Zone Zero Regulations in Burbank
Three laws, one five-foot rule
AB 3074 (2020) created Zone 0: an ember-resistant zone in the first 5 feet around structures in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The statute uses the phrase "ember-resistant zone"; CAL FIRE and the Board of Forestry call it "Zone 0."
SB 504 (2024) pushed the state to finish the job, directing timelines and implementation for the regulations AB 3074 promised.
AB 1455 (2025) refined the enforcement framework ahead of final adoption, after the January 2025 fires made the ember problem impossible to ignore.
The enforceable detail lives in the Board of Forestry's draft regulations, most recently revised April 17, 2026. Final regulations are expected late 2026.
| Law | Year | What it does | What it means in Burbank |
|---|---|---|---|
| AB 3074 | 2020 | Creates the 0-5 ft ember-resistant zone in Very High FHSZ areas | Applies to hillside parcels above Sunset Canyon and Country Club Drive |
| SB 504 | 2024 | Sets the implementation and timeline framework | Drives the estimated 2027-2028 Phase 1 deadline |
| AB 1455 | 2025 | Refines Zone 0 enforcement ahead of final regulations | Education-first enforcement through BFD, not fines on day one |
| BOF draft regs | 2026 | The actual rulebook: materials, phases, exemptions | BFD applies the final text to Burbank parcels once adopted |
The state writes the floor. Burbank writes the specifics.
Burbank runs its own municipal fire department, which means Zone 0 lands on top of a local program that already exists. The Fire Hazard Reduction Program requires hillside owners to maintain up to 200 feet of fuel modification, on an annual May-June-July cycle of letters, clearing, and inspections.
BFD also publishes its own Zone 0 guidance page and offers AB 38 defensible-space inspections when hillside homes are sold. When the final state regulations adopt, Burbank's Phase 2 schedule is Burbank's call, up to 5 years after adoption.
See the Burbank deadline table →Regulation questions from Burbank homeowners
Is Zone 0 law right now in Burbank?
AB 3074 has been law since 2020, but the enforceable rulebook is still being written. The Board of Forestry's April 17, 2026 draft is the most current text, with final regulations expected late 2026. The Burbank Fire Department will apply them locally once adopted.
Does Burbank add anything on top of the state rules?
Burbank already runs a stricter-than-average local program. The Fire Hazard Reduction Program requires up to 200 feet of fuel modification on hillside parcels, and the department publishes its own Zone 0 guidance page. The state framework is the floor; BFD writes the specifics that govern your parcel.
Who do I actually answer to, the state or the city?
The city. Burbank Fire Department is the Authority Having Jurisdiction for every parcel inside Burbank city limits. State law sets the framework, but BFD conducts the inspections and administers compliance.
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