Truckee council introduces ordinance to adopt state fire hazard severity zone map

The Town of Truckee Council introduced an ordinance on April 22 to adopt the California state‑recommended Fire Hazard Severity Zone map and to amend Chapter 15.03 of the Truckee Municipal Code to align local code with the updated map. The introduction was approved unanimously; staff said the ordinance will return for formal adoption before the state's 120‑day deadline.

James Blattler, the town’s emergency services coordinator, explained the state fire marshal recommended updated classifications (moderate, high and very high) across local responsibility areas. Blattler told the council the update reflects improved fire modeling, climate data and fire history and represents the first substantial update to local responsibility area maps since 2007. He said the state recommended map increases the area designated as "very high" by roughly 40%, and adds acreage in the high and moderate categories.

Blattler summarized impacts: identification of moderate areas is informational; "high" classifications trigger wildland‑urban interface building code requirements (which the town already applies town‑wide); "very high" adds a 100‑foot defensible‑space requirement and affects long‑range planning and certain subdivision reviews. He said the town must adopt the state‑recommended map by ordinance within 120 days of receiving the recommendations and then transmit the adopted map to the California Board of Forestry.

Council members asked whether the town could change the map; staff said the town may increase severity in a particular area with "substantial evidence" but cannot reduce the state recommendation. The town also emphasized that the hazard map assumes a 50‑year horizon without mitigation and therefore does not reflect existing local fuels‑reduction work.

The council introduced ordinance 2025‑04 and directed staff to return with the ordinance for adoption at a subsequent meeting; staff noted the adopted maps will be posted and transmitted to Cal Fire and the Board of Forestry as required by state law.

Vote: the introduction motion passed unanimously: Mayor Zabriskie, Vice Mayor Klostok, Council Member Romack, Council Member Henderson and Council Member Polavie voted in favor.

Ending: Staff will finalize the ordinance language and return to the council for adoption prior to the state deadline; the town will continue public outreach and post maps and supporting materials on the town web page.