What to Know About California’s Home Hardening Laws in 2025
The escalating wildfire risk in California is a pressing concern. With longer fire seasons and hotter, drier conditions, ember storms have emerged as a formidable threat to homeowners. Research indicates that up to 90 percent of homes lost in wildfires are not engulfed by direct flames, but rather by embers carried miles ahead of a fire front. Once these embers infiltrate vents, gutters, or roof edges, ignition can occur within minutes, underscoring the urgent need for action.
California’s response to this mounting danger is Assembly Bill 38 (AB 38)—the Home Hardening Law—which delineates specific measures homeowners must implement to safeguard their properties. These requirements are gaining significance in 2025 as enforcement broadens and insurance providers factor in compliance when determining coverage. At FireStorm, we are committed to making these upgrades not just a necessity, but an accessible and effective solution, empowering California families to fortify their homes.
Why Home Hardening Matters in 2025
Wildfires are no longer confined to remote areas. Communities across California, from the foothills to suburban neighborhoods, have faced devastating losses. AB 38 is part of the state’s larger wildfire defense strategy, ensuring homes are strengthened against ember intrusion and flame exposure. By focusing on preventative upgrades, homeowners can significantly reduce their risk while gaining peace of mind—and in many cases, lowering insurance costs.
National programs like Wildfire Prepared Homes, developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), reinforce this message by providing science-based standards and resources that help communities adopt proven home hardening practices. Together, California’s legislation and IBHS’s guidance are setting a new benchmark for wildfire resilience.
FireStorm supports this effort by offering tested, WUI-approved ember defense products that are designed for easy installation without sacrificing safety or compliance.
Understanding AB 38
AB 38 was introduced to create a statewide standard for wildfire home hardening. It requires properties in high-risk zones, including State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, to adopt measures such as ember-resistant vents, non-combustible zones, and fire-resistant construction materials.
The California State Fire Marshal oversees these requirements, which will be more widely enforced in 2025. Homeowners should understand that compliance may also become a condition for selling property in wildfire-prone areas, making upgrades a proactive investment rather than a reactive expense.
Defensible Space and Home Hardening
Home hardening is most effective when paired with defensible space—the buffer zones around a home designed to slow or stop fire spread. The area immediately next to the house, known as Zone 0, is the most critical. No combustible materials should be stored here, and landscaping should be limited to gravel, pavers, or fire-resistant plants. Beyond that, Zones 1 and 2 extend up to 100 feet and require ongoing vegetation management, such as trimming trees, clearing dead plants, and reducing potential fuel sources.
These vegetation rules are not separate from AB 38—they work in tandem with home hardening measures to create a comprehensive wildfire defense.
What This Means for Homeowners and Insurance
For many Californians, insurance coverage is becoming harder to obtain in wildfire-prone regions. Carriers now look closely at whether a home meets AB 38 standards before approving or renewing policies. Taking steps like upgrading vents or installing ember guards can not only protect a home but also demonstrate compliance to insurers.
The financial implications are clear: investing in ember-resistant upgrades today can avert catastrophic losses tomorrow. Non-compliance, on the other hand, could lead to higher premiums, reduced coverage options, or even policy cancellations. By taking proactive steps to comply with AB 38, homeowners cannot only protect their homes but also potentially reduce their insurance costs, providing a reassuring return on their investment.
Home Hardening Upgrades That Make a Difference
Several upgrades are now recognized as essential under California’s wildfire home hardening laws. Ember-resistant vents are at the top of the list, as they prevent embers from entering attics and crawlspaces where fires often begin. For existing homes, retrofit options are available and straightforward to install.
Fire-resistant mesh and vent screens, such as FireStorm EmberMesh, provide added protection for decks, crawlspaces, and other vulnerable areas. Gutters are another high-risk feature, and installing metal gutter guards keeps dry debris from turning into fuel during an ember storm. Combined with upgrades to roofing, siding, or windows, these measures align homes with AB 38 while dramatically reducing ignition risks.
FireStorm’s Role in Compliance
Not all products marketed as “ember-resistant” meet the rigorous standards required under AB 38. At FireStorm, we focus on solutions that are tested, code-compliant, and built to perform when it matters most. Our vents, mesh, and gutter guards are designed with both durability and ease of installation in mind, making it possible for homeowners to upgrade without the cost of hiring a contractor.
To see these products in action, view our installation video.
Resources You Can Use
Understanding California’s home hardening requirements is one thing—knowing exactly how to comply is another. That’s why FireStorm provides tools and resources to bridge the gap between state laws and real-world solutions. Whether you’re a homeowner looking for step-by-step instructions or a contractor ensuring your projects meet AB 38 standards, these materials are designed to make the process clear and achievable.
Downloadable Guides and Product Sheets
- FireStorm Gutter Guard Sales Sheet (PDF): Specifications, installation tips, and maintenance best practices.
- FireStorm Ember Mesh Sales Sheet (PDF): Details on how EmberMesh™ can retrofit existing vents, decks, and crawlspaces for ember resistance.
- FireStorm Full Product Brochure (PDF): A complete overview of FireStorm’s ember defense product line, designed to help you compare solutions and plan upgrades.
Video Resources
- Watch our installation video to see how ember-resistant vents and mesh are installed correctly. This visual guide walks you through the process so you can approach your project with confidence.
Educational Support
- FireStorm’s team keeps pace with California building codes and WUI standards, ensuring our resources are current with the latest wildfire defense requirements.
- Visit Ready for Wildfire for additional homeowner guidance from CAL FIRE on defensible space and wildfire safety.
By combining these resources with FireStorm’s proven product line, you’ll have everything you need to approach home hardening the right way—compliant, effective, and within reach for the average homeowner.
Are You Prepared to Take Action?
Wildfires aren’t slowing down, and California’s home hardening laws are here to stay. The question isn’t whether you’ll need to comply—it’s whether you’ll take steps now to ensure your home is ready.
FireStorm is here to help. Explore our ember-resistant products in our online shop, or find a supplier using our store locator. For additional guidance on wildfire preparedness, visit Ready for Wildfire.
Take action today. By hardening your home with FireStorm solutions, you’re not just meeting California’s requirements—you’re protecting your property, your community, and your peace of mind.
