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Wildfire Mitigation Contractors in Alameda County, CA
Alameda County in 30 secondsContractors, local rules, where to get help
44 wildfire mitigation contractors are listed for Alameda County, 37 with a clear CSLB license.
- Fire hazard zones
- Look up your address
CAL FIRE released new Moderate, High and Very High zone maps on February 24, 2025, and ACFD took an ordinance to its Board in May 2025 to adopt them for its district; the update shrinks the Very High area in unincorporated Castro Valley. Look up a parcel with ACFD's Fire Severity Zone LRA Viewer or the State Fire Marshal's address search at osfm.fire.ca.gov/FHSZ.
- Defensible space rules
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ACFD's defensible space program applies to homes in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in unincorporated Alameda County, and ACFD also does real estate transfer inspections in High and Very High zones. Defensible space runs 100 feet in three zones. Zone 0 (0 to 5 feet) should use gravel, pavers or concrete in place of combustible mulch, with branches kept 10 feet from chimneys and stovepipes. Zone 1 (5 to 30 feet) must be cleared of dead plants, leaves and needles, including from roofs and gutters, and outbuildings and propane tanks need 10 feet of clear space. Zone 2 (30 to 100 feet or to the property line) calls for grass cut to 4 inches or less and tree limbs raised at least 6 feet on large trees and 4 feet on small ones; ACFD suggests vertical clearance of three times the shrub height between shrubs and tree limbs. ACFD says it is not currently fining owners and is using an education-first approach, and inspections in unincorporated areas are free for now.
- Chipping
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ACFD's free Community Chipper Program chips cut brush, shrubs, limbs and small trees up to 8 inches in diameter, with pieces under 80 pounds, stacked at the roadside in piles no taller than 4 feet. Grass, leaves, pine needles, poison oak, broom, blackberry, vines and fencing are not accepted. Chips are left on site and must be spread 3 inches deep or less. Stack piles parallel to the road with cut ends facing the same way; the contractor will not carry material more than 10 feet. Neighborhoods are encouraged to schedule together; sign up with the online form on ACFD's chipper page, email OneLessSpark@acgov.org or call (510) 632-3473 ext. 1190.
- Fire Safe Council
- Diablo Firesafe Council
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In unincorporated Alameda County, the Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) inspects defensible space for homes in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The standard is the state's 100-foot, three-zone rule, and ACFD says it is focusing on education and not yet issuing fines. CAL FIRE's 2025 maps cut unincorporated Very High local-responsibility land to 339 acres, from 1,280 on the 2011 map, while adding about 2,400 Moderate and 1,200 High acres. Contractors below are ranked by public Google rating.
More in Alameda County 34
Serving all of California 8
Also on record 6
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All Seasons Tree Service and Land Clearing
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Am/Pm Tree Service, Inc.
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JMV Tree Service
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New Sky Tree Service
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Skyline Tree Experts
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Star Creek Land Stewards
Defensible space rules in Alameda County
Fire hazard zones in Alameda County
CAL FIRE released new Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps for local-responsibility areas on February 24, 2025, adding Moderate and High zones to the earlier Very High-only maps. In May 2025, ACFD asked its Board to adopt them by ordinance, noting that less of unincorporated Castro Valley is now rated Very High. According to CAL FIRE’s acreage table, unincorporated Very High land fell from 1,280 to 339 acres, with about 2,400 Moderate and 1,200 High acres added. Oakland (1,945 acres) and Berkeley (454) still have the most Very High land among the cities. Check your parcel on ACFD’s zone viewer.
Local rules and deadlines
ACFD inspects defensible space every year for Very High zone parcels. In both High and Very High zones it enforces the building codes and does real estate transfer inspections; Moderate zones have no added requirements. Its defensible space standards follow the state’s 100-foot, three-zone model. The ember-resistant zone runs 0 to 5 feet and the lean, clean and green zone 5 to 30 feet. From 30 to 100 feet, grass must stay at 4 inches or less and tree limbs must be raised at least 6 feet on large trees. According to ACFD’s FAQ, no fines are being issued yet and inspections are free for now. Homes in High or Very High zones still need a compliant inspection to sell.
Free chipping and fire-safe programs
ACFD’s Community Chipper Program is free. It chips roadside piles of limbs and brush up to 8 inches in diameter, with piles up to 4 feet high. Piles go parallel to the road with cut ends facing one way, since the contractor will not carry material more than 10 feet. Chips stay on your property and must be spread no deeper than 3 inches. Neighborhoods are encouraged to book together through the online sign-up form; see the chipper FAQ. The Diablo Firesafe Council serves Alameda and Contra Costa counties and prepared the county’s 2025 Community Wildfire Protection Plan. It also runs a free Five Easy Actions home-hardening talk, and its cost-share grant of up to $3,500 was paused at last check.
County resources
Questions about inspections go to ACFD’s defensible space team at acfddefensiblespace@acgov.org or (510) 632-3473 ext. 1722, which also takes violation reports and requests for neighborhood trainings. Insurance-company requirements may differ from ACFD’s, so an insurer inspection does not replace one. The inspection FAQ covers fees and sale requirements. Oakland, Berkeley, Fremont and Hayward run their own programs. The contractors listed below serve Alameda County and can help with clearing, chipping prep and home hardening.
Frequently asked questions 5
Who enforces defensible space in unincorporated Alameda County?
The Alameda County Fire Department runs defensible space inspections for residents in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in unincorporated areas, and residents there are responsible for keeping up defensible space. Cities such as Oakland, Berkeley, Fremont and Hayward run their own weed abatement or defensible space enforcement.
Will I be fined if my property doesn't pass?
Not at present. ACFD says it is using a community education approach and asking residents to comply voluntarily while it expands the program before any fines are introduced. Inspections in unincorporated Alameda County are currently free, though ACFD says it may start charging to recover program costs.
How wide does my defensible space need to be?
ACFD uses three zones out to 100 feet: an ember-resistant Zone 0 from 0 to 5 feet, a Lean, Clean and Green Zone 1 from 5 to 30 feet, and a Reduced Fuel Zone 2 from 30 to 100 feet or to the property line. In Zone 2, cut annual grass to 4 inches or less and raise limbs at least 6 feet on large trees.
Do I need an inspection to sell my house?
If the home is in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, yes. California requires a defensible space disclosure on residential sales there, so the seller needs documentation of a compliant inspection. ACFD does these transfer inspections for its district.
Is chipping free in Alameda County?
Yes. ACFD's Community Chipper Program chips roadside piles of cut brush and limbs up to 8 inches in diameter at no cost, but it will not cut vegetation for you or haul the chips away. Use the sign-up form on ACFD's chipper page, email OneLessSpark@acgov.org or call (510) 632-3473 ext. 1190.