Monrovia council adopts updated fire-hazard map, approves housing in-lieu fees and introduces water and parks ordinances

The Monrovia City Council adopted an updated Local Responsibility Area (LRA) fire hazard severity zone map and approved a resolution establishing affordable-housing in-lieu fees, the council announced after a public hearing and several staff presentations. Council members also introduced an ordinance to update the city’s backflow enforcement procedures and an ordinance updating park rules including a clarified anti-camping definition.

The new LRA map, dated March 24, 2025, implements the state’s three-tier hazard classification — moderate, high and very high — that the Office of the State Fire Marshal released earlier this year. Fire Chief Jeremy Sanchez told the council the maps are science-based and reflect factors such as fuel load, slope, past fires and ember spread. “Tonight’s public hearing is to provide an opportunity for public comment regarding the updated local responsibility area fire hazard severity zone map, dated March 2025 before the final adoption of ordinance 2025-08,” Sanchez said.

The adoption of the map was presented as the culmination of the required steps under state law; staff advised the council the city must adopt local maps within 120 days of the state release to meet Government Code timelines. The council closed the public hearing after no speakers addressed the item and then voted to adopt ordinance 2025-08.

Council also adopted Resolution 2025-34, which establishes an affordable-housing in-lieu…