Thousand Oaks Council votes to align city fire rules with county/state updates amid concerns over unspecified ‘Zone 0’ language

Thousand Oaks — The City Council on Dec. 2 voted to align the city’s fire and building code language with updates from the Ventura County Fire Protection District and the State of California, but members said they were voting while some state provisions — including a so-called 'Zone 0' placeholder — remain unspecified.

Mayor Newman framed the question as a bind: state law requires cities to adopt updated codes on the code cycle, but the county and state have not finalized all implementing language. "There is a placeholder ... the state's still working on Zone 0 and things could change," Newman said, adding he would abstain because he was not comfortable approving an undefined future change. The clerk later recorded the measure as passing 4–0 with Newman abstaining.

Council discussion focused on how the update would apply to new construction, additions and remodeling. Council member Engler asked whether routine repairs — for example basic re-roofs and interior remodels — would trigger the new provisions. Veil Franco, the city’s building official, answered that additions and new construction are the primary triggers and that routine reroofs or interior work would not automatically trigger the Zone 0 requirements.

Ryan Scribe, an assistant fire marshal with Ventura County Fire, told the council that enforcement responsibility lies with the fire department and that some ADU-related resale inspection provisions were tied to state Assembly Bill 38. He said existing structures are not currently being enforced for Zone 0 until the state clarifies implementation and that there could be a multi-year implementation window once state measures are finalized.

Several council members stressed the update contains many provisions beyond Zone 0 — including fire apparatus access, water supply and other protections — and that not approving the alignment would create logistical conflicts for builders who might face differing rules with the county.

Newman said his abstention reflected discomfort with committing in advance to unspecified state changes: "I don't sign blank checks with my own money. I'm certainly not comfortable doing it with your money," he said. Council member Engler moved the item; the clerk recorded the vote as passing 4–0, Newman abstaining.

The ordinance adopts the county model language and includes a placeholder note that the city will incorporate state rule changes as they are finalized. City staff and the fire district said they will do outreach and refine guidance for homeowners and professionals when the state publishes final implementing measures.

Next steps: The city will publish guidance as state rules are finalized and implement enforcement through the Ventura County Fire Department as the state and county adopt specific Zone 0 requirements.