(415) 876-8269

Fire-Smart Planting

Defensible space
that doesn't look
like a gravel lot.

CAL FIRE compliance, zone-by-zone. We design fire-smart landscapes that protect your home and still look like someone cares about them — because most defensible space work doesn't have to be ugly to be effective.

CAL FIRE trained HFHSZ specialist Serving since 2012
Schedule a free site visit

Trusted Across

  • Petaluma - Santa Rosa
  • Healdsburg - Sonoma
  • Mill Valley - San Rafael
  • Napa - St. Helena

Why it matters

The North Bay's fire risk
is real — and your
landscaping is part of it.

Sonoma, Marin, and Napa counties have seen some of the most destructive wildfires in California history. The Tubbs Fire. Kincade. Atlas. Walbridge. Properties that survived weren't just lucky — the ones that made it typically had proper defensible space.

CAL FIRE requires defensible space within 100 feet of any structure in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. But most homeowners we visit are either non-compliant without knowing it, or they've done clearance work that removes vegetation without addressing what gets replanted — which just means the problem grows back.

We don't just clear. We design. Fire-smart landscaping means choosing the right plants, placing them correctly, managing fuel loads, and creating a property that looks cared for year-round — not stripped bare and left to fill back in with whatever comes up.

Insurance pressure

Many North Bay homeowners are being dropped by insurers or facing steep premium increases. Documented defensible space — with photos and a written scope — is increasingly required to maintain or renew coverage.

CAL FIRE defensible space zones
Zone 0 0–5 ft
Ember-resistant zone Noncombustible materials only. No mulch, no dead plant material. Often the most neglected — and most critical — zone.
Zone 1 0–30 ft
Lean, clean & green Plants spaced to slow fire spread. Low water-use, fire-resistant species. No continuous fuel from ground to canopy.
Zone 2 30–100 ft
Reduce fuel load Larger spacing between plants and trees. Remove dead material, low-hanging branches, and vegetation that creates a fire path.
Is your property in a HFHSZ? Most properties in Sonoma, Marin, and Napa County are — including many in city limits. We can confirm your zone status during your free site visit and walk you through exactly what compliance requires for your specific parcel.

What's included

Everything your property
needs to pass inspection —
and look good doing it.

Zone-by-zone site assessment

We walk your full 100-foot perimeter, map Zone 0, 1, and 2 conditions, note current violations, and document what needs to change — with photos. Free, no obligation.

Written CAL FIRE compliance plan

A formal written scope tied to your parcel — what gets removed, what gets planted, what gets spaced — documented in a format you can share with your insurer or inspector.

Fire-resistant plant selection & installation

California natives and low-fuel species selected for your specific zone, soil, and sun. Plants that hold moisture, resist ignition, and actually look intentional in the landscape.

Vegetation clearance & turf removal

Removal of dead plant material, dense groundcovers, low-hanging branches, and lawn areas that add to fuel load — replaced with compliant alternatives, not bare dirt.

Ongoing maintenance & seasonal clearance

Defensible space isn't a one-time project — fuel loads grow back. We offer seasonal clearance visits and annual compliance checks to keep your property inspection-ready year-round.

Inspection preparation & documentation

We prepare photo documentation and a written compliance summary you can provide to CAL FIRE inspectors or insurance adjusters. We know what they look for.

Common fire-resistant plants we use
Ceanothus (California Lilac)
Salvia (Sage)
Arctostaphylos (Manzanita)
Agave
Festuca (Fescue grasses)
Lavandula (Lavender)
Echium
Aloe
Rosmarinus (Rosemary)
Dudleya (Live-forever)
Fire-smart native planting — Oak River Landscaping
Defensible space zone clearance

Common questions

What people
ask us most.

Questions about fire risk, compliance, and what the work actually involves. If yours isn't here, call us — we're happy to talk it through.

Call (415) 876-8269
Most properties in Sonoma, Marin, and Napa County are designated High or Very High HFHSZ — including many within city limits. You can check your parcel at the CAL FIRE FHSZ viewer online, or we can confirm your zone status during your free site visit.
Defensible space is a vegetation buffer around your home that slows fire spread and gives firefighters a safer place to work. California law requires 100 feet of clearance around all structures in a HFHSZ — broken into three zones with different requirements for each.
No — and this is the most common misconception we deal with. Fire-smart landscaping done well is genuinely beautiful. California natives like Ceanothus, Salvia, Arctostaphylos, and Lavender are fire-resistant, drought-tolerant, and create interesting, layered landscapes. The difference is plant selection and spacing — not clearing everything to dirt.
In many cases, yes. Insurers in California are increasingly requiring documented defensible space for coverage in high-risk zones. We provide written compliance documentation and photo records you can submit to your insurer or adjuster. Some carriers offer premium discounts for verified defensible space — contact your insurer to confirm what they need.
Cost depends on property size, current condition, slope, and the extent of work required. A clearance and replanting on a standard lot differs significantly from a hillside estate requiring full zone management. We provide a free site visit and written estimate before any work begins. No charge for the initial assessment.
Ongoing. Vegetation grows back, dead material accumulates, and CAL FIRE inspections can happen annually. We offer seasonal clearance visits and annual compliance checks to keep your property inspection-ready year-round — so you're not scrambling when the inspector shows up.

Get started

Find out where
your property
actually stands.

A free site visit takes about 30 minutes. We walk your zones, tell you what's compliant, what isn't, and what it would take to get there — with no pressure to proceed. Most homeowners find it useful whether they hire us or not.

Call (415) 876-8269 Send a message

Free site visit · No obligation · Licensed & insured

CAL FIRE trained
CA Contractor Licensed
Serving since 2012
Sonoma · Marin · Napa