Burbank Municipal Code Art. 7 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code

Part 7 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, also known as the “California Wildland-Urban Interface Code,” which is part of the California Building Standards Code, 2025 Edition, together with Appendix A as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission and the International Code Council, is hereby adopted by the City of Burbank and made a part of this Code, with certain amendments, additions, and deletions as stated in this Article. [Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-7-302.1.1: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BURBANK FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES:

The following section is added to Chapter 3 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (Part 7) to read as follows:

302.1.1 Establishment of the Burbank Fire Hazard Severity Zones. For the purposes of the Burbank Wildland-Urban Interface Code, the Burbank Fire Hazard Severity Zones are hereby established. The designated fire zones have been reclassified into three severity levels: Moderate, High, and Very High. The boundaries of the Burbank Severity Zones are shown on a map designated “Burbank Very High, High, and Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones” consisting of one sheet on file in the Office of the Fire Official, which map, together with any amendments thereto, hereby adopted and made a part of the Burbank Wildland-Urban Interface Code.

Any future amendments or modifications to any severity zone map by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) may be adopted by Resolution by the City Council and incorporated herein.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-7-604.3.1: FIRE HAZARD REDUCTION IN FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES:

The following section is added to Chapter 6, Part 7 of the CBSC:

604.3.1 Fire hazard reduction in Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

A. General brush removal. Cut or uncut weeds, grass, vines, palm fronds, and other vegetation shall be removed as set forth herein. Additional areas may be requested to be cleared if determined by the Fire Code Official to be a fire hazard. When the Fire Code Official determines that total removal of growth is impractical due to size or environmental factors, approved fuel breaks shall be established. Designated areas shall be cleared of combustible vegetation to establish the fuel breaks.

B. Specific requirements. Each person who has any ownership or possessory interest in, or control of, a parcel of land shall:

1. Maintain CLEARANCE: 0 - 100 Feet

a. Remove from the property all dead trees and maintain all weeds and other vegetation at a height of no more than three inches, except as otherwise provided therein, if such weeds or other vegetation are within 100 feet of a building or structure located on such property or on adjacent property. This requirement does not apply to the maintenance of trees, ornamental shrubbery, or plants which are used as ground cover provided such do not provide a ready fuel supply to augment the spread or intensity of a fire.

b. Native shrubs may remain provided such shrubs are trimmed up from the ground to one-third of their height, do not exceed 216 cubic feet in volume, are spaced at a distance of not less than three times their maximum diameter but not less than 18 feet from the edge of any other native shrub, building, or structure, and all dead wood and other combustible material within 18 feet of such shrubs are removed except as provided above.

c. Maintain trees which are 18 feet or more in height and are within 100 feet of any building or structure or within 10 feet of that portion of any highway, street, alley, or driveway which is improved or used for vehicle travel or other vehicular purposes, so that no leafy foliage, twigs, or branches are within six feet of the ground. Trees and shrubs less than 18 feet shall be trimmed up 1/3 of their height.

d. Remove any portion of a tree which extends within 10 feet of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe.

e. Keep all trees, shrubs, and other growing vegetation or portions thereof adjacent to or overhanging any building or structure free of dead limbs, dead palm fronds, branches, and other combustible matter.

f. Maintain five feet of vertical clearance between roof surfaces and portions of trees overhanging any building or structure.

g. Remove dead palm fronds on all palm trees.

h. Maintain the roofs of all buildings or structures free of leaves, needles, twigs, and other combustible matter.

i. Maintain all weeds and other vegetation located within 10 feet of any combustible fence or an edge of that portion of any highway, street, alley, or driveway improved or used for vehicular travel or for other vehicular purposes at a height of not more than three inches. This shall not require the removal of trees, ornamental shrubbery, or plants which are used as ground cover, provided such do not provide a ready fuel supply to augment the spread or intensity of a fire, nor require the removal of native shrubs which meet the requirements set forth in section (b).

j. Maintain all landscape vegetation, including, but not limited to conifers (e.g., cedar, cypress, fir, juniper, and pine), eucalyptus, acacia, palm, and pampas grass in such a condition as not to provide an available fuel supply to augment the spread or intensity of a fire.

k. Remove and/or safely dispose of all cut vegetation and hazardous refuse.

l. Burbank Fire Department personnel may introduce greater protection levels in high danger areas. In cases where difficult terrain, danger, erosion or unusual circumstances make compliance impractical, the Burbank Fire Department may suspend or adjust the requirements.

2. Maintain CLEARANCE: 100 - 200 Feet.

(Fuel Modification Zone):

An additional 100 feet of clearance measured from a building or structure located on such property or on adjacent property, is also required by the Fire Department for a total clearance of 200 feet. The native brush in this zone shall be reduced by 50 percent. Sumac clusters shall be reduced leopard spot style and meet the requirements outlined in section (b). The brush may be cut, chipped, or chopped to lay flat and may be left on the site to a maximum depth of 6". Clearance must conform to California Fair Plan Standards.

C. Additional Requirements: The provisions of this section shall apply to brush clearance operations conducted within the Burbank Fire Hazard Severity Zones:

1. Use of metal cutting blades for grass or brush clearance shall be limited to those which are non-ferrous or non-sparking.

2. Brush clearance cannot be done on red flag days, when fire weather conditions are at their peak.

3. Individuals engaged in brush clearance operations shall not engage in any other activities during their actual clearance of grass or brush.

4. An approved fire extinguisher, or a pressurized garden hose with attached nozzle shall be within 10 feet of any grass or brush clearance operation, to quickly extinguish a small fire before it burns out of control.

5. A cell phone capable of dialing 9-1-1 shall be charged and readily accessible to the grass or brush clearance operation.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-7-604.3.2: ENFORCEMENT:

The following section is added to Chapter 6, Part 7 of the CBSC:

604.3.2 Enforcement. The Fire Code Official is authorized to administer and enforce the provisions of Section 604.3. Property owners will be notified and provided reasonable time frames to comply. Failure to comply shall be a violation of this Code and the Government Code 51186 and may result in citation and/or hazard abatement by the City’s designated contractor at the property owner’s expense.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]