Nevada County Municipal Code Ch. 5 Fuel Modification

To reduce the intensity of a wildfire by reducing the volume and density of flammable vegetation, these areas shall provide: (1) Increased safety for emergency fire equipment and evacuating civilians; and (2) a point of attack or defense from a wildfire; and (3) strategic siting of fuel modification and greenbelts.

(Ord. 1734. (09/10/1991); Ord. 2531. (10/24/2023))

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

(Ord. 1734. (09/10/1991); Ord. 2531. (10/24/2023))

A. All structures within the State Responsibility Area are required to comply with the defensible space regulations in Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, Natural Resources Division 1.5, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Chapter 7, Fire Protection Subchapter 3, Fire Hazard.

B. All parcels shall provide a minimum thirty (30')-foot setback for all buildings from all property lines and/or the center of a road.

C. When a thirty (30')-foot setback is not possible for practical reasons, which may include but are not limited to parcel dimensions or size, topographic limitations, or other easements, the local jurisdiction shall provide for same practical effect, which reduce the likelihood of home-to-home ignition. Same practical effect options may include, but are not limited to, noncombustible block walls or fences; five (5') feet of noncombustible material horizontally around the structure; installing hardscape landscaping or reducing exposed windows on the side of the structure with a less than thirty (30')-foot setback; or additional structural hardening such as those required in the California Building Code, Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 24, Part 2, Chapter 7A.

D. As determined by the Director, a fuel modification zone or greenbelt may be required along all or some subdivision exterior boundaries. All subdivisions in excess of ten (10) lots with a density of one (1) residence per one and one-half (1.5) acres or greater shall provide greenbelts or fuel modification areas as a separation between wildland fuels and the lots within the subdivision. In all cases, the minimum width of a greenbelt or fuel modification zone shall be determined by the Director.

E. Depending on the fire hazard severity classification and other factors, those subdivisions providing a greenbelt may reduce or otherwise eliminate the setbacks required in the base zoning district in Title 12, Zoning Ordinance, requiring thirty (30') feet to interior side and rear yards. The less setbacks provided for may be used in lieu of the thirty (30') feet. Such reduction or elimination of setbacks must be determined as part of the review of the tentative map and shall be incorporated as notes on the final map.

(Ord. 2474. (01/14/2020); Ord. 1734. (09/10/1991); Ord. 2531. (10/24/2023))