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Council briefed on HB41 changes that would tighten local WUI mapping and adopt 2024 code
Summary
City staff told the council a proposed state bill would require municipalities to include areas rated 5+ on the state wildfire risk assessment in local WUI maps and to adopt the 2024 Wildland‑Urban Interface code, potentially affecting homes on the east bench and hillside areas.
Ken briefed the council on pending state legislation (HB41) that would change how cities draw their Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) maps and require adoption of the state's 2024 WUI code. He showed the state risk map and explained that under the draft proposal a municipality's map must include areas rated 5 or higher on the state scale, and that the state code would be the baseline for local adoption.
"If this bill passes, this would be the basis for us adopting a map that would say on these properties that are 5 and above, our WUI code will apply," Ken said, pointing to portions of the hillside, Eaglewood Loop and Parkway Drive by Tunnel Springs Park that could fall into the category. He added that including properties rated below 5 would require a state exception process involving Fire Forestry approval.
Council members asked about penalties, enforcement discretion and outreach requirements; staff said enforcement approaches would be a local decision but the state bill also contemplates adoption of the 2024 WUI code. Ken recommended outreach to affected homeowners and developing a local program to support defensible‑space work if the law passes. The council directed staff to place the WUI code and related outreach planning on a future agenda so the city can prepare for likely changes.
