FAQs about new South Lake Tahoe defensible space ordinance

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) has a new newsletter (go here to subscribe) and shared a "beginning set of frequently asked questions" about the new defensible space ordinance for the city.

Besides the newsletter, social media, and the information below, SLTFR will hold a Question and Answer session at Cuppa Tahoe on July 20 at 6:30 p.m.

Fire Marshal Kim George wants the information and details easy to obtain and understand so South Lake Tahoe is more fire-resilient. Education is key. She stated in the newsletter they intend to target the more egregious issues of yard neglect and significant fire hazards.

FAQs

Question: When does the new ordinance take effect?
Answer: July 18, 2024

Question: Who does it apply to?
Answer: All residential property, commercial property, and unimproved lots. Real estate sales require a defensible space inspection report. A complaint report is required before the end of escrow or the buyer can agree to take on the uncompliant issues to resolve within 120 days of the end of escrow.

Question: Where do I find out about what is required?
Answer: Check out our new defensible space guide.

Question: What does Zone 0 mean?
Answer: nothing combustible within the first five feet of a structure

Question: Will I get a citation if I have combustibles within the first five feet?
Answer: We are focusing on education initially. The community needs a chance to learn about what these requirements are first and why.

Question: Will I get a citation for any non-compliance found?
Answer: The ordinance does give us the authority to cite, however, we would much prefer to help our community learn defensible space than enforce it. The ordinance outlines warnings, then a citation. We will be in communication with those individuals and hope to work with them to make progress. If there is no cooperation, we may cite.

Question: How much is a citation?
Answer: Citations are $250 each time, up to four times.

Question: Why 5 feet?
Answer: The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety did extensive research on numerous defensible space and home hardening tactics. They were able to scientifically prove the effectiveness of the 5 feet of clearance in ember storms.

Question: Where can I find information on the IBHS research?
Answer: Https://ibhs.org/about-ibhs/ibhs-research-center/ or Https://ibhs.org/risk-research/wildfire/or Home-Mitigations-that-Matter-FINAL.pdf (ibhs1.wpenginepowered.com)

Question: What does the IBHS say about zone 0?
Answer: “Vegetation in Zone 0: Wind carries debris and embers during wildfires, which settle near homes as the wind slows down and interacts with the structure. Combustibles should be kept at least 5 feet from homes to minimize the risk of short flames to the homes and to provide no fuel for embers to land on. A well maintained Zone 0 with no combustibles also acts as a fuel break to stop surface fires approaching the home and reduces the likelihood of home ignition.” (2024, Retrieved from: Home-Mitigations-that-Matter-FINAL.pdf )

Question: Will I have to remove my trees within 5 feet of my house?
Answer: No. Mature trees are fine. They may need to be limbed, however. The only trees we may ask you to remove are dead trees, which are life safety hazards also and need to be taken out.

Question: Where can I find information on what defensible space is?
Answer: The new Defensible Space Guide is a perfect source to help you achieve 100% compliance. It can be found at https://naes.agnt.unr.edu/PMS/Pubs/2023-5522.pdf

You can also swing by any of our three fire stations to pick one up after July 19.

Question: Why is a hot tub a fire hazard?
Answer: It isn’t if it is away from the house. Close to a structure, it can be the ladder fuel if an ember falls on the cover. The covers are synthetic and easily ignited.

Question: Will I have to remove my deck?
Answer: No. The science shows that if embers fall on the flat surface of the deck, it can ignite but the chances are far less than falling on something synthetic, dead vegetation or something with a smaller surface area (fences).

Question: What is a ladder fuel?
Answer: Ladder fuels are live or dead, low-growing vegetation to taller vegetation such as trees.

Question: Why does a larger surface area mean it's less likely to burn?
Answer: The bigger the surface area of the fuel, the more oxygen molecules can collide with the surface. The more oxygen molecules that collide per second with the fuel, the faster the combustion reaction is. You can increase the surface area of a solid by breaking it up into smaller pieces. So, the top of a fence is more likely to ignite than a deck.

Question: Do I need to move my larger items (sheds, hot tubs)?
Answer: We understand that moving these large items is a challenge. We can talk about some other potential solutions that may help.

Question: How much time do I have to get my work done?
Answer: We are two defensible space inspectors working on the east side of the city through the end of this season. Our hope is to do inspections in a third of the city each year, meaning we will get around to every home once every three years. If we see you are working towards achieving your defensible space, we appreciate the work and will work with you without a problem. Our goal is to help everyone understand what defensible space means and why it is important.

Question: Are there certain plants that are better than others?
Answer: Yes. The Defensible Space Guide goes over how juniper-type plants are extremely flammable and also hold a lot of dead vegetation. These plants should not be next to your house (especially under windows) or along our evacuation routes.

Choosing the Right Plants is another guide that could be helpful. This can be found at https://naes.agnt.unr.edu/PMS/Pubs/2017-3448.pdf?utm_source=publications&utm_medium=pub-download&utm...

Question: Will I need to remove my mulch?
Answer: It depends. There are more or less flammable types of mulch, but ultimately, it is all flammable. Mulch should be no closer than 5 feet out from the structure. In the zone 1 area (5-30 feet), mulch can be used, but not in a continuous, widespread manner and should be surrounded by non-combustible options, such as decomposed granite or irrigated lawn.

Question: Are all mulch products the same?
Answer: No. Some are more flammable than others. Here is a publication called The Combustibility of Landscape Mulches. The Combustibility of Landscape Mulches (SP-11-04) (unr.edu)

Question: Will you be fining offenders?
Answer: We are looking for cooperation and progress. We understand these projects take time and possibly money. We will work with household making progress. A lack of cooperation is what may prompt enforcement.

Question: What if my neighbor's messy yard is within 30 feet of my house?
Answer: Every property is required to provide 100 feet of defensible space (or the property line, whichever is closer), which is our ordinance but also public resource code 4291. We will share the mechanism to provide that information to us so we can confirm then send out a letter asking the property owner to make improvements. We hope to have this up and running by July 26, 2024.

Question: What if the messy yard is a vacant lot?
Answer: The ordinance applies to unimproved lots so it does apply.

Question: Does defensible space apply to my business in town?
Answer: Yes it does per the ordinance. Businesses also have the same defensible space requirements. The same guidelines apply to these properties also.

Question: What if I rent or lease?
Answer: Renters who choose to live in Tahoe should also do defensible space work. tahoelivingwithfire.org offers a Renters Guide for Defensible Space.

Question: Will insurance use this ordinance against me?
Answer: Insurance agency underwriters use their decision scheme. It is generally proprietary so it is not entirely clear what they base their decisions on. Using local ordinances is not the norm, however.