100 Feet of Defensible Space is the Law

In January 2005 a new state law became effective that extended the defensible space clearance around homes and
structures from 30 feet to 100 feet. Proper clearance to 100 feet dramatically increases the chance of your house
surviving a wildfire. This defensible space also provides for firefighter safety when protecting homes during a wildland
fire.
Learn How You Can Create Defensible Space Around Your Home

Why 100 Feet Flyer (1.92MB PDF)

Why 100 Feet Brochure (1.04MB PDF)  

Homeowners Checklist (190KB PDF)  

Living with Fire in Santa Cruz County Updated 2009
The Santa Cruz County Fire Marshal's Office is responsible for the enforcement of fire related state and local laws and
ordinances as adopted by both the State of California and the County of Santa Cruz. To accomplish this, two Deputy
Fire Marshals and a Fire Inspector staff the Fire Marshal's Office. The enforcement of the various laws and ordinances is
delivered at both the engine company and division level, and always with customer service in mind.

Santa Cruz County Fire and all fire districts within Santa Cruz County adopted a fire sprinkler ordinance in 1989. Since
the inception of this ordinance, fire sprinklers protect nearly every new structure, and many existing structures when
they have been added to or undergone a major remodel.

The installation and required testing of new fire protection equipment is under the direction of the fire service, and is
part of the fire code, rather than the building code.

The Fire Marshal's Office provides planning input for developers, plan checking and inspection services at the various
levels required by the County of Santa Cruz Planning Department. Plan checks for all specialized fire detection and
suppression systems are performed by outside resources, while the inspection of these systems is performed by the
Fire Marshals Office personnel.

Santa Cruz County Fire Prevention Standards

Santa Cruz County Fire Code

Santa Cruz County Fire Marshal Forms and Handouts
To contact the Santa Cruz County Fire Marshal's office:

FC Tim Gose                                                      FC Chris Walters                                            FPS Colleen Baxter
Deputy Fire Marshal                                          Deputy Fire Marshal                                      Fire Inspector
Tim.Gose@fire.ca.gov                                           Chris.Walters@fire.ca.gov                                  Colleen.Baxter@fire.ca.gov

PHONE: (831) 335-6748... FAX: (831) 335-4053
OFFICE HOURS:                                                                                        LOCATION:
Monday thru Thursday                                                                             CALFIRE - Santa Cruz County Fire Headquarters
8:00 am – 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm                                              6059 Highway 9
Closed Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays                                        Felton, CA 95018

Please call ahead to schedule an office appointment