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Berkeley Approves Ember-Resistant Landscaping Ordinance for Fire-Prone Areas

City Council unanimously passes first reading of new rules requiring vegetation removal within 5 feet of homes in high-risk zones, with final vote set for May 8.

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Overview

  • The EMBER ordinance mandates the removal of combustible vegetation and materials within a 5-foot buffer zone around homes in Berkeley's highest fire-risk areas.
  • Approximately 900 homes near Tilden Regional Park and Panoramic Hill will be affected initially, with potential expansion to adjacent neighborhoods in the future.
  • The regulations, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, aim to reduce wildfire ignition risks by preventing embers from igniting nearby structures.
  • The ordinance aligns with California's delayed statewide zone zero mandate, which Governor Newsom expedited following January's devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
  • While some residents support the measures as essential for wildfire prevention, others have raised concerns about environmental impacts, erosion risks, and regulatory overreach.