Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) are geographic classifications of land defined by state law. They:

• Indicate the potential wildfire hazard in an area.
• Require heightened fire protection, building standards, and ongoing vegetation management. This helps:
  • Reduce fuel loads
  • Maintain defensible space; a practical and legally required buffer zone between a home/structure and nearby wildland vegetation and combustible materials such as dead wood, grass, shrubs, ember, etc. 

Zone Designations                                                                                                       

Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ):

• City of Fremont adopted the updated Cal Fire FHSZ designations in 2025.
• Some areas in Fremont are reclassified to Moderate, High, or Very High fire hazard zones.

Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ):

• City of Fremont retains its own Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) designations.

• Applicable areas:
  • Hill areas east of Mission Boulevard, east of I‑680, Ardenwood Historic Farm, and Coyote Hills Regional Park.
  • Areas where wildfire risk is high due to terrain, fuel load, and wind exposure.

Reference Materials:

• Municipal Code 15.65- Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area
• Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and Local Responsibility Area-Map

City of Fremont’s 2025 Fire Code includes amendments to Chapter 15.35 of the City’s municipal code.

• Code addresses fire protection standards.
• Includes provisions for vacant premises and fire protection water supplies.
• Focuses on building and infrastructure.
• Supports the broader goal of reducing fire risk through land management.

Reference Materials:

• Municipal Code Chapter 15.35- Fremont Fire Code
• Municipal Code Chapter 15.66- Wildland-Urban Interface Code