When does California require a Class A roof?
Health and Safety Code 13132.7 sets minimum fire ratings for roof coverings. In a very high fire hazard severity zone, the entire roof covering must be at least Class A when more than 50% of the roof is replaced within one year. Other zones carry lower minimum classes, and cities and counties can adopt stricter rules.
How do I check my fire hazard zone?
Look up your address on CAL FIRE's Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps. The state revised its maps in 2025, so check even if you looked before.
What are the local rules in the Bay Area?
Look up your address on the state fire hazard severity zone map before choosing a roof; maps were revised in 2025. FIRESafe MARIN publishes home-hardening guidance for Marin, and Berkeley adopted a Wildland-Urban Interface code chapter (Chapter 19.49) in 2025. In a very high fire hazard severity zone, state law requires a Class A assembly when more than half the roof is replaced. Cities and counties also apply their own codes, so confirm with the building department for your address.
Which roofs are Class A?
Class A is the highest fire rating for roof assemblies. Many asphalt shingle, metal, clay and concrete tile products are listed as Class A when installed as the manufacturer specifies, sometimes with a particular underlayment. Ask the roofer for the product's listing and the assembly it was tested with, and keep the paperwork.
What else should a fire-ready reroof include?
CAL FIRE's building in the wildland guidance explains why embers, vents and gutters matter as much as the roofing itself. Details to ask about: ember-resistant vents, closed eaves, metal drip edge, gutter guards or regular gutter cleaning, and sealing gaps where embers can lodge.
Does a Class A roof help with insurance?
The Department of Insurance's Safer from Wildfires program lists a Class A fire-rated roof among the mitigation steps insurers recognize with discounts. Ask your insurer how they verify it, and read our insurance guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Class A roof required in California?
In a very high fire hazard severity zone, state law requires at least Class A when more than half the roof is replaced within a year. Local rules can be stricter.
How do I know if I'm in a fire hazard zone?
Look up your address on CAL FIRE's Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps, which were revised in 2025.
Are asphalt shingles Class A?
Many are, when installed as a listed Class A assembly. Ask your roofer for the product listing and keep it.
Does a Class A roof lower insurance costs?
It can. The state's Safer from Wildfires program lists a Class A roof among mitigation steps insurers recognize with discounts.
Sources
- California Health and Safety Code 13132.7
- CAL FIRE OSFM: Fire Hazard Severity Zones
- CAL FIRE OSFM: Building in the wildland
- CDI: Safer from Wildfires
- FIRESafe MARIN
- OSFM: fire hazard severity zone maps
- Berkeley Chapter 19.49 (WUI code)
Sources reviewed November 11, 2026. Figures are published estimates and official fees, not quotes. Confirm prices, permits and requirements with your contractor and building department. This page is general information, not legal or insurance advice.