Ojai adopts three wildfire-safety measures: sprinkler triggers, local fire-flow standards and combustible-fence limits
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Summary
The council voted to adopt three optional local measures tied to wildfire safety: automatic‑sprinkler triggers for some new or modified buildings, adoption of local fire‑flow requirements (Appendix B) and limits on combustible fencing near structures.
The City Council voted Oct. 28 to adopt three local measures intended to strengthen wildfire resiliency in Ojai: (1) local adoption of building‑code language addressing automatic fire sprinkler systems for specified new construction and substantial modifications; (2) local adoption of fire‑flow requirements (Appendix B) to guide water-supply standards for firefighting in areas that lack adequate municipal fire flow; and (3) limits on combustible fencing and changes to how fencing adjacent to structures is regulated.
Staff and division fire officials told the council these three measures are optional local adoptions that jurisdictions may elect to enforce in addition to the statewide 2025 WUI provisions. The county had adopted similar language and sought city concurrence; staff noted county officials were also asking Cal Fire for additional flexibility and implementation time for some zone‑0 vegetation rules because the county estimates a large number of parcels would need review and because inspection and funding capacity are constrained.
Council and fire representatives discussed implementation and education: fire staff and councilmembers asked for clear, community-facing materials, demonstration examples for acceptable fencing and outreach to homeowners about defensible-space practices; staff noted the city would coordinate with the county and Fire Safe Council for public education because some zone requirements and enforcement timing remain subject to state and county decisions.
On a roll call the council approved the three measures (Council member Whitman yes; Council member Ruhl yes; Mayor Gilman yes; Council member Meng yes; Mayor Pro Tem Lang yes). Staff said the local adoption allows the city to enforce those specific standards while the larger state rule-making and county implementation questions continue to be resolved.
