Selling Your Home in a Fire Zone? AB-38 Inspections Completed in 24–48 Hours.
Required documentation for every real estate transaction in High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
WHAT IS AB-38?
California Assembly Bill 38 (AB-38) requires sellers of residential property in High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to provide buyers with documentation proving compliance with defensible space requirements. If you can’t provide this documentation by close of escrow, the buyer must agree in writing to obtain compliance within one year.
As of July 1, 2025, sellers must also disclose specific information about fire hardening improvements and provide the State Fire Marshal’s list of low-cost retrofits.
In other words: if you’re selling a home in a fire zone, you need an AB-38 defensible space inspection — and you need the documentation before escrow closes.
PROTECT YOUR TRANSACTION
Don’t let AB-38 compliance delay your escrow. Book your inspection today and receive your documentation within 24-48 hours.
Questions? Call (323) 384-6316 or email nathan@larentalinspections.com
WHO NEEDS AN AB-38 INSPECTION?
Home sellers
in High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones
Real estate agents
representing sellers in fire-prone areas
Escrow and title companies
needing compliance documentation
Homeowners
wanting to verify their defensible space status proactively
Professional Building Inspections, Home Inspections, and Property Inspections in Los Angeles
Pricing Table Title
24-48 hours
AB-38 Defensible Space + Home Hardening Inspection
24-48 hours
Large Property (1+ acre) or Complex Landscaping
24 hours
Re-Inspection (after remediation work)
DEFENSIBLE SPACE ZONES EXPLAINED
California law requires defensible space extending 100 feet from structures (or to the property line). This space is divided into zones:
Zone 0 (Ember-Resistant Zone): 0-5 feet from structure
- No combustible materials, dead plants, or debris
- No mulch or bark within 5 feet of structure
- No plants directly under windows or against siding
Zone 1 (Lean, Clean, and Green Zone): 5-30 feet from structure
- Remove all dead plants, grass, and weeds
- Trim trees so lowest branches are 6 feet from ground
- Space trees and shrubs to prevent fire spread
- Keep grass mowed to 4 inches or less
Zone 2 (Reduced Fuel Zone): 30-100 feet from structure
- Reduce vegetation density
- Create horizontal and vertical spacing between plants
- Remove dead vegetation and debris
REALTOR PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
Are you a real estate agent regularly listing properties in fire zones? We offer a partnership program with:
Priority scheduling
for your listings (same-day or next-day availability)
Volume pricing
for agents with 5+ inspections annually
Direct escrow coordination
we can send documentation directly to escrow
Co-branded materials
to share with your sellers
FIRE ZONES WE SERVE
We provide AB-38 inspections throughout Southern California’s High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, including:
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