CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
What is the scope, purpose and general requirements of the CWUIC?
If you’re building new in a mapped wildland‑urban interface or designated fire hazard zone, the CWUIC controls exterior materials, site measures and related rules to reduce structure‑to‑wildland and wildland‑to‑structure fire risk. The code’s scope and purpose are in **§ 101.2** and **§ 101.3**; check **§ 101.3.1** for application triggers and the limited accessory exceptions (notably the **50‑ft** rule).
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — 2-4 sentences: the rule in plain English with the controlling §.
The California Wildland‑Urban Interface Code (CWUIC) applies to the exterior building materials, systems and assemblies of new buildings located in a wildland‑urban interface (WUI) area and sets minimum requirements to reduce the chance that a structure fire will ignite wildland fuels — and vice‑versa — so life and property are protected. This basic scope is stated in § 101.2 and the code’s purpose to safeguard life and property and to tier requirements to the hazard level is stated in § 101.3.
If you build a new structure in a mapped WUI or in a designated Fire Hazard Severity Zone, the CWUIC controls the exterior construction and site measures that reduce the structure‑to‑wildland and wildland‑to‑structure fire risks.
Requirements in detail
Key scope and purpose statements (plain items)
- The code “applies to building materials, systems and/or assemblies used in the exterior design and construction of new buildings located within a WUI area.” — § 101.2.
- The code’s objective is to “establish minimum regulations for the safeguarding of life and for property protection” and to provide a tiered regulatory approach aligned with the relative hazard. — § 101.3.
- Appendices do not apply unless a jurisdiction specifically adopts them. — § 101.2.1.
Decision‑relevant dimensions (table)
| Decision dimension | Typical values / thresholds | When it matters | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which buildings are covered | New buildings located in a WUI area or in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone | Any new construction permit application in a mapped WUI/SRA/LRA area | § 101.2, § 101.3.1 |
| Materials/systems regulated | Exterior building materials, systems, assemblies (ignition‑resistant construction elements) | Design and construction of building exterior and attachments | § 101.2, Chapter 5 (see code) |
| Tiering by hazard | Measures are tiered commensurate with relative level of hazard (e.g., different prescriptive requirements for Very High vs lower hazard zones) | Where the jurisdiction maps hazard levels or adopts SRA/LRA designations | § 101.3 |
| Appendices | Not mandatory unless adopted by the jurisdiction | Items such as vegetation plans or voluntary home‑hardening guidance (appendices) | § 101.2.1 |
| Application cutoff / date | Permit application on or after July 1, 2008 triggers application (per state text) | Determining if a new building is subject to CWUIC provisions | § 101.3.1.1 (see § 101.3.1) |
| Accessory building exception distance | 50 feet (15,240 mm) separation from an “applicable building” for certain Group U accessory buildings | When deciding whether a small accessory building must comply | § 101.3.1 — Exceptions 1 & 2 (50 ft) |
How the purpose translates into rules
- The purpose language in § 101.3 drives two things: (1) regulate to prevent fire spread between wildland fuels and structures, and (2) scale requirements to hazard (tiering). That intent is the basis for chapters that impose construction, access, water supply and defensible‑space requirements.
Exceptions & special cases
- Appendices are informational unless the jurisdiction adopts them by ordinance — § 101.2.1. Do not assume appendix content is mandatory.
- Application exceptions for some accessory or specialized buildings exist in § 101.3.1. Notable ones include:
- Group U occupancy accessory buildings of any size located at least 50 feet (15,240 mm) from an applicable building on the same lot (exception 1).
- Group U agricultural buildings with the same 50‑foot separation (exception 2).
- Special Group C buildings meeting certain CBC limits (exception 3), and limited accessory/miscellaneous structures per § 504.11 (exception 4).
- Additions/remodels of buildings originally constructed prior to July 1, 2008 are exempted from full application of the code (exception 5).
- The code text also identifies that application is tied to buildings “located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone or WUI Fire Area designated by the enforcing agency” — so local mapping/adoption controls where the code applies. See § 101.3.1.
Common mistakes
- Assuming appendices are always mandatory. (They are optional unless adopted — § 101.2.1.)
- Failing to confirm whether the property sits in a mapped WUI area or a designated Fire Hazard Severity Zone — the CWUIC applies where the enforcing agency has designated the area (§ 101.3.1).
- Believing all accessory buildings are exempt — the 50‑foot separation requirement is specific and measured on the same lot (see § 101.3.1 exceptions).
- Ignoring the application date cutoff for new‑building triggers — the code ties enforcement to building permit application dates (see § 101.3.1.1).
Worked example — a concrete scenario applying the rule with numbers
Scenario: You plan to build a new 2,400 ft² single‑family house on a lot mapped inside a WUI area in a Local Responsibility Area (LRA). You submit the building permit on August 1, 2010.
- Does the CWUIC apply? Yes. The structure is a new building in a mapped WUI area and the permit was submitted after the referenced application date; the code applies to the building exterior and related systems per § 101.2 and § 101.3.1.
- You also plan a detached storage shed classified Group U and located 40 feet (12,192 mm) from the house. Does the shed qualify for the accessory exception? No — the accessory exception requires at least 50 feet (15,240 mm) separation on the same lot; at 40 feet the shed must meet the CWUIC requirements. See § 101.3.1 exceptions.
- If you moved the shed to 60 feet (18,288 mm) from the house, it would meet Exception 1 (if otherwise a Group U accessory building) and would not be subject to the full CWUIC requirements. Confirm with the enforcing agency because local adoption and enforcement can affect applicability (see § 101.3.1).
Related provisions
- § 101.1 — Title and identification of the Code.
- § 101.2.1 — Appendices are optional unless adopted.
- § 101.3.1 — Application: which buildings and when (includes the accessory exceptions and the permit‑date trigger).
- § 101.3.1.1 — Application date and where required (permit submission date rules).
- Chapter 3 (e.g., § 302) — Wildland‑Urban Interface Area designations and mapping (how WUI areas are established).
- Chapter 4 (e.g., § 401, § 402) — WUI area requirements (access, water supply, premises identification) that implement the purpose in § 101.3.
- Chapter 5 — Special building construction regulations that supplement the CBC/CRC to meet CWUIC objectives.
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CWUIC § 101.1 High relevance — show source text
PART 1—GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 101—SCOPE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
[A] 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code of [ NAME OF JURISDICTION ], hereinafter referred to as “this code.”
[A] 101.2 Scope. This code applies to building materials, systems and/or assemblies used in the exterior design and construction of new 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.
[A] 101.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices shall not apply unless specifically adopted.
[A] 101.3 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to establish minimum regulations for the safeguarding of life and for property protection. Regulations in this code are intended to mitigate the risk to life and structures from intrusion of fire from wildland fire exposures and fire exposures from adjacent structures and to mitigate structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels. The extent of this regulation is intended to be tiered commensurate with the relative level of hazard present.
The unrestricted use of property in wildland-urban interface areas is a potential threat 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 in wildland-urban interface areas shall be in accordance with this code.
This code shall supplement the jurisdiction’s building and fire codes, if such codes have been adopted, to provide for special regulations to mitigate the fire- and life-safety hazards of the wildland-urban interface areas.
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. Group U occupancy accessory buildings of any size located at least 50 feet (15 240 mm) from an applicable building on the same lot.
2. Group U occupancy agricultural buildings, as defined in Section 202 of the California Building Code of any size located at least 50 feet (15 240 mm) from an applicable building. 3. Group C occupancy special buildings conforming to the limitations specified in Section 450.4.1 of the California Building Code. 4. New accessory buildings and miscellaneous structures specified in Section 504.11 shall comply only with the requirements of that section.
5. Additions to and remodels of buildings originally constructed prior to July 1, 2008.
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:
CWUIC § 1-2 High relevance — show source text
Population growth and the expanding urban development into traditionally nonurban areas have increasingly brought humans into contact with wildfires. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), every year, wildfires burn across the United States and a growing number of people are living where wildfires are a real risk. In 2018 more than 58,000 fires burned nearly 9 million acres across the US. More than 25,000 structures were destroyed, including 18,137 residences and 229 commercial structures. California accounted for the highest number of structures lost in one state due to the number of significant fires, including the Mendocino Complex, Carr, Camp and Woolsey fires.
The IWUIC is a model code that is intended to be adopted and used supplemental to the adopted building and fire codes of a jurisdiction. The unrestricted use of property in wildland-urban interface areas is a potential threat to life and property from fire and resulting erosion. The IWUIC has as its objective the establishment of minimum special regulations for the safeguarding of life and
x 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
property from the intrusion of fire from wildland fire exposures and fire exposures from adjacent structures and to prevent structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels, even in the absence of fire department intervention.
Safeguards to prevent the occurrence of fires and to provide adequate fire protection facilities to control the spread of fire in wildland-urban interface areas are provided in a tiered manner commensurate with the relative level of hazard present.
ARRANGEMENT AND FORMAT OF THE 2025 CWUIC
The format of the CWUIC allows each chapter to be devoted to a particular subject. The following table shows how the CWUIC is divided. The chapter synopses detail the scope and intent of the provisions of the CWUIC.
CHAPTER TOPICS Col2 CHAPTER SUBJECT 1-2 Administration and Definitions 3-4 Wildland-Urban Interface Area Designation and Requirements 5 Building Construction Regulations 6 Fire Protection Requirements 7 Referenced Standards Appendices A-I Adoptable and Informational Appendices Chapter 1 Scope and Administration.
Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.
Chapter 2 Definitions.
Chapter 2 is the repository of the definitions of terms used in the body of the code. The user of the code should be familiar with and consult this chapter because the definitions are essential to the correct interpretation of the code and because the user may not be aware that a term is defined.
Chapter 3 Wildland-Urban Interface Areas.
Chapter 3 provides for the fundamental aspect of applying the code—the legal declaration and establishment of wildland-urban interface areas within the adopting jurisdiction, mapping of the area, periodic review and updates.
Chapter 4 Wildland-Urban Interface Area Requirements.
The requirements of Chapter 4 apply to all occupancies in the wildland-urban interface and pertain to all of the following:
Fire service access to the property that is to be protected, including fire apparatus access roads and off-road driveways.
Premises identification.
CWUIC § 1.5 High relevance — show source text
[California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, §1270.08] Distance Measurements.
All specified or referenced distances are measured along the ground unless otherwise stated.
1.12.2 Agency identification. The provisions of this code applicable to wildland-urban interface areas identified in Section 1.12 are identified in the body of the code by square brackets containing references to applicable Title 14 sections and in the Cross Reference Table located in Appendix H, Section H107.
1-14 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
DIVISION II
SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
User notes:
About this chapter: Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. Chapter 1 is in two parts: Part 1–General Provisions (Sections 101–102) and Part 2—Administration and Enforcement (Sections 103–113). Section 101 identifies which buildings and structures come under its purview and references other California Codes as applicable.
This code is intended to be adopted as a legally enforceable document and it cannot be effective without adequate provisions for its administration and enforcement. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.
Note: Sections adopted or amended by state agencies are specifically indicated by an agency banner or indicated in the Matrix Adoption Table.
PART 1—GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 101—SCOPE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
[A] 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code of [ NAME OF JURISDICTION ], hereinafter referred to as “this code.”
[A] 101.2 Scope. This code applies to building materials, systems and/or assemblies used in the exterior design and construction of new 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.
[A] 101.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices shall not apply unless specifically adopted.
[A] 101.3 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to establish minimum regulations for the safeguarding of life and for property protection. Regulations in this code are intended to mitigate the risk to life and structures from intrusion of fire from wildland fire exposures and fire exposures from adjacent structures and to mitigate structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels. The extent of this regulation is intended to be tiered commensurate with the relative level of hazard present.
The unrestricted use of property in wildland-urban interface areas is a potential threat 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 in wildland-urban interface areas shall be in accordance with this code.
CWUIC § 1.5 High relevance — show source text
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
2025 CWUIC—continued Col2 Adopted
Yes/NoIWUIC
SectionCBC
SectionCFC
SectionTitle 14,
Division 1.5
SectionTitle 19,
Division 1
SectionGov Code
SectionPRC
SectionHSC
SectionSection Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Chapter 1 Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration 1.12 Board of Forestry N 1.12.1 BoF—Board of
ForestryN 1270.00
1270.01
1270.02
1270.03
1270.04
1270.05
1270.06
1270.07
1270.081.12.2 Agency Identification N Chapter 1 _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration 101 Scope and general
requirements101.1 Title Y 101.2 Scope Y 701A.1 4901.1 101.2.1 Appendices N 101.3 Purpose N 701A.2 4901.2 101.3.1 Application Y 701A.3 101.3.1.1 Application date and
where requiredY 701A.3.1 101.4 Retroactivity N 101.5 Additions or
alterationsN 101.6 Maintenance Y 102 Applicability Y 102.1 General Y 102.2 Other laws Y 102.3 Application of
referencesN 102.4 Referenced codes
and standardsN 102.4.1 Conflicts N 102.4.2 Provisions in
referenced codes and
standardsN 102. CWUIC § 701A.1 High relevance — show source text
1_|Title|Y||||||||| |101.2|Scope|Y||701A.1|4901.1|||||| |101.2.1|Appendices|N||||||||| |101.3|Purpose|N||701A.2|4901.2|||||| |101.3.1|Application|Y||701A.3||||||| |101.3.1.1|Application date and
where required|Y||701A.3.1||||||| |101.4|Retroactivity|N||||||||| |101.5|Additions or
alterations|N||||||||| |101.6|Maintenance|Y||||||||| |102|Applicability|Y||||||||| |102.1|General|Y||||||||| |102.2|Other laws|Y||||||||| |102.3|Application of
references|N||||||||| |102.4|Referenced codes
and standards|N||||||||| |102.4.1|Conflicts|N||||||||| |102.4.2|Provisions in
referenced codes and
standards|N||||||||| |102.5|Subjects not
regulated by this code|N|||102.8|||||| |102.6|Matters not provided
for|Y|||102.9|||||| |102.7|Partial invalidity|N||||||||| |102.8|Existing conditions|N||||||||| |103|Code compliance
agency|N||||||||| |103.1|Creation of agency|N||||||||| |103.2|Appointment|N||||||||| |103.3|Deputies|N||||||||| |104|Duties and powers of
the code official|N||||||||| |104.1|Powers and duties of
the code official|N||||||||| |104.2|Determination of
compliance|N||||||||| |104.2.1|Technical assistance|N||||||||| |104.2.1.1|Cost|N|||||||||2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX H-21
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
2025 CWUIC—continued Col2 Adopted
Yes/NoIWUIC
SectionCBC
SectionCFC
SectionTitle 14,
Division 1.5
SectionTitle 19,
Division 1
SectionGov Code
SectionPRC
SectionHSC
SectionSection Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Chapter 1 _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration 104.2.1. CWUIC § 302.1 High relevance — show source text
2|Purpose|Y|||||||51176|4201| |302|Wildland-Urban
Interface Area
Designations|Y||||||||| |302.1|Mapping|Y|||4904.2||||51178|4202
4203(a)
4204| |302.2|Review of wildland-
urban interface areas|Y|||||||51181|4204| |Chapter 4|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements| |401|General|Y||||||||| |401.1|Scope|Y||||||||| |401.2|Objective|Y||||1273.00||||| |401.3|General safety
precautions|Y||||||||| |402|Applicability|Y|||||||||APPENDIX H-26 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
2025 CWUIC—continued Col2 Adopted
Yes/NoIWUIC
SectionCBC
SectionCFC
SectionTitle 14,
Division 1.5
SectionTitle 19,
Division 1
SectionGov Code
SectionPRC
SectionHSC
SectionSection Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Chapter 4 Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements 402.1 Subdivisions Y 402.1.1 Access Y 503 402.1.2 Water supply Y 507 402.1.2.1 Parcel map approval Y 1275.01 402.2 Individual structures Y 503
507402.2.1 Access Y 503 402.2.2 Water supply Y 507 402.3 Existing conditions N 505.1 403 Access Y 1273 403.1 General Y 1273.00 403.1.1 Section 403 definitions Y 1270.01(f) 403.1.2 Width Y 1273.01(a)
1273.CWUIC § 1-12 High relevance — show source text
1.9 Division of the State Architect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
1.10 Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
1.11 Office of the State Fire Marshal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
1.12 State Librarian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
1.13 Department of Water Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
1.14 California State Lands Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
DIVISION II – SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
PART 1—SCOPE AND APPLICATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
101 Scope and General Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
102 Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
PART 2—ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
103 Code Compliance Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
104 Duties and Powers of Code Official. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
105 Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
106 Construction Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
107 Temporary Uses, Equipment and Systems. . . . . . . 1-28
108 Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
109 Inspections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
110 Certificate of Occupancy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
111 Service Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
112 Means of Appeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
CWUIC § 3.2.2 Medium relevance — show source text
3.2.2|Minimum clearance
to be maintained|N|||||||4293
4296|| |A102.3.2.3|Electrical power line
emergencies|N||||||||| |A102.4|Correction of
condition|N||||||||| |A103|Access restrictions|N||||||||| |A103.1|Restricted entry to
public lands|N||||||||| |A103.2|Trespassing on
posted private
property|N||||||||| |A103.2.1|Signs|N||||||||| |A103.2.2|Trespassing|N||||||||| |A103.3|Use of fire roads and
defensible space|N||||||||| |A103.3.1|Obstructions|N||||||||| |A103.4|Use of motorcycles,
motor scooters, ultra-
light aircraft and
motor vehicles|N||||||||| |A103.5|Tampering with
locks, barricades,
signs and address
markers|N|||||||||2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX H-33
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
2025 CWUIC—continued Col2 Adopted
Yes/NoIWUIC
SectionCBC
SectionCFC
SectionTitle 14,
Division 1.5
SectionTitle 19,
Division 1
SectionGov Code
SectionPRC
SectionHSC
SectionSection Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Appendix A General requirements General requirements General requirements General requirements General requirements General requirements General requirements General requirements General requirements General requirements A103.5.1 Gates, doors, barriers
and locksN A104 Ignition source
controlN A104.1 General N A104.2 Objective N A104.3 Clearance from igni-
tion sourcesN A104.4 Smoking N A104.5 Equipment and
devices generating
heat, sparks or open
flamesN A104.6 Fireworks N A104.6.1 Authority to seize N A104.7 Outdoor fires N A104.7.1 General N A104.7.2 Permits N A104.7.3 Restrictions N A104.8 Incinerators, outdoor
fireplaces, perma-
nent barbecues and
grillsN A104.8.1 Maintenance N A104. CWUIC § 1.5 Medium relevance — show source text
The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Division 1.5 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are not listed in the Matrix Adoption Tables as they are not within the State Fire Marshal’s authority to adopt. These provisions are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 14, Division 1.5 text for the code user’s convenience only and are identified in the body of the code by square brackets containing references to applicable Title 14 sections.
2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE 1-1
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
1-2 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
1 ADMINISTRATION
DIVISION I
CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATION
SECTION 1.1—GENERAL
1.1.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, may be cited as such, and will be referred to herein as “this code.” The California Wildland-Urban Interface Code is Part 7 of thirteen parts of the official compilation and publica- tion of the adoptions, amendment, and repeal of building regulations to the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, also referred to as the California Building Standards Code. This part incorporates by adoption of the 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code of the International Code Council (ICC) with necessary California amendments.
1.1.2 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to establish minimum requirements to reduce the likelihood of life and property loss due to a wildfire through the use of performance and prescriptive requirements for construction and development in all Fire Hazard Severity Zones in State Responsibility Areas (SRA), and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, and increase the ability of buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone within State Responsibility Areas (SRA), or Wildland-Urban Inter- face (WUI) Areas, to resist the intrusion of flames or burning embers projected by a vegetation fire and contributes to a systematic reduction in conflagration losses and reduce the likelihood of life and property loss due to a wildfire.
1.1.3 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equip- ment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal, and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such building structures throughout the State of California.
This code establishes regulations affecting or relating to buildings, structures, processes, premises, and a reasonable degree of life and property safeguards regarding: 1. The hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling, or use of structures, materials, or devices. 2. Conditions hazardous to life, property, or public welfare in the use or occupancy of buildings, structures, or premises. 3. Fire hazards in the buildings, structures, orp on-premises from use of, occupancy of, or operation. 4. Matters related to the construction, extension, repair, alteration, or removal of fire suppression or alarm systems. 5. Conditions affecting the safety of firefighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.
CWUIC § 102.4 Medium relevance — show source text
ADMINISTRATION
DIVISION II SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
User notes:
About this chapter: Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. Chapter 1 is in two parts: Part 1—Scope and Application (Sections 101–102) and Part 2—Administration and Enforcement (Sections 103–116). Section 101 identifies which buildings and structures come under its purview and references other ICodes as applicable. Standards and codes are scoped to the extent referenced (see Section 102.4).
This code is intended to be adopted as a legally enforceable document and it cannot be effective without adequate provisions for its administration and enforcement. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner. Chapter 1 is largely concerned with maintaining “due process of law” in enforcing the building performance criteria contained in the body of the code.
ICC code development note: Code change proposals to this chapter will be considered by the Administrative Code Development Committee during the 2025 (Group B) Code Development Cycle.
Section 104 was revised for the 2024 edition. For complete information, see the Relocations table in the Preface of this code.
Note: Sections adopted or amended by state agencies are specifically indicated by an agency banner.
PART 1—SCOPE AND APPLICATION
SECTION 101—SCOPE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
[A] 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Building Code of [ NAME OF JURISDICTION ], hereinafter referred to as “this code.”
[A] 101.2 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, relocation, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures.
Exception: Detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress, and their accessory structures not more than three stories above grade plane in height, shall comply with this code or the California Residential Code .
[A] 101.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices shall not apply unless specifically adopted.
[A] 101.3 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to establish the minimum requirements to provide a reasonable level of safety, health and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress, stability, sanitation, light and ventilation, energy conservation, and for providing a reasonable level of life safety and property protection from the hazards of fire, explosion or dangerous conditions, and to provide a reasonable level of safety to firefighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.
[A] 101.4 Referenced codes. The other codes specified in Sections 101.4.1 through 101.4.7 and referenced elsewhere in this code shall be considered to be part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference.
CWUIC § 3.1 Medium relevance — show source text
4||||||| ||UL 263—2011|Y||||||||| ||UL 723—2018|Y||||||||| ||UL 790—2022|Y||||||||| |Appendix A|General requirements|General requirements|General requirements|General requirements|General requirements|General requirements|General requirements|General requirements|General requirements|General requirements| |A101|General|N||||||51182(a)||| |A101.1|Scope|N||||||||| |A101.2|Objective|N||||||||| |A102|Vegetation control|N||||||||| |A102.1|General|N||||||||| |A102.2|Clearance of brush or
vegetative growth
from roadways|N||||||||| |A102.3|Clearance of brush
and vegetative
growth from electri-
cal transmission and
distribution lines|N||||||||| |A102.3.1|Support clearance|N||||||||| |A102.3.2|Electrical distribu-
tion and transmission
line clearances|N|||||||4293|| |A102.3.2.1|Trimming clearance|N|||||||4293(a)
4293(b)
4293(c)
4293(d)|| |A102.3.2.2|Minimum clearance
to be maintained|N|||||||4293
4296|| |A102.3.2.3|Electrical power line
emergencies|N||||||||| |A102.4|Correction of
condition|N||||||||| |A103|Access restrictions|N||||||||| |A103.1|Restricted entry to
public lands|N||||||||| |A103.2|Trespassing on
posted private
property|N||||||||| |A103.2.1|Signs|N||||||||| |A103.2.2|Trespassing|N||||||||| |A103.3|Use of fire roads and
defensible space|N||||||||| |A103.3.1|Obstructions|N||||||||| |A103.4|Use of motorcycles,
motor scooters, ultra-
light aircraft and
motor vehicles|N||||||||| |A103.5|Tampering with
locks, barricades,
signs and address
markers|N|||||||||2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX H-33
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
|2025 CWUIC—continued|Col2|Adopted
Yes/No|IWUIC
Section|CBC
Section|CFC
Section|Title 14,
Division 1.5
Section|Title 19,CWUIC § 1-2 Medium relevance — show source text
CHAPTER TOPICS Col2 CHAPTER SUBJECT 1-2 Administration and Definitions 3-4 Wildland-Urban Interface Area Designation and Requirements 5 Building Construction Regulations 6 Fire Protection Requirements 7 Referenced Standards Appendices A-I Adoptable and Informational Appendices Chapter 1 Scope and Administration.
Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.
Chapter 2 Definitions.
Chapter 2 is the repository of the definitions of terms used in the body of the code. The user of the code should be familiar with and consult this chapter because the definitions are essential to the correct interpretation of the code and because the user may not be aware that a term is defined.
Chapter 3 Wildland-Urban Interface Areas.
Chapter 3 provides for the fundamental aspect of applying the code—the legal declaration and establishment of wildland-urban interface areas within the adopting jurisdiction, mapping of the area, periodic review and updates.
Chapter 4 Wildland-Urban Interface Area Requirements.
The requirements of Chapter 4 apply to all occupancies in the wildland-urban interface and pertain to all of the following:
Fire service access to the property that is to be protected, including fire apparatus access roads and off-road driveways.
Premises identification.
Key boxes to provide ready access to properties secured by gated roadways or other impediments to rapid fire service access.
Fire protection water supplies, including adequate water sources, pumper apparatus drafting sites, fire hydrant systems and system reliability.
Fire department access to equipment such as fire suppression equipment and fire hydrants.
Chapter 5 Special Building Construction Regulations.
The regulations in Chapter 5 establish minimum standards for the location, design and construction of buildings and structures based on construction within a Fire Hazard Severity Zone or a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Area.
The construction provisions of Chapter 5 are intended to supplement the requirements of the California Building Code and Califor- nia Residential Code and address mitigation of the unique hazards posed to buildings by wildfire and to reduce the hazards of building fires spreading to wildland fuels. This is accomplished by requiring ignition-resistant construction materials.
Chapter 6 Fire Protection Requirements.
Chapter 6 contains additional requirements for development and construction in Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and areas designated by the State Fire Marshal as State Responsibility Areas (SRA). While many of these provisions are found in Title 14 and Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, they are replicated here for the code user. The local jurisdiction has the authority to apply the same regulations to LRA when the regulations are adopted by local ordinance.
The requirements in this chapter reference the process for adoption of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the LRA; criteria for evaluating existing subdivisions that are at significant fire risk and are without an adequate secondary egress; and criteria for fire safety provisions required in the Safety Element of a city or county General Plan.
2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE xi
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
Frequently asked questions
Who must comply with the CWUIC?
New buildings located in a mapped wildland‑urban interface (WUI) area or in a designated Fire Hazard Severity Zone with a permit application date on or after the code’s application trigger must comply; see § 101.2 and § 101.3.1.
Are the appendices mandatory?
No — appendix provisions are not mandatory unless the adopting jurisdiction specifically adopts them (see § 101.2.1).
Do small accessory sheds automatically get exempted?
Not automatically. Only certain Group U accessory buildings located at least 50 feet (15,240 mm) from an applicable building on the same lot qualify for the exception in § 101.3.1. Check the exact occupancy classification and measured distance.
If my house was built before July 1, 2008, do additions have to comply?
Additions to or remodels of buildings originally constructed prior to July 1, 2008 are listed among the exceptions in § 101.3.1, but the scope and extent of required compliance can vary — confirm with the enforcing agency.
How does the CWUIC relate to the California Building Code?
The CWUIC is supplemental to the jurisdiction’s adopted building and fire codes and is intended to add WUI‑specific requirements (materials, defensible space, access, water supply) to mitigate wildfire‑related risks, consistent with the purpose in § 101.3.
More in California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
- Administration and Definitions
- Board of Appeals, Administration & Enforcement (permits, code official duties, appeals process)
- Wildland‑Urban Interface Area Designation & Mapping
- Fire Service Access & Water Supply (fire apparatus roads, driveways, hydrants, draft sites, standby power)
- Wildland‑Urban Interface Area Requirements (access, water, premises identification, key boxes)
- Referenced Standards & Test Methods
- Special Building Construction Regulations (ignition‑resistant construction, roof/vent/assembly requirements)
- Appendices and Model Ordinances (vegetation plans, severity‑zone adoption, home‑hardening guidance)
- Fire Protection Requirements (fire protection plans, systems, safety element provisions)
- Referenced California Documents & Matrix (CCR/Title 14 & 19 cross‑references, statutory references)
- Vegetation Management & Defensible Space (vegetation plans, maintenance, fire‑smart characteristics)
Ask about the CWUIC
Get cited, plain-English answers on the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code for your project — any code section, any scenario.
Start Free Trial