HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-06-2012 ac ph1Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones
Government Code Sections 51175 through 51189 require identification of Ian d
within very high fire hazard severity zones so that public officials are able t o
identify measures that WIII mitigate uncontrolled fires that threaten to destroy
resources, life, or property, and to require that those measures be taken .
Property within these zones is required to utilize Wildland -Urban Interface Fire
Area Building Standards to minimize the threat of property damage in the event a
wildfire occurs in close proximity to these properties . The objective of th e
Wildland -Urban Interface Fire Area Building Standards is to establish minimu m
standards for materials and construction to provide a reasonable level of exterio r
wildfire exposure protection for buildings in
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and other areas designated by the
City Council after a public hearing. The City has decided not to create
Wildland -Urban Interface Fire Zones within its jurisdiction.
Policy 3.0: Adequate Fire Service s
Development should be approved only when adequate fire suppression services
and facilities are available or will be made available concurrent with development
considering the setting, type, intensity, and form of the proposed development.
Policy 3 .1 : Wildland Fire Safety
A. Wildland fire hazard severity zones shall be classified as prescribed
by Cal Fire. Areas within the City, outside e# including the "Very High" Fire
Hazard Severity Zone, if any, shall be classified by the City's Fire Code
Official, based on findings supported by substantial evidence in the record
as required by Government Code Section 51179 and considered by City
Council at a public hearing. Meaningful, early notification and input shall be
obtained from nearby neighborhoods which may be affected.
B New subdivisions shall be prohibited in areas of "Very High" wildlan d
fire hazard as shown in Figure 2 unless part of conservation or ope n
space acquisition program . Development of existing parcels shal I
require a development plan to manage fuels, maintain a buffe r
zone, and provide adequate fire protection to the approval of the
Chief Building Official . The development plan must be consistent
with Policies required by the City's Conservation and Open Space
Element.
C. The City of San Luis Obispo is considered a "Community at Risk "
due to the threat of wildfire impacting the urban community . The City
shall continue to enhance the fire safety and construction codes fo r
new buildings in order to reduce the risk of urban fires that may
result from wildfires . Citywide building code enhancements shoul d