AB-38, FIRE PREVENTION, AND NEW ESCROW DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS

Wildfires are natural, the earth has evolved with fire for millions of years.  It is just part of the cycle of life in California’s landscape. Fire Season in California and across the West has been starting earlier and lasting longer in the past several years. A new law requires sellers in high/very high hazard  severity zones to disclose to a buyer the fire hardening improvements made to a home and what retrofit options exist to address fire safety issues on the home.  So not only a new disclosure, but also an inspection is now required sellers of property located in a high or very high severity zone. 

Find Out which Zone you are in:

                                                                        Go to https://egis.fire.ca.gov/FHSZ/ click the Binoculars and enter your address!

Since July 1, 2021 when you sell California property that's located in a high or very high fire hazard severity zone, you’ll need documentation of a compliant Defensible Space Inspection.  Specifically,  Assembly Bill 38 established that, as of July 1, 2021, California Civil Code Section 1102.19 requires a seller of real property located in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone to provide the buyer with documentation stating the property is in compliance with Section 4291 of the Public Resources Code or local vegetation management ordinances… this documentation must have been obtained in the six-month period preceding the date the seller enters into a transaction to sell real property. 

Find out if your property requires an inspection  

When the Fire Hazard Severity Zone map opens, click the binoculars to enter your address. 

Here's great resources for more info if you want to do a deep dive and become a defensible space expert:  Cal Fire