Council introduces ordinance adopting 2025 state fire-hazard severity maps; public outreach planned

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. — The Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council on June 3 introduced an ordinance to adopt the California State Fire Marshal’s 2025 fire-hazard severity zone maps for the city and scheduled a July adoption hearing.

Planning staff said the maps, prepared by the state, update which parcels are designated as high or very-high fire hazard areas. Adoption will make state standards for construction, defensible space and vegetation management applicable consistent with the law, staff said.

Anna Kate of the city’s planning team told the council that the updated maps do not change the City’s Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) boundaries or the city’s existing local guidance but will cause some state-mandated requirements to take effect where the state has designated a new hazard level. She explained key implications to homeowners: new construction in designated zones must use ignition‑resistant building materials (Chapter 7A of the California Building Code), new landscaping in affected areas must meet fire‑resistant planting standards (with limited exceptions for tree species if set back from structures), and property owners will need to maintain defensible space and fuel‑reduction measures.

Staff also noted a forthcoming state guideline that could define a near‑structure “ember-resistant” zone (often called Zone 0) and said the state guideline is expected in early 2026; the city will hold outreach so property owners understand what will be required and where grant or assistance programs may apply.

Council approved a motion to introduce the ordinance and set the hearing for formal adoption; the motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote. Staff said the ordinance will be transmitted to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection after council adoption.

Authorities and exemptions City staff recommended the council find the ordinance statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code section 2108(b)(1) and CEQA Guidelines section 15268, and to adopt the maps per Government Code section 51178. Staff also said the city will continue to apply the city’s 2018 standard operating guidance on vegetation management as background policy while coordinating education and implementation through a new wildfire preparedness work group.

Public outreach and assistance Council and staff said they will ramp up public education on practical homeowner actions and available assistance: the city has agreed to work with local partners and the Monterey Firefighters Community Foundation on defensible‑space outreach and will explore grant or cost‑share opportunities for low‑income or mobility‑limited residents to remove hazardous materials.