CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
When does a local ordinance conforming to the model get presumed compliant?
If a local ordinance tracks the State Fire Marshal’s model ordinance (Appendix D) so that it “substantially conforms,” the ordinance is presumed to comply with the Public Resources Code requirements; the local agency should adopt with documented findings, transmit the adopted ordinance per the statutory timeline, and maintain the filing record to support that presumption. file
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — plain English
A model ordinance for designation of fire-hazard severity zones is prepared by the State Fire Marshal, and a local ordinance that substantially conforms to that model is presumed to be in compliance with the State requirement. See § H103 for the Public Resources Code language setting the presumption and § D101 for the model‑ordinance guidance in Appendix D.
If a local ordinance follows the State Fire Marshal’s model ordinance (i.e., it substantially conforms), the local ordinance will be treated as meeting the State’s statutory requirements.
Requirements in detail
Controlling text (what the code actually says)
- The State Fire Marshal must prepare and adopt a model ordinance for establishment of very high fire hazard severity zones. See § H103.
- Appendix D contains a model ordinance for designation of fire hazard severity zones in local responsibility areas; Appendix D (Section D101) is provided as a sample ordinance and guidance. Appendix D is informational and is not itself mandatory unless a local jurisdiction adopts it. See § D101.
Decision-relevant dimensions (quick reference table)
| Decision dimension | Key values / trigger | Consequence | Code reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model ordinance available? | Yes (State Fire Marshal adopted model) | Local may use as template | § H103 |
| Local adoption that substantially conforms? | Yes / No | If Yes → presumed in compliance with the statutory requirements; If No → presumption not available and local must show compliance by other means | § H103 |
| Is Appendix D mandatory? | No — informational sample | Local may adopt it verbatim or adapt it; adoption makes it enforceable locally | § D101 |
| Transmission after adoption | Within 30 days (where statutory text requires) | Local agency must transmit adopted ordinance copy to State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection | See § H103 (transmission clause) |
| Map review frequency (context) | Periodic review every 5 years (state review) | State may revise zone maps periodically — local amendments may follow state process | § 51181 cited in Appendix H |
What “presumed compliant” means here
- The phrase “presumed to be in compliance” means the local ordinance is treated as meeting the statutory requirement so long as it substantially conforms to the State Fire Marshal’s model ordinance. The presumption shifts the initial burden — it does not eliminate administrative oversight or the need for proper adoption and filings. The presumption language is in § H103.
Procedural steps a local agency should follow to rely on the presumption
- Adopt an ordinance that tracks the State Fire Marshal’s model (Appendix D is a ready template). § D101 (Appendix D) explains the model text and its informational status.
- Make and file any required local findings and filings in accordance with local and state filing rules (see the code’s findings/filings guidance).
- Transmit a copy of the adopted ordinance to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection within the timeframe required by the Public Resources Code (the model statutory text includes a 30‑day transmission clause). § H103.
Exceptions & special cases
- Appendix D is explicitly informational and not automatically adopted statewide; a jurisdiction that wants the model’s text to be enforceable must adopt it by ordinance or incorporate its provisions into the local code. § D101.
- The statute specifying the model ordinance also contains separate provisions about map posting, amendment rights, and state review cycles (e.g., five‑year review). Those map/process provisions can affect whether and how a local ordinance should be amended. See § H103 and PRC § 51181 (Appendix H references). file
- The code does not (in the retrieved text) provide a formal definition of “substantially conforms.” The absence of a definition means the determination may depend on administrative practice, local findings, or later guidance/interpretation by the State Fire Marshal or other state bodies. If you need a legally binding interpretation, seek the primary statute or agency guidance.
Common mistakes
- Treating Appendix D as mandatory: Appendix D is a model (informational) document — it only becomes enforceable if adopted locally. § D101.
- Failing to transmit the adopted ordinance copy to the State Board (or missing the 30‑day window) — the statute requires transmission and the local recordkeeping matters for the presumption. § H103.
- Assuming “substantially conforms” is binary without documenting what was changed and why. Because the code text does not define the term in the retrieved excerpts, jurisdictions should document changes and findings to support the presumption. file
- Relying on the presumption when the local ordinance reduces a State‑designated severity level: a local agency may generally not decrease the level of a State‑identified fire hazard severity zone for an area (the statutory scheme limits downward changes). See the related PRC language in Appendix H.
Worked example — concrete scenario with dates and numbers
Scenario: The City of Pine Hollow adopts a local ordinance to designate very high fire hazard severity zones. They used the State Fire Marshal’s model as their template but changed mapping to add 120 acres of unincorporated hills into a VHFSZ.
Step-by-step:
- Adoption date: June 1, 2026. City council resolution documents the ordinance and explains the local climatic/topographical findings. (Local findings and filing practices are required; see the code’s findings/filings guidance.)
- Does the ordinance “substantially conform” to the State model? The city kept the model ordinance’s definitions, procedures, and fuel‑management standards but added a local map (map change = local amendment). Because the ordinance tracks the model and only amends the map, the city can claim the presumption of compliance under § H103.
- Transmission: The city must transmit a copy of the adopted ordinance to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection within 30 days — i.e., by July 1, 2026 — to complete the administrative step identified in the statutory text. Failure to transmit can jeopardize the administrative record supporting the presumption.
- Recordkeeping: The city files the ordinance and its findings with the appropriate state filing office (per the code’s filing provisions). This documentation helps demonstrate what “substantial conformity” consisted of.
Numeric summary: adoption on June 1 → 30 days to transmit (by July 1); map addition = 120 acres added; presumption available so long as the ordinance substantially conforms and required filings/transmissions are made. file
Related provisions
- § D101 — Model Ordinance for Designation of Fire Hazard Severity Zones in LRAs (Appendix D — informational model text).
- § H103 — Appendix H reference to the California Public Resources Code (contains the State Fire Marshal model‑ordinance requirement and the presumption clause).
- PRC § 51178 / 51179 / 51181 (referenced in Appendix H) — map location, amendment, and five‑year state review cycles for very high fire hazard severity zones (see Appendix H excerpts). file
- Findings and filing procedures for local amendments — see the code’s administrative filing guidance (Section 1.1.8.1 etc.).
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
California Wildland-Urban Interface Code High relevance — show source text
(e) The State Fire Marshal shall prepare and adopt a model ordinance that provides for the establishment of very high fire hazard severity zones. (f) Any ordinance adopted by a local agency pursuant to this section that substantially conforms to the model ordinance of the State Fire Marshal shall be presumed to be in compliance with the requirements of this section. (g) A local agency shall post a notice at the office of the county recorder, county assessor, and county planning agency identifying the location of the map provided by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 51178. If the agency amends the map, pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c) of this section, the notice shall instead identify the location of the amended map. 51181. The State Fire Marshal shall periodically review the areas in the state identified as very high fire hazard severity zones pursuant to this chapter, and as necessary, shall make recommendations relative to very high fire hazard severity zones. This review shall coincide with the review of state responsibility area lands every five years and, when possible, fall within the time frames for each county’s general plan update. Any revision of areas included in a very high fire hazard severity zone shall be made in accordance with Sections 51178 and 51179.
51182. The State Fire Marshal shall periodically review the areas in the state identified as very high fire hazard severity zones pursuant to this chapter, and as necessary, shall make recommendations relative to very high fire hazard severity zones. This review shall coincide with the review of state responsibility area lands every five years and, when possible, fall within the time frames for each county’s general plan update. Any revision of areas included in a very high fire hazard severity zone shall be made in accordance with Sections 51178 and 51179.
(a) A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains an occupied dwelling or occupied structure in, upon, or adjoining a mountainous area, forest-covered land, shrub-covered land, grass-covered land, or land that is covered with flammable mate- rial, which area or land is within a very high fire hazard severity zone designated by the local agency pursuant to Section 51179, shall at all times do all of the following: (1) (A) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary shall consider the flammability of the structure as affected by building material, building standards, location, and type of vegetation. Fuels shall be maintained and spaced in a condition so that a wildfire burning under average weather conditions would be unlikely to ignite the structure. This subparagraph does not apply to single specimens of trees or other vege- tation that are well-pruned and maintained so as to effectively manage fuels and not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from other nearby vegetation to a structure or from a structure to other nearby vegetation or to interrupt the advance of embers toward a structure. The intensity of fuels management may vary within the 100-foot perimeter of the structure, with more intense fuel reductions being used between 5 and 30 feet around the structure, and an ember-resistant zone being required within 5 feet of the structure, based on regulations promulgated by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, in consultation with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, to consider the _elimination of materials in the ember-resistant zone that would likely be ignited by embers.
CWUIC § 51178 High relevance — show source text
(2) A local agency may, at its discretion, include areas within the jurisdiction of the local agency, not identified as moderate and high fire hazard severity zones by the State Fire Marshal, as moderate and high fire hazard severity zones, respectively. (3) A local agency shall not decrease the level of fire hazard severity zone as identified by the State Fire Marshal for any area within the jurisdiction of the local agency, and, in exercising its discretion pursuant to paragraph (2), may only increase the level of fire hazard severity zone as identified by the State Fire Marshal for any area within the jurisdiction of the local
agency. (c) The local agency shall transmit a copy of an ordinance adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection within 30 days of adoption. (d) Changes made by a local agency to the recommendations made by the State Fire Marshal shall be final and shall not be rebut- table by the State Fire Marshal.
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APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
(e) The State Fire Marshal shall prepare and adopt a model ordinance that provides for the establishment of very high fire hazard severity zones. (f) Any ordinance adopted by a local agency pursuant to this section that substantially conforms to the model ordinance of the State Fire Marshal shall be presumed to be in compliance with the requirements of this section. (g) A local agency shall post a notice at the office of the county recorder, county assessor, and county planning agency identifying the location of the map provided by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 51178. If the agency amends the map, pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c) of this section, the notice shall instead identify the location of the amended map. 51181. The State Fire Marshal shall periodically review the areas in the state identified as very high fire hazard severity zones pursuant to this chapter, and as necessary, shall make recommendations relative to very high fire hazard severity zones. This review shall coincide with the review of state responsibility area lands every five years and, when possible, fall within the time frames for each county’s general plan update. Any revision of areas included in a very high fire hazard severity zone shall be made in accordance with Sections 51178 and 51179.
51182. The State Fire Marshal shall periodically review the areas in the state identified as very high fire hazard severity zones pursuant to this chapter, and as necessary, shall make recommendations relative to very high fire hazard severity zones. This review shall coincide with the review of state responsibility area lands every five years and, when possible, fall within the time frames for each county’s general plan update. Any revision of areas included in a very high fire hazard severity zone shall be made in accordance with Sections 51178 and 51179.
CWUIC § 18941.5 Medium relevance — show source text
Local modifications shall comply with Health and Safety Code, Section 18941.5 for Building Standards Law, Health and Safety Code, Section 17958 for State Housing Law or Health and Safety Code, Section 13869.7 for Fire Protection Districts.
1.1.8.1 Findings and filings. 1. The city, county, or city and county shall make express findings for each amendment, addition, or deletion based upon climatic, topographical, or geological conditions. Exception: Hazardous building ordinances and programs mitigating unreinforced masonry buildings. 2. The city, county, or city and county shall file the amendments, additions, or deletions expressly marked and identified as to the applicable findings. Cities, counties, cities and counties, and fire departments shall file the amendments, additions, or deletions, and the findings with the California Building Standards Commission at 2525 Natomas Park Drive, Suite 130, Sacramento, CA 95833.
3. Findings prepared by fire protection districts shall be ratified by the local city, county, or city and county and filed with the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Division of Codes and Standards, P.O. Box 1407, Sacra- mento, CA 95812-1407 or 2020 West El Camino Avenue, Suite 250, Sacramento, CA 95833-1829.
1.1.8.2 Locally adopted energy standards—California Energy Code, Part 6. In addition to the provisions of Section 1.1.8.1 of this Part, the provisions of this section apply to cities, counties, and city and county amending adopted energy standards affecting build- ings and structures subject to the California Energy Code, Part 6.
Applicable provisions of Public Resources Code Section 25402.1 and applicable provisions of Chapter 10 of the California Adminis- trative Code, Part 1 apply to local amendment of energy standards adopted by the California Energy Commission.
1.1.9 Effective date of this code. Only those standards approved by the California Building Standards Commission that are effective at the time an application for a building permit is submitted shall apply to the plans and specifications for, and to the construction performed under that permit. For the effective dates of the provisions contained in this code, see the History Note page of this code.
1.1.10 Availability of codes. At least one complete copy each of Titles 8, 19, 20, 24, and 25 with all revisions shall be maintained in the office of the building official responsible for the administration and enforcement of this code. Each state department concerned, and each city, county, or city and county shall have an up-to-date copy of the code available for public inspection. See Health and Safety Code, Section 18942(e)(1) and (2).
1.1.11 Format. This part fundamentally adopts the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code by reference on a chapter-by-chapter basis. When a specific chapter of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code is not printed in the code and is marked “Reserved,” such a chapter of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code is not adopted as a portion of this code. When a specific chapter of the Califor- nia Wildland-Urban Interface Code is marked “Not adopted by the State of California,” but appears in the code, it may be available for adoption by local ordinance.
CWUIC § 1.5 Medium relevance — show source text
SEVERITY ZONE ADOPTION . . . . APPENDIX D-3
D101 Model Ordinance for Designation of Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX D-3
APPENDIX E RESERVED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX E-1
APPENDIX F CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE-SMART
VEGETATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX F-3
F101 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX F-3
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CONTENTS
APPENDIX G VOLUNTARY HOME-HARDENING
RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX G-3
G101 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX G-3
APPENDIX H REFERENCED CALIFORNIA
DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .APPENDIX H-3
H101 California Civil Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX H-3
H102 California Government Code . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX H-4
H103 California Public Resources Code . . . . . . APPENDIX H-6
H104 California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX H-10
H105 California Code of Regulations, Title 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX H-17
H106 Health and Safety Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX H-18
H107 Cross Reference Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX H-19
APPENDIX I BOARD OF APPEALS . . . . . . . . . . .APPENDIX I-3
I101 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX I-3
INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INDEX-1
HISTORY NOTE APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HIST-1
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California Wildland-Urban Interface Code Medium relevance — show source text
Can a local agency adopt an ADU “bonus program?” Yes. One common strategy used by local agencies to promote ADU development is to adopt ADU bonus programs. HCD supports this approach to go above and beyond State ADU Law’s requirements to address California’s ongoing housing crisis. A successful ADU bonus program should meet the following criteria:
- The ADU bonus program is completely optional – There is no requirement, and no consequence for not taking part in a local bonus program.
- The ADU bonus program only offers benefits in addition to the provisions of State ADU Law, not in lieu of them – All state-mandated requirements are granted unconditionally.
- The ADU bonus program removes one or more physical constraints, such as a limitation on the number of allowable units on a lot, ADU size, height, setback requirements, or a waiver of design and development criteria.
Does HCD have enforcement authority over ADU ordinances? Yes. Pursuant to Government Code section 66326, subdivision (a), local agencies are required to submit a copy of newly adopted ADU ordinances to HCD within 60 days of adoption. HCD may thereafter provide written findings to the local agency as to whether the ordinance complies with State ADU Law. If HCD finds that the ADU ordinance does not comply with State ADU Law, the local agency must respond to HCD’s written findings within 30 days. The local agency shall either amend its ordinance in accordance with HCD’s findings, or adopt the ordinance without changes, but include findings in its resolution explaining why the ordinance complies with State ADU Law despite HCD’s findings. (Gov. Code, § 66326, subd. (b).)
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Although not required by State ADU Law, HCD may continue to offer further technical assistance to the local agency. However, if the local agency does not amend its ordinance in accordance with HCD’s findings or adopt a resolution explaining why the ordinance is compliant, HCD shall notify the local agency and may notify the Attorney General that the local agency is in violation of State ADU Law. (Gov. Code, § 66326, subd. (c)(1).) While an ordinance is non-compliant, the local agency shall apply state standards for the approval of ADUs, until the local agency adopts a compliant ordinance. (Gov. Code, § 66316.)
In addition, HCD may review, adopt, amend, or repeal guidelines to implement uniform standards or criteria that supplement or clarify State ADU Law (Gov. Code, § 66327).
Do local agencies have to adopt an ADU ordinance? No. Local agencies may choose not to adopt an ADU ordinance. Should a local government choose not to adopt an ADU ordinance, any proposed ADU development would be subject only to the standards set forth in State ADU Law. (Gov. Code, §§ 66315, 66316.) A local agency that adopts an ADU ordinance may impose objective development and design standards in compliance with Government Code section 66314.
Is a local agency required to send an ADU ordinance to HCD? Yes. A local government, upon adoption of an ADU ordinance, must submit a copy of the adopted ordinance to HCD within 60 days after adoption. After the adoption of an ordinance, HCD may review and submit written findings to the local agency as to whether the ordinance complies with the State ADU Law. (Gov. Code, § 66326, subd. (a).)
CWUIC § 1.11.2.3 Medium relevance — show source text
Section 13112 of the Health and Safety Code provides that: (a) “Every person who violates any provision of this chapter, or any order, rule or regulation made pursuant to this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) or more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or by both.” (b) “A person is guilty of a separate offense each day during which he commits, continues or permits a violation of any provision of, or any order, rule or regulation made pursuant to, this chapter.”
1.11.2.3 More restrictive fire and panic safety building standards.
1.11.2.3.1 Fire protection district. Any fire protection district organized pursuant to Health and Safety Code Part 2.7 (commenc- ing with Section 13800) of Division 12 may adopt building standards relating to fire and panic safety that are more stringent than those building standards adopted by the State Fire Marshal and contained in the California Building Standards Code. For these purposes, the district board shall be deemed a legislative body, and the district shall be deemed a local agency. Any changes or modifications that are more stringent than the requirements published in the California Building Standards Code relating to fire and panic safety shall be subject to Section 1.1.7.1.
1.11.2.3.2 Noticing a proposed ordinance. Any fire protection district that proposes to adopt an ordinance pursuant to this section shall, not less than 30 days prior to noticing a proposed ordinance for a public hearing, provide a copy of that ordinance,
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ADMINISTRATION
together with the adopted findings made pursuant to Section 1.11.2.3.1, to the city, county, or city and county where the ordinance will apply. The city, county, or city and county may provide the district with written comments, which shall become part of the fire protection district’s public hearing record.
1.11.2.3.3 Ratification. The fire protection district shall transmit the adopted ordinance to the city, county, or city and county where the ordinance will apply. The legislative body of the city, county, or city and county may ratify, modify, or deny an adopted ordinance and transmit its determination to the district within 15 days of the determination. Any modification or denial of an adopted ordinance shall include a written statement describing the reasons for any modifications or denial. No ordinance adopted by the district shall be effective until ratification by the city, county, or city and county where the ordinance will apply. Upon ratification of an adopted ordinance, the city, county, or city and county shall file a copy of the findings of the district, and any findings of the city, county, or city and county, together with the adopted ordinance expressly marked and identified to which each finding refers, in accordance with Section 1.1.8.1(3).
CWUIC § 1.5 Medium relevance — show source text
LIFE CYCLE INVENTORY (LCI). A process of quantifying energy and raw material requirements, atmospheric emissions, waterborne emissions, solid wastes and other releases for the entire life cycle of a product, process or activity, including a whole building.
LONG RADIUS ELBOW. Pipe fitting installed between two lengths of pipe or tubing to allow a change of direction, with a radius 1.5 times the pipe diameter.
LONG-TERM SYSTEM COST (LSC). [CEC] The CEC-projected present value of costs to California’s energy systems over a period of 30 years. LSC does not represent a prediction of individual utility bills.
LOW-GWP REFRIGERANT. A compound used as a heat transfer fluid or gas that: (A) has a GWP value less than 150, and (B) is not an ozone depleting substance as defined in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 82, §82.3 (as amended March 10, 2009).
LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID). Control of stormwater at its source to mimic drainage services provided by an undisturbed site.
LOW POWER LEVEL 2 ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING RECEPTACLE. [BSC-CG, DSA-SS, HCD] A 208/240-volt 20-ampere minimum branch circuit and a receptacle.
LOW-RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING. For the purpose of CALGreen, any building that is of Occupancy Group R and is three stories or less.
MATURE TREE CANOPY. [BSC-CG] The top of the mature trees or vegetation typical of a region.
MAXIMUM INCREMENTAL REACTIVITY (MIR). The maximum change in weight of ozone formed by adding a compound to the “Base Reactive Organic Gas (ROG) Mixture” per weight of compound added, expressed to hundredths of a gram (g O [3] / g ROC). Note: MIR values for individual compounds and hydrocarbon solvents are specified in CCR, Title 17, Sections 94700 and 94701.
MERV Filter minimum efficiency reporting value.
METERING FAUCET. A self-closing faucet that dispenses a specific volume of water for each actuation cycle. The volume or cycle duration can be fixed or adjustable.
MODEL WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE (MWELO) [BSC-CG & DSA-SS] A California regulation commencing with Section 490 of Chapter 2.7, Division 2, Title 23, California Code of Regulations . The MWELO regulation establishes a structure for planning, designing, installing, maintaining and managing water efficient landscapes in new construction and rehabilitated projects.
MODEL WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE (MWELO). [HCD] The California model ordinance (California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Division 2, Chapter 2.7), regulating landscape design, installation and maintenance practices. Local agencies are required to adopt the updated MWELO, or adopt a local ordinance at least as effective as the MWELO.
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DEFINITIONS
MOISTURE CONTENT. The weight of the water in wood expressed in percentage of the weight of the oven-dry wood.
CWUIC § 1.11. Medium relevance — show source text
APPENDIX D – MODEL ORDINANCE FOR FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE ADOPTION
(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)
(Not adopted by the State Fire Marshal)
Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CGSFM Col5 HCD Col7 Col8 DSA Col10 OSHPD Col12 Col13 Col14 Col15 Col16 BSCC DPH AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CGT-24 T-19* 1 2 1/AC AC SS 1 1R 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Adopt Entire Chapter Adopt Entire Chapter as
amended (amended sections
listed below)Adopt only those sections that
are listed below[California Code of Regulations,
Title 19, Division 1]Chapter / Section - The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.
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.
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D MODEL ORDINANCE FOR FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE ADOPTION
This appendix is for informational purposes and is not intended for adoption.
User notes:
CWUIC § 1.11. Medium relevance — show source text
- The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.
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.
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D MODEL ORDINANCE FOR FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE ADOPTION
This appendix is for informational purposes and is not intended for adoption.
User notes:
About this appendix: Appendix D is an informational appendix that is a sample ordinance designed as guidance for a city, county, city and county, or fire district to establish and designate fire hazard severity zones within their jurisdiction.
SECTION D101—MODEL ORDINANCE FOR DESIGNATION OF FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES IN LOCAL RESPONSIBILITY AREAS (LRA)
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E RESERVED
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CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE
APPENDIX F – CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE-SMART VEGETATION
(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)
CWUIC § 1.1.3 Medium relevance — show source text
Is there a distance requirement between an ADU and other structures on the lot? State ADU Law does not address the distance between an ADU and other structures on a lot. A local agency may impose objective development standards for the creation of some ADUs, and all ADUs must comply with local building codes. However, development standards should not unreasonably restrict the creation of ADUs. (Gov. Code, § 66311.) Minimum distance or other requirements may not be applied if they would unreasonably restrict the creation of ADUs, unless they are a requirement of a Building or Fire Code (Gov. Code, § 66314, subd. (d)(8)).
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Size Requirements and Restrictions
How is the square footage of an ADU or JADU calculated? The CBC provides the minimum standards to which all buildings in California must be built (California Building Code, Vol. 2, 1.1.3). The CBC also allows local agencies to adopt amendments, additions, or deletions to the provisions of the CBC which are reasonably necessary and are more restrictive than the CBC’s standards (California Building Code, Vol. 2, 1.1.8).
The CBC defines “Floor Area, Gross” as “[t]he floor area within the inside perimeter of the exterior walls of the building under consideration, exclusive of vent shafts and courts, without deduction for corridors, stairways, ramps, closets, the thickness of interior walls, columns or other features. The floor area of a building, or portion thereof, not provided with surrounding exterior walls shall be the usable area under the horizontal projection of the roof or floor above. The gross floor area shall not include shafts with no openings or interior courts.”
Government Code section 66314, subdivision (d)(8) states that a local ADU ordinance must require ADUs to comply with local building codes. Thus, when a local agency has not adopted specific changes to the CBC in its local building standards, then the CBC standards, and in this case the definition of floor area, shall apply. If the local agency has made specific amendments, additions, or deletions relating to the definition of “Floor Area” within its local building standards, then those altered definitions shall apply.
Can minimum lot size requirements be imposed on ADUs? No. Local governments may not include minimum lot size requirements for ADUs (Gov. Code, § 66314, subd. (b)(1)).
Can lot coverage or floor area ratio preclude an ADU? Limits on lot coverage or any floor area ratio requirements cannot preclude the creation of an ADU of at least 800 square feet that maintains four-foot rear and side setbacks. While floor area ratio and lot coverage requirements can be applied to other ADUs, such requirements must not unreasonably restrict the creation of ADUs. (Gov. Code, §§ 66321, subd. (b)(3); 66311.)
Can minimum and maximum unit sizes be established for ADUs? Yes. A local government may, by ordinance, establish minimum and maximum unit size requirements for both attached and detached ADUs; however, maximum unit size requirements must allow an ADU of at least 850 square feet, or 1,000 square feet for ADUs with more than one bedroom. (Gov. Code, § 66321, subd. (b)(2).) For local agencies without a compliant ADU ordinance, maximum unit sizes are 1,200 square feet for a new detached ADU (Gov. Code, § 66314, subd.
CWUIC § 105.6.1 Medium relevance — show source text
[A] 105.6.1 Refusal to issue a permit. Where the application or construction documents do not conform to the requirements of pertinent laws, the code official shall reject such application in writing, stating the reasons therefor.
[A] 105.7 Validity of permit. The issuance or granting of a permit or approval of plans, specifications and computations shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this code or of any other ordinance of the jurisdiction. Permits presuming to give authority to violate or conceal the provisions of this code or other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid.
[A] 105.8 Expiration. On or after January 1, 2019, every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within 12 months after its issuance or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or aban- doned for a period of 12 months after the time the work is commenced. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time for periods not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demon- strated. (See Health and Safety Code Section 18938.5 and 18938.6.)
[A] 105.9 Retention of permits. Permits shall at all times be kept on the premises designated therein and shall at all times be subject to inspection by the code official or other authorized representative.
[A] 105.10 Revocation of permits. Permits issued under this code can be suspended or revoked where it is determined by the code official that:
- It is used by a person other than the person to whom the permit was issued.
- It is used for a location other than that for which the permit was issued.
- Any of the conditions or limitations set forth in the permit have been violated.
- The permittee fails, refuses or neglects to comply with any order or notice duly served on him or her under the provisions of this code within the time provided therein.
- There has been any false statement or misrepresentation as to material fact in the application or plans on which the permit or application was made.
- The permit is issued in error or in violation of any other ordinance, regulations or provisions of this code.
The code official is allowed to, in writing, suspend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this code whenever the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect information supplied, or in violation of any ordinance or regulation or any of the provisions of this code.
SECTION 106—CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
[A] 106.1 General. Plans, engineering calculations, diagrams and other data shall be submitted in not fewer than two sets, or in a digital format where allowed by the code official, with each application for a permit. The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional where required by the statutes of the jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed. Where special conditions exist, the code official is authorized to require additional documents to be prepared by a registered design professional.
Exception: Submission of plans, calculations, construction inspection requirements and other data, if it is found that the nature of the work applied for is such that reviewing of plans is not necessary to obtain compliance with this code.
CWUIC § 4911 Medium relevance — show source text
1|Scope|N||||||||| |B101.2|Plan content|N||||||||| |B101.3|Fuel modification|N||||||||| |Appendix C|Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework|Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework|Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework|Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework|Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework|Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework|Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework|Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework|Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework|Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework| |C101|Community WUI Fire
Hazard Evaluation
Framework|N|||Appendix
P|||||| |C101.1|Definitions|N||||||||| |C101.2|Community|N||||||||| |C101.3|Fuels|N||||||||| |C101.4|Population|N||||||||| |C101.5|Notification|N||||||||| |C101.6|Evacuation|N||||||||| |C101.7|Infrastructure/
COOP/COG|N||||||||| |C101.8|Firefighting Response|N||||||||| |Appendix D|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption|Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption| |D101|Model ordinance|N|||4911|||||| |Appendix E|RESERVED|RESERVED|RESERVED|RESERVED|RESERVED|RESERVED|RESERVED|RESERVED|RESERVED|RESERVED| |Appendix F|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation|Characteristics offire-smart vegetation| |F101|General|Y||||||||| |F101.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is the “model ordinance” and where is it found?
The model ordinance is the template the State Fire Marshal adopts for designating fire hazard severity zones. The CWUIC includes Appendix D (Section D101) as the model/sample ordinance; the State Fire Marshal’s model is the basis for the statutory presumption in § H103. file
If our local ordinance differs in minor wording, do we lose the presumption?
The statute uses the phrase “substantially conforms.” The retrieved text does not define that phrase, so minor word changes alone do not automatically cause loss — but you should document changes and findings to show that the ordinance’s substance matches the model. The code excerpts do not supply a formal test for “substantial conformity.”
Is Appendix D mandatory statewide?
No. Appendix D is an informational model ordinance and is not mandatory unless a local jurisdiction adopts it into its local law. § D101 (Appendix D) states it is informational.
What administrative steps are required after adoption?
Transmit a copy of the adopted ordinance to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection within the timeframe required by the statute (the model statutory language includes a 30‑day transmission clause) and file the ordinance and findings as required by state/local filing rules. file
Does relying on the presumption prevent state oversight?
No. The presumption assists administratively but does not prevent the State from reviewing maps, providing recommendations, or otherwise exercising statutory duties (for example, periodic five‑year reviews of mapped areas). file
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)
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