the changes you want to discuss. Include any fire-authority notice, existing landscape plan, access constraints and preferences for retaining plants. A1 Ember will confirm availability and the assessment scope before a visit.

Ask for an itemized work proposal that separates clearing, removal and disposal from surface installation, building improvements and future maintenance. Project pricing follows the agreed scope; there is no single Zone 0 price that fits every property.

• Which observations need immediate maintenance, and which need further review?
• What can remain under the rules for this property, and what approvals or specialist input are needed?
• Which materials, quantities, preparation, disposal and finish details are included?
• What work is excluded, and what happens if concealed conditions change the scope?
• What completed-work records and ongoing maintenance responsibilities will be provided?

• See what a home-hardening assessment includes