Chapter 8.176 — LOCAL RESPONSIBILITY AREA FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES MAPS

The Board of Supervisors of Riverside County finds that wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity within Riverside County. Adoption of the Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones Maps is necessary to protect public health and safety by identifying areas at risk of wildfire and guiding land use planning, the implementation of ignition-resistant building standards, and defensible space standards.

(Ord. No. 999, § 1, 7-1-2025)

The purpose of this chapter is to formally adopt the Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) maps within Riverside County, as prepared and designated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), pursuant to Government Code Section 51178.

(Ord. No. 999, § 2, 7-1-2025)

In accordance with the Government Code Section 51179, a local agency shall designate, by ordinance, moderate, high and very high fire hazard severity zones in its jurisdiction within one hundred twenty (120) days of receiving recommendations from the state fire marshal pursuant to Government Code Section 51178.

(Ord. No. 999, § 3, 7-1-2025)

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

A.

Board. The County of Riverside Board of Supervisors.

B.

County. The County of Riverside.

C.

Fire hazard severity zone (FHSZ). An area at risk for wildfire as designated by CAL FIRE, pursuant to Government Code Section 51178.

(Ord. No. 999, § 4, 7-1-2025)

The board hereby adopts the recommendations of the state fire marshal made pursuant to Government Code Section 51178 and designates those areas within the county as moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones as shown on the local responsibility area fire hazard severity zones maps published by the office of the state fire marshal.

(Ord. No. 999, § 5, 7-1-2025)

The board hereby adopts the portion of the state fire marshal's fire hazard severity zones maps covering the county as the "County of Riverside Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map." A copy of the County of Riverside Fire Hazard Severity Zones Maps is on file with the clerk of the board and can also be found online at www.rvcfire.org and is incorporated herein by reference.

(Ord. No. 999, § 6, 7-1-2025)