Lot Clearing & Defensible Space in Los Gatos
Brush, ladder fuels and dead trees cleared from Los Gatos lots by a firefighter-owned tree service.
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The Town of Los Gatos says it directly: southern Los Gatos is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The current local map was adopted in June 2025. Firefighter Tree Service is owned by firefighter Dennis Santora, and we clear lots by the three defensible space zones the Town publishes.
- In the first 5 feet from the house, dead plants, leaf litter and limbs over the roof come out. The state's Zone 0 rule is not yet in effect. The Town already requires a 5-foot nonflammable zone around new structures in the wildland urban interface.
- From 5 to 30 feet, we remove dead brush, lift low limbs and open gaps so fire cannot climb from shrubs into the canopy.
- From 30 to 100 feet, we thin brush and take down dead trees.
The tree ordinance still applies
A defensible space job does not suspend the tree rules. On Hillside lots, trees 8 inches and up are protected, and cutting more than 25 percent of a protected tree's canopy within 3 years needs a permit. On vacant land the threshold is 4 inches, which matters if you are clearing before you build. Hillside replacement trees planted 30 feet or more from the house have to be natives from the Town's Hillside guidelines. We flag protected trees before we price the job.
What the free county chipper takes
The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council runs a free Community Chipping Program for County Fire District and WUI residents. Its limits are limbs under 4 inches in diameter, piles under 4 feet high, and 100 cubic yards maximum. Register at reserve.chipperday.com/santa_clara. Trunks, stumps, standing trees and anything over those limits is work for us.
Santa Clara County Fire also offers free wildfire inspections, and the Town raised roadside weed abatement from 5 to 10 feet in 2020. Free estimates: (650) 454-0373.
Defensible space from a firefighter-owned company
Owner Dennis Santora is a firefighter. We clear to the zones the Town of Los Gatos publishes, and we take out the material the free county chipper will not: trunks, stumps and standing dead trees.
- Ladder fuels and dead brush removed from 0 to 100 feet
- Protected trees flagged before pricing
- Stumps ground 12 inches below grade
- Insured, ISA-certified arborists on staff
- Free estimates and a 3-day service guarantee on standard jobs
Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
The state Zone 0 rule for the first 5 feet around a home is not yet in effect. The Town of Los Gatos already requires a 5-foot nonflammable zone around new structures in the wildland urban interface, adopted in January 2020.
The Town says southern Los Gatos is. It adopted its local fire hazard map with Resolution 2025-037 and Ordinance 2374 in June 2025, and the map is on losgatosca.gov. Santa Clara County Fire, Station 3 on University Avenue at (408) 378-4010, offers free wildfire inspections.
Brush, no. Trees, it depends on size. On a developed Hillside lot, trees 8 inches and up in diameter are protected, and blue oak, black oak, buckeye and madrone are protected at 8 inches on any developed residential lot. Pruning more than 25 percent of a protected tree in 3 years also needs a permit. Some species, including blue gum and red gum eucalyptus and black acacia, are exempt below 24 inches.
If it fits the limits. The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council Community Chipping Program takes limbs under 4 inches in diameter, in piles under 4 feet high, up to 100 cubic yards. It serves County Fire District and WUI residents; register at reserve.chipperday.com/santa_clara. Anything larger we cut and haul.
Yes, but check the trees first. On vacant or non-residential property in Los Gatos, any tree 4 inches or more in diameter is protected, and the same 4-inch rule applies when removal relates to development review. We flag protected trees on the walk-through so they go into your permit plans, not into the chipper by mistake.
Our Process
How It Works
Three straightforward steps from first call to finished project.
Free Consultation
A certified arborist visits your property, assesses the trees, and discusses your goals. We identify any risks, health issues, or city permit requirements.
Detailed Estimate
You receive a clear, itemized quote with no hidden fees. We explain the scope of work, timeline, and handle any permit paperwork for you.
Expert Service & Cleanup
Our crew arrives on time, completes the work safely, and leaves your property spotless. We haul everything away. You won't know we were there.
Coverage
Service Areas
Los Gatos, the West Valley and the Highway 17 hills. On the Peninsula? Our Redwood City crew covers it.
Los Gatos
Monte Sereno
Saratoga
Campbell
Cupertino
Willow Glen
Cambrian Park
Almaden Valley
Santa Cruz Mountains
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Whether it's an emergency removal or routine tree care, Firefighter Tree Service is ready. Call us now or request a free consultation from our certified arborists.
Firefighter-owned · ISA Certified Arborists · Insured