Pre‑List WUI Checklist For Colony Sellers

Selling your home in The Colony means showcasing a lifestyle and proving your property is prepared for wildfire season. You want buyers to feel confident about insurability and safety without sacrificing presentation. This guide gives you a clear pre-list checklist tailored to Park City’s WUI standards so you can move fast, document your work, and reduce friction during underwriting. Let’s dive in.

Why WUI prep matters in The Colony

The Colony sits in Park City’s Wildland Urban Interface, so buyers and insurers will look for defensible space and home‑hardening. Utah’s evolving rules under HB 48 and the FFSL WUI program and parcel data in the Utah Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal make risk more visible. Aligning your property with local guidance reduces uncertainty and strengthens your listing.

Quick wins before you list

1. Roof and gutters

• Clear all needles, leaves, and debris. Trim back overhanging limbs. Photograph before and after for your disclosure packet.

2. Immediate zone 0–5 ft

• Remove wood piles, propane tanks, lumber, furniture, and flammable mulch. Use rock or hardscape in this zone. Follow Park City’s details in the Home Hardening & Defensible Space guide.

3. Vents and eaves

• Fit attic, soffit, and crawlspace vents with corrosion‑resistant metal mesh that is 1/8 inch or smaller. Box in open eaves where practical. Document the work with photos.

4. Decks and porches

• Remove debris and stored combustibles under and on top. If feasible, enclose the underside with non‑combustible materials.

5. Address visibility and access

• Make the street number highly visible and reflective. Ensure gates are coordinated for first responders and confirm driveway access. If you have questions on turnarounds or clearances, contact the Park City Fire Marshal.

Defensible space by zone

Park City uses the Home Ignition Zone model. Use these exact distances and practices from the city’s guide.

Immediate zone 0–5 ft

• Keep it lean, clean, and green. No combustibles next to the structure. Replace wood mulch with rock where practical. See Park City’s WUI hardening and defensible space recommendations.

Intermediate zone 5–30 ft

• Mow grass to 4 inches or less.
• Remove ladder fuels under trees. Limb trees 4 to 6 feet from the ground, adjusted by tree height.
• Maintain spacing between tree or shrub clusters. Keep about 18 feet between clusters in this zone.

Extended zone 30–100 ft

• Remove dead or dying vegetation and thin small conifers between clusters.
• Continue spacing guidance from Park City within this zone to reduce continuous fuels.

Home hardening essentials

• Roof: A Class A roof is recommended. Keep it clean and free of debris.
• Vents: Use metal mesh screens that are 1/8 inch or smaller to block embers.
• Eaves and soffits: Enclose or “box in” to limit ember entry.
• Windows: If feasible, install or highlight double or tempered glazing on large panes.
• Decks and fences: Keep decks clear and consider how combustible fencing meets the house. For materials and details, follow Park City’s Home Hardening guidance.

Access and water readiness

Emergency vehicles need safe access. Typical fire code guidance includes access within about 150 feet of exterior walls and vertical clearance near 13 feet 6 inches; confirm your specifics with the Fire Marshal and local code adoption. For reference, see Utah’s fire‑code standards overview on fire apparatus access. If your driveway is long or narrow, verify turnouts or turnarounds.

• Make sure gates open reliably and are coordinated for first responders.
• Check water availability. Test irrigation and any on‑site tanks or pumps and note condition and function for your disclosure packet.

Document everything for buyers

Buyers and insurers respond to clear evidence. Package these items with your listing:

• Before and after photos of roof, gutters, 0–5 ft zone, decks, and pruning.
• Receipts or invoices for landscaping, chipping, limb removal, roof work, or vent screening.
• Any lot assessment or triage report from UWRAP or local officials, plus your completed mitigation steps.
• HOA rules for vegetation and access, including any community chipping schedules.
• Permits tied to recent work. Park City’s WUI rules can apply to remodels valued over $50,000; review the city’s WUI code and worksheet.

Programs and scheduling in Park City

• Park City Fire District chipping: Schedule service and follow prep steps using the city’s chipping program guidance. Call 435‑940‑2484 or email [email protected].
• Summit County Fire Warden: For county resources, maps, and chipping zones, visit Summit County Wildfire Resources.
• UWRAP: Look up parcel risk and High‑Risk WUI boundary, and check options for lot assessments at the Utah Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal.

Note: The Colony is within Park City’s municipal boundary, but verify jurisdiction for your parcel if you are near a boundary.

Insurance and disclosure readiness

Insurability is top of mind for Wasatch Back buyers, and sellers who document mitigation have an advantage. Utah’s HB 48 phases in consistent use of UWRAP’s High‑Risk WUI boundary and lot triage data starting Jan 1, 2026, so keep records of your improvements and any assessments. Review FFSL’s overview of HB 48 and WUI risk.

• Disclosure: Utah practice requires you to disclose known material facts. See this plain‑English summary of Utah seller disclosures.
• Local context: Underwriting has tightened in mountain communities. For background, see reporting on insurance challenges in the Wasatch Back.

Your pre‑list WUI checklist

• Clear roof and gutters; trim overhangs; photo document.
• Empty the 0–5 ft zone; replace wood mulch with rock.
• Screen vents with 1/8 inch metal mesh; enclose eaves where feasible.
• Clean under decks; remove stored combustibles.
• Make address visible; confirm gate and driveway access.
• Mow 5–30 ft zone to 4 inches; limb trees 4–6 feet; maintain 18 feet between clusters.
• Thin and remove dead fuels 30–100 ft.
• Gather photos, receipts, permits, HOA rules, and any lot assessments.
• Book PCFD chipping; note service dates in your packet.

Ready to market your property with confidence? Reach out for a tailored pre‑list plan, including photography and presentation that highlights mitigation work and estate features. Connect with Tricia Cohen to get started.

FAQs

What is the WUI and how does it affect a Colony sale?

• Park City applies WUI standards to reduce wildfire risk around homes. Following the city’s WUI code and worksheet helps you prepare for buyer and insurer review.

How far should defensible space extend around my home?

• Park City defines zones at 0–5 ft, 5–30 ft, and 30–100 ft with pruning and spacing rules. Use the city’s defensible space guide for exact steps.

Do I need permits to remove trees or thin vegetation?

• Some areas and work types can trigger review. Check the city’s WUI page and call Planning or the Fire Marshal before major removals.

Will mitigation help my buyer secure insurance?

• It often improves underwriting conversations, especially with photos, receipts, and lot assessments. Review FFSL’s overview of HB 48 and WUI risk and advise buyers to check carriers early.

What documents should I give my listing agent?

• Provide photos, invoices, permits, any UWRAP or local assessments, and HOA rules. Park City’s pre‑list chipping and readiness info is a helpful reference.