Our Property Line Is 10’ From Our Home and There Are Several Properties Adjoining, All with Overgrown Vegetation. Do Our Neighbors Have Responsibility to Maintain Defensible Space on Their Land Adjoining Us?

Yes, San Rafael code requires all property owners to maintain defensible space. Some other Marin fire agencies have also adopted fire code language that may require neighboring properties to provide some vegetation clearance to protect their neighbor’s home. State law does not necessarily require this. San Rafael and FIRESafe MARIN encourage neighbors to work together and to grant permission to their neighbors to work on adjoining properties to gain defensible space.