Codes & Compliance

Wildfire Ember Zones — Which NAZ ZIP Codes Require Class A Roofs in 2026

Yavapai's WUI (wildland-urban interface) map quietly expanded in 2025. Here's which neighborhoods are now Class A required.

Yavapai County's wildland-urban interface (WUI) map was last updated

November 2025. Class A roof rating + ember-resistant detailing are

now required for:

  • All new construction in WUI zones
  • Any re-roof exceeding 25% of the existing area in WUI zones
  • Any addition or major remodel in WUI zones

Currently-classified WUI ZIP codes (Yavapai)

| ZIP | Area | Class A required? |

|-------|--------------------|--|

| 86301 | Prescott central | Partial (forest-interface lots) |

| 86303 | Prescott (Hassayampa, Granite Dells) | Yes |

| 86305 | Prescott (north) | Yes |

| 86314 | Prescott Valley | Partial |

| 86323 | Chino Valley | No |

| 86326 | Cottonwood | Partial |

| 86327 | Dewey-Humboldt | Yes (added 2025) |

| 86329 | Humboldt | Yes (added 2025) |

| 86333 | Mayer | Yes (added 2025) |

| 86334 | Paulden | No (open prairie) |

| 86322 | Camp Verde | Partial |

What "Class A" actually means

Class A is the highest fire rating per ASTM E108. It means the roof

assembly will resist:

  • Severe fire exposure for 90+ minutes
  • 12 lb burning brand impact
  • Spread of flame at 6+ feet/min wind speed

Class A is achieved by:

  • Architectural asphalt shingles with Class A rating (most

modern brands)

  • Concrete or clay tile (inherently Class A)
  • Standing-seam metal with Class A underlayment
  • NOT wood shake (Class C even with treatment)
  • NOT older 3-tab shingles without Class A spec

Ember-resistant detailing (the part most contractors miss)

Class A rating on the field shingles isn't enough. WUI code also

requires:

  1. Ember-resistant vents — use 1/8" mesh screens, not 1/4". Most

older roofs have 1/4" vents that pass embers through.

  1. Closed-eave construction — open-rafter eaves are an ember

trap. Soffit must be sealed.

  1. Fire-resistant gutters — non-combustible (metal, not vinyl).

Gutter guards required to keep needles out.

  1. Roof-edge ember stops — at every roof penetration + the rake

edge.

Cost adder

A Class A re-roof with full ember-resistant detailing runs ~$1,500-

$3,000 more than a basic asphalt re-roof on a 2,200 sq ft home.

Insurance discount typically: 5-15% on the wildfire-exposure

portion of your homeowners' premium.

What if your roof is non-conforming?

You're not required to retrofit unless you trigger a major-repair

threshold. But if you're in a newly-WUI'd ZIP (Dewey-Humboldt,

Humboldt, Mayer), plan for the upgrade at next re-roof.

Find a WUI-experienced contractor →