Fire-Adapted Hardscape
Decomposed granite, flagstone, and metal edging create clean perimeter buffers that stop ground fire cold.
Gravel & DG Options →FIRE-ADAPTED HILLSIDE DESIGN
Zone 0 compliance that doesn’t strip your hillside.
Protect your East Bay home from wildfire risk without turning your yard into a barren gravel pit. We redesign the critical 5-foot zone using fire-adapted materials that look intentional.
InspectIdentify non-compliant fuel
PreserveSave mature architectural trees
RedesignHardscape & non-combustibles
ImplementEast Bay hillside execution
DocumentPhotos for insurance & fire compliance
The 5-Foot Zone Matters Most
Embers travel miles ahead of a wildfire and ignite dry mulch, wood fences, and foundation plants right against your home. Replacing combustibles in Zone 0 is the single most effective step you can take to protect your house—without stripping the character of your garden.
Learn how embers ignite homes →Privacy Without Fuel
Replace woody, resinous hedges near windows with strategic noncombustible screen panels and succulents.
Privacy Solutions →Hydrated Plant Palettes
Select high-moisture, low-resin species for Zone 1 and 2 that keep your property lush while remaining fire safe.
East Bay Plant Palette →Structure Protection
Retain slope stability while swapping out combustible wood fences and arbor posts attached directly to your siding.
Noncombustible Fencing →Compliant & Beautiful
See how hillside homes maintain architectural character after removing Zone 0 fuel.
Berkeley Hills Entryway: Converted wood bark and junipers to steel-bordered gravel and specimen agaves.
How We Help
Free
Photo Check
Send 2 photos of your 5-foot perimeter. We’ll mark up non-compliant items and email you a free risk assessment.
Submit Photos →
$299
Design Review
A detailed virtual analysis of your perimeter, siding materials, fence attachments, and plant selection.
Learn More →
$750
On-Site Consultation
In-person walkthrough of your property with a custom Zone 0 action plan and material specs.
Book Consult →
Custom
Zone 0 Redesign
Full design and project management to transform your hillside property into a compliant, fire-adapted space.
View Full Services →Get a Free Zone 0 Photo Check
Not sure if your mulch, plants, or fence violate local fire codes? Send us 1 to 3 photos of your home's perimeter. We'll reply with a plain-English review of what needs to change.
Essential Zone 0 Guides
The 5-Foot Zone Checklist
Step-by-step audit guide for siding, ground cover, plants, and vents.
Mulch & Ground Cover Rules
Why bark mulch is banned within 5 feet and what non-combustible alternatives to use.
Berkeley Hillside Standards
Local inspection guidelines, EMBER program updates, and compliance deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Zone 0 mean I have to clear all my plants?
No. Zone 0 focuses specifically on combustibles within 5 feet of your house structure. You can still maintain specimen plants, hardscape, gravel beds, and high-moisture groundcovers that don't pose ember threats.
Will gravel or DG make my home look like a commercial parking lot?
Not when done thoughtfully. By pairing stone pavers, decomposed granite, steel borders, and high-contrast boulders, we create refined architectural borders that elevate your curb appeal.
Are these requirements legally enforced in the East Bay?
Yes. California state regulations and local fire departments (such as Berkeley and Oakland) are actively phasing in Zone 0 inspections, especially for homes in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ).