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Council briefed on HB48 wildland-urban interface changes, staff readies outreach for homeowners
Summary
Staff briefed the council on House Bill 48 implementation: state forestry will publish a high-risk boundary map, properties in the boundary will face fees (initially by square footage, later by classification tied to defensible-space standards), and staff will prepare outreach and appeal guidance for residents.
Herriman — Chief Wade Russell and staff briefed the council on implementation steps for House Bill 48, the state law changing wildland-urban interface (WUI) requirements effective Jan. 1, and discussed implications for local homeowners and city communications.
Chief Russell told the council the state (Forestry/Fire/State Lands) will publish a high-risk-boundary map that identifies structures subject to assessment. Initially the fee will be based on square footage of taxable structures; beginning at a later statutory date the fee will be calculated by classification (Class 1–3) tied to defensible-space and ignition-resistant construction metrics. Homeowners can request a lot assessment to determine their classification and receive mitigation recommendations; lot assessments must be repeated every five years if mitigation work is done.
Council members asked whether the bill will be changed in the ongoing legislative session; Chief Russell said he had not seen proposed amendments and noted rulemaking and map publication remain outstanding. Several councilmembers expressed concern about how residents will be notified, whether the county or state will administer assessments, and the potential impact on homeowners insurance. Staff agreed to prepare clear guidance for residents on how to appeal assessments and where to find mitigation resources, and to coordinate messaging with county and state partners.
No council action was taken; staff will monitor rule publication, plan resident outreach and inform the city’s legislative contacts about local impacts.
