Newport Beach Municipal Code Ch. 9.07 Wildland-Urban

§ 9.07.010. Adoption of the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.¶

The City Council adopts and incorporates by reference, as though set forth in full in this section, the 2025 Edition of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, and all national code and standards referenced therein, based on the 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, as published by the International Code Council.

The various parts of these codes and standards, along with the additions, amendments and deletions adopted in this chapter, shall constitute and be known as the “Newport Beach Wildland-Urban Interface Code.” A copy of the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, printed in code book form, shall be kept on file in the office of the Fire Code Official and Building Official and made available for public inspection.

(Ord. 2025-25 § 1, 2025)

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§ 9.07.020. Amendment of Section 101.3.1, Application.¶

Section 101.3.1, Application, is amended to read as follows:

Section 101.3.1, Application, is amended by deleting Exception No. 5 in its entirety.

(Ord. 2025-25 § 1, 2025)

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§ 9.07.030. Amendment of Section 101.3.1.1, Application Date and Where Required.¶

Section 101.3.1.1, Application Date and Where Required, is amended to read as follows:

Section 101.3.1.1, Application Date and Where Required, is amended by deleting Exception No. 2 in its entirety.

(Ord. 2025-25 § 1, 2025)

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§ 9.07.040. Amendment of Section 202, Definitions.¶

Section 202 is amended to add the following definitions to read as follows:

FUEL MODIFICATION PLAN: An approved plan which identifies specific fuel modification zones within a property that are subject to fuel modification. Fuel modification plans show the area and location of all hardscape/softscape improvements and fuel modifications necessary to achieve the minimum acceptable level of risk to structures from fires in combustible vegetation.
FUEL MODIFICATION ZONE: A specific area where vegetation has been removed, planted, or modified in conjunction with an approved fuel modification plan that increases the likelihood that a structure will survive a wildfire, improve the defensible space around the structure for fire-fighting activities, and prevents direct flame contact with structures. Vegetation includes native and ornamental plants, non-native naturalized annual grasses, and other invasive or naturalized species. Fuel modification activities can include removal, partial or total replacement of existing plants with adequately spaced drought-tolerant and fire-resistant species and thinning of existing native or ornamental species.
UNENCLOSED COVERED STRUCTURE. Includes covered structures with a solid or open roof and no more than one side closed.

FUEL MODIFICATION PLAN: An approved plan which identifies specific fuel modification zones within a property that are subject to fuel modification. Fuel modification plans show the area and location of all hardscape/softscape improvements and fuel modifications necessary to achieve the minimum acceptable level of risk to structures from fires in combustible vegetation.

FUEL MODIFICATION ZONE: A specific area where vegetation has been removed, planted, or modified in conjunction with an approved fuel modification plan that increases the likelihood that a structure will survive a wildfire, improve the defensible space around the structure for fire-fighting activities, and prevents direct flame contact with structures. Vegetation includes native and ornamental plants, non-native naturalized annual grasses, and other invasive or naturalized species. Fuel modification activities can include removal, partial or total replacement of existing plants with adequately spaced drought-tolerant and fire-resistant species and thinning of existing native or ornamental species.

UNENCLOSED COVERED STRUCTURE. Includes covered structures with a solid or open roof and no more than one side closed.

(Ord. 2025-25 § 1, 2025)

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§ 9.07.050. Addition of Section 303.3, Fuel Modification Zone.¶

Section 303.3 is hereby added as follows:

Section 303.3 Fuel Modification Zone. A specific area where vegetation has been removed, planted, or modified in conjunction with an approved fuel modification plan that increases the likelihood that a structure will survive a wildfire, improve the defensible space around the structure for firefighting activities, and prevents direct flame contact with structures. Vegetation includes native and ornamental plants, non-native naturalized annual grasses, and other invasive or naturalized species. Fuel modification activities can include removal, partial or total replacement of existing plants with adequately spaced drought-tolerant and fire-resistant species and thinning of existing native or ornamental species.

(Ord. 2025-25 § 1, 2025)

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§ 9.07.060. Amendment to Section 501.1, Scope.¶

Section 501.1 is amended to read as follows:

Section 501.1 Scope. This chapter applies to building materials, systems and/or assemblies used in the exterior design and construction of buildings including one-and-two family dwellings locating with a Fire Hazard Severity Zone or Wildland Urban Interface area as defined in Section 202.

(Ord. 2025-25 § 1, 2025)

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§ 9.07.070. Amendment to Section 503.1, General.¶

Section 503.1 is amended to read as follows: Section 503.1, General, is amended by deleting Exception No. 2 in its entirety.

(Ord. 2025-25 § 1, 2025)

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§ 9.07.080. Amendment to Section 504.11.5, Miscellaneous Structures Located 3 Feet or…¶

Section 504.11.5 is amended to read as follows:

Section 504.11.5 Miscellaneous Structure Requirements Located 3 Feet or More but Less than 50 Feet. Miscellaneous structures that require a permit and are separated from an applicable building on the same lot by a distance of more than three (3) feet but less than fifty (50) feet from an applicable building shall be constructed of noncombustible materials or of ignition-resistant construction described in Sections 504.1 – 504.11.6.

(Ord. 2025-25 § 1, 2025)

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§ 9.07.090. Addition of Section 602.4, Fuel Modification Plans.¶

Section 602.4 is hereby added as follows:

Section 602.4 Fuel Modification Plans. Fuel modification plans shall be submitted to and approved by the fire code official prior to the issuance of a building permit. The plans shall be developed using the criteria set forth in the City’s Guidelines and Standards G.02 “Fuel Modification Plans and Maintenance Standard.”

(Ord. 2025-25 § 1, 2025)

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§ 9.07.100. Addition of Section 604.6, Maintenance of Fuel Modification Zones.¶

Section 604.6 is hereby added as follows:

Section 604.6 Maintenance of Fuel Modification Zones. Fuel Modification Zones not in compliance with the City’s respective guidelines and standards shall constitute a fire hazard.

(Ord. 2025-25 § 1, 2025)

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§ 9.07.110. Amendments to Section 604, Combustible Construction Prohibited.¶

Section 604 is amended to add Section 604.7 as follows:

Section 604.7 Combustible Construction Prohibited. No attached or detached buildings, patio covers, sheds, decks, stairs, or similar structures shall be built or placed in the twenty (20) foot Zone A setback, as described in City’s Guidelines and Standards G.02 “Fuel Modification Plans and Maintenance Standard” unless completely constructed of non-combustible materials.

(Ord. 2025-25 § 1, 2025)

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§ 9.07.120. Adoption of Appendix A in Its Entirety Except Sections A102.3 – A102.3.2.2.¶

Appendix A is adopted in its entirety except sections A102.3 – A102.3.2.2.

(Ord. 2025-25 § 1, 2025)

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