CA AB3074

Requires property owners in high fire hazard areas to maintain a 100-foot defensible space around structures with more intense fuel reductions between 5-30 feet and create a 5-foot ember-resistant zone free of materials likely to ignite from embers.

State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection must promulgate regulations and update guidance documents by January 1, 2023 to define ember-resistant zone requirements, contingent upon legislative appropriation.

Ember-resistant zone requirements for new structures do not take effect until regulations and updated guidance documents are finalized; requirements for existing structures take effect one year later.

Local agencies must make reasonable efforts to notify affected residents of the new defensible space requirements before imposing penalties for violations.

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection cannot change inspection practices or enforcement for ember-resistant zones until the director certifies the Legislature has appropriated sufficient resources.