El Cerrito Municipal Code Ch. 8.30 Fire Hazard Severity Zones; Defensible Space and Home Hardening…

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 2025-02, § 2, adopted July 15, 2025, repealed the former Ch. 8.30, §§ 8.30.010—8.30.050, and enacted a new Ch. 8.30 as set out herein. The former Ch. 8.30 pertained to high hazard fire zone and derived from Ord. 95-1 Div. 1 (part), adopted in 1995; and Ord. No. 2009-01, Div. 1, adopted April 6, 2009.

The fire hazard severity zones located within the City of El Cerrito are hereby designated as recommended by the California Director of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Government Code Section 51182. The maps of the fire hazard severity zones are hereby incorporated by reference and entitled "City of El Cerrito Fire Hazard Severity Zones." The official maps are available on the city's website. A copy of these maps shall be kept on file in the office of the fire chief and will also be made accessible through the building department.

(Ord. No. 2025-02, § 2, 7-15-2025)

A. Any person who owns, leases, controls, operates or maintains a building or structure shall maintain such building or structure in conformance with the vegetation maintenance standards established by the applicable defensible space and home hardening requirements of Public Resources Code Section 4291, Government Code Section 51182, 14 CCR Sections 1299.01-1299.05 and any other state regulations adopted pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 4291 or Government Code Section 51182, and any regulations adopted by the city, as each is amended from time to time.

B. The El Cerrito Fire Department, through the fire chief, is hereby authorized and directed to increase defensible space requirements and implement a home hardening program for buildings or structures within the city.

(Ord. No. 2025-02, § 2, 7-15-2025)

A. Prior to the sale of any real property that is within a high or very high fire hazard severity zone as designated by the City of El Cerrito Fire Hazard Severity Zones map, the owner of the property must request a defensible space and home hardening inspection from the El Cerrito Fire Department and provide to the buyer a certificate of compliance or noncompliance report provided by the El Cerrito Fire Department pursuant to Section 8.30.030(C).

B. An owner of any real property that is within a high or very high fire hazard severity zone as designated by the City of El Cerrito Fire Hazard Severity Zones map may voluntarily request a defensible space and home hardening inspection from the El Cerrito Fire Department. Upon completion of the inspection, the El Cerrito Fire Department shall issue a certificate of compliance or a noncompliance report as described in Section 8.30.030(C).

C. Upon completion of a defensible space and home hardening inspection confirming full compliance with Public Resources Code Section 4291 and 14 CCR Sections 1299.01—1299.05 and Section 8.30.020(A), as each is amended from time to time, the El Cerrito Fire Department shall issue a certificate of compliance valid for a period of up to six months. Upon completion of an inspection confirming noncompliance with Public Resources Code Section 4291 and 14 CCR Sections 1299.01-1299.05 and Section 8.30.020(A), as each is amended from time to time, the El Cerrito Fire Department shall issue a written noncompliance report summarizing each area of noncompliance.

D. The city may, by resolution of the city council, adopt a fee to recover the costs required to implement this Section 8.30.030, including the costs of inspections, issuance of certificates of compliance, and preparation of noncompliance reports.

(Ord. No. 2025-02, § 2, 7-15-2025)

A. A violation of this chapter shall constitute an infraction punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars.

B. Conviction of a second violation of this chapter within five years shall be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars.

C. Conviction of a third violation of this chapter within five years shall constitute a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars.

(Ord. No. 2025-02, § 2, 7-15-2025)

Any violation of this chapter shall constitute a public nuisance which may be abated, and abatement costs recovered, in the manner provided in Chapter 8.34, Chapter 16.26 relating to fire hazard abatement, or such other manner as authorized by state or local law.

(Ord. No. 2025-02, § 2, 7-15-2025)