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Ross council introduces municipal code cleanups and accepts state fire-hazard maps; council sets May 8 for adoption votes
Summary
Council members introduced broad cleanup amendments to the Ross Municipal Code (ordinance 728) and introduced an ordinance to adopt state fire hazard severity zone maps for Ross Local Responsibility Area (ordinance 729). Council directed staff to return for second readings and final adoption on May 8.
The Ross Town Council on April 3 introduced two sets of municipal changes: a broad package of municipal-code cleanups and a separate ordinance to adopt state fire hazard severity zones for the town’s Local Responsibility Area.
Planning and building staff summarized ordinance 728, a multi-chapter package of edits the town calls “cleanup amendments.” The changes update job titles, add Juneteenth as an official town holiday, make gender-neutral language and scrivener’s corrections, modify the town’s drainage and flood-related rules (including a requirement raising finished-floor elevation for manufactured homes to one foot above FEMA’s base flood elevation), and streamline some permitting and tree-permit procedures. Staff said some substantively larger items — for example, disaster preparedness changes — will return separately for fuller council discussion.
Staff also introduced ordinance 729, required by state law, to designate fire hazard severity zones inside Ross’s Local Responsibility Area. Senior fire inspector Rob Bastjohn and Ross fire leadership explained CAL FIRE’s model and the 2025 map release; most of the town falls into the state-defined “moderate” hazard category with small areas excluded or categorized differently. The maps are based on modeled burn probability, vegetation/fuels, expected flame lengths and local weather patterns.
Council discussion focused on tree-permit wording that would make it easier to address vegetation within the 0-to-5-foot “zone 0” defensible‑space band adjacent to structures. Several council members urged caution in the ordinance language so the town does not inadvertently broaden the definition of hazardous trees and generate neighbor disputes. Others urged moving quickly to align local rules with state and regional wildfire-hardening expectations for defensible space and home-hardening.
Both ordinances were introduced — the council waived first readings and directed staff to return for second readings and adoption on May 8, 2025. Staff said they will continue to refine code language and consult with subject-matter staff (police, fire, planning) and the council before the May hearing.
Why it matters: The municipal-code cleanups include public-safety, flood-safety and tree/vegetation provisions that affect permitting, home construction standards and the process for removing or permitting trees near homes. The fire-hazard maps are intended to inform planning, defensible-space enforcement, and preparedness efforts in coordination with Ross Valley fire agencies and state guidance.
