We wanted to share information about a new program that is now available in Arizona: Wildfire Prepared Home.
The program is administered by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and establishes science-based standards for reducing a home’s wildfire risk. To earn certification, a property must meet a specific set of mitigation requirements, including maintaining a 0–5 foot noncombustible zone around the home and meeting other home-hardening standards. Certification requires compliance with all program requirements, not just some of them.
Some of these requirements may involve changes that are subject to the Association’s landscaping or architectural standards. Homeowners interested in pursuing certification should review the program requirements and determine whether any proposed improvements require Architectural Review Committee (ARC) approval. According to IBHS, homeowners may also need to coordinate with neighboring property owners or the Association to meet certain requirements.
In states such as California, many insurers recognize this certification as evidence of wildfire risk reduction, and homeowners have reported being encouraged—or, in some cases, required—to obtain certification to maintain coverage. While Arizona insurers have not broadly adopted those practices at this time, it is reasonable to anticipate that wildfire mitigation certifications may become increasingly important as insurers continue to evaluate wildfire risk.
Regardless of future insurance impacts, Wildfire Prepared Home is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive and science-based wildfire resilience programs available. It is designed to reduce the likelihood of home ignition by addressing the roof, vulnerable building features, and defensible space around the structure.
Please review the accompanying overview, which summarizes the Base (Essential) and Plus (Enhanced) certification requirements. We also encourage you to review the program’s FAQ section (https://wildfireprepared.org/frequently-asked-questions), which includes information specifically for homeowners and HOAs and addresses common questions regarding landscaping requirements, setbacks, and HOA approvals.
Thank you for your continued efforts to help reduce wildfire risk and keep our community safe.
