Larkspur adopts 2025 state fire-code updates, council hears public concerns over strict enforcement

The Larkspur City Council voted Nov. 5 to adopt two ordinances updating the city—ire code to align with the 2025 California Fire Code and the new Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) code. Fire Chief Reuben Martin recommended adoption of ordinance 10-92 (adopt the 2025 California Fire Code with local findings) and ordinance 10-93 (adopt the 2025 WUI code with a map that designates where defensible-space standards apply). Both ordinances were moved, seconded and adopted with no recorded opposition.

Chief Reuben Martin explained the update replaces earlier master fire regulations and moves wildland/defensible-space provisions into a standalone WUI code adopted at the state level. "The biggest thing with this one is we have to adopt a map associated with the WUI code because it dictates where these building standards are going to be required," Martin said, noting the countywide effort to align local codes for consistency.

James Holmes, an online commenter from Larkspur, asked the council to preserve prosecutorial discretion and avoid strict enforcement of parts of the proposed WUI rules that require vegetation removal within 30 feet of structures, limb cutting and removal of vegetation under certain diameters. "All of these measures seem to contemplate large flat lotsthat's not Larkspur,so this section would be unreasonable, draconian, and hugely controversial if it were strictly applied in Larkspur," Holmes said. Chief Martin replied that the local fire prevention bureau emphasizes education, engineering and encouragement before enforcement, and that truly egregious properties are the exception to the education-first approach.

Councilmembers asked technical questions about coordination with other fire jurisdictions and the countywide effort to mirror local codes; Chief Martin said fire prevention officers in the county met weekly during the code-review process and that the current code before the council mirrors codes adopted or proposed in neighboring jurisdictions.

The council adopted ordinance 10-92 and ordinance 10-93 during the meeting. The ordinances update local code to the 2025 model and adopt a local WUI map; staff advised the council that enforcement is intended to prioritize education and selective enforcement for properties that pose a severe risk.

The record shows the council opened and closed public hearings for both ordinances during the meeting and took final action to adopt the ordinances.