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Oakdale adopts state-mandated fire hazard severity zones ordinance
Summary
Council approved an ordinance designating moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones per state fire marshal recommendations; staff said new designations primarily affect the airport and Kerr Park and may affect building code requirements for new construction.
Oakdale City Council voted 5-0 to adopt an ordinance designating fire hazard severity zones in the city as recommended by the state fire marshal.
Staff told the council the action implements a state requirement under Government Code section 51178 (state fire marshal mapping) and Government Code section 51179 (local agency designation by ordinance). The local designation must be completed within 120 days of the state fire marshal’s recommendations. Staff said the maps will require no environmental review and would not impose a direct financial impact on the city budget.
During the discussion the fire chief and staff explained the designation applies only to wildfire hazard mapping for new construction: properties in “high” and “very high” zones will be subject to heightened building-code provisions for new construction and for extensive remodels (for example, ember- and spark-resistant vents and other wildfire mitigation measures). Staff said the city’s mapped areas under the severity designations are limited — the airport and areas of Kerr Park and nearby open space were cited — and that the statewide maps are scheduled to be updated on a roughly seven-year cycle.
Council and staff also discussed whether the designation could affect homeowners’ insurance. Staff said it might affect insurance rates in those zones but that the effect was not certain. The council approved the ordinance by motion; no public comment was received during the hearing.
