California Zone 0 Fencing: Noncombustible COLORBOND® Steel
Understand California’s 0–5 foot Zone 0 requirements and how noncombustible fencing can support a broader wildfire home-hardening strategy.
A Noncombustible Steel Fencing Option
California’s Zone 0 focuses on the first 5 feet around a structure and reducing materials that can contribute to ember ignition and fire spread.
DuraBond Inc. supplies authentic COLORBOND® steel fencing to contractors, builders, landscape professionals and qualified projects throughout California.
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DuraBond is a material supplier/distributor and does not perform fence installation.
DuraBond Inc. supplies authentic COLORBOND® steel fencing systems to California contractors, builders, developers, landscape professionals and qualified projects.
COLORBOND® steel is a coated steel fencing material that does not provide the combustible fuel associated with wood fencing. Its noncombustible construction makes it a material option worth considering when upgrading fencing in wildfire-exposed areas.
Protect Your First 5 Feet From Fire
Why Zone 0 Matters
Embers can travel ahead of the main fire front and ignite combustible materials near a structure. CAL FIRE identifies the first five feet around a home as the most important area to keep ember-resistant.
✅Noncombustible Fencing Options for Zone 0
Fencing Materials to Consider for Zone 0
| Material | Wildfire consideration |
|---|---|
| Noncombustible steel | Does not provide combustible fuel and can be used as a noncombustible fencing option |
| Masonry / concrete | Noncombustible construction option |
| Other noncombustible metals | May be appropriate depending on design and location |
| Wood fencing | Combustible; particularly important to evaluate where attached to a structure |
| Other combustible materials | Evaluate based on location and applicable requirements |
What California Says About Fences in Zone 0
CAL FIRE recommends replacing combustible fencing, gates and arbors attached to the home with noncombustible alternatives within Zone 0. CAL FIRE also recommends removing combustible materials and accumulated vegetation/debris from around fences.
The First 5 Feet Are Different
0–5 FT
EMBER-RESISTANT ZONE
Home
↓
0–5 feet
↓
Fence / Vegetation / Mulch / Furniture / Debris
Zone 0 is intended to reduce the materials immediately surrounding a structure that could ignite from embers and contribute to fire spread.
COLORBOND® steel is a coated steel fencing material that does not provide the combustible fuel associated with wood fencing. Its noncombustible construction makes it a material option worth considering when upgrading fencing in wildfire-exposed areas.
NONCOMBUSTIBLE
Steel fencing doesn't provide the combustible fuel of wood.
LOW MAINTENANCE
No staining, painting or sealing required.
LOW MAINTENANCE
No staining, painting or sealing required.
Why Choose COLORBOND® Steel for Zone 0?
COLORBOND® steel is a coated steel fencing material that does not provide the combustible fuel associated with wood fencing. Its noncombustible construction makes it a material option worth considering when upgrading fencing in wildfire-exposed areas.
Authentic COLORBOND® steel
DuraBond is an authorized U.S. distributor of genuine COLORBOND® steel fencing systems from the Lysaght/BlueScope system.
Contractor-focused supply
We supply fencing materials rather than competing with our contractor customers for installation work.
Complete fence systems
Smartascreen infill, posts, rails, caps and fasteners are supplied as a coordinated system.
Wildfire-conscious applications
We help contractors and project teams evaluate noncombustible steel fencing for wildfire-conscious and Zone 0 projects.
California Zone 0 status — updated September 2026: The statewide Zone 0 regulation approved on August 19, 2026 is not currently in force. Local jurisdictions may have separate requirements already in effect, including rules affecting fence and gate transitions near structures. Verify requirements with the applicable local authority.
California Zone 0 Fence Requirements & Guidelines
Zone 0 is intended to create an ember-resistant area immediately surrounding a structure. CAL FIRE recommends replacing combustible fencing and gates attached to a residence with noncombustible alternatives.
For homeowners replacing a wood privacy fence, noncombustible steel is one option to consider. The appropriate fence material and installation can depend on the property’s location, applicable regulations, and how the fence relates to the structure.
COLORBOND® steel fencing provides a solid, private fence design using noncombustible steel components.
Does Zone 0 Apply to My Fence?
If your fence is close to your home, the location of the fence matters.
CAL FIRE recommends replacing combustible fencing or gates attached to a residence with noncombustible alternatives. Current California guidance also addresses combustible fencing within the 0–5 foot area around structures.
You may want to consider a noncombustible fence if:
- Your existing fence is wood or another combustible material
- Your fence connects directly to your house
- Your fence runs within the first five feet of the structure
- Your fence connects to a garage, deck, porch, or other structure
- You’re replacing a fence as part of a wildfire mitigation or home-hardening project
- You live in a California Fire Hazard Severity Zone [Check Here]
Not sure what applies to your property?
A California fencing professional can help evaluate the fence installation and identify the appropriate material and configuration for your project.
Do I Have to Replace My Entire Fence for Zone 0?
Requirements depend on the applicable state, county, city, fire district, and the way the fence interacts with the structure. In some jurisdictions, the key issue is the first five feet where a fence or gate attaches to, or comes close to, the home. Confirm the current requirement with the local authority having jurisdiction before beginning work. [Learn More]
What fencing materials are allowed in Zone 0?
California Zone 0 focuses on reducing combustible materials within the first 0–5 feet of a structure. For fencing in this area, noncombustible materials such as steel, metal, concrete, and masonry can help reduce potential ignition pathways.
CAL FIRE specifically recommends replacing combustible fencing and gates attached to a residence with noncombustible alternatives. CAL FIRE Defensible Space Guidance
Noncombustible Steel Fencing
COLORBOND® steel fencing is a noncombustible steel option for homeowners looking to replace combustible wood fencing as part of a broader Zone 0, defensible-space, home-hardening, or wildfire mitigation strategy.
DuraBond Inc. supplies authentic Lysaght COLORBOND® steel fencing, providing a privacy fence system designed around noncombustible steel infill, posts, and rails.
Common Zone 0 fencing materials include:
Steel fencing — such as COLORBOND® steel
Other noncombustible metal fencing
Concrete and masonry
Other materials that meet applicable noncombustibility or ignition-resistance requirements
Materials to avoid in Zone 0
The following materials are generally discouraged within five feet of a structure:
- Wood fencing
- Vinyl fencing
- Composite fencing materials
- Attached combustible structures or gates
Wood fencing is especially hazardous because it can ignite easily and allow fire to spread directly to a home.
Wildfire Safety & Compliance Resources
Wildfire mitigation guidelines continue to evolve as California strengthens defensible space and home hardening requirements in high-risk areas. The following official resources provide guidance on wildfire safety, building standards, and hazard mapping:
🔥 Defensible Space & Wildfire Safety
🧭 Fire Hazard Mapping Tools
🏛️ State Fire & Building Standards
- California Board of Forestry Zone 0 Information
- California Executive Order N-18-25
- California Assembly Bill 3074 (AB 3074)
For broader wildfire building and defensible space standards across the U.S., see our national wildfire compliance guide.
ColorWildfire Compliance Guide
Could grant funding help pay for noncombustible fencing?
Not every wildfire grant covers fencing, and eligibility varies by program. However, some community wildfire mitigation and home-hardening projects may include perimeter improvements, defensible-space work, access/egress improvements, or replacement of combustible materials. When appropriate, we identify programs where noncombustible COLORBOND® steel fencing could potentially be incorporated into a larger wildfire-resilience project.
California Wildfire Mitigation Grants & Funding
California communities, HOAs, fire districts, Tribes, and public agencies may have access to grants and other funding programs for wildfire mitigation, defensible space, home hardening, evacuation preparedness, and community resilience. Funding availability varies by program and location. We monitor relevant California funding opportunities and highlight programs that may potentially support noncombustible fencing and related property-hardening improvements.
| Grant / Funding Program | Coverage | What it funds | Potential fencing connection | Current status / timing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grants | Statewide California | Community wildfire prevention, preparedness, risk reduction, protection of lives/property/infrastructure | High potential where a project includes home hardening, defensible space, community protection, or combustible-material replacement | Current Prop. 4 solicitation is closed; CAL FIRE lists the program and award materials |
| CAL FIRE Tribal Wildfire Resilience Grants | California Tribes & tribal-serving nonprofits | Fuel breaks, forest/wildfire resilience, planning, mapping, vegetation treatment and tribal community wildfire resilience | Moderate potential for tribal facility/property hardening, perimeter protection and access/egress improvements | $10M FY25-26; full applications anticipated Oct.–Dec. 2026 |
| Sierra Nevada Conservancy — Wildfire & Forest Resilience | Sierra-Cascade region | Fuelbreaks, forest resilience, community/critical-infrastructure protection, ingress/egress safety | Moderate potential where fencing is part of a larger community/critical-infrastructure protection project | $15M available for current cycle; full proposals due Nov. 2, 2026 for invited applicants |
| Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy — Proposition 4 | Southern California / SMMC service area | Wildfire resilience, watershed improvement, chaparral/forest restoration and community resilience | Moderate potential for community infrastructure and property-edge hardening when tied to an eligible project | Prop. 4 funding available; applications are handled through SMMC consultation |
| FEMA / USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grants (CWDG) | Nationwide; California communities eligible | Community Wildfire Protection Plans and wildfire-risk-reduction projects | High potential conceptually where a project scope includes WUI mitigation, home hardening, defensible space or community infrastructure | Federal program; future rounds should be monitored |
Could Grant Funding Help Pay for a COLORBOND® Steel Fence?
Possibly. Not every wildfire grant covers fencing, and eligibility depends on the specific program, applicant and project. However, a noncombustible fence may potentially be incorporated into a larger wildfire mitigation or property-hardening project when it supports objectives such as defensible space, protection of structures, evacuation access or replacement of combustible materials.
If you’re considering a wildfire mitigation project for a homeowners association, neighborhood, fire district, community, tribal property or public facility, we can help you determine whether COLORBOND® steel fencing may be appropriate for the project scope.
Corporate Partnerships
We’re proud to be a Corporate Partner of the California Fire Safe Council
Durabond is a reviewed participant of the Fire Safe Business Directory, a program of the California Fire Safe Council. This recognition highlights our commitment to fire-safe, high-performance fencing solutions, especially in wildfire-prone areas.
Learn more about our partnership here: California Fire Safe Council Corporate Partner Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Zone 0 fence is installed within five feet of a structure and should use non-combustible materials to reduce wildfire ignition risk.
Yes. Metal fencing such as steel is commonly used because it does not ignite or contribute fuel to a wildfire.
Wood fences can ignite from embers and carry fire directly to structures, increasing wildfire risk.
Non-combustible materials such as steel or masonry are considered the safest options for wildfire-prone areas.
In many wildfire-prone areas, combustible fencing such as wood should not be attached directly to a home within the Zone 0 defensible space, which extends five feet from the structure. Fire safety guidance recommends using non-combustible materials such as steel or masonry for fencing located near buildings. Installing a fire resistant fence made from steel can help reduce ignition risk and create a more effective wildfire safe fence system around the home.