Property Owner Responsibility

The Central Marin Fire Department reminds all property owners that maintaining roadside vegetation is your responsibility—even if that vegetation is located within the public right-of-way in front of your home.

Most streets in Corte Madera and Larkspur include a public right-of-way (ROW) that extends beyond the pavement. While it may appear to be public land, vegetation in this area is legally the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. This includes trimming trees and clearing brush that could obstruct roads, reduce visibility, or pose a fire hazard.

Local and state fire codes require 10 feet of horizontal clearance along roadways and driveways and 15 feet of vertical clearance above roads. This zone often overlaps with the required defensible space around homes and buildings. These requirements are essential to ensure safe access for emergency vehicles and support community evacuations during wildfire emergencies.

MWPA Roadside Vegetation Program (2025)

In partnership with the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA), CMFD and neighboring agencies are implementing a strategic roadside vegetation management project throughout the Greater Ross Valley. This includes approximately 25 miles of priority evacuation routes in Larkspur, Corte Madera, Kentfield, Ross, Fairfax, and San Anselmo.

The goal is to reduce wildfire risk and improve safety during evacuations by clearing hazardous vegetation that could produce flame, heat, smoke, or embers near key roadways.

• This is not routine or ongoing maintenance; it is a one-time or occasional treatment to address high-risk conditions.
• Property owners remain responsible for maintaining defensible space and roadside clearance year-round, per local fire codes.
• Work includes removal of dead vegetation, invasive species, and low-hanging limbs using manual and mechanical methods.
• Contractors use chippers to dispose of vegetation and are encouraged to operate electric equipment to reduce noise and emissions.

While the majority of work occurs within 10 to 30 feet of the roadway, treatment may extend up to 100 feet in select areas based on slope and fuel conditions.

Historical Overview: 2020–2024 Program

From 2020 to 2024, CMFD worked with the Town of Corte Madera, City of Larkspur, and FIRESafe MARIN to launch initial roadside clearance projects in Madrone Canyon, Christmas Tree Hill, and other high-risk areas.

In February 2020, contractors removed flammable vegetation along evacuation routes, restoring safe clearances. That effort served as a precursor to today’s broader regional program and highlighted the need for consistent property owner participation in long-term maintenance.

For reference, the 2020–2024 program included:

• Free one-time vegetation removal along priority evacuation routes
• 15 feet vertical and 10 feet horizontal clearance restored
• Removal of hazardous plants like bamboo, juniper, and acacia
• Ongoing education and encouragement of fire-resistant privacy screening