San Diego County Municipal Code § 604.12 Building Ignition

Sec. 604.12.1 Zone 0 "Immediate Zone" 0-5' Meaning from exterior wall surface or patio,…¶

attachment to building or structure extending 5 feet on a horizontal plane. This zone shall be constructed of continuous hardscape or non-combustible materials. Removal of combustible materials surrounding the exterior wall area and maintaining area free and clear of combustible materials. The use of mulch and other combustible materials shall be prohibited.

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Sec. 604.12.2 Zone 1 "Intermediate Zone" from Zone 0 to 50' means from the immediate…¶

extending out in a horizontal plane. This zone shall consist of planting of low growth, drought tolerant and fire resistive plant species. The height of the plants in this zone starts at 6" adjacent to Zone 0 and extending in a linear fashion up to a maximum of 18" at intersection with Zone 2. Vegetation in this zone shall be irrigated and not exceed 6' in height and shall be moderate in nature as per Sec. 603.4. Firewood inside this zone shall be piled a minimum of 30' away from all buildings and structures. Cords of firewood shall also be maintained at least 10' from property lines and not stacked under tree canopies drip lines.

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Sec. 604.12.3 Zone 2 "Extended Zone" from Zone 1 to 100' means from the immediate edge…¶

extending out in a horizontal plane for 50'. This zone consists of planting of drought tolerant and fire resistive plant species of moderate height. Brush and plants shall be limbed up off the ground, so the lowest branches are 1/3 height of bush/tree/plant or up to 6' off the ground on mature trees. This area would be considered selective clearing of natural vegetation and dense chaparral by removing a minimum of 50% of the square footage of this area.

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AMENDMENT to Section 604.12 BUILDING IGNITION ZONES

The Deer Springs, North County, San Diego County Fire Protection Districts amendment to section 604.12 shall read:

Sec. 604.12.1 Zone 0 "Immediate Zone" 0-5' Meaning from exterior wall surface or patio, deck or attachment to building or structure extending 5 feet on a horizontal plane. This zone shall be constructed of continuous hardscape or non-combustible materials. (a) Combustible materials must be removed from the area, including but not limited to roofs, gutters, decks, porches, and stairways. (b) Firewood and lumber are prohibited. (c) Dead branches that overhang roofs, are below or adjacent to windows, or which are adjacent to wall surfaces must be removed. All branches within ten (10) feet of any chimney or stovepipe outlet must be removed.

Sec. 604.12.2 Zone 1 "Intermediate Zone" from Zone 0 to 50' means from the immediate edge of Zone 0 extending out in a horizontal plane. This zone shall consist of planting of low growth, drought tolerant and fire resistive plant species. The height of the plants in this zone starts at 6" adjacent to Zone 0 and extending in a linear fashion up to a maximum of 18" at intersection with Zone 2. (a) Dead or dying grass, plants, shrubs, trees, branches, leaves, weeds, and pine needles must be removed from the area. (b) Other combustible materials must not be adjacent to or under combustible decks, balconies, and stairs. (c) Vegetation in this zone shall be irrigated and not exceed 6' in height and shall be moderate in nature as per Sec. 603.4.1. d) Dead branches that overhang roofs, are below or adjacent to windows, or which are adjacent to wall surfaces must be removed. All branches within ten (10) feet of any chimney and stovepipe outlet must be removed.

Sec. 604.12.3 Zone 2 "Extended Zone" from Zone 1 to 100' means from the immediate edge of Zone 1 extending out in a horizontal plane for 50'. This zone consists of planting of drought tolerant and fire resistive plant species of moderate height. This area would be considered selective clearing of natural vegetation and dense chaparral by removing a minimum 50% of the square footage of this area. (a) Horizontal and vertical spacing among shrubs and trees must be created using fuel separation, as follows: (1) Dead and dying woody surface fuel and trees shall be removed. Loose surface litter (consisting of fallen leaves or needles, twigs, bark, cones, and small branches) shall be permitted to a maximum depth of three (3) inches. (2) Annual grasses and forbs must be cut down to a maximum height of four (4) inches.

Sec. 604.12.4 Requirements Applicable to Zones 1 and 2 (a) Liquid Petroleum Gas storage tanks with a greater than 50 lb. or 11.4-gallon capacity shall have a minimum of ten (10) feet of clearance from Combustible Materials. Liquid Petroleum Gas means a material composed predominantly of one or more of the following hydrocarbons: propane, propylene, butane (normal butane or isobutane) and butylene. (b) Vegetation shall not be cleared to bare soil. (c) Brush and plants shall be limbed up off the ground, so the lowest branches are 1/3 height of bush/tree/plant or up to 6' off the ground on mature trees. (d) Firewood shall be stored in compliance with section 96.2.607 of this Code.

ADDITION OF SECTION 604.12.5

The Deer Springs, North County, San Diego County Fire Protection Districts adopts the following code addition:

Sec. 604.12.5 Establishment and Maintenance of a Fuel Modification Zone (a) A fuel modification zone shall be established and maintained using methods such as mowing, cutting, grazing and trimming that leave the plant root structure intact to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. Removed trees shall have the stumps cut no higher than eight (8) inches above the ground. Any chipping of trees or vegetation that is done onsite may be allowed to remain so long as it is dispersed over an area not to exceed six (6) inches in depth. If the Fire Code Official determines that difficult terrain, danger of erosion, or other unusual circumstances make strict compliance with this section undesirable or impractical, enforcement thereof may be suspended and reasonable alternative measures shall be provided. (b) Areas where combustible vegetation is removed to establish a fuel modification zone may be re-planted with single specimens of trees, fire-resistant ornamental shrubbery, and other fire-resistant planting materials or cultivated ground covers that do not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from native or landscape plants to any Improvement or other vegetation, to the Fire Code Official's satisfaction. Re-planting may be required for erosion control. (c) The formation of a fuel modification zone shall be carried out in conformance with all federal, state and local environmental laws, regulations and agreements including, but not limited to, the Endangered Species Act, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Fish and Wildlife Service of the United States Department of the Interior, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association, and the San Diego County regulations regarding grading, clearing and watercourses found in Division 7 of Title 8 of the San Diego County Regulatory Code.

ADDITION OF SECTION 604.12.6

The Deer Springs, North County, San Diego County Fire Protection Districts adds the following section and reads:

Sec. 604.12.6 Violations of Sections 604.12.1 through 604.12.5 (a) The County may use any of the following remedies to address violations of Sections 604.12.1 – 604.12.5: (1) Criminal prosecution as provided by State law or County Code. (2) Civil action for any legal and/or equitable remedy including, but not limited to injunctive relief, declaratory relief, civil penalties, damages, restitution, site restoration, and cost recovery. (3) Nuisance abatement as provided by County Code Section 16.201 et seq; and (4) Administrative actions as provided by County Code. (b) The appeal process set forth in Section 96.2.112 shall not apply to the remedies listed in subdivision (a). Instead, the appeal process provided for those remedies by State law or County Code shall apply.

ADDITION OF SECTION 604.12.7

The Deer Springs, North County, San Diego County Fire Protection Districts adds the following section and reads:

Sec. 604.12.7 Public Nuisance Determined - Right of Entry (a) The accumulation of combustible vegetation, dead, dying or diseased trees, green waste, rubbish, and other materials on private property is hereby found to create a condition that is a fire hazard and potentially injurious to the health, safety, and general welfare of the public. Therefore, the presence of such combustible vegetation, dead, dying or diseased trees, green waste, rubbish, and other materials on parcels or on adjacent sidewalks, parking areas, or streets, so as to endanger improvements on such parcel or neighboring property is hereby declared to constitute a public nuisance which may be abated in accordance with the provisions of this Fire Code. No person, firm or corporation shall allow or permit the aforesaid matter to accumulate or be upon his, her or its premises or upon premises controlled by him, her or it except within buildings or in appropriate containers or receptacles. (b) The FAHJ has the right to enter private property to determine whether such a public nuisance exists.

(Added by Ord. No. 10977 (N.S.), effective 4-2-26)

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