Watsonville Municipal Code Ch. 90 Suppression and Control of Fire in Wildfire Risk Areas

Section 9001—SCOPE. The unrestricted use of grass-, grain-, brush- or forest-covered land in wildfire risk areas is a potential menace to life and property from fire and resulting erosion. Safeguards to prevent the occurrence of fires and to provide adequate fire-protection facilities to control the spread of fire which might be caused by recreational, residential, commercial, industrial or other activities shall be in accordance with Chapter 90.

Section 9002—RESTRICTED ENTRY. The fire code official shall determine and publicly announce when wildfire risk areas shall be closed to entry and when such areas shall again be opened to entry. Entry on and occupation of wildfire risk areas, except public roadways, inhabited areas or established trails and camp sites which have not been closed during such time when the wildfire risk area is closed to entry, is prohibited.

Exceptions:

1. Residents and owners of private property within wildfire risk areas and their invitees and guests going to or being upon their lands.

2. Entry, in the course of duty, by peace or police officers, and other duly authorized public officers, members of a fire department and members of the United States Forest Service.

Section 9003—TRESPASSING ON POSTED PROPERTY.

Section 9003.1—General. When the fire code official determines that a specific area within a wildfire risk area presents an exceptional and continuing fire danger because of the density of natural growth, difficulty of terrain, proximity to structures or accessibility to the public, such areas shall be closed until changed conditions warrant termination of closure. Such areas shall be posted as hereinafter provided.

Section 9003.2—Signs. Approved signs prohibiting entry by unauthorized persons and referring to §9002 shall be placed on every closed area.

Section 9003.3—Trespassing. Entering and remaining within areas closed and posted is prohibited.

Exception: Owners and occupiers of private or public property within closed and posted areas, their guests or invitees, and local, state and federal public officers and their authorized agents acting in the course of duty.

Section 9004—USE OF FIRE ROADS AND FIREBREAKS. Motorcycles, motor scooters and motor vehicles shall not be driven or parked upon, and trespassing is prohibited upon, fire roads or firebreaks beyond the point where travel is restricted by a cable, gate or sign, without the permission of the property owners. Vehicles shall not be parked in a manner which obstructs the entrance to a fire road or firebreak.

Exception: Public officers acting within their scope of duty.

Radio and television aerials, guy wires thereto, and other obstructions shall not be installed or maintained on fire roads or firebreaks unless located 16 feet (4877 mm) or more above such fire road or firebreak.

Section 9005—USE OF MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS AND MOTOR VEHICLES. Motorcycles, motor scooters and motor vehicles shall not be operated within wildfire risk areas, without a permit by the fire code official, except upon clearly established public or private roads. Permission from the property owner shall be presented when requesting a permit.

Section 9006—LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE. The expenses of fighting fires which result from a violation of this chapter shall be a charge against the person whose violation caused the fire. Damages caused by such fires shall constitute a debt of such person and are collectable by the fire code official in the same manner as in the case of an obligation under a contract, expressed or implied.

(§ 1, Ord. 1483-25, eff. January 1, 2026)

(a) Appendix D—Fire Apparatus Access Roads.

(b) Appendix I—Fire Protection Systems—Noncompliant Conditions.

(c) Appendix N—Indoor Trade Shows and Exhibitions.

(d) Appendix O—Valet Trash and Recycling Collection in Group R-2 Occupancies.

(e) Appending P—Temporary Haunted Houses, Ghost Walks and Similar Amusement Uses.

(§ 1, Ord. 1483-25, eff. January 1, 2026)