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Holladay staff outline state's WUI requirements and urge adoption of SCS 5+ map
Summary
City staff and Unified Fire presenters told the council that House Bill 48 requires municipalities to adopt a Wildland-Urban Interface map and related building-code changes by Jan. 1; staff recommended starting the city's map at the state's SCS score of 5 and above while allowing future adjustments and public input.
City staff and Unified Fire officials used a work session on Oct. 23 to brief the Holladay City Council on House Bill 48, the state law that requires municipalities to adopt a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) map and corresponding building-code updates.
The briefing, led by John (city staff technical lead) and supported by Chief Watkins and Unified Fire personnel, said the state's structure-exposure-score (SCS) dataset (URAP) is the metric the state will use and recommended that the city adopt a map beginning at SCS 5 and above to be eligible for state cooperative assistance and reimbursement in the event of a large wildfire. Staff emphasized the statutory deadline: local adoption of the map and the Title 13 code changes must be complete to align with the state timeline.
Why it matters: adopting the map creates where the WUI building code applies. Within mapped areas, homeowners and remodelers may face additional building standards and defensible-space requirements; those standards can affect remodel timing, landscaping (including tree canopy), and possible assessed fees tied to the state's program. Staff said mitigation work (defensible space, water supply/hydrant flows) can reduce required building upgrades and fee exposure.
Council discussion focused on where to draw the boundary. Staff presented a "dark yellow" (SCS 5+) band and a looser "light blue" option that would capture adjacent areas where residents and elected members showed concern. Some council members favored adopting the SCS 5-and-above footprint now and revisiting boundaries after public engagement; others urged caution about imposing additional burdens on long-standing neighborhoods and tree-canopy goals.
Staff said the state rules (currently in draft) will add specificity before Jan. 1. They also noted options for the city: adopt the 5+ baseline to secure eligibility for state support, then refine the map with clearer geographic boundaries (streets, natural features) and public feedback; or pursue a narrower or broader footprint, understanding that fee implications and mitigation responsibilities would vary.
Next steps: staff will take direction to the planning commission for a public hearing the following week, gather homeowner feedback (postcard mailing to affected areas already underway) and return to council with a recommended ordinance and clearer map boundaries ahead of the legal deadline.
