Article VI — VEGETATION MANAGEMENT IN THE WILDLAND URBAN FIRE HAZARD INTERFACE ZONE

The purpose of this article is to supplement amendments of the International Wildland Urban Interface Code (IWUIC), as adopted by the town in § 8.04.100, to ensure adequate fire protection for housing development.

(Ord. 885, passed 11-1-2023)

A vegetation management plan (VMP) meeting the required of § 406 of the IWUIC, as adopted by the town, shall be submitted to the Planning Director for review and approval as part of any application for housing development in the Wildland Urban Interface Zone. In addition to the requirements of § 406, the VMP shall include:

(A) A copy of the site plan with all existing and proposed planting identified, including whether the plants are fire-resistant or fire-prone according to classifications available from FireSafe Marin.

(B) Methods and timetables for controlling, changing, or modifying plant materials on the site to create defensible space, as required by § 603 of the IWUIC and Cal. Gov't Code § 51182.1 and to reduce fire hazards as required by § 8.06.011.

(1) Trees are allowed within the defensible space, provided the horizontal distance between crowns of adjacent trees and crowns of trees and structures, overhead electrical facilities or unmodified fuel is not less than ten feet. Deadwood and litter shall be regularly removed from trees.

(2) Where ornamental vegetative fuels or cultivated ground cover, such as green grass, ivy, succulents or similar plants are

used as ground cover, they are allowed to be within the designated defensible space, provided they do not form a means of transmitting fire from the native growth to any structure.

(Ord. 885, passed 11-1-2023)

The Planning Director shall maintain and make available to applicants on request fire hazard reduction guidelines and checklists for defensible space zones around residences based on information available from FireSafe Marin, Ross Valley Fire Department, and other public agencies.

(Ord. 885, passed 11-1-2023)