Selling? AB 38 Requires Defensible Space Compliance Before Close.
California AB 38 requires defensible space documentation when selling a home in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Connect with vetted contractors who can scope, complete, and document the work in time for close.
Get AB 38–ready before close
Free estimate. Documentation timed to your escrow.
Overview
What AB 38 Actually Requires
Under California AB 38, sellers of homes in designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones are required to provide a defensible space documentation disclosure to buyers, with the property generally needing to be in compliance with PRC 4291 at transfer.
In practice this means: defensible space work completed (or under contract to be completed shortly after close), and documentation in the disclosure package. Buyers and their lenders increasingly insist on this — and on Zone 0 readiness — as a condition of moving forward.
Detail
What This Looks Like in Escrow
Vetted contractors scope the property against PRC 4291, complete the work to meet the AB 38 standard, and provide before/after photos and a compliance summary that drops directly into your disclosure package.
If your timeline is tight, work can often be staged so you have credible documentation in front of the buyer before close, with remaining items contracted forward — keeping the deal on track.
Service Areas
San Bernardino County coverage
Yucaipa, CA
ZIP 92399
Foothill community at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains. The 2020 El Dorado Fire that killed firefighter Charles Morton burned heavily in this area. Properties throughout Yucaipa face high fire risk requiring annual defensible space compliance.
View Yucaipa
Mentone, CA
ZIP 92359
Unincorporated community between Yucaipa and Forest Falls along the San Bernardino National Forest boundary. Properties face significant wildfire exposure with mandatory defensible space requirements under PRC 4291 and County Code 23.0301-23.0319.
View Mentone
Forest Falls, CA
ZIP 92339
Mountain community within the San Bernardino National Forest. One of California's highest-risk wildfire zones. Properties face annual CAL FIRE inspections and the Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council offers subsidized compliance assistance.
View Forest Falls
Calimesa, CA
ZIP 92320
Foothill community where the devastating 2019 Sandalwood Fire destroyed 76 structures and killed 2 residents. The fire's spread demonstrated the critical importance of defensible space compliance in this fire-prone area.
View Calimesa
Highland, CA
ZIP 92346
Foothill neighborhoods at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains — East Highlands Ranch and the Greenspot corridor face direct VHFHSZ exposure.
View Highland
Redlands, CA
ZIP 92373
North Redlands and the Redlands Heights extend into chaparral foothills with Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone designations.
View Redlands
San Bernardino, CA
ZIP 92407
North foothill neighborhoods — Verdemont, Arrowhead Suburban, and the areas above Highway 30 — concentrated foothill fire risk.
View San Bernardino
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
ZIP 91737
Alta Loma and north Rancho Cucamonga sit at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains in significant Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
View Rancho Cucamonga
Chino Hills, CA
ZIP 91709
Built across rolling chaparral hillsides — much of Chino Hills sits in VHFHSZ with extensive wildland-urban interface.
View Chino HillsFAQ
Frequently asked
AB 38 applies to homes in designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. CAL FIRE's online map at egis.fire.ca.gov shows the designation for any parcel.
Depends on lot size, vegetation, and Zone 0 scope. Vetted contractors aim to align the work to your escrow timeline.
Sometimes deals are restructured that way, but more buyers and lenders want the work documented before close. Talk to your agent about your options.
Get AB 38–Ready Before Close
Free estimate. Documentation timed to your escrow. Vetted San Bernardino County contractors.