Payson adopts 2006 Wildland‑Urban Interface code to remain in state wildfire mitigation program

Payson City Council voted on Dec. 17 to adopt the 2006 Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) code recommended by fire staff and required by recent state legislation for participation in the Cooperative Wildfire System.

Fire staff explained that adoption keeps Payson eligible for the state’s cooperative wildfire system (which shares firefighting costs among jurisdictions) and enables the city to use a consistent WUI boundary and mitigation standards. The chief noted the city’s WUI boundaries largely match previous maps and emphasized that only structures within the designated WUI high/very‑high areas would be assessed under the program. Staff said the likely 2026 assessment would be modest (on the order of $20–$100 per structure in high‑risk categories), with later years' assessments depending on program costs and state policy.

The chief also clarified enforcement and scope: adopters must enforce minimum code elements, but staff do not intend to retroactively require roof replacements or similar major work on existing homes unless the owner substantially expands the structure. Residents in Patterson and other WUI‑adjacent neighborhoods asked for public education and better information on which properties fall in the boundary; staff said the city will publish WUI information on its website and that assessments and inspection programs will roll out with training.

Council moved to adopt the WUI resolution and then adopted the corresponding ordinance. Council members expressed concern about fees but framed the action as a practical step to avoid large future wildfire‑response liabilities if Payson were outside the cooperative system.