Ramona Municipal Water District Standards for Vegetation Clearance and Hazard Reduction

1. Property owners are to maintain their property in compliance with these requirements at all times.

2. Trash, rubbish, debris and other combustible materials such as dead vegetation, which create a fire hazard must be removed and properly disposed of. (If you are planning to get a burn permit, please contact us immediately for additional time)

3. Properties one (1) acre, or less, located within the local response area (LRA) need to have the entire lot cleared of all weeds and dead vegetation.

4. Roadways and/or driveways shall be cleared of combustible vegetation to at least the width of the roadway plus ten (10) feet on each side, and to a height of thirteen and one-half feet (13' 6") above the road surface.

5. A one-hundred (100) foot fuel modification zone is required around all structures. The fuel modification zone is divided into two zones:

    A) The first zone includes the area from any building to a point of fifty (50) feet away. This zone must be cleared of all dead vegetation and vegetation considered by the Fire Department to pose a significant threat in spreading fire to buildings. This does not apply to ornamental vegetation or single specimens of trees that do not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire to the structure.

    B) The second zone is the area between fifty-one (51) to one-hundred (100) feet from structures. In this zone the native vegetation may remain but it must be thinned by at least fifty (50) percent. All dead and dying vegetation must be removed from remaining vegetation. This notice does not approve the clearing of Vegetation beyond the hundred (100) foot modification zone.

6. Distances shall be measured on a horizontal plane.

7. Clearing may be done using methods such as mowing and trimming that leave the plant root structure intact to stabilize the soil. Discing, which exposes bare mineral soil, may be used if approved by the FAHJ. Grading shall not be used to clear properties without a valid San Diego Department of Planning and Land Use grading permit.

8. Cuttings may be mulched and left atop of the soil to a maximum depth of six (6) inches or may be hauled to an approved County Landfill site.

9. The removal of flammable vegetation does not apply to single specimens of trees, ornamental shrubbery or similar plants used as ground covers, provided that they do not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from the native growth to any structure. 

10. Mature trees must be trimmed to six (6) feet above the ground or as approved by the FAHJ and must be cut back at least ten (10) feet from chimneys and roof. All leaves, bark and other debris must be removed from the ground and roof.

11. Grass and other vegetation located more than thirty (30) feet from structures and less than eighteen (18) inches in height need not be removed when necessary to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. (Slopes/berms only)

12. There shall be a ten (10) foot clearance of all weeds and flammable vegetation around LPG Tanks.

13. Chimneys must be equipped with an approved spark arrestor.  

Structure- A residence and attached garage, building or related facility that is designed for human habitation or buildings designed specifically to house farm animals.

FAHJ-  Fire Authority Having Jurisdiction

San Diego Department of Planning and Land Use (858)565-5981