Defensible Space Law: effective July 1, 2021
On July 1, 2021, the new requirements for compliance with 2019 Assembly Bill 38 went into effect for residential property sales in the Very High Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) in local responsibility areas as identified by the Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Properties with this designation are located within portions of Hillsborough but do not include all the properties included in the Town’s designated WUI area. There are no properties designated as a Very High Severity Zone by the California Department of Forestry in the cities of Burlingame and Millbrae and do not require AB 38 inspections.
To see if your property is within the CalFire VHFHSZ, use this link: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/03beab8511814e79a0e4eabf0d3e7247/ This is applicable for residential properties with one to four units that require a Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS).
For assistance determining if your property requires the AB 38 inspection or to schedule an inspection, please contact our Administration office at 650 558 7600. AB 38 inspections will be charged at our current fee schedule rates.
Home Hardening Law: effective January 1, 2021
On January 1, 2021, the requirements for compliance with Assembly Bill 38 for “Home Hardening” went into effect. Sellers who are in the Very High Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) in local responsibility areas as identified by the Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, will be required to complete a new home hardening disclosure. This applies to residential one to four properties; condominiums or other common interest development units; or manufactured homes. For information on low-cost home hardening, go to readyforwildfire.org
Central County Fire Department does not inspect homes to verify home hardening. This can be verified through construction documents or by the homeowner.