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Council introduces State Fire Marshal map and moves to align safe-and-sane fireworks code
Summary
Council approved introduction and first reading of ordinances to adopt the State Fire Marshal’s 2025 local responsibility area fire hazard severity map and to amend the city’s safe-and-sane fireworks code so permitted sales exclude mapped high-risk areas; both measures passed on first reading unanimously.
The Orange City Council on May 13 introduced two related ordinances to align local law with the California Office of the State Fire Marshal's 2025 Local Responsibility Area fire hazard severity zone map and to update the city’s safe-and-sane fireworks boundaries.
Staff told the council that the State Fire Marshal issued recommended maps on March 24, 2025 under Assembly Bill 211 and that local governments must adopt the maps by ordinance. Senate Bill 63 requires governments to make those maps publicly accessible within 30 days; the city did so on March 31, staff said. The Fire Department reported receiving two public comments on the map and recommended no further boundary expansions beyond the State’s map.
Council approved introduction and first reading of Ordinance O-7-25 to adopt the State Fire Marshal’s recommended hazard severity zones for the City of Orange. Staff then presented Ordinance O-4-25 to amend Orange Municipal Code chapter 8.13.130 relating to safe-and-sane fireworks so the city’s permitted sale and use areas align with the adopted fire hazard map and with Measure AA ballot language. Staff explained the proposed safe-and-sane map draws clear boundaries along major thoroughfares and in some pockets extends slightly beyond the state map for clarity.
Council discussed a map anomaly in which Orange Park Acres appears carved out because it is a county island; staff clarified the county island is not part of the city map. After brief questions, the council voted unanimously to introduce both ordinances on first reading; the items will return for second reading and adoption at a future meeting.
Next steps: second readings and potential adoption are scheduled for the May 27 council meeting; staff will publish maps and related materials as required by state law.
