CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
How to use the model ordinance to designate fire hazard severity zones
The CWUIC Appendix D model ordinance (§ D101) gives local agencies a template and process to adopt State Fire Marshal maps as their baseline for fire hazard severity zones, set public-review and posting steps, and to lawfully increase (but not decrease) hazard levels with documented findings, following 30‑day posting and 120‑day adoption timelines and a 5‑year review cycle.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — in plain English
Local jurisdictions should adopt a local ordinance that uses the model ordinance guidance to establish and record fire hazard severity zones for Local Responsibility Areas (LRA). The model text and instructions are contained in § D101 of the CWUIC and explain the roles, timing, and the scope of local changes to State maps.
The single most important rule: a local agency must adopt ordinance language that maps and declares moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones (using the State Fire Marshal’s recommendations as the baseline) and follow the identification/notice, public-review, and transmittal steps set out in the model ordinance.
Requirements in detail
Who decides what
- State Fire Marshal: prepares and issues recommended maps/classifications of Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FH S Z) and a model ordinance; local agencies use that as the baseline. § 302.1 and related statutory directives explain the State’s mapping authority and the factors (fuel loading, slope, fire weather, winds) used in classification.
- Local agency (city, county, or fire district): must designate FH S Z within its jurisdiction by ordinance, may adopt the model ordinance language in § D101, and may only increase — not decrease — the level mapped by the State without required findings. See Government Code directions on timing and evidence requirements.
Mandatory timing and process highlights
- 120-day deadline for a local agency to designate moderate, high, and very high zones after receiving the State Fire Marshal’s recommendations (statutory requirement referenced in the model). § 51179 (statutory) describes this timing; the model ordinance mirrors that requirement.
- Public availability / review: within 30 days of State transmittal the local agency must make information available for public review in an understandable format (maps). § 51178.5 is the statutory reference the model supports.
- Periodic review: mapping should be reviewed and updated at least on a 5‑year cycle or sooner as needed. This is called out in the CWUIC mapping provisions. § 302.2 requires reevaluation on a 5‑year basis.
What the model ordinance tells you to include (decision dimensions)
The model ordinance in § D101 is a sample ordinance that provides structure for local action: who adopts the map, how to record it, how to notify the public, and how to handle local amendments and findings. Use these decision dimensions when drafting your local ordinance.
| Decision dimension | Possible values / threshold | What to record or decide | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline map source | State Fire Marshal map | Adopt State map as baseline; identify file location and availability | § D101; see also § 302.1 and § 51178 |
| Local change authority | Increase only (cannot decrease State level) | If increasing a zone, adopt only after findings supported by substantial evidence | § D101; § 51179 (statute) |
| Time to adopt | 120 days after State transmittal | Adopt ordinance within this deadline or document actions taken | § 51179 (referenced by model) |
| Public notice / review | Within 30 days make information available | Provide maps in an accessible format for public comment | § 51178.5 (referenced) |
| Review frequency | 5‑year minimum | Reevaluate and recommend modifications on 5‑year cycle | § 302.2 |
| Classification factors | Fuel loading, slope, fire weather, winds, other factors | Use consistent statewide criteria; classify relatively homogeneous lands | § 302.1; § 51178 |
| Transmittal after adoption | Within 30 days | Transmit adopted ordinance to State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection | § 51179 (model references statutory transmittal) |
Required contents of the local ordinance (per the model)
- A clear statement adopting the State map as the baseline map for FH S Z in the jurisdiction and the date/location of that map. § D101 provides the model language elements to do this.
- A procedure for amendments (how the local agency may increase zone severity with findings supported by substantial evidence). The model calls out required findings and finality of local changes. § D101 and the related Government Code provisions articulate this.
- A public-notice and record-keeping approach (where map is posted; how the public can review). The model recommends posting at county recorder/assessor/planning offices. § D101 references the statutory posting requirements.
Exceptions & special cases
- Local agencies may only increase the hazard rating assigned by the State for any area within their jurisdiction; they may not decrease the State’s classification. This is a statutory limitation the model reiterates.
- A local agency may include areas the State did not identify as moderate/high/very high, but must document findings and the substantial evidence basis for doing so (statutory § 51179). The model ordinance shows how to structure that finding.
- The appendix containing the model ordinance is informational and not itself mandatory — jurisdictions must enact an ordinance (the model is guidance only). § D101 is part of Appendix D (informational).
Common mistakes
- Treating the Appendix D model text as automatically binding — it is informational; the local ordinance must be enacted to be effective. § D101 clarifies the model nature.
- Failing to adopt within 120 days of State transmittal or to document public review steps — statutory timelines (referenced by the model) must be observed. § 51179 and § 51178.5 set timing expectations.
- Attempting to lower State-assigned hazard levels within the jurisdiction — the local agency may not decrease the level assigned by the State. The model and statute prohibit this.
- Omitting the map location or failing to post availability in public offices — the model directs posting (recorder/assessor/planning). Include exact locations and dates in your ordinance.
Worked example — concrete scenario
Scenario: County X receives the State Fire Marshal’s recommendation package on March 1 (State map identifying FH S Z categories).
Steps applying the model ordinance:
- Day 0 (March 1): State transmits recommendations and map. County posts the map location and makes it available for public review within 30 days (by March 31). (Statutory requirement referenced in the model: § 51178.5.)
- County staff reviews the map and decides to adopt an ordinance. The local legislative body must act within 120 days (by June 29) to adopt an ordinance designating moderate/high/very high zones or document required actions. (§ 51179 timing as implemented by the model in § D101.)
- Suppose County X believes a small subdivision omitted by the State should be designated very high. County prepares a staff report containing substantial evidence (fuel loading survey, slope analysis, historical wind-driven fire behavior) and adopts the zone increase by ordinance. The ordinance records findings and the effective map. The local change is final; the county transmits the adopted ordinance to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection within 30 days of adoption. (Model and statutory transmittal references.)
- County schedules the next reevaluation to align with the CWUIC mapping review cycle of 5 years. § 302.2 recommends/requires reevaluation on a 5‑year basis.
Numbers summary: March 1 (receipt) → public posting by March 31 (30 days) → ordinance adoption by June 29 (120 days) → transmit copy to State Board within 30 days after adoption.
Related provisions (CWUIC & referenced statutes)
- § D101 — Model Ordinance for designation of FH S Z (Appendix D, model ordinance text and structure).
- § 302.1 — Mapping methodology; classification factors (fuel loading, slope, fire weather, winds).
- § 302.2 — Five‑year review / reevaluation requirement for wildland-urban interface areas.
- § 51178 — Statutory criteria for the State Fire Marshal to identify moderate/high/very high FH S Z.
- § 51178.5 — Local public review / availability requirement (30 days).
- § 51179 — Local agency ordinance adoption timing (120 days), amendment authority, transmittal requirement, and finality of local changes.
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CWUIC § 1-3 High relevance — show source text
Appendix C contains a preliminary Community WUI Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework as a suggested methodology to begin to support communities at risk in the identification of their unique hazards and to provide common metrics for comparisons between communities. This preliminary framework includes information on community size, population and fuels; on notification and evacuation; and on the community infrastructure and firefighting response potential. Aspects of this framework may already be included in various community- level documents, such as Community Wildfire Protection Plans or evacuation plans. Development of a standard framework will (1) consolidate relevant WUI fire hazard and planning information in one place, and (2) allow for cross-community comparisons.
The evaluation required to implement this framework will support prefire hazard assessment and during-fire response operations. An increased understanding of fire evacuation, fire structural response and fire defensive action relationships is needed to assess the over- all community WUI fire hazard. The quantification of these relationships will enable communities to optimize the community-level response to WUI fire hazards in a more integrated approach and result in increased life safety and reduced losses.
Appendix D Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption.
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.
Appendix E Reserved.
Appendix F Characteristics of Fire-Smart Vegetation.
Appendix F is an informational appendix provided for the convenience of the code user. It is simply a compilation of the eight characteristics of fire-smart vegetation that can be used effectively within wildland-urban interface areas to reduce the likelihood of fire spread through vegetation.
Appendix G Voluntary Home-Hardening Recommendations.
Appendix G is an informational appendix that provides discussion of some elements of the proposed self-defense mechanisms and their role in enhancing the protection of exposed structures in the wildland-urban interface. The items provided in this appendix provide owners with suggestions for increasing the survivability of their structure. These items are not mandatory but can be considered by owners to increase the safety of structures.
Appendix H Referenced California Documents.
Appendix H contains portions of California statutes and regulations located in other documents. They are reprinted in Appendix H to aid the user in understanding the requirements applicable to wildland-urban interface areas and to provide a background for the provi- sions. Much of the text in the CWUIC is based on the requirements found in these other documents.
Appendix I Board of Appeals.
Appendix I contains the provisions for appeal and the establishment of a board of appeals. The provisions include the application for an appeal, the makeup of the board of appeals and the conduct of the appeal process.
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
DIVISION I CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATION
1.1 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
CWUIC § 102.4 High relevance — show source text
The chapter includes mitigation strategies to reduce the hazards of fire originating within a structure spreading to wildland and fire originating in wildland spreading to structures.
Chapter 7 Referenced Standards.
Chapter 7 lists all of the product and installation standards and codes that are referenced throughout Chapters 1 through 6 and includes identification of the promulgators and the section numbers in which the standards and codes are referenced. As stated in Section 102.4, these standards and codes become an enforceable part of the code (to the prescribed extent of the reference) as if printed in the body of the code.
Appendix A General Requirements.
Appendix A, while not part of the code, can become part of the code when specifically included in the adopting ordinance. Its purpose is to provide fire-protection measures supplemental to those found in Chapter 6 to reduce the threat of wildfire in a wildland-urban interface area and improve the capability for controlling such fires. This appendix includes detailed requirements for vegetation control; the code official’s authority to close wildland-interface areas in times of high fire danger; control of fires, fireworks usage and other sources of ignition; storage of hazardous materials and combustibles; bans on the dumping of waste materials and ashes and coals in wildlandurban interface areas; protection of pumps and water supplies; and limits on temporary uses within the wildland-urban interface area.
Appendix B Vegetation Management Plan.
Appendix B, while not part of the code, can become part of the code when specifically included in the adopting ordinance. Its purpose is to provide criteria for submitting vegetation management plans, specifying their content and establishing a criterion for considering vegetation management as being a fuel modification.
Appendix C Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework.
Appendix C contains a preliminary Community WUI Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework as a suggested methodology to begin to support communities at risk in the identification of their unique hazards and to provide common metrics for comparisons between communities. This preliminary framework includes information on community size, population and fuels; on notification and evacuation; and on the community infrastructure and firefighting response potential. Aspects of this framework may already be included in various community- level documents, such as Community Wildfire Protection Plans or evacuation plans. Development of a standard framework will (1) consolidate relevant WUI fire hazard and planning information in one place, and (2) allow for cross-community comparisons.
The evaluation required to implement this framework will support prefire hazard assessment and during-fire response operations. An increased understanding of fire evacuation, fire structural response and fire defensive action relationships is needed to assess the over- all community WUI fire hazard. The quantification of these relationships will enable communities to optimize the community-level response to WUI fire hazards in a more integrated approach and result in increased life safety and reduced losses.
Appendix D Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption.
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.
Appendix E Reserved.
Appendix F Characteristics of Fire-Smart Vegetation.
Appendix F is an informational appendix provided for the convenience of the code user. It is simply a compilation of the eight characteristics of fire-smart vegetation that can be used effectively within wildland-urban interface areas to reduce the likelihood of fire spread through vegetation.
**App
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 § 1.5 High 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.
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3 WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREAS
User notes:
About this chapter: Chapter 3 provides for the fundamental aspect of applying the code—the legal declaration and establishment of wildlandurban interface areas within the adopting jurisdiction, mapping of the area, periodic review and updates.
SECTION 301—GENERAL
301.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter provide methodology to establish and record wildland-urban interface areas in accor- dance with California Public Resources Code (PRC) and California Government Code (GC).
301.2 Purpose . The purpose of this chapter is to classify lands in the state in accordance with the level of fire hazard present for the purpose of identifying measures that will retard the rate of spread and reduce the potential intensity of uncontrolled fires that threaten to destroy resources, life or property, and to require that those measures be taken.
SECTION 302—WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA DESIGNATIONS
302.1 Mapping . The State Fire Marshal shall classify lands into Fire Hazard Severity Zones in accordance with California Public Resources Code, Sections 4201 through 4204 for State Responsibility Areas and in accordance with Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189 for Local Responsibility Areas. The State Fire Marshal shall designate areas in the state as fire hazard severity zones and assign each zone based on the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in those areas. Each fire hazard severity zone shall embrace relatively homogeneous lands, and the classification shall be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather and other relevant factors including areas where winds have been identified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as a major cause of wildfire spread and other areas designated by the enforcing agency to be at a significant risk from wildfires.
302.2 Review of wildland-urban interface areas. The code official shall reevaluate and recommend modification to the wildlandurban interface areas in accordance with Section 302.1 on a 5-year basis or more frequently as deemed necessary by the legislative body. The State Fire Marshal shall periodically review the areas in the state identified as fire hazard severity zones and, as necessary, shall make recommendations relative to 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 the county’s general plan update.
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CWUIC § 302.1 High relevance — show source text
SECTION 302—WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA DESIGNATIONS
302.1 Mapping . The State Fire Marshal shall classify lands into Fire Hazard Severity Zones in accordance with California Public Resources Code, Sections 4201 through 4204 for State Responsibility Areas and in accordance with Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189 for Local Responsibility Areas. The State Fire Marshal shall designate areas in the state as fire hazard severity zones and assign each zone based on the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in those areas. Each fire hazard severity zone shall embrace relatively homogeneous lands, and the classification shall be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather and other relevant factors including areas where winds have been identified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as a major cause of wildfire spread and other areas designated by the enforcing agency to be at a significant risk from wildfires.
302.2 Review of wildland-urban interface areas. The code official shall reevaluate and recommend modification to the wildlandurban interface areas in accordance with Section 302.1 on a 5-year basis or more frequently as deemed necessary by the legislative body. The State Fire Marshal shall periodically review the areas in the state identified as fire hazard severity zones and, as necessary, shall make recommendations relative to 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 the county’s general plan update.
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CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE
CHAPTER 4 – WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS
(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 § D101 High relevance — show source text
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.)
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)X Adopt only those sections that
are listed below[California Code of Regulations,
Title 19, Division 1]Chapter / Section F101.1 X CWUIC § 2025 High relevance — show source text
A104 Ignition Source Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-5
A105 Control of Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-5
A106 Dumping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-6
A107 Protection of Pumps and Water Storage Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-6
A108 Land Use Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-6
A109 Referenced Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A-7
APPENDIX B VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX B-3
B101 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX B-3
APPENDIX C COMMUNITY WILDLAND-URBAN
INTERFACE (WUI) FIRE HAZARD
EVALUATION FRAMEWORK . . . . APPENDIX C-3
C101 Community WUI Hazard Evaluation Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX C-3
APPENDIX D MODEL ORDINANCE FOR FIRE HAZARD
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
CWUIC § 1.11. High 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 § 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 § 51178.5. High relevance — show source text
It is the intent of the Legislature that this chapter apply to all local agencies,_ including, but not limited to, charter cities, charter counties, and charter cities and counties. This subdivision shall not limit the authority of a local agency to impose more restrictive fire and public safety requirements, as otherwise authorized by law. (c) It is not the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to limit or restrict the authority of a local agency to impose more restrictive fire and public safety requirements, as otherwise authorized by law. 51176. The purpose of this chapter is to classify lands in the state in accordance with whether a very high fire hazard is present so that public officials are able to identify measures that will retard the rate of spread, and reduce the potential intensity, of uncon- trolled fires that threaten to destroy resources, life, or property, and to require that those measures be taken. 51178. The State Fire Marshal shall identify areas in the state as moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones based on consistent statewide criteria and based on the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in those areas. Moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones shall be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and other relevant factors including areas where winds have been identified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as a major cause of wildfire spread. 51178.5. Within 30 days after receiving a transmittal from the State Fire Marshal that identifies fire hazard severity zones pursuant to Section 51178, a local agency shall make the information available for public review and comment. The information shall be presented in a format that is understandable and accessible to the general public, including, but not limited to, maps.
51179.
(a) A local agency shall designate, by ordinance, moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones in its jurisdiction within 120 days of receiving recommendations from the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 51178. (b) (1) A local agency may, at its discretion, include areas within the jurisdiction of the local agency, not identified as very high fire hazard severity zones by the State Fire Marshal, as very high fire hazard severity zones following a finding supported by substantial evidence in the record that the requirements of Section 51182 are necessary for effective fire protection within the area.
(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
CWUIC § 1.5 High 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
xiv 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
CWUIC § 11340.6 High relevance — show source text
4203.
(a) The State Fire Marshal shall, by regulation, designate fire hazard severity zones and assign to each zone a rating reflecting the degree of severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in the zone. (b) No designation of a zone and assignment of a rating shall be adopted by the State Fire Marshal until the proposed regulation has been transmitted to the board of supervisors of the county in which the zone is located at least 45 days before the adoption of the proposed regulation and a public hearing has been held in that county during that 45-day period. 4204. The State Fire Marshal shall periodically review zones designated and rated pursuant to this article and, as necessary, shall revise zones or their ratings or repeal the designation of zones. Any revision of a zone or its rating or any repeal of a zone shall conform to the requirements of Section 4203. In addition, the revision or repeal of a zone may be petitioned pursuant to Sections 11340.6 and 11340.7 of the Government Code.
4290.
(a) The board shall adopt regulations implementing minimum fire safety standards related to defensible space that are applicable to state responsibility area lands under the authority of the department, and to lands classified and designated as very high fire hazard severity zones, as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 51177 of the Government Code. These regulations apply to the perimeters and access to all residential, commercial, and industrial building construction within state responsibility areas approved after January 1, 1991, and within lands classified and designated as very high fire hazard severity zones, as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 51177 of the Government Code after July 1, 2021. The board may not adopt building standards, as defined in Section 18909 of the Health and Safety Code, under the authority of this section. As an integral part of fire safety stan- dards, the State Fire Marshal has the authority to adopt regulations for roof coverings and openings into the attic areas of buildings specified in Section 13108.5 of the Health and Safety Code. The regulations apply to the placement of mobile homes as defined by National Fire Protection Association standards. These regulations do not apply where an application for a build- ing permit was filed prior to January 1, 1991, or to parcel or tentative maps or other developments approved prior to January 1, 1991, if the final map for the tentative map is approved within the time prescribed by the local ordinance. The regulations shall include all of the following: (1) Road standards for fire equipment access. (2) Standards for signs identifying streets, roads, and buildings. (3) Minimum private water supply reserves for emergency fire use. (4) Fuel breaks and greenbelts. (b) The board shall, on and after July 1, 2021, periodically update regulations for fuel breaks and greenbelts near communities to provide greater fire safety for the perimeters to all residential, commercial, and industrial building construction within state responsibility areas and lands classified and designated as very high fire hazard severity zones, as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 51177 of the Government Code, after July 1, 2021. These regulations shall include measures to preserve undeveloped
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APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
Frequently asked questions
What does Appendix D (D101) actually require me to do?
Appendix D (including § D101) is informational — it supplies model ordinance language and procedural guidance. You still must enact a local ordinance to designate fire hazard severity zones; the model is a template, not an automatic rule.
Can a city reduce the State’s mapped severity in its jurisdiction?
No. A local agency may not decrease the level assigned by the State; it may only increase the level in specified circumstances supported by substantial evidence. This limitation is statutory and reflected in the model.
How soon must the local ordinance be adopted after State transmittal?
The local agency generally has 120 days to adopt ordinances designating the moderate/high/very high zones after receiving State recommendations (see statutory direction referenced by the model).
What factors should inform classification decisions?
Use fuel loading, slope, fire weather, winds, and other locally relevant indicators to identify relatively homogeneous lands for each zone — the State’s mapping criteria and the CWUIC mapping discussion provide this guidance.
Where should I post the adopted map and ordinance for public access?
The model recommends posting at public offices such as the county recorder, county assessor, and county planning agency, and making maps available in an understandable format for public review.
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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