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La Habra Heights council introduces ordinance adopting CAL FIRE hazard map; second reading set for Sept. 8
Summary
Council voted unanimously on Aug. 11 to introduce ordinance 2025-03 adopting the CAL FIRE fire hazard severity zone map by reference and scheduled a second reading for Sept. 8, 2025; staff said citywide 'very high' designation is intended to ensure reimbursement eligibility and consistency in building-code requirements.
At a public hearing on Aug. 11 the La Habra Heights City Council voted to introduce ordinance 2025-03 to adopt CAL FIRE’s fire hazard severity zone map by reference and scheduled a second reading for its final adoption on Sept. 8, 2025.
City staff and the fire marshal told the council that classifying the entire city as ‘‘very high’’ fire severity is intended to provide comprehensive protection and to preserve the city's eligibility for state reimbursement of CAL FIRE or State Fire resources when those resources are used on SRA lands. “It all comes down to reimbursement,” the fire marshal told the council.
Several residents asked for clearer, parcel-level mapping and easier ways for property owners to find their lot’s classification. Stephen Black (Citron Road) said the map in the staff packet did not clearly indicate which parcels would be designated and urged staff to provide a parcel lookup or clearer PDF.
Staff responded that the council’s action tonight adopts the state map by reference, and that building-code updates are the vehicle the city commonly uses to designate the entire municipality as high or very high severity as a consistency measure.
The vote to introduce ordinance 2025-03 passed unanimously. The council set a second reading and adoption for its Sept. 8 regular meeting; staff encouraged residents to consult the CAL FIRE website for state-validated parcel lookups until the city posts clearer maps.
Next steps: Second reading and potential final adoption is scheduled for Sept. 8, 2025; staff will consider publishing parcel-level information and additional outreach to residents.
