Corona Municipal Code Ch. 3.36 Fire Facilities Fee

It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to implement the Corona General Plan to attempt to assure that fire facilities which satisfy city standards are available concurrent with the need caused by new development within the city. Due to the location of certain development within the urban/wildland interface area by the Cleveland National Forest, such development will create fire hazard impacts not found in other parts of the city. For this reason the City Council has determined that it is necessary to establish a fire facilities fee to fund the provision of fire provision services to property located within this urban/wildland interface. This chapter establishes a method of financing fire facilities required to serve properties within this special high fire area. The requirements of this chapter shall be in addition to any other requirements imposed by city law.

(`78 Code, § 3.36.010.) (Ord. 2077 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 1973 § 1 (part), 1990.)

Whenever the following terms are used in this chapter, they shall have the following meanings.

(A) "Development" means any building or other alteration of or use to which land is put, and construction incidental thereto.

(B) "Development permit" means any discretionary permit, entitlement or approval by the city which allows development to commence.

(C) "High fire risk area" means:

(1) Any property currently within the city or subsequently annexed to the city which is also located within or immediately adjacent to the Cleveland National Forest; and

(2) The urban/wildland interface area approximately 1.5 miles in width running parallel to the boundary of the Cleveland National Forest from the Orange County line to the Indian Truck Trail turnoff on Highway 15, including:

(a) Lands covered wholly or in part by timber, brush, undergrowth or grass which protect the soil from excessive erosion, retard runoff of water or accelerate water percolation, whether such land is of commercial value or not, and

(b) Lands in close proximity to wildland areas and lands with limited access due to geographic or high hazard conditions.

(3) This interface area extends from the boundary of the Cleveland National Forest at the Orange County line north to Route 91, along the northern city boundaries south of Route 91 continuing east to the intersection of Paseo Grande and Ontario Avenue, and from the Cleveland National Forest boundary north to Ontario Avenue at its intersection with Interstate 15. This interface area also includes all areas between the Cleveland National Forest boundary and Interstate 15, and all areas on the east side of Interstate 15 south of Magnolia Avenue within the city sphere of influence ending at Indian Truck Trail. This urban/wildland interface area is shown in a map on file with the City Clerk.

(`78 Code, § 3.36.020.) (Ord. 2077 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 1973 § 1 (part), 1990.)

(A) As a condition to the issuance of any building or development permit to construct a habitable structure or add at least 25% to the gross floor area of any building located partially or wholly within the High Fire Risk Area, the applicant shall pay a fire facilities fee in an amount as set from time to time by resolution of the City Council.

(B) Notwithstanding anything else in this chapter, the fire facilities fee provided by this chapter shall not be required prior to the date of final inspection or the date of issuance of the certificate of occupancy, whichever occurs first, unless:

(1) The fee is collected for improvements or facilities for which the city has established an account, appropriated funds and adopted a proposed construction schedule; or

(2) The fee is to reimburse the city for expenditures previously made.

(`78 Code, § 3.36.030.) (Ord. 1973 § 1 (part), 1990.)

Fees paid pursuant to this chapter shall be placed in a special fund known as the "Fire Facilities Fund." Moneys from this fund shall be expended solely for the acquisition, design and/or construction or reimbursement for construction of the fire facilities shown in the city’s Fire Facilities Study. The fees required by this chapter are in addition to any other means of financing facilities or improvements which may be imposed on the development of property under the provisions of state law, this code or city policy.

(`78 Code, § 3.36.040.) (Ord. 1973 § 1 (part), 1990.)