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The ember-resistant zone rewrites the first 5 feet of your yard. It does not require scorched-earth landscaping, and the tree question deserves a straight answer.
The redesign
Out: bark and wood-chip mulch, juniper and other resinous shrubs, climbing vegetation on walls, and plantings under eaves and vents.
In: gravel and decomposed granite, pavers and stone, low succulents in noncombustible beds where your authority allows plantings, and clean hardscape paths that double as access.
On trees, honestly: homeowners across California pushed back on early drafts precisely because mature trees provide needed shade, and the state responded. The current draft is more permissive than the headlines suggested, and local rules may allow well-maintained trees near the home. Do not preemptively remove a healthy tree; verify with OCFA or your city's own department first.
Canyon properties
In the Santa Ana Mountain canyons and the county's foothill neighborhoods, Zone 0 is only the innermost ring: Zones 1 and 2 (5 to 30 and 30 to 100 feet) still govern the broader property. The free assessment covers all three zones, so canyon homeowners see the full picture, not just the first five feet.
Questions
In most cases, no. The April 2026 draft scaled back blanket vegetation restrictions after widespread public concern about mature trees and shade, and local rules may allow well-maintained trees. What Zone 0 clearly targets is combustible ground cover and shrubs in the first 5 feet. Verify specifics with your own fire authority before removing anything.
Noncombustible ground cover: gravel, decomposed granite, pavers, stone, and concrete. Many Orange County front yards can swap the 5-foot ring to hardscape without losing the planting design further out.
No. Some drought-tolerant plants are resinous and burn readily. In the ember-resistant zone the standard is noncombustible, not just low-water.
A free assessment tells you exactly which Zone Zero requirements apply to your parcel, what your local fire authority will look for, and what to fix first. 100% free, no obligation.
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