Santa Clara County Municipal Code Art. 2 Additions, Deletions, and Amendments to 2025 California Wildland-Urban…

Additions, deletions, and amendments to the CWUI are as set forth in this article.

(Ord. No. NS-1100.138, § 5, 12-9-25)

Chapter 1 Division II of the CWUI is adopted with the following amendments:

(a) Section 101.1 (Title) is amended as follows:

101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the County Wild/and-Urban Interface Code, hereinafter referred to as "this code."

(b) Section 101.3.1 (Application) is amended as follows:

101.3.1 Application. New buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone or Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Area designated by the enforcing agency constructed after the application date shall comply with the provisions of this code.

Exceptions:

1. Buildings of an accessory character classified as a Group U occupancy and not exceeding 120 square feet in floor area, when located at least 30 feet from an applicable building (see Part 2 of this code, Section 202).

2. Buildings of an accessory character classified as Group U occupancy of any size located at least 50 feet from an applicable building.

3. Buildings classified as a Group U Agricultural Building, as defined in Section 202 of Part 2 of this code (see also Part 2, Appendix C- Group C), when located at least 50 feet from an applicable building.

4. Group C, special building conforming to the limitations specified in Part 2, Section 450.4.1.

5. Land or water area acquired or managed for one or more of the following purposes or uses:

5.1.

Habitat for endangered or threatened species, or any species that is a candidate for listing as an endangered or threatened species by the state or federal government.

5.2.

Lands kept in a predominantly natural state as habitat for wildlife, plant, or animal communities.

5.3.

Open space lands that are environmentally sensitive parklands.

5.4.

Other lands having scenic values, as declared by the local agency, or by state or federal law.

(c) Section 101.3.1.1 (Application date and where required) is amended as follows:

101.3.1.1. Application date and where required. New buildings for which an application for a building permit is submitted on or after July 1, 2008, located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone or Wildland-Urban Interface Area shall comply with this code, including all of the following areas:

All unincorporated lands designated by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection as State Responsibility Area (SRA) including:

Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

Land designated as a Moderate, High, or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by cities and other local agencies including within the Local Responsibility Area (LRA) in unincorporated Santa Clara County.

Land designated as a wildland-urban interface area by cities and other local agencies.

Exceptions:

1. New buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone within a State Responsibility Area, for which an application for a building permit is submitted on or after January 1, 2008, shall comply with this code.

2. New buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone within a State Responsibility Area or any wildland-urban interface area designated by cities and other local agencies for which an application for a building permit is submitted on or after December 1, 2005, but prior to July 1, 2008, shall only comply with the following sections of this chapter:

2.1.

Section 507 - Replacement or Repair of Roof Coverings.

2.2.

Chapter 2 of the CWUI is adopted with the following amendments:

(a) Section 202 (Definitions) is amended as follows:

WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA. A geographical area identified by the state as a "Fire Hazard Severity Zone" in accordance with the Public Resources Code Sections 4201 through 4204 and Government Code Sections 51175 through 51189, and other areas, including Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the Local Responsibility Area (LRA) as designated by the enforcing agency to be at a significant risk from wildfires.

(Ord. No. NS-1100.138, § 5, 12-9-25)