What Is Defensible Space?

Defensible space is the area around your home where vegetation and combustibles are managed to reduce wildfire risk. This space helps protect your home from radiant heat, direct flame, and wind-blown embers—the primary ways homes ignite during wildfires.

Creating and maintaining defensible space is required by law for all properties in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), including all homes in the City of Larkspur and the Town of Corte Madera. Depending on slope and terrain, required defensible space can extend 30 to 150 feet from your home.

Defensible space not only protects your property, it supports firefighter safety and helps slow the spread of fire within communities. With proper design, your defensible space can be fire-resistant and beautiful.

Our Inspection Program

Central Marin Fire Department conducts annual Defensible Space & Home Hardening Inspections for all properties in the WUI. These inspections are part of a countywide program coordinated with the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA).

Our program uses Fire Aside, a digital platform that allows residents to view detailed inspection reports online. These interactive reports include photos, maps, specific recommendations, and direct links to resources. Reports are emailed or texted to property owners and are available in multiple languages.

Inspections focus on all zones of defensible space—including Zone 0 (0–5 feet from structures), where ignition risk is highest. We also assess home hardening features like vents, roofing, decks, and fencing.

This free program identifies specific steps that homeowners can take to reduce vegetation hazards and harden structures against ember intrusion, radiant heat, and direct flame contact. The inspection process follows local Fire Code ordinances and guidelines provided by California Public Resources Code 4291.

Why Are Some Defensible Space Inspections Happening in Areas Outside the "WUI"?

While defensible space efforts have historically focused within the formally designated Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), recent disasters have shown that wildfire risk extends far beyond those boundaries. Wind-driven embers can travel miles ahead of a fire, igniting homes and landscapes well outside the traditional WUI zone. Once a fire enters a neighborhood, structure-to-structure ignition can lead to rapid urban fire spread—something seen in Santa Rosa’s Coffee Park neighborhood during the 2017 North Bay Fires, the 2021 Marshall Fire in Colorado, and the 2023 Lahaina Fire in Hawaii. These areas were not considered part of the WUI, and little to no public outreach or education occurred beforehand. Central Marin Fire is taking a proactive approach, recognizing that wildfire doesn’t respect jurisdictional lines or outdated maps. By inspecting all areas at potential risk—regardless of official WUI status—we aim to better protect lives, homes, and neighborhoods throughout our community.

Right-of-Entry

If you are not home during the inspection, inspectors will only assess areas visible from the public right-of-way—typically from the street or driveway to the front door. Inspectors cannot enter gates, access backyards, or walk around structures without your explicit permission. Inspections can not be individually scheduled due to the volume of properties we must inspect by law. Inspectors NEVER need to enter your home or indoor spaces.

You may also pre-authorize inspectors to enter the outside areas of your property, even if you aren't home. To authorize a full-property evaluation, you may log in and sign a Right of Entry (ROE) form online in advance of your scheduled inspection.

To provide ROE authorization in advance or review past evaluations, visit www.defensiblespacereport.org/marin.

Upcoming Neighborhood Inspection Schedule (2025)

• Week of June 9: East Corte Madera (including some non-WUI areas with potential risk).
• Week of June 2: Meadowsweet neighborhood, Corte Madera
• Week of May 19:  Baltimore Canyon & Sycamore Canyon (aka Madrone Canyon & Blue Rock), Larkspur
• Week of April 7 – Chapman Park, Corte Madera
• Week of March 31 – Marina Vista, Larkspur & Christmas Tree Hill, Corte Madera
• Week of March 24 – Palm Hill, Corte Madera
• Week of March 3 – Madera Gardens, Corte Madera

How to View or Request Your Report

You can access your personalized wildfire inspection report or request an evaluation using the secure portal below. You will need your address and access code if your property was recently inspected. Reports may take up to 24 hours to become available after an inspection.

*Reports may take up to 24 hours from the time of your inspection to become available.

Understanding Your Report

Each inspection report includes customized feedback organized by defensible space zone (Zone 0, Zone 1, Zone 2), along with recommendations for:

• Removing or modifying combustible vegetation (e.g., juniper, bamboo, ivy)
• Trimming trees for 6–10 feet of vertical clearance and 10 feet horizontal clearance near roads and structures
• Clearing leaves and debris from roofs, gutters, and decks
• Addressing items in Zone 0, like doormats, wood fences, and mulch
• Identifying home vulnerabilities such as vents, windows, roofing, and siding

Most reports include annotated photos and a checklist of items to address. You’ll also see which issues are required by law and which are recommended best practices. Many homes may qualify for grant assistance.

Annual Report 2023

CMFD’s 2023 program reached 4,141 properties in Larkspur and Corte Madera, with 2,069 follow-up reinspections and more than 16,900 personalized recommendations. Thanks to high resident engagement—74.9% in Corte Madera and 62.9% in Larkspur—most properties addressed their violations within 30–60 days.

The 2023 effort emphasized Zone 0, where 68% of properties still had combustible materials like mulch, doormats, or wood fences within 5 feet of structures. CMFD continues to support residents with grant referrals, chipper services, and expert guidance. View Full 2023 Report (PDF)

Annual Report 2022

In 2022, CMFD inspected over 13,730 properties across the Greater Ross Valley, providing 140,000+ custom recommendations and investing more than 2,700 hours in direct engagement. This effort ensured that nearly 40% of WUI properties received an in-person evaluation.

View Full 2022 Report (PDF)