Monterey County Municipal Code Ch. 18.56 Wildfire Protection Standards in State Responsibility Areas

A. This Chapter implements Section 4290 of the Public Resources Code requiring the establishment of wildfire protection standards in conjunction with building, construction, and development in State responsibility areas as defined herein, located within the boundaries of Monterey County and under the direct fire protection authority of the California Department of Forestry. These standards, as defined herein, shall provide that future design and construction of structures, subdivisions and developments in State Responsibility Areas shall provide for emergency access and perimeter wildfire protection measures.

B. Section 4117 of the Public Resources Code and the regulations promulgated by the California Department of Forestry provide that local agencies such as the County of Monterey may adopt ordinances, rules or regulations to provide fire prevention restrictions or regulations that are necessary to meet local conditions of weather, vegetation, or other fire hazards. Such ordinances, rules, or regulations may then be applicable to State responsibility areas in lieu of State regulations provided such ordinances, rules, or regulations are equal to or more stringent than the State's minimum standards and are certified by the State of California as equaling or exceeding State regulations.

C. This Chapter is intended to meet the requirements of the aforesaid statutes and regulations as well as provide wildfire protection standards that take into account local fire hazard conditions

(Ord. 3600, 1992)

A. Location. The regulations contained in this Chapter apply to State responsibility AREAS as defined herein and as more particularly described in Exhibit "A" entitled "SRA Designated Map for Monterey County" attached hereto and made a part hereof.

B. Scope. The regulations contained in this Chapter shall apply as appropriate to all building, construction and development activities requiring ministerial or discretionary permits app after January 1, 1991, within State responsibility areas. Affected activities include but are not limited to the following:

1. Permitting or approval of new parcels, excluding lot line adjustments as specified in Government Code Section 66412(d);

2. Application for a building permit for new construction, not relating to an existing structure;

3. Application for a use permit;

4. The siting of manufactured homes (as such homes are defined by the National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Code, Section 501A, Standard for Fire Safety Criteria for Manufactured Home Installations, Sites and Communities, Chapter 1, Section 1-2, Definitions, page 4, 1987 edition, and Health and Safety Code Sections 18007, 18008, and 19971);

5. Road construction, including construction of a road that does not currently exist, or extension of an existing road, provided the following roads are exempted:

a. Roads required as a condition of tentative parcel maps prior to the effective date of this Chapter.

b. Roads for agricultural or mining use solely on one ownership.

c. Roads used solely for the management and harvesting of wood products.

6. Regulations contained in this Chapter do not apply to the following building, construction or development activities requiring ministerial or discretionary permits.

7. Existing structures, roads, streets and private lanes or facilities.

(Ord. 3600, 1992)

A. Accessory building: Any building used as an accessory to residential, commercial, recreation, industrial, or educational purposes as defined in the California Building Code, Amendments, Chapter 11, Group M, Division 1, Occupancy that requires a building permit.

B. Agriculture: Land used for agricultural purposes as defined in the Monterey County General Plan, the Monterey County Coastal Implementation Plan, and the Monterey County Zoning Ordinance.

C. Building: Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy that is defined in the California Building Code, 1989 Amendments, Chapter 11, except group M, Division 1, Occupancy. For the purposes of this Chapter, building includes mobile homes and manufactured homes, churches, and day care facilities. The word "building" includes "structure."

D. CDF: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

E. Dead-end road: A road that has only one point of vehicular ingress/egress, including cul-de-sacs and looped roads.

F. Defensible space: The area within the perimeter of a parcel, development, neighborhood or community where basic wildland fire protection practices and measures are implemented, providing the key point of defense from an approaching wildfire or defense against encroaching wildfires or escaping structure fires. The perimeter as used in this regulation is the area encompassing the parcel or parcels proposed for construction and/or development, excluding the physical structure itself. The area is characterized by the establishment and maintenance of emergency vehicle access, emergency water reserves, street names and building identification, and fuel modification measures.

G. Development: The placement or erection of any solid material or structure; discharge or disposal of any dredged material or of any gaseous liquid, solid, or thermal waste; grading, removing, dredging, mining, or extraction of any materials; change in the density or intensity of use of land, including, but not limited to, subdivision of real property pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act (commencing with Section 66410 of the Government Code), and any other division of land except where the land division is brought about in connection with the purchase of such land by a public agency for public recreational use; increase in the intensity of use of water, access thereto; construction, reconstruction, demolition, or alteration of the size of any structure, including any facility of any private, public, or municipal utility; and the removal or harvesting of major vegetation other than harvesting of commercial crops for agricultural purposes, and timber harvesting operations in accordance with the Zberg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973.

H. Development Permit: A discretionary or ministerial permit authorizing the holder to undertake development.

I. Director: Director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection or his or her designee.

J. Driveway: A vehicular access that serves no more than two buildings, with no more than three dwelling units on a single parcel, and any number of accessory buildings.

K. Dwelling unit: Any building or portion thereof which contains living facilities, including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking and/or sanitation for not more than one family.

L. Exception: An applicant request for one or more alternative standard(s) or measure(s) applied to a development application in place of the standards established in this Chapter, approved by the Reviewing Authority pursuant to this Chapter. An application for an exception may be necessary due to health, safety, environmental conditions, physical site limitation other limiting conditions as deemed appropriate by the Approving Authority. An exception will be considered only if no other reasonable site or building design can be accomplished applying the standards established in this Chapter. Any approved alternative standards or measures must have the "same practical effect" as standards in this Chapter. The Reviewing Authority has sole discretion regarding applicability of an exception and approval or disapproval of the final design and adequacy and application of alternative measures and standards.

M. Fire valve: See definition for hydrant.

N. Fuel modification area: An area where the volume of flammable vegetation has been reduced, providing reduced fire intensity and duration.

O. Greenbelts: A facility or land use, designed for a use other than fire protection, which will slow or resist the spread of a wildfire. Greenbelts include parking lots, irrigated or landscaped areas, golf courses, parks, playgrounds, maintained vineyards, orchards or annual crops that do not cure in the field.

P. Hammerhead/T: A roadway that provides a "T" shaped, three-point turnaround space for emergency equipment, being no narrower than the road that serves it.

Q. Hydrant: A valved connection on a water supply/storage system, having at least one two and one-half inch outlet, with male American National Fire Hose Screw Threads (NH) used to supply fire apparatus and hoses with water.

R. Inspection Authority: The Director of the Department of Forestry, his or her designee, including local fire districts sharing jurisdiction in a State responsibility area, responsible for inspecting projects with County development permits.

S. Local jurisdiction: The County of Monterey.

T. Occupancy: The purpose for which a building, or part thereof, is used or intended to be used.

U. One-way road: A minimum of one traffic lane width designed for traffic flow in one direction only.

V. Reviewing Authority: The Director of the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, his or her designee, including local fire districts, sharing jurisdiction in State responsibility areas.

W. Roads, streets, private lanes: Vehicular access to more than one parcel; access to any industrial or commercial occupancy; or vehicular access to a single parcel with more than two buildings or four or more dwelling units.

X. Roadway: Any surface designed, improved, or ordinarily used for vehicle travel.

Y. Roadway structures: Bridges, culverts, and other appurtenant structures which supplement the roadway bed or shoulders.

Z. Same Practical Effect: This phrase is defined in the context of reviewing a development application, whereby an exception to the standards in this Chapter is being considered definition of "exception"). The phrase denotes the capability of an exception or alternative to apply accepted fire suppression strategies and tactics containing standards and measures proposed by the applicant, to replace existing standards and measures pursuant to this Chapter (see Section 18.56.050 for Exceptions to Regulations).

Fire suppression strategies and tactics that provide for fire fighter safety include, but are not limited to:

1. Access for emergency wildland fire equipment.

2. Safe civilian evacuation.

3. Signing that avoids delays in emergency equipment response.

4. Available and accessible water to effectively attack wildfire or defend a structure from wildfire, and

5. Fuel modification sufficient for civilian and fire fighter safety.

AA. Shoulder: Roadbed or surface adjacent to the traffic lane.

BB. State Responsibility Area (SRA): As defined in Public Resources Code Section 4126-4127; and the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Article 1, Sections 1220-1220.5.

CC. Structure: That which is built or constructed, an edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially built up or composed or parts joined together in some definite manner.

DD. Subdivision: As defined in Section 66242 of the Government Code.

EE. Traffic Lane: The portion of a roadway that provides a single line of vehicle travel.

FF. Turnaround: A roadway, unobstructed by parking, which allows for a safe opposite change of direction for emergency equipment. Design of such area may be a hammerhead/T or terminus bulb.

GG. Turnouts: A widening in a roadway to allow a vehicle to pass another vehicle.

HH. Vertical clearance: The minimum specified height of a bridge or overhead projection above the roadway.

II. Wildfire: As defined in Public Resources Code Sections 4103 and 4104.

(Ord. 3600, 1992)

A. Project Review.

1. Within ten (10) days of receipt of an application for a development permit, the Planning Department and Building Services Department shall forward the Reviewing Authority a review request a project description of all preliminary or completed applications for building permits, tent parcel maps, tentative maps, and use permits for construction or development.

2. The Reviewing Authority shall review and make fire protection recommendations for project applications in compliance with these regulations. The Reviewing Authority shall forward a standard report of those recommendations to the Planning Department and Building Services Department within seven to thirty (30) days after initially receiving the original review request. The Reviewing Authority shall notify the Monterey County Planning Department and Building Services Department if the review period will extend beyond ten (10) days.

3. If after review of an application, the Reviewing Authority determines that the application needs corrections, amendments or redesign, either because of non-compliance with regulations contained in this Chapter, or because an exception to regulations contained in this Chapter is required, the applicant shall make the required corrections, amendments or redesign in consultation with the Reviewing Authority. The Reviewing Authority shall ensure that any and all corrections, or alternate requirements are satisfactorily completed before an application is resubmitted. In order resubmittal of an application to be deemed complete by the Monterey County Planning Department and Building Services Department, the resubmitted application must contain a standard letter from the Reviewing Authority stating that the project as submitted can meet regulations of this Chapter subsequent to any included and implemented SRA Fire Conditions.

B. Conditions of Approval. The Planning Department and Building Services Department shall incorporate any recommendations by the Reviewing Authority, and all applicable regulations of this Chapter, as conditions of approval for any reviewed development permit, and to be identified in related reports and permits as SRA Fire Conditions.

C. Required Findings. Based on incorporated SRA Fire Conditions, all discretionary permits must include a finding that the project as conditioned, will ensure standardized basic emergency access and fire protection pursuant to Section 4290 of the Public Resources Code.

D. Approved Project Inspection.

1. Upon approval of the development application, the Monterey County Planning Department and Building Services Department shall forward a copy of any Monterey County adopted or approved SRA Fire Conditions to the Reviewing Authority to ensure project compliance during inspections.

2. The Inspection Authority shall inspect projects for compliance with regulations pursuant to this Chapter, including compliance with SRA Fire Conditions.

3. Inspections shall be conducted, and defects remedied, prior to:

a. Issuance of a certificate of occupancy;

b. Recordation of a parcel map or final map;

c. Filing of a notice of completion; or

d. Final inspection of any project or building permit,

4. Upon completion of inspection, the Inspection Authority shall forward a standard form to the Planning Department and Building Services Department signifying either an approved inspection, disapproved inspection, with an explanation of the requirements, if any, that have not been met.

5. A project shall not be deemed to have satisfied all conditions of approval by the Planning Department and Building Services Department or Public Works Department until receipt of the standard inspection notice from the Inspection Authority.

(Ord. 3600, 1992)

(Ord. No. 5135, § 48, 7-7-2009)

A. Exceptions: Criteria and Consideration.

1. All regulations and standards established in this Chapter shall constitute standard criteria for the minimum allowable fire protection level for SRAs required for development and the of development permits.

2. If no other practical alternative project or site design exists, as determined by the Reviewing Authority, to accommodate the minimum fire safe requirements in this Chapter, the Reviewing Authority shall consider alternative standards or measures. This process shall be defined as applying for an exception, and consideration of the application shall occur in the following priority order:

a. Those standards that are presented as "alternative standards or measures" by the Reviewing Authority and are related to the categories listed below, and may include other unlisted categories. Any adopted alternative measures must have the "same practical effect" as the State minimum standards as determined by the Reviewing Authority.

b. Those standards that are alternative standards presented to, and reviewed as "new standards or measures." They may be presented by the Reviewing Authority, applicant, or applicant's agent. Any accepted new standards or measures must have the "same practical effect" as the State minimum standards as determined by the Reviewing Authority.

B. Categorical Alternative Standards or Measures.

Alternative standards or measures may be included in, but are not limited to, the following categories:

1. Automatic sprinkler systems.

2. Non-combustible construction.

3. Extraordinary fuel modification measures.

4. Creation of evacuation areas.

5. Alternative access routes.

6. Alternative roadway modifications.

C. Specific Alternative Standards or Measures. At the discretion of the Reviewing Authority, specific alternative measures or standards may be imposed on development, following the minimum requirements. The Reviewing Authority may require one measure or standards, or a combination of measures or standards, to have the "same practical effect" as the regular established in this Chapter.

D. Requests for Exceptions.

1. A request for an exception shall be made in writing, and presented to the Reviewing Authority with information sufficient to support the request during the pre-application or informational stage of the permit application process. The written request must include substantial evidence that there are no other site or design alternatives for the specific parcel of land.

2. If after review of an application the Reviewing Authority determines that an exception is required for such an application, applicant shall make a request for exception in writing to the Reviewing Authority. The request must include two sets of complete plans. The written request must include substantial evidence that there are no other site or design alternatives for the specific parcel of land.

E. Appeal Procedure—Exceptions.

1. Where an exception containing proposed alternative standards or measures is not granted by the Reviewing Authority, the applicant may appeal such denial to the Monterey County Planning Department and Building Services Department. The appeal shall be filed with and heard by the Chief of Building Inspection within ten (10) days of the decision of the Reviewing Authority.

2. The appeal shall contain plans, application for exception, identification of standards or measures to be replaced, and substantial evidence that the alternative measures or standards will have the same practical effect. The appeal shall include evidence that there are no other reasonable building or site design that could alleviate the need for alternative measures or standards being applied.

3. A copy of the appeal shall be forwarded to the Reviewing Authority for a recommendation The recommendation shall contain document outlining the effects of the requested exception on wildland fire protection.

4. If the appeal is not granted, the applicant may request a public hearing on the appeal before the Board of Supervisors. The request shall include plans, application for the exception, identification of standards or measures to be replaced, and substantial evidence that the alternative standards or measures will have the same practical effect. Any new evidence in support of the appeal may be presented at the hearing. The hearing before the Board of Supervisors shall be de novo.

5. Notice of the public hearing on the appeal before the Board of Supervisors shall be given pursuant to provisions in the zoning ordinance regarding appeals from the grant or denial of use permits.

F. Appeal Approval—Findings. In order to grant an appeal, the Board of Supervisors shall make findings that the decision meets the intent of providing defensible space consistent with this Chapter. A statement of reasons shall accompany the decision. The findings and decision shall be forwarded to the California Department of Forestry-Ranger Unit having jurisdiction over the in which applicant's property is located.

(Ord. 3600, 1992)

(Ord. No. 5135, § 49, 7-7-2009)

1. Intent. Road and street networks, whether public or private, unless exempted under this Chapter, shall provide for safe access for emergency wildland fire equipment and civilian evacuation concurrently, and shall provide unobstructed traffic circulation during wildfire emergencies.

2. Road Access. Conditions for Requirement. Access roads shall be required for every building when any portion of the exterior wall of the first story is located more than one hundred fifty (150) feet from Fire Department access.

3. Road Width. All roads shall be constructed to provide a minimum of two nine-foot traffic lanes providing two-way traffic flow unless other standards are provided in this article, or additional requirements are mandated by local jurisdictions or local subdivision requirements.

4. Roadway Surface. The surface shall provide unobstructed access to conventional vehicles, including sedans and fire engines. Surfaces should be established in conformance with local ordinances, and be capable of supporting a forty thousand (40,000) pound load.

5. Roadway Grades. The grade for all roads, streets, private lanes and driveways shall not exceed fifteen (15) percent.

6. Roadway Radius.

a. Driveways. For residential driveways with turns ninety (90) degrees and less, the minimum horizontal inside radius of curvature shall be twenty-five (25) feet. For driveways with turns greater than ninety (90) degrees, the minimum horizontal inside radius of curvature shall be twenty-eight (28) feet. For all driveway turns, an additional surface of four feet shall be added.

b. Roadways. No roadway turn shall have a horizontal inside radius of less than fifty (50) feet. A roadway turn radius of fifty (50) to one hundred (100) feet is required to have an additional four feet of roadway surface. A roadway turn radius of one hundred (100) to two hundred (200) feet is required to have an additional two feet of roadway surface.

c. Vertical Curves. The length of vertical curves in roadways, exclusive of gutters, ditches, and drainage structures designed to hold or divert water, shall not be less than one hundred (100) feet.

7. Roadway Turnarounds. Turnarounds shall be required on driveways and dead-end roads in excess of one hundred fifty (150) feet of surface length. Required turnarounds on access roadways shall be located within fifty (50) feet of the primary building. The minimum turning radius for a turnaround shall be forty (40) feet from the center line of the road. If a hammerhead/T is used, the top of the "T" shall be a minimum of sixty (60) feet in length.

8. Roadway Turnouts. Turnouts shall be a minimum of ten (10) feet wide and thirty (30) feet long with a minimum twenty-five (25) foot taper on each end.

9. Roadway Structures.

a. All new and reconstructed bridges shall be at least the width of the existing road bed and berms but in no case less than twelve (12) feet wide. Bridge width on all roads exceeding tertiary standards shall not be less than the width of the two lanes with berms. All bridges shall be designed for HS 15-44 loading (standard specification for highway bridges) and have guard rails.

b. Appropriate signing, including but not limited to, weight or vertical clearance limitations, and one-way road or single lane road conditions, shall be provided at both entrances to any bridges.

c. One lane bridges may be allowed if there is unobstructed visibility across the entire bridge and turnouts are provided at both bridge ends.

10. One-Way Roads. All one-way roads shall be constructed to provide a minimum of one twelve (12) foot traffic lane. The local jurisdiction may approve one-way roads. All one-way roads connect to a two-lane roadway at both ends, and shall provide access to an area currently zoned for no more than ten (10) dwelling units. In no case shall it exceed two thousand six hundred forty (2,640) feet in length. A turnout be placed and constructed at approximately the midpoint of each one-way road.

11. Dead-End Roads.

a. The maximum length of a dead-end road, including all dead-end roads accessed from that dead-end road, shall not exceed the following cumulative lengths, regardless of the number of parcels served:

1. Parcels designated in the Area or Implementation Plan for 0 to .99 acres: eight hundred (800) feet.

2. Parcels designated in the Area or Implementation Plan for 1 to 4.99 acres: one thousand three hundred twenty (1,320) feet.

3. Parcels designated in the Area or Implementation Plan for 5 to 19.99 acres: two thousand six hundred forty (2,640) feet.

4. Parcels designated in the Area or Implementation Plan zoned for twenty (20) acres or larger: five thousand two hundred eighty (5,280) feet.

b. All lengths shall be measured from the edge of the roadway surface at the intersection that begins the road to the end of the road surface at its farthest point. Where a dead-end road crosses areas of differing zoned parcel sizes, requiring different length limits, the shortest allowable length shall apply.

c. Where parcels are zoned five acres or larger, turnarounds shall be provided at a maximum of one thousand three hundred twenty (1,320) foot intervals.

d. Each dead-end shall have a turnaround constructed at its terminus.

12. Driveways. Driveways shall not be less than twelve (12) feet wide unobstructed. All driveways exceeding one hundred fifty (150) feet in length, but less than eight hundred (800) feet in length, shall provide a turnout near the midpoint of the driveway. Where the driveway exceeds eight hundred (800) feet, turnouts shall be provided at no greater than four hundred (400) foot intervals.

13. Gate Entrances.

a. Gate entrances shall be at least fourteen (14) feet in width, and two feet wider than the width of the traffic lane(s) serving that gate.

b. All gates providing access from a road to a driveway shall be located at least thirty (30) feet from the roadway and shall open to allow a vehicle to stop without obstructing traffic on that road.

c. Where a one-way road with a single traffic lane provides access to a gated entrance, foot turning radius shall be used.

d. Where gates are to be locked, the Reviewing Authority having jurisdiction may require installation of a key box or other acceptable means of immediate access for emergency equipment.

14. Vertical Clearance. Unobstructed clearance shall not be less than fifteen (15) feet for driveways in excess of one hundred fifty (150) feet, and for all other roadways, turnouts, turnarounds and roadway structures.

(Ord. 3600, 1992)

1. Intent. To facilitate locating a fire and to avoid delays in response time, all newly constructed or approved roads, streets, and buildings shall be designated by names or numbers, posted on signs clearly visible and legible from the roadway. This Section shall not restrict the size of letters or numbers appearing on street signs for other purposes.

2. Size of Letters, Numbers and Symbols for Street and Road Signs. Size of letters, numbers and symbols for street and road signs shall be a minimum four-inch letter height, one-half inch stroke, and shall be a color that clearly contrasts with the background color of the sign. All numerals shall be Arabic.

3. Visibility and Legibility of Street and Road Signs. Street and road signs shall be visible and legible from both directions of vehicle travel for a distance of at least one hundred (100) feet.

4. Height of Street and Road Signs. Height of street and road signs shall be uniform County wide, and meet the visibility and legibility standards of this Chapter.

5. Names and Numbers on Street and Road Signs. Newly constructed or approved public and private roads and streets shall be identified in accordance with provisions of Monterey County Ordinance No. 1241. All signs shall be mounted and oriented in a uniform manner. This Section does not require any entity to rename or renumber existing roads or streets, nor shall a roadway providing access only to a single commercial or industrial occupancy require naming or numbering.

6. Intersecting Roads, Streets and Private Lanes. Signs required by this Chapter identifying intersecting roads, streets and private lanes shall be placed at the intersection of those roads, streets, and/or private lanes.

7. Signs Identifying Traffic Access Limitations. A sign identifying traffic access or flow limitations, including but not limited to weight or vertical clearance limitations, dead-end road, one-way road or single lane conditions, shall be placed:

a. At the intersection preceding the traffic access limitation, and

b. No more than one hundred (100) feet before such traffic access limitation.

8. Timing of Sign Installation. Road, street and private lane signs required by this Article shall be installed prior to final acceptance of road improvements by the County of Monterey.

9. Addresses for Buildings. All buildings shall be issued an address in accordance with Monterey County Ordinance No. 1241. Each occupancy, except accessory buildings, shall have its own address. When multiple occupancies exist within a single building, each individual occupancy shall be separately identified by its own address.

10. Size of Letters, Numbers and Symbols for Addresses. Size of letters, numbers and symbols for addresses shall be a minimum of three-inch letter height, three-eighths inch stroke, reflectorized, contrasting with the background color of the sign.

11. Installation, Location and Visibility of Addresses.

a. All buildings shall have a permanently posted address, which shall be placed at each driveway entrance and visible from both directions of travel along the road. In all cases, the address shall be posted at the beginning of construction and shall be maintained thereafter, and the address shall be visible and legible from the road on which the address is located.

b. Address signs along one-way roads shall be visible from both directions of travel.

c. Where multiple addresses are required at a single driveway, they shall be mounted on a single post, or in any fashion approved by the Reviewing Authority that provides for the same practical effect.

d. Where a roadway provides access solely to a single commercial or industrial business, the address sign shall be placed at the nearest road intersection providing access to that site.

(Ord. 3600, 1992)

1. Intent. Emergency water for wildfire protection shall be available and accessible in quantities and locations specified in these regulations, in order to attack a wildfire or defend property from a wildfire. The quantity of water required pursuant to this Chapter shall addition to the domestic demand and shall be permanently and immediately available.

2. Application. The provisions of this Chapter shall apply when new parcels are approved by a local jurisdiction. The emergency water system shall be available on-site prior to the completion of road construction, where a community water system is approved, or prior to the completion of building construction, where an individual system is approved.

3. Timing of Installation. Approved fire protection water supply systems must be installed and made serviceable prior to the time of construction.

4. General Standards. Water systems constructed, extended or modified to serve a new development, a change in use, or an intensification of use, shall be designed to meet, in addition to average daily demand, the standards shown in Table 2 of the 1985 Monterey County General Plan.

5. Alternative Standards to General Standards.

a. A minimum fire protection water supply of two thousand (2,000) gallons shall be provided regardless of parcel size.

b. For development of only one single family dwelling on a single parcel with no further land division possible, the minimum on-site fire protection water supply shall be based on specifications contained in the following table:

c. Other water supply alternatives may be imposed to provide for the same practical effect.

d. Mobile water systems that meet the Insurance Services Office (ISO) Rural Class 8 are acceptable as alternatives.

e. Minimum storage requirements may be reduced to two thousand (2,000) gallons if an approved automatic sprinkler system is required.

6. Hydrant/Fire Valve.

a. The hydrant or fire valve shall be eighteen (18) inches above grade, eight feet from flammable vegetation, no closer than four feet nor farther than twelve (12) feet from a roadway, and in a location where fire apparatus using it will not block the roadway.

b. The hydrant serving any building shall be not less than fifty (50) feet nor more than one thousand (1,000) feet by road from the building it is to serve.

c. Minimum hydrant standards shall include a brass head and valve with two and one-half inch National Hose male thread with cap for pressure and gravity flow systems and four and one-half inch draft systems. Such hydrants shall be wet or dry barrel as required by the delivery system. They shall have suitable crash protection as required by the local jurisdiction.

7. Signing of Water Sources. Each hydrant/fire valve or access to water shall be identified as follows:

a. If located along a driveway, a reflectorized blue marker, with a minimum dimension of three inches, shall be located on the driveway address sign and mounted on a fire retardant post, or

b. If located along a street or road, a reflectorized blue marker, with a minimum dimension of three inches, shall be mounted on a fire retardant post. The sign post shall be within three feet of said hydrant/fire valve, with a sign no less than three feet nor greater than five feet above ground, in a horizontal position and visible from the driveway.

8. Signing of Water Sources—Alternative Standards. Hydrant or fire valve identification may be allowed as specified in the State Fire Marshall's Guidelines for Fire Hydrant Markings Along State Highways and Freeways, May 1988.

(Ord. 3600, 1992)

1. Intent. To reduce the intensity of a wildfire by reducing the volume and density of flammable vegetation, the strategic siting of fuel modification and greenbelts shall provide increased safety for emergency fire equipment and evacuating civilians; and (2) a point of a or defense from a wildfire.

2. Setback for Structure Defensible Space.

a. All parcels one acre and larger shall provide a minimum thirty (30) foot setback for buildings and accessory buildings from all property lines and/or the center of the road.

b. For parcels less than one acre, local jurisdiction shall provide for the same practical effect.

3. Disposal of Flammable Vegetation and Fuels. Disposal, including chipping, burying, burning or removal to a landfill site approved by the local jurisdiction, of flammable vegetation and fuels caused by site development and construction, road and driveway construction, and fuel modification shall be completed prior to completion of road construction or final inspection of a building permit.

4. Greenbelts. Subdivisions and other developments, which propose greenbelts as a part of the development plan, shall locate said greenbelts strategically as a separation between wildland fuels and structures. The locations shall be approved by the Reviewing Authority.

5. Fuel Modification Standards—Alternative Standards.

(Ord. 3600, 1992)

The Director, or his or her designee, to include local fire districts, shall, via State mandated enforcement powers, be responsible for monitoring and enforcing any and all regulations contained in this Chapter up to and after final County approval or inspection of a project application.

(Ord. 3600, 1992)