Zone Zero Regulations for Pacific Palisades
Three laws, one five-foot rule
California built Zone Zero in layers. Here is the short version of each, and what it means for a Palisades parcel.
| Law | Year | What it did |
|---|---|---|
| AB 3074 | 2020 | Created the ember-resistant zone: the first 5 feet around structures in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must be kept free of combustible material. |
| SB 504 | 2024 | Refined the framework and directed the Board of Forestry to complete the implementing regulations, including how existing homes phase in. |
| AB 1455 | 2025 | Adjusted timelines and enforcement structure following the January 2025 fires, keeping local authorities at the center of implementation. |
| Board of Forestry draft | April 17, 2026 | The current regulatory text: defines compliant materials, the phase structure, and the immediate requirements for new construction and fences. Final adoption expected late 2026. |
The state sets the floor. LAFD writes the specifics.
Enforcement in Pacific Palisades belongs to the Los Angeles Fire Department, not Sacramento. LAFD already runs annual brush clearance inspections on Very High FHSZ parcels citywide, and the city sets the Phase 2 deadline for built items like fences, up to 5 years after state adoption. When state and local guidance differ, the local rule is the one your inspector carries.
What Zone 0 regulates in the first five feet
Combustible material
Bark mulch, dead vegetation, firewood stacks, lumber, and stored combustibles leave the 0–5 ft band. Estimated 2027–2028 for existing homes.
Built items
Combustible fences, gates, and attached structures within the zone are replaced on the City of LA's schedule, up to 5 years after adoption.
New construction
The Palisades rule. Rebuilds and new fences comply the day regulations adopt. No grace period, no phase-in.
Beyond the minimum
IBHS ember research supports pairing a clean Zone 0 with ember-resistant vents and Chapter 7A construction, which Palisades rebuilds already use.
Regulation questions, answered
Which law actually created Zone Zero?
AB 3074, signed in 2020, created the ember-resistant zone requirement in state law. SB 504 (2024) and AB 1455 (2025) refined the framework and timelines, and the Board of Forestry's April 17, 2026 draft regulation is the text that will govern how it works on the ground.
Is the April 2026 draft final?
No. It is the most current draft, and final regulations are expected late 2026. Details can still change, which is why this site is updated against the current draft and why you should confirm specifics with LAFD before major spending.
Does the 110% like-for-like rebuild rule exempt me from Zone 0?
No. The City of LA's like-for-like executive orders streamline zoning and permitting for fire rebuilds. They do not exempt new construction from state fire-safety requirements. Once Zone 0 is adopted, rebuilds must comply from day one.
Who do I call with a question about my specific parcel?
LAFD is the Authority Having Jurisdiction for Pacific Palisades. For rebuild permitting questions, the city's One-Stop Rebuilding Center consolidates LADBS, Planning, and other departments in one place.
Not sure how the rules land on your parcel?
A free assessment maps the current draft requirements onto your property or your rebuild plans, phase by phase.