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Council designates Piedmont a Wildland‑Urban Interface in first reading; staff outlines enforcement and outreach
Summary
Fire Chief Dave Brannigan presented ordinance 787 to declare the entire city a Wildland‑Urban Interface and move vegetation standards into the WUI code; council passed the first reading unanimously and asked staff to keep working with the insurance commissioner’s office and conduct additional public outreach and enforcement clarifications.
Fire Chief Dave Brannigan asked the council to designate the whole city a Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) and to move vegetation management standards into the consolidated WUI code following California’s 3‑year code update. Brannigan told council that the state revised hazard maps this year and removed the ‘very high’ designation from parts of Piedmont; to preserve local authority and maintain progressive home‑hardening measures, staff recommended citywide WUI designation.
Brannigan said the city has conducted substantial outreach and plans to emphasize education alongside enforcement, explaining that most vegetation inspections today are reactive and undertaken by on‑duty firefighters when requested. Council raised concerns about possible insurance impacts. Brannigan said the California Insurance Commissioner’s office states insurers do not use CalFire maps to determine underwriting, but staff will continue to seek confirmation. Councilmember Long moved the first reading of ordinance 787; the motion was seconded by the Vice Mayor and passed unanimously. Staff will return for a second reading and provide follow‑up on insurance inquiries.
