Fire-Resistant Landscaping and Home Design Details – GreenBuildingAdvisor

By Scott Gibson | September 1, 2025

To design and build a house with the greatest chance of surviving a wildfire, consider exterior materials, landscape details, and regular maintenance. Note that while some of these details are prescribed by codes, all are considered best practice for homes in wildfire-prone areas.

Landscape

5 Ft. Perimeter

A noncombustible area within 5 ft. of the home should have no vegetation or structures that may ignite and spread flames. Use gravel, brick, concrete, or stone as ground cover around the house.

Trees

Trees should be spaced to minimize the spread of fire. All treetops should be kept a minimum of 10 ft. from the house. Within 10 ft. to 30 ft. away, treetops should be spaced at least 18 ft. apart. In the area 30 ft. to 60 ft. from the home, treetops should be at least 12 ft. apart. And treetops 60 ft. to 100 ft. from the home should have at least 6 ft. between the tops. Trees on a sloped site should be spaced even further apart.

Outbuildings and Fuel Breaks

Outbuildings, fences, pergolas, and other structures should be kept away from the house. Though the code may allow them to be built with any material, it’s a good idea to build with noncombustible ones. Fuel breaks should be created throughout the landscape to prevent a fire from easily spreading. Common options include driveways, noncombustible walks, patios, and dry streams.

Maintenance