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Council introduces Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) ordinance; map updated to add two areas
Summary
Corte Madera’s council introduced an ordinance to adopt the 2025 California Wildland‑Urban Interface Code. The fire authority updated the town’s WUI map (adding two small areas), and the proposed WUI ordinance includes permitting for exterior wildfire‑protection sprinkler systems and requires publication of the town's WUI map for enforcement.
The Corte Madera Town Council introduced an ordinance Oct. 7 to repeal and reenact the town’s Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) chapter to align with the new Part 7 of the 2025 California Building Standards Code.
Fire Chief Ruben Martin explained that the state moved several WUI‑related provisions (defensible space, exterior ignition‑resistance measures and some residential construction provisions) into the new Part 7. Local fire staff reviewed the state WUI code and proposed local findings and amendments to align defensible‑space enforcement, setbacks and building‑hardening standards with local conditions. Martin said the county fire agencies coordinated closely and that local adoption preserves tools tailored to the town’s geography.
A notable staff action in this cycle was an update to the town’s WUI map. Martin said two areas that previously had been omitted were added to the map to simplify enforcement and avoid parcel‑by‑parcel irregularities: an area in East Corte Madera near Enterprise and Constitution streets and a small sliver near Palm Hill / Baltimore that previously created mismatched lines across adjacent properties. The updated map will be adopted alongside the ordinance so the town has a single WUI map for defensible‑space inspections.
The proposed WUI ordinance also clarifies that property owners may now obtain permits for exterior wildfire protection systems (exterior sprinklers). Martin said the town intends to require registration of such systems so staff can identify their locations and — if necessary during a large emergency or if local water supply is strained — isolate or shut off systems to protect the broader water supply. Councilmembers asked whether turning off exterior systems could raise liability questions; Martin acknowledged risk tradeoffs but said the priority is protecting limited water resources during wide‑area incidents and ensuring correct installation and permitting.
The council introduced the ordinance by motion and set a public hearing for adoption; the motion passed unanimously (Andrews, Beckman, Casiza, Vice Mayor Thomas and Mayor Ravazio all voted yes). Martin noted the state WUI code will be effective on Jan. 1, 2026 regardless of local action, but adopting local amendments allows the town to enforce locally tailored requirements.
Next steps: the ordinance will return for adoption at the scheduled hearing; staff said they will publish the updated WUI map and provide implementation details for homeowners, including permit and registration processes for exterior wildfire protection systems.
