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Council adopts ordinance to incorporate newly mapped high fire-hazard zones; changes to building-code requirements to follow
Summary
The City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance designating newly mapped high fire-hazard severity zones as recommended by CAL FIRE. The designation will trigger California Building Code Chapter 7A construction requirements and AB 38 disclosure inspections in the affected areas after the ordinance takes effect in May.
The City Council voted Tuesday to adopt an ordinance updating the city's fire hazard severity zoning to mirror recently released maps from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
Interim Fire Marshal Kamplin Robbins told council members the maps were received Feb. 24 and that state law requires local jurisdictions to adopt updated hazard severity zone maps within 120 days of receipt. "These maps were created in response to the Oakland Hills fires in 1991," Robbins said, describing how the updated maps identify moderate, high and very-high fire severity zones in the local responsibility area.
The updated map shown to council indicates increases in mapped hazard in parts of Oakmont and Bennett Valley and reductions in other pockets, Robbins said. The ordinance will add a newly designated high-zone reference to Santa Rosa's municipal code and is anticipated to take effect in May; once effective, areas mapped as high or very-high in the CAL FIRE release will be subject to relevant California Building Code Chapter 7A design and construction requirements and to AB 38 wildfire-hazard disclosure inspections.
Councilmember Pamela McDonald introduced the ordinance and the council voted 5-0 with Vice Mayor Alvarez and Councilmember Fleming absent.
Robbins and staff said next steps include internal and external stakeholder outreach as the city evaluates potential changes to its Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) boundaries and maps. The city posted updated resources at srcity.org/wildfireready to help residents locate information and address-specific guidance.
What this means for homeowners: properties newly designated as high or very-high hazard will face new building-code construction standards for new development and, where applicable, AB 38 disclosure inspections at sale. Robbins said the fire department will coordinate outreach and more-detailed evaluation of local WUI mapping following adoption of the CAL FIRE maps.
No public speaker asked to comment during the hearing; staff closed the public hearing and the council adopted the ordinance by roll-call vote.
