Recovery Checklist · Marin County
Post-Wildfire Rebuild Checklist for Marin County Homeowners
By Solid Bay Construction SF | Updated 2026
Rebuilding after a wildfire in Marin's Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zones involves specific requirements beyond a typical rebuild. This checklist covers the Marin-specific steps, and pairs with our general guide on rebuilding after a fire in SF or Marin for the insurance and permitting basics that apply everywhere.
Immediate Steps
- ☐ File your insurance claim and document the loss thoroughly before any debris removal
- ☐ Check whether your property qualifies for state or county debris removal assistance programs, which are common after larger wildfire events
- ☐ Contact Marin County's building division (or your city's, if incorporated) about any expedited rebuild permitting process in effect — California has periodically enacted expedited rebuild statutes after major fire events that streamline permitting for like-for-like rebuilds
WUI-Specific Rebuild Requirements
Rebuilding in a Marin WUI zone means your new structure will need to meet current Chapter 7A (California Building Code) ignition-resistant construction standards, even if your prior home predated those requirements:
- ☐ Class A fire-rated roofing material
- ☐ Ember-resistant vents (dual-function vents rated for wildfire exposure)
- ☐ Non-combustible or ignition-resistant exterior siding, particularly within 5 feet of the structure
- ☐ Multi-pane tempered glass windows
- ☐ Non-combustible decking material within 10 feet of the structure
- ☐ Defensible space landscaping plan meeting current Marin FireSafe guidelines (typically zone-based clearance requirements extending 100 feet from structures where lot size allows)
Working With Marin FireSafe and CAL FIRE Resources
The Marin County Fire Department and Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority publish specific defensible space and construction guidance for the county's WUI zones, which can differ in emphasis from generic statewide guidance given Marin's specific vegetation and topography. Reviewing these resources before finalizing your rebuild design helps avoid a design that technically meets state code but doesn't align with local defensible-space expectations.
Design and Construction Checklist
- ☐ Confirm whether your rebuild qualifies for like-for-like expedited permitting or requires full current-code plan review
- ☐ Select a contractor with specific WUI/Chapter 7A construction experience — detailing (vent installation, siding transitions, roof-wall intersections) is where compliance most often goes wrong
- ☐ Plan defensible space landscaping alongside the structure design, not as an afterthought — plant selection and placement are part of the compliance picture
- ☐ Verify utility (PG&E) reconnection timeline and requirements early, since this can be a scheduling bottleneck independent of construction progress