The Montecito Fire Department will conduct property inspections starting June 1, 2026. Please ensure your property meets all the requirements for defensible space, roadside clearance and gate access. If your property is found to be out of compliance, you will receive a violation notice in the mail from Montecito Fire Department with a date for a follow-up inspection.

Hazard Abatement Requirements 

Violation 1: Grass, weeds, or rubbish of any kind shall not be permitted to remain in any yard, vacant lot, or open space. All such materials, when same endangers property or is liable to be fired, shall be cut to a 3" maximum height and removed by the property owner. PRC 4291, and CCR-Title 19 Sec 3.07(b) as amended by MFD Development Standard #2 – Vegetation Management.

Violation 2: Grass and weeds on open space or vacant parcels in excess of one acre (43,560 sq ft) shall be mowed or disced into quartered sections to form 30' wide firebreaks. In addition, the entire perimeter of the property shall have a 30' wide mowed or disced firebreak. PRC 4291, and CCR-Title 19 Sec. 3.07(b) as amended by MFPD Fire Protection Plan Sec. 2 as amended by MFD Development Standard #2 – Vegetation Management.

Violation 3: Removal of all flammable vegetation and/or other combustible growth to maintain a 30' clearance from all structures and a 10' clearance from all roadways. This does not apply to single specimens of trees, ornamental shrubbery, or similar plants used as ground cover, which do not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from native growth to any structure. In addition, remove any dead material and thin out native vegetation to form a mosaic pattern to a perimeter width of 100' from structures. PRC 4291, and CCR-Title 19 Sec. 3.07(b) as amended by MFD Development Standard #2 – Vegetation Management.

Violation 4: Remove that portion of any tree which extends within 10' of the outlet of any chimney or stovepipe, and maintain at all times a screen over the outlet of every chimney or stovepipe that is attached to any fireplace, stove, or other device which burns any solid or liquid fuel. The screen shall be constructed of noncombustible material with openings of not more than 1/2" in size. CCR-Title 19 Sec. 3.07(b)(3)(6).

Violation 5: Cut and remove all dead or dying portions of trees located adjacent to or overhanging any building. CCR-Title 19 Sec. 3.07(b)(4).

Violation 6: Maintain the roof of any structure free of leaves, needles, or other dead vegetative growth. CCR-Title 19 Sec. 3.01(b)(5).

Violation 7: Provide 13'-6" of overhead clearance from tree limbs and other obstructions, spanning the full required width of the roadway/driveway, to provide adequate access for emergency equipment on roads and driveways. Additionally, the roadway/driveway must maintain a horizontal clearance the full width of the required roadway/driveway, with grass or other flammable vegetation trimmed back 10' from the edge of the road/drive. MFPD Fire Protection Plan Sec. 3, and the 2016 CFC 503.2.1

Violation 8: All exposed woodpiles shall have a minimum 10 ft clearance, down to bare mineral soil. PRC 4291,4291 & Sec 18908,18917 Health & Safety Code

Violation 9: Dead and dying woody surface fuels and aerial fuels shall be removed PRC 4291,4291 & Sec 18908,18917 Health & Safety Code

Violation 10: Logs or stumps embedded in the soil must be removed or isolated from other vegetation PRC 4291,4291 & Sec 18908,18917 Health & Safety Code.

Violation 11: Outbuildings and LPG storage tanks shall have minimum 10 ft clearance down to mineral soil, and an additional 10 ft with no flammable vegetation PRC 4291,4291 & Sec 18908,18917 Health & Safety Code.

Violation 12: Address numbers shall be displayed in contrasting colors (4" minimum height) and readable from the street or access road PRC 4291,4291 & Sec 18908,18917 Health & Safety Code.

Violation 13: A 3' clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants CA 507.5.5

Violation 14: Install a Knox Gate Switch MFD Ord 506.1.