California homeowners and builders are facing a new reality: wildfires are becoming more frequent, more intense, and more destructive. What was once considered a rare event is now a recurring threat that can strike any community in the state. For anyone planning a home or an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in California, resilience can no longer be an afterthought. The right materials, construction methods, and neighborhood planning are no longer optional—they’re essential for protecting lives, property, and long-term investment.
In response to these growing risks, California is evolving its building rules and incentive programs to prioritize more than just individual homes. The state is moving toward a model of code-driven, neighborhood-scale resilience. From updates to Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) codes to pilot initiatives like the California Wildfire Mitigation Program, the emphasis is shifting to community-wide safety and prevention. Builders and homeowners who embrace these changes early—adopting fire-resistant materials, planning strategically for defensible space, and leveraging available funding—are positioning themselves ahead of the curve. According to CalMatters and the Office of the State Fire Marshal, integrating these approaches is not only smart but increasingly necessary for long-term compliance and protection.
Policy & Code Landscape — What’s Changing
Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code Updates
California has adopted the 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface (IWUIC) Code as the foundation for the updated Title 24, Part 7 WUI rules. These changes set a higher standard for construction in areas prone to wildfires, ensuring that homes are built to resist flames, embers, and radiant heat. For homeowners and builders, this means that roofs must be made of fire-resistant materials, siding and decking must meet strict ember-resistance standards, windows should be tempered or multi-pane to reduce breakage from heat, and eaves need proper enclosure to prevent ignition. The California Department of Housing emphasizes that these measures are designed not only to protect individual homes but also to improve neighborhood-scale resilience by reducing the spread of fire.
Role of the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) & WUI Product Listings
The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) plays a central role in translating these codes into practical, actionable guidance. Through its Building Materials Listing (BML), the OSFM identifies which products meet the rigorous Chapter 7A/WUI requirements. Builders and homeowners can consult this resource to ensure that roofing, siding, windows, vents, and other materials comply with state standards. By adhering to OSFM-approved products, builders can guarantee both regulatory compliance and enhanced protection for homes in high-risk fire zones.
Local Ordinances and Disclosure Trends
In addition to state codes, cities and counties are implementing local ordinances that layer additional requirements on top of WUI standards. Defensible-space regulations, fuel-reduction mandates, and landscaping restrictions are increasingly common, and new seller disclosure rules are raising buyer expectations for home hardening. Publications such as San Francisco Chronicle and The Guardian report that buyers now prioritize homes with fire-resilient features, which not only influence insurance eligibility but also impact resale value. For builders, this trend reinforces the importance of integrating fire-resistant designs and materials from the start, ensuring that new construction meets both regulatory and market demands.
Emerging Trends & Implications for Design and Build Practice
From Home Hardening to Community Hardening — The Neighborhood Matters
California’s wildfire strategies are increasingly emphasizing the importance of community-wide resilience. According to CalMatters, policymakers and fire safety experts are encouraging cluster or neighborhood-scale approaches, such as shared fuel breaks, coordinated home retrofits, and collective defensible-space planning. This shift recognizes that even the most fire-resistant home is vulnerable if surrounding properties are not similarly fortified. For builders, this trend highlights the opportunity to design projects that contribute to broader neighborhood safety, fostering stronger community networks and reducing overall wildfire risk.
Performance-Based Materials & Product Vetting
Emerging building codes increasingly require the use of performance-tested, code-approved materials. Builders must source roofing, siding, windows, vents, and other assemblies listed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to comply with Chapter 7A/WUI standards. By integrating OSFM-approved materials into projects from the outset, builders can ensure regulatory compliance, minimize construction delays, and provide homeowners with verified fire-resilient solutions. This approach also simplifies inspections and approvals, giving builders a competitive advantage in high-risk zones.
ADUs and Retrofit Complexity
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are subject to the same rigorous WUI and Title 24 Part 7 standards as primary residences in high-risk areas. This means careful attention must be given to setbacks, materials, roofing, and landscaping to create defensible space around the structure. According to the OSFM, even small-scale projects like ADUs can have outsized impact on fire spread if not properly designed. Builders must therefore approach ADU projects with the same level of planning and compliance as larger homes, balancing functional design with fire safety requirements.
Insurance, Resale, and Buyer Expectations
Beyond code compliance, fire-resilient construction is increasingly influencing market dynamics. San Francisco Chronicle reports that insurers and buyers are scrutinizing homes for fire-resistant features, from roofing to defensible space. Homes built to these standards not only reduce potential insurance complications but can also command higher resale value. For builders, incorporating fire-safe design and materials is no longer just a regulatory requirement—it is a market differentiator that enhances appeal to safety-conscious buyers.
Practical Checklist for Builders & Homeowners
On-Plan Checks (Design & Permitting)
Before breaking ground, it’s critical to assess the wildfire risk of the building site. Builders and homeowners should verify the parcel’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) and ensure all designs align with WUI and Title 24 Part 7 requirements. Early integration of these standards during the planning and permitting phase helps avoid costly redesigns, simplifies inspections, and ensures compliance with state and local regulations. The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the International Code Council both emphasize that addressing fire risk proactively at the design stage is the most effective way to safeguard a property.
Materials & Assemblies to Prioritize
Choosing the right materials can significantly reduce a home’s vulnerability to wildfire. Builders should prioritize fire-resistant roofing, ember-resistant vents, tempered or multi-pane exterior glazing, non-combustible siding, and fully enclosed eaves. Landscaping should also be designed with defensible-space principles in mind, including appropriate setbacks, low-flammability plants, and cleared fuel zones. The California Department of Housing and the OSFM provide detailed guidance on these products and assemblies, ensuring that every component contributes to a fire-resilient home.
Neighborhood Coordination Steps
Fire resilience extends beyond individual properties. Engaging with homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and municipal authorities can unlock opportunities for cluster or neighborhood-scale fire mitigation. Coordinating defensible-space work with neighbors, applying for community grants, and leveraging programs like the California Wildfire Mitigation Program (CWMP) or Community Resilience Center (CRC) funding can amplify protection for entire neighborhoods. By aligning with local initiatives and strategic programs, builders not only enhance safety but also strengthen community relationships and access potential funding, as recommended by the OSFM and the Strategic Growth Council.
How Metricon Homes Is Positioned for the Future
Product/Service Alignment
Metricon Homes is uniquely equipped to help homeowners and developers navigate California’s evolving wildfire standards. From the very start of a project, Metricon integrates WUI-compliant materials and construction detailing into both homes and ADUs, ensuring that fire resilience is built into the design rather than retrofitted later. Leveraging pre-approved material lists and established relationships with OSFM-listed product vendors, Metricon reduces procurement challenges and ensures every component meets regulatory standards. Additionally, the company offers turnkey site assessments and defensible-space planning services that align seamlessly with programs like the California Wildfire Mitigation Program (CWMP) and municipal grant applications, giving clients a clear path from compliance to funding.
Competitive Differentiators
Metricon sets itself apart in the market by offering specialized “Built to Title 24 Part 7 / WUI-ready” packages designed specifically for high-risk zones. Its ADU packages are optimized for wildfire resilience, combining hardened building envelopes with compact, strategically planned defensible zones to maximize safety on smaller lots. Beyond individual projects, Metricon also supports neighborhood-scale resilience initiatives by assisting HOAs and developer clients in applying for resilience grants and coordinating cluster hardening efforts, helping entire communities reduce wildfire risk in line with guidance from the Strategic Growth Council.
Metricon Homes is Up to Date on California’s Evolving Building Code Changes
California’s evolving building codes and incentive programs are clearly steering the state toward neighborhood-scale wildfire resilience. From the updated WUI standards in Title 24 Part 7 to pilot initiatives like the California Wildfire Mitigation Program, the focus is no longer solely on individual homes—it extends to entire communities. Builders and homeowners who proactively integrate compliance, high-performance materials, and coordinated neighborhood planning position themselves not only for safety but also for competitive advantage. As noted by the International Code Council and the Office of the State Fire Marshal, forward-thinking design and strategic engagement with local programs are essential to meeting regulatory expectations and future-proofing properties against wildfire risk.
