Defensible Space and Home Hardening Disclosure and Advisory

California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) | July 2, 2021

The California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) has prepared a number of resources to provide you and your clients with information about wildfire-related Defensible Space and Home Hardening laws.

Defensible Space Law (car.org) »

Home Hardening (car.org) »

Defensible Space Law: effective July 1, 2021

Defensible space is the term for a buffer zone that homeowners create between a structure on the property and any flammable grass, trees, shrubs, or wildland area that surround it. Existing state and local laws require certain property owners to maintain defensible space on their property. Sellers of such properties will need to provide documentation that their property is in compliance with defensible space laws, or buyers will be required to agree to obtain such documentation of compliance in the future. This law applies to: sales of residential one to four properties; condominiums or other common interest development units; or manufactured homes; where the property is located in a high or very high fire hazard severity zone; when TDS is required.

Legal Q&A

Quick Guide

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For more information, please see Cal Fire's website discussing defensible space requirements at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/get-ready/defensible-space/

CALFIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer

Home Hardening Disclosure Law: effective January 1, 2021

"Home hardening" refers to building resistant materials and home features that protect a home from catching fire. Beginning January 1, 2021, sellers will be required to complete a new home hardening disclosure (Fire Hardening and Defensible Space Advisory, FHDS) for properties that are: within high or very high fire hazard zones; built before 2010; residential one to four properties; condominiums or other common interest development units; or manufactured homes.

Legal Q&A

Quick Guide

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C.A.R. Legal Hotline • (213) 739-8282 • legalhotline@car.org

TAGGED: Advisory, Defensible Space, Disclosure, Home Hardening, Wildfires

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