Live in the Burbank hills and wondering what brush clearance really means before fire season? You want to protect your home, stay compliant, and keep your insurance, but the rules can feel technical. In a few minutes, you’ll understand the defensible space zones, what to do in each, the seasonal schedule Burbank expects, and how permits and inspections fit in. You’ll also get a simple plan you can follow year after year. Let’s dive in.
Who needs brush clearance in Burbank
Many hillside properties in Burbank are mapped in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. If your home is in this area, the Burbank Fire Department may inspect your parcel and require seasonal brush clearance. Because local rules can change, confirm whether your address is inside a designated inspection area and ask about current clearance deadlines.
City planning and public works rules can also affect what you remove on slopes or if protected trees are involved. Before major work, check with Burbank Fire Prevention and the City’s Planning Department to avoid violations.
Defensible space zones at a glance
Defensible space uses three zones around your home. These zones are widely used across California as a baseline for safety and inspections.
Zone 1: 0–5 feet (Immediate)
The goal is lean, clean, and green. Keep the area next to the house free of anything that can ignite.
- Remove dead plants, dry leaves, and needles. Clean roofs and gutters.
- Keep plants low and well irrigated. Do not let vegetation touch walls or eaves.
- Move woodpiles, propane tanks, and combustible storage out of this zone.
- Use hardscape or noncombustible ground cover near the foundation.
Zone 2: 5–30 feet (Reduced fuel)
Break up continuous vegetation so fire slows and stays on the ground.
- Thin and separate shrubs. Maintain clear areas between plant groups.
- Remove ladder fuels such as low branches and tall ornamental grasses.
- Mow or trim grasses and clear dead material regularly.
Zone 3: 30–100 feet (Extended)
Create space and reduce overall fuel volume on slopes and larger parcels.
- Thin brush and tree canopies so crowns are not touching.
- Remove dead trees and excessive accumulations of dry fuel.
- Keep distinct breaks between larger shrub masses.
Key spacing guidelines to use
These practical targets are common in California defensible space programs. Confirm exact distances with Burbank Fire Prevention.
- Up to 100 feet of clearance from structures, or to your property line if closer.
- Vertical separation: elevate tree canopies by removing lower limbs to reduce ladder fuels. A common practice is 6 to 10 feet of clearance between ground fuels and the lowest live branches, adjusted for slope and plant type.
- Horizontal separation: aim for spacing between shrub masses and about 10 feet between tree crowns where feasible. Increase spacing on steeper slopes.
Your annual timeline
Wildfire preparedness is year‑round, but most work happens before late spring. This schedule aligns with regional best practices so you are ready for inspections and peak season.
Late winter to early spring (February–April)
- Walk the property after winter rains. Remove dead material and fallen limbs.
- Schedule professional help for large trees or steep slopes.
- If you plan major removals, check permit needs before work begins.
- Take dated photos for your records and insurance.
Pre‑season clearance (April–June)
- Complete thinning and spacing to meet zone goals out to 100 feet where feasible.
- Clean roofs and gutters. Clear the 0–5 foot zone around structures.
- Mow grasses and remove ladder fuels.
- Expect municipal brush inspections in spring or early summer.
Mid‑summer (July–August)
- Do spot cleanups. Remove new growth and dry material.
- After high winds, check for downed branches and repair fuel breaks.
Post‑season and late fall (October–December)
- Remove late‑season debris after wind or dry spells.
- Add erosion control on slopes before winter rains if you cleared large areas.
What inspectors look for
Local inspectors use defensible space principles when evaluating hillside homes. Here is what typically draws attention.
Vegetation and debris
- Dead or dying plants, dry leaves, needles, and piles of clippings.
- Continuous fuels that let fire move quickly toward structures.
Tree pruning and spacing
- Low branches that allow fire to climb into tree canopies.
- Trees and shrub masses that are too close together on slopes.
Around structures and utilities
- Plants touching walls, windows, decks, or eaves, and combustible mulch close to the home.
- Vegetation too close to woodpiles or propane tanks.
- Vegetation near power lines, which must be handled with the utility.
Documentation you should keep
- Dated before and after photos.
- Maintenance log with work completed and dates.
- Contractor invoices and any permit paperwork.
- Copies of inspection notices and proof of compliance.
Permits, protected trees, and contractors
Burbank hillside parcels can be subject to planning rules that protect certain tree species and control grading or earthwork. Large fuel‑reduction projects on slopes may require permits and erosion‑control measures. Always check City rules before removing protected trees or disturbing soil.
Utility lines have separate clearance standards. Do not prune near overhead lines without coordinating with the utility provider.
For complex work, hire licensed tree care or landscape professionals who understand defensible space and local permit requirements. This protects your safety, your trees, and your compliance.
Insurance and your wildfire risk
Insurers increasingly review defensible space and home‑hardening features when pricing or renewing policies in high‑risk zones. Good, well‑documented maintenance can make a difference.
- Keep a file with photos, receipts, and inspection records.
- Ask your carrier what documentation they prefer.
- Be prepared to complete specific mitigations if required by your policy.
A simple plan you can follow
Use this checklist to turn the rules into yearly action. Adjust distances based on your lot and confirm with Burbank Fire Prevention.
- Map and document
- Identify the 0–5, 5–30, and 30–100 foot zones around your structures. Take photos.
- Pre‑season assessment
- Walk the property or hire an arborist to flag hazardous trees, ladder fuels, and overgrown areas.
- Confirm if any trees are protected and whether permits apply.
- Complete clearance work (spring)
- Zone 1: remove combustible mulch and clutter, clear roof and gutters, keep plants low and not touching the house.
- Zone 2: thin shrubs, prune low branches, maintain separation, keep grass trimmed.
- Zone 3: thin brush and tree crowns, remove heavy fuel accumulations, create breaks between plant groups.
- Post‑work documentation
- Photograph the finished work, save invoices and permits, and update your maintenance log.
- Mid‑season follow‑up
- After hot, windy periods, remove new dead growth and check irrigation.
- Before and after wind events
- Remove downed limbs and any new hazards quickly.
- Late‑season cleanup
- Clear late‑season debris and set erosion control where needed on slopes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving combustible mulch or plants in the 0–5 foot zone.
- Storing woodpiles against the house or under decks.
- Topping or aggressively removing trees without permits or a plan for slope stability.
- Pruning near power lines without the utility’s involvement.
- Treating clearance as a one‑time spring project instead of a seasonal routine.
- Failing to document work for inspectors or your insurer.
Stay compliant and protect your home
Defensible space is not just a rule. It is a practical way to slow a wildfire, give firefighters a safer place to work, and help safeguard your coverage. Use the zones above, follow the seasonal schedule, and document your work. Confirm exact distances, deadlines, and permit rules with the Burbank Fire Department and the City before you start.
If you own a character or historic home in the Burbank hills, thoughtful fuel reduction can work with your landscape rather than against it. Preserve established trees, remove ladder fuels, and favor well‑spaced, irrigated, low‑fuel plantings near the structure.
Ready to create a defensible space plan that protects your hillside home and its historic character? Let’s make it personal. Contact G&C Properties to talk through your goals and connect with trusted local vendors.
FAQs
How far does brush clearance need to extend in Burbank?
- Most programs call for up to 100 feet from structures, or to the property line if closer, with adjustments for slope; confirm your exact requirement with Burbank Fire Prevention.
What should I do if my property line is closer than 100 feet?
- Clear up to your property line and focus on Zones 1 and 2; maintain separation, remove ladder fuels, and keep the 0–5 foot area noncombustible.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on a Burbank hillside lot?
- You may, especially for protected species or work on slopes; check with the City’s Planning Department before removal or significant pruning.
When does Burbank perform brush inspections?
- Many Southern California agencies inspect in spring or early summer; contact Burbank Fire Prevention for current dates and compliance deadlines.
How often should I mow or trim during summer?
- Plan a spring clearance, then do mid‑summer spot maintenance and post‑wind cleanups whenever new dry growth appears.
Can brush clearance help with my home insurance in Burbank?
- Yes; insurers consider defensible space and may ask for documentation, so keep dated photos, invoices, and any inspection records.
Who can I call about clearance near power lines?
- Do not prune near overhead lines on your own; coordinate with the utility provider for safe, code‑compliant clearance.
