Brush clearance in Pasadena: what Pasadena Fire checks
Brush clearance in Pasadena is enforced by the Pasadena Fire Department in the city's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, mostly the hillside and foothill neighborhoods. Inspections ran from April 1 through June 30 in 2026 and covered 4,611 properties. The rules, as the City announced them:
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Defensible space | Grass and weeds trimmed and dead trees removed within 100 ft of structures; up to 200 ft, and 50 ft from fences and roads, in hazardous areas |
| Chimneys | Trees kept at least 10 ft away |
| Roofs | At least 5 ft of vertical clearance between roofs and overhanging branches |
| Ladder fuel | Low-hanging branches and combustible material removed within 3 ft of the ground |
| Spacing | Trees and shrubs at least 18 ft apart in certain zones |
| Roadways | Vegetation trimmed to a height of 13.5 ft |
| Beyond 30 ft | Grasses and low vegetation allowed if kept under 18 in |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column →
Source: Pasadena Now, March 27, 2026, reporting the Pasadena Fire Department's inspection program.
The tree work behind a passing inspection
- Remove dead trees and dead palms within 100 feet of the house
- Cut out deadwood in living trees, especially over the roof
- Take branches back to leave 5 feet above the roof and 10 feet from the chimney
- Limb up low branches so nothing combustible sits within 3 feet of the ground
- Thin crowded trees and shrubs where the spacing rule applies
- Clear dead palm fronds and shed bark from roofs and gutters
Most of this is tree trimming in Pasadena with a fire-season focus; dead or failing trees are a hazard tree removal. Dead palm fronds count as dead material; see palm tree trimming. Branches near power lines are the utility's first; see tree trimming near power lines.
Altadena: Los Angeles County Fire rules
Altadena is inspected by Los Angeles County Fire, whose 2026 notice (dated February 1, 2026) sets its own program:
What the County requires
- Inspections start May 1 in inland communities
- Acacia, cedar, cypress, eucalyptus, juniper, pine and pampas grass removed within 30 ft of any structure (50 ft in extra hazard areas) or kept free of dead material
- Remaining vegetation thinned for the next 70 ft, to 100 ft total, up to 200 ft in extra hazard areas
- Do not remove any trees or ornamental shrubs until you have guidance from your inspection
- Trees are best trimmed during dormancy or winter; spring is nesting season
- 2026 inspection fee $151 on the 2027 tax bill; non-compliance after 30 days: $500 fine plus a $1,647 assessment
- Homes destroyed or more than 25 percent damaged in the Eaton fire are exempt for 2026 until rebuilt and occupied
Eucalyptus is on that combustible list; see eucalyptus tree removal. Altadena's oaks have their own protection; see tree removal in Altadena.
Zone 0: the first five feet
California's Board of Forestry adopted emergency “Zone 0” rules on August 19, 2026 for the 5 feet around a house in local Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and the State Responsibility Area. Existing homes come first on dead branches and keeping vegetation off roofs, eaves and walls, with other steps phased in over 3 to 5 years. The rules take effect once the Office of Administrative Law files them; whether that has happened yet, check with Pasadena Fire or CAL FIRE.
When to schedule brush clearance
Schedule tree work for brush clearance in late fall or winter, ahead of the April 1 start. That beats the spring rush, fits LA County Fire's advice that trees are best trimmed in dormancy or winter, and avoids the spring nesting season. See the best time to trim trees in Pasadena guide. Pricing is per site: it depends on how many trees, how much dead material, and access, so the quote starts with the address and the inspector's list if you have one.
