Article 16-52

WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE Sections:

• 16-52.010 Adoption of the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.

• 16-52.020 Scope 16-52.030 Fire Hazard Areas Amendment. 16-52.040 Application of Code. 16-52.050 Roof Replacement or Repair.

(a) The 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, Title 24, Part 7, hereinafter referred to as "the WUI Code," is referred to and, except as to additions, deletions and amendments hereinafter described, such code is hereby adopted and made a part hereof, the same as if fully set forth in this Article, and shall be the WUI Code of the City.

(i) In accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7, express findings that modifications to the WUI Code are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions are either already on file with the California Building Standards Commission or will be filed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Article.

(b) At least one true copy of the WUI Code has been on file with the City Clerk for fifteen days prior to enactment of the ordinance codified in this Article. While the ordinance codified in this Article is in force, a true copy of the WUI Code shall be kept for public inspection in the office of the Building Official. (Ord. No. 414, § 2(App. A), 11-5-2025)

Section 101.2 of the 2025 California WUI Code is amended to read:

101.2 Scope

This code applies to building materials, systems and/or assemblies used in the exterior design and construction of new buildings, and additions or alterations to existing buildings, located within a wildland-urban interface (WUI) area and contains minimum requirements to mitigate conditions that might cause a fire originating in a structure to ignite vegetation in the wildland-urban interface

(WUI) area, and conversely, a wildfire burning in vegetative fuels to transmit fire to buildings and threaten to destroy life, overwhelm fire suppression capabilities or result in large property losses.

(Ord. No. 414, § 2(App. A), 11-5-2025)

Section 101.3.1 of the 2025 California WUI Code is amended to read 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. This shall include all new buildings with residential, commercial, educational, institutional or similar occupancy type use, which shall be referred to in this code as "applicable buildings," as well as new buildings and structures accessory to those applicable buildings. Exceptions:

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

1.1. 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.

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

1.3. Open space lands that are environmentally sensitive parklands.

1.4. Other lands having scenic values, as declared by the local agency, or by state or federal law. (Ord. No. 414, § 2(App. A), 11-5-2025)

Section 101.3.1.1 of the 2025 California WUI Code is amended to read:

101.3.1.1 Application date and where required.

New buildings 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.

(Saratoga Supp. No. 57, 1-26)

438.8

16-52.050

High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. All incorporated lands designated by the City of Saratoga as a Wildland-Urban Interface area, including Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Severity zones.

• (Ord. No. 414, § 2(App. A), 11-5-2025)

Section 507.1 of the 2025 California WUI Code is amended to read:

507.1 General. The entire roof covering of every existing structure where more than 10 percent of the total roof area is replaced within any one-year period; the entire roof covering of every new structure; and any roof covering applied in the alteration, repair, or replacement of the roof of every existing structure shall be a fire-retardant roof covering that is at least Class A.

• (Ord. No. 414, § 2(App. A), 11-5-2025)

438.9

(Saratoga Supp. No. 57, 1-26)

16-55.010