Perris holds workshop on new state wildfire severity maps; building, landscaping and insurance implications discussed

The City of Perris on May 7 conducted a public workshop on updated wildfire‑hazard severity maps published by CAL FIRE; Jorge Caballero, the city’s building official and fire marshal, presented the changes, how the maps were developed and what the new designations mean for residents and developers.

Caballero said CAL FIRE published the new high‑hazard severity maps March 24, based on finer‑grained “micro‑weather” and vegetation data. The maps use three categories — moderate, high and very high — and the state model increased mapped areas in portions of Perris, especially along the city’s northeast and southwest edges. The state’s Government Code requires local governments to adopt the state maps within 120 days of publication and to post the maps for at least 30 days for public review, Caballero said.

Caballero told the commission that, under the updated mapping, properties in state‑designated areas will face additional requirements for new construction and substantial remodels. Those requirements include compliance with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code (fire‑resistant materials and methods for exterior walls, roof coverings and openings), expanded defensible‑space vegetation clearance provisions (the state recommends up to 100 feet or to the property line when lots are smaller) and potential changes to fire‑department access and hydrant spacing. Caballero said some code changes tied to the new maps will become effective with the 2026 code cycle and that local implementation requires the city to adopt an ordinance and related updates to the general plan safety element.

Caballero described how the state refined its model since the last map update in 2007: instead of a single weather model for broad regions, CAL FIRE now analyzes roughly 2‑kilometer grid cells to estimate surface wind and local vegetation conditions and then models ember propagation under worst‑case wind conditions. The result, Caballero said, is that some areas previously considered lower risk are now mapped as higher severity because the new modeling shows greater ember propagation potential.

On timing, staff said the city would take the state maps forward for a first city council reading on May 27 and a second reading and adoption on June 10, 2025. Caballero emphasized the city cannot reduce mapped areas below the state designation; the city may adopt equal or greater coverage, but not a smaller footprint.

Public commenters and commissioners raised practical questions about the maps’ effect on insurance and construction costs. Caballero said the State Fire Marshal and the insurance commissioner have issued guidance that insurers should consider code upgrades and that homeowners who retrofit with Chapter 7A measures may be eligible for premium reductions, but he acknowledged insurers continue to make independent underwriting decisions and residents reported cases of insurers declining renewals in some California markets. Caballero also said local contractors and building officials estimate the incremental cost for Chapter 7A‑type construction measures can range from a few percent to as much as roughly 25% depending on materials and scope; fiber‑cement siding and noncombustible roofing were examples given of choices that affect cost and fire performance.

Staff posted informational materials on the city and State Fire Marshal websites, used social media and placed a notice in the local newspaper; Caballero said the city set up an address lookup tool so residents can verify whether a parcel is within a newly mapped area. Commissioners asked staff to add links to the city’s building‑permit webpages and for further outreach (QR codes, the city Gov app and additional neighborhood notices) so homeowners who do not follow social media are aware of the changes.

Caballero closed the workshop by asking residents who have questions about specific retrofits or insurance implications to contact the building or fire department; he reiterated that mapped areas are based on the state model and cannot be reduced locally, and he encouraged property owners to consider defensible‑space measures and fire‑resistant materials when planning remodels or new construction.

The City Council is scheduled to consider ordinances implementing the maps at its May 27 and June 10 meetings, at which time staff will present final language for local adoption.