California passes toughest wildfire rules in the U.S. for home landscaping

California has passed the strictest wildfire landscaping rules in the United States. The new rules say homeowners in areas at high risk for wildfires must limit the plants growing within five feet of their homes. State leaders voted on the rules Wednesday, hoping they will stop wildfires from spreading into neighborhoods and destroying homes.

Scientists who study wildfires have found that dry plants and thick vegetation near buildings help fires spread quickly. During extreme wildfires, strong winds carry tiny burning embers far ahead of the main fire. When those embers land on plants near a house, the plants can catch fire and burn the building down.

The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection passed the new rules after years of debate and delays. The state had first thought about banning all plants within five feet of a house, but many people pushed back. They worried about losing garden plants and about the cost of keeping up with the new requirements.

In the end, California leaders agreed on a compromise for the five-foot area around each home, called 'Zone Zero.' Lawns, flowers, and small non-woody plants up to 18 inches tall are still allowed, as long as they aren't directly under the roof. Trees are permitted too, but their branches must be kept at least five feet from the building.

The new rules take effect right away for newly built homes, but will be phased in for existing ones. Nearly two million homes in high-risk areas will eventually be affected. State leaders say the rules are necessary because wildfires are growing more dangerous due to rising temperatures caused by climate change.

Wildfires have caused serious damage across other Western states as well. In the summer of 2025, three wildfires burned through dense neighborhoods in Spokane, Washington, destroying more than 800 homes. Experts say fires that start in open land can quickly move into cities and suburbs, even in places people never thought were in danger.

Not everyone supports tougher wildfire rules. In Oregon and Washington, similar rules were voted down after many residents spoke out against them at public meetings. Some homeowners say the rules cost too much and take away their right to manage their own property.

Research strongly supports clearing plants near homes to reduce fire risk. Studies of past California wildfires show that homes surrounded by thick vegetation were much more likely to burn. Cleared space also gives firefighters better access to protect buildings during a fire.

California has been a national leader in wildfire safety for decades. For nearly 20 years, the state has required fire-resistant building materials for homes in fire-prone zones. Scientists say the strongest protection comes from combining safe building materials with good plant management around the home.

The new rules will be enforced by local fire departments and state inspectors who visit homes each year. Some fire experts worry the rules are too flexible and will make inspections harder to carry out. For existing homes, the new vegetation rules won't be required until 2029 at the earliest.