AB38 Defensible Space Inspections

Scheduling a defensible space inspection

To schedule a local vegetation management defensible space Inspection with the fire department call 760-744-1050 ext. 2409 or fill out the online form in the link below:

San Marcos Fire Defensible Space Inspection Request Form

Why was Assembly Bill 38 (AB38) created?

In 2017, over 1.3 million acres burned in high-severity wildfires and over 10,000 structures were destroyed. In 2018, over 1.8 million acres burned and over 22,700 structures were destroyed. According to CAL FIRE defensible space is critical and can increase a home's chance of surviving a wildfire.

Overwhelming data suggests the two most crucial factors in protecting homes from wildfire are selection of building materials, and the maintenance of vegetation and other flammable materials to establish adequate defensible space. While existing building codes and standards ensure that newly constructed buildings utilize appropriate fire-resistant materials, there are millions of homes in California that were built before these standards were established. AB38 creates a two-pronged approach to educate and provide resources to help homeowners in fire hazard zones protect their homes from wildfires.

What You Need to Do:

• Disclose if the home is in a fire hazard severity zone
  The requirement was added for a seller of real property in a high or very high fire severity zone, on or after January 1, 2021, to provide a standardized disclosure notice to a buyer that includes information on how to fire harden a home and which features of the home may be vulnerable to wildfire and flying embers.

Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer - LRA
CAL FIRE’s Defensible Space Website
Local Vegetation Management Standards
Local Weed Abatement Standards
Low Cost Retrofit List from CAL FIRE
Read Assembly Bill 38

*A 2% Transaction Fee will be applied to all credit and debit card payments made to the City of San Marcos. The city still accepts check and cash payments with no fees.