HomeMy WebLinkAboutO-1748 designating the Fire Hazard Severity Zones as identified by the State Fire MarshalO 1748
ORDINANCE NO. 1748 (2025 SERIES)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY
ZONES AS IDENTIFIED BY THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL
WHEREAS, under California Government Code Section 51178, the State Fire
Marshal is required to classify lands within the state into Fire Hazard Severity Zones
(FHSZ) and provide these classifications to local agencies; and
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2025, the State Fire Marshal released updated FHSZ
maps designating areas within the City of San Luis Obispo as Moderate, High, or Very
High Fire Hazard Severity Zones; and
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 51178.5, within 30 days after the State
Fire Marshal’s transmittal of the FHSZ identifications, a local agency must make the
information available for public review and comment; and
WHEREAS, on March 26, 2025, the City published the FHSZ maps (Exhibit 1) and
information on the City’s website and invited public comment via Open City Hall, ensuring
community engagement in the adoption process; and
WHEREAS, State Government Code Section 51179 mandates that a local agency
designate, by ordinance, fire hazard severity zones in its jurisdiction within 120 days of
receipt of FHSZ recommendations from the State Fire Marshal; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo recognizes the importance of adopting
these designations to enhance public safety, inform land use planning, and implement
appropriate building standards to mitigate wildfire risks; and
WHEREAS, these FHSZ designations will require compliance with specific
building codes, defensible space regulations, and real estate disclosure requirements as
stipulated by state law; and
WHEREAS, the FHSZ maps published by the State Fire Marshal on March 10,
2025, identify some parcels as subject to more than one fire hazard severity zone
designation, which may create confusion for property owners as to which requirements
or standards apply; and to help minimize confusion, the City ordinance adopting the FHSZ
map will clarify that the more severe zone designation requirements will apply to the
entirety of any such parcel;
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that adopting the updated FHSZ designations
as recommended by the State Fire Marshal is in the best interest of the health, safety,
and welfare of the residents of San Luis Obispo.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings. The above recitals are incorporated herein as the Findings
of the City Council.
SECTION 2: Action.
1. The City of San Luis Obispo hereby designates the Fire Hazard Severity Zones
as identified and recommended by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to
Government Code Section 51178 on March 10, 2025.
2. The official FHSZ map for the City of San Luis Obispo, as provided by the State
Fire Marshal, is attached as Exhibit 1 and incorporated herein by reference and
entitled “City of San Luis Obispo Fire Hazard Severity Zones.”
3. For any parcel that is identified in the official map as being subject to two
different fire hazard severity zones, the requirements of the more severe zone
shall apply to the entire the parcel.
4. The City Manager, or their designee, is directed to submit this ordinance and
all required documentation to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
within 30 days of adoption, as mandated by California State Government Code
Section 51179.
SECTION 3. Environmental Review. The designation of Fire Hazard Severity
Zones as identified and recommended by the State Fire Marshal is statutorily exempt
from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code
section 21080(b)(1) and CEQA Guidelines section 15268, as a ministerial action, required
by Government Code section 51179(a). Additionally, designation of the zones is exempt
under CEQA Guidelines section 15308 (actions by regulatory agencies for protection of
the environment) because it is a regulatory action mandated by state law to identify and
mitigate wildfire hazards, thereby protecting the environment and public safety.
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SECTION 4. A summary of this ordinance, together with the names of Council
members voting for and against, shall be published at least five (5) days prior to its final
passage, in The New Times, a newspaper published and circulated in this City. This
ordinance shall go into effect at the expiration of thirty (30) days after its final passage.
INTRODUCED on the 3rd day of June, 2025, AND FINALLY ADOPTED by the
Council of the City of San Luis Obispo on the 17th day of June, 2025, on the following
vote:
AYES: Council Member Boswell, Francis, Marx, Vice Mayor Shoresman,
and Mayor Stewart
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
_______________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
___________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
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6/25/2025 | 5:03 PM PDT
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Exhibit 1
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