The City Council on Monday approved a formal response to proposed state wildfire regulations that would require vegetation restrictions within five feet of homes, as residents voiced concerns about costs, environmental impacts and local control.
Mayor Victor Gordo will send a letter to the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection supporting a more flexible approach to the so-called “Zone Zero” rules, which aim to create ember-resistant areas around structures.
City staff recommended backing “Option 4” for vegetation management and “Option 2” for tree management — the least restrictive of the state’s proposed standards — while stressing the need for local discretion in how the rules are applied.
“Pasadena leadership believes that a one-size-fits-all is not beneficial and that local control needs to be maintained to provide regulations that work for Pasadena,” according to a City staff report.
The proposed regulations stem from a 2020 state law requiring defensible space around homes in high fire hazard areas. While initially expected to take effect in 2023, the rules remain under review by the state, with adoption now anticipated later this year.
Public comments submitted ahead of the meeting showed strong support for the city’s recommended approach, with many residents urging officials to balance fire safety with preservation of neighborhood character.
“I strongly urge you to authorize the mayor to send a letter … supporting local control over enforcement with sufficient local flexibility,” wrote longtime Pasadena homeowner Christine Olsen, who said her home is located in a “very high wildfire hazard” area.
Others stressed the importance of maintaining vegetation and trees as part of the city’s landscape.
“I believe it is very important to keep the character of our city with beautiful landscapes and trees,” resident Terry Krupczak wrote.
Several commenters also questioned the effectiveness of stricter vegetation removal requirements, arguing that they may not significantly reduce wildfire risk while imposing financial burdens on homeowners.
“The proposed regulations to denude numerous properties of vegetation is not a reasonable approach to solving California’s fire management issues,” wrote Sarah Gavit and Andre de Salis in a joint letter, warning of potential impacts on quality of life and property values.
Some residents raised broader concerns about the scientific basis of the rules and their applicability across diverse neighborhoods.
“Zone 0 is not supported by science and would not prevent future devastating fires,” wrote Pasadena resident Liza Billington.
Still, commenters generally expressed support for wildfire prevention efforts, with many advocating for alternative strategies such as improved early detection systems, enhanced emergency warnings and increased firefighting resources.
“We fully support efforts to reduce the risk of fires and their impacts,” Gavit and de Salis wrote, adding that resources should focus more on detection and response capabilities.
The council’s action would not directly implement the regulations but would instead communicate Pasadena’s position to state officials as they finalize the rules.
If adopted statewide, the Zone Zero regulations would require new properties to comply immediately, with existing homes given up to three years to meet the standards.
City officials said their goal is to ensure that any final regulations reflect Pasadena’s urban conditions while maintaining wildfire resilience.
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