CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code

Hydrant design, location, thread sizes and identification requirements

Homeowners: hydrants in California WUI areas must be built to national standards, placed and approved by the local code official, kept clear, and clearly marked (3" blue reflector on driveway signs or 3–5 ft sign mounting on roads); thread sizes and head height are specified in the CWUIC’s referenced provisions (see §§ 404.4, 404.8, and 1275.03). filefile

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

What the code requires — 2–4 sentences

Hydrants in WUI areas must be designed and constructed in accordance with nationally recognized standards and their location and access approved by the code official; the number and spacing are set by the California Fire Code appendices referenced by the CWUIC. § 404.4 directs these basic duties. Hydrant identification (markers, mounting, and visibility) is required and specific marker locations/heights are prescribed. See § 404.8 for identification requirements.

The single most important rule: Fire hydrants must be built to nationally recognized standards, located and made accessible as approved by the code official, and clearly marked so the fire department can find and use them without obstruction. (See § 404.4 and § 404.8.)

Requirements in detail

Design and construction

  • Hydrant design/construction: must comply with nationally recognized standards; the code official approves location and access. § 404.4 .
  • Hydrant systems must meet the number and spacing requirements in Appendix C or CC of the California Fire Code (the CWUIC defers to those appendices for distribution/spacing). § 404.4 .

Height, thread size and type (where available in CWUIC references)

The CWUIC text reproduces California references in Appendix H that specify certain hydrant details. The values below come from those referenced provisions (Appendix H provisions cited in the CWUIC):

Item Decision‑relevant value Code reference
Hydrant elevation above finished surface 18 inches § 1275.03(a)
Pressure/gravity system hydrant head thread 2‑1/2‑inch National Hose (NH) male thread with cap § 1275.03(b)
Draft system hydrant head thread 4‑1/2‑inch (for draft systems) § 1275.03(b)
Hydrant barrel type Wet or dry barrel; freeze/crash protection as required locally § 1275.03(c)

Notes:

  • The CWUIC body section § 404.4 requires conformity to nationally recognized standards and defers number/spacing to CFC appendices; detailed thread sizes and head heights are provided in the CWUIC’s Appendix H reproduction (see § 1275.03), which the CWUIC includes for reference.

Identification and marking

  • For hydrants located along a driveway: a reflectorized blue marker with a minimum dimension of 3 inches must be located on the driveway address sign and mounted on a fire‑retardant post. § 404.8(1)
  • For hydrants located along an access road:
    • A reflectorized blue marker, minimum 3 inches, mounted on a fire‑retardant post. The post must be within 3 feet of the hydrant, and the sign face must be not less than 3 feet nor greater than 5 feet above ground, horizontal and visible from the driveway. § 404.8(2)
    • Option to follow State Fire Marshal’s Guidelines for Fire Hydrant Markings Along State Highways and Freeways (May 1988) as specified in the CWUIC. § 404.8(2.3)
  • Identification purpose: to make hydrants and water access visible and to prevent obstruction (parking, etc.). § 404.8

Access, obstruction & maintenance (brief)

  • Access to hydrants and water sources must be unobstructed at all times; fire department access shall not be hindered. § 404.7 (referenced in Chapter 4 context)
  • Hydrants and water sources are subject to periodic testing and maintenance as required by the code official. § 404.9

Exceptions & special cases

  • The CWUIC text itself does not list hydrant-specific exceptions in § 404.4 or § 404.8; instead, it:
    • Defers number and spacing to California Fire Code Appendices C or CC (so local adoption/Fire Code appendices govern exact spacing). § 404.4
    • Provides alternate marking guidance by referencing the State Fire Marshal’s Guidelines for highway/freeway hydrant markings. § 404.8
  • Local jurisdictions may impose additional or different freeze/crash protection and installation details (the CWUIC notes freeze/crash protection for hydrants in the Appendix H reproduction). See § 1275.03(c) for local requirements to provide freeze/crash protection.
  • Where the CWUIC defers (e.g., spacing, hydraulic fire‑flow), follow the California Fire Code appendices and local amendments — those are the controlling detailed standards referenced by § 404.4.

If you need a municipal-level exception or alternative, consult the local code official—CWUIC repeatedly states that location and access are subject to approval by the code official. § 404.4

Common mistakes

  • Assuming CWUIC prescribes hydrant spacing and exact distribution — it does not; § 404.4 delegates number/spacing to the California Fire Code (Appendix C or CC). Always check the applicable CFC appendix.
  • Missing the identification requirements: hydrants along driveways must have the 3‑inch reflectorized blue marker on the driveway address sign — this is a specific CWUIC requirement in § 404.8(1).
  • Installing the outlet threads or head height to a commonly assumed value instead of the values reproduced in the CWUIC Appendix H (when the jurisdiction relies on that Appendix). The CWUIC’s Appendix H (see § 1275.03) states 18 in. elevation and 2‑1/2‑inch NH male thread for pressure/gravity systems and 4‑1/2‑inch for draft systems.
  • Not obtaining code‑official approval of hydrant location and access; § 404.4 requires approval by the code official.

Worked example — driveway hydrant for a new parcel

Scenario: A new single‑family parcel has a private driveway 120 feet long that serves the house. The water supply will include a hydrant located adjacent to the driveway.

Steps that satisfy CWUIC:

  1. Design and construct the hydrant to nationally recognized standards; submit the design and location for approval to the code official (required by § 404.4).
  2. Set the hydrant head 18 inches above finished surface (the Appendix H referenced provision § 1275.03(a)).
  3. Provide the specified thread: if the hydrant is on a pressure/gravity system provide a 2‑1/2‑inch NH male thread with cap; if the hydrant is intended for drafting, provide a 4‑1/2‑inch head (if local practice follows the Appendix H provision § 1275.03(b)).
  4. Mark the hydrant: because it is located along a driveway, place a reflectorized blue marker, minimum 3 inches, on the driveway address sign mounted on a fire‑retardant post (per § 404.8(1)). This ensures visibility from the driveway and helps prevent obstruction.
  5. Verify obstruction clearance and provide any freeze/crash protection required by the local jurisdiction (see § 1275.03(c) for the CWUIC’s referenced guidance).
  6. Coordinate with fire department/local code official to confirm spacing/fire‑flow obligations per the California Fire Code appendices as applied to the project (CWUIC § 404.4 defers number/spacing to those appendices).

Related provisions

  • § 404.4 — Hydrants (design, construction, location and reference to Appendix C/CC of the California Fire Code).
  • § 404.8 — Identification (reflectorized blue markers, placement and mounting requirements).
  • § 1275.03 — (Appendix H reproduction) Hydrant head height, thread sizes, barrel type, and protection requirements referenced by the CWUIC.
  • § 404.7 — Obstructions (access to water sources must be unobstructed).
  • § 404.9 — Testing and maintenance (periodic tests and operative condition requirements).

Code references

Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

  • CWUIC § 1274.04 High relevance — show source text

    or otherwise posted to provide for unobstructed visibility from that_ intersection.

    (f) In all cases, the address shall be posted at the beginning of construction and shall be maintained thereafter.

    [CCR, Title 14 §1274.04]

    SECTION 404—WATER SUPPLY

    404.1 General. An approved water source shall have an adequate water supply for the use of the fire protection service to protect buildings and structures from exterior fire sources or to suppress structure fires within the wildland-urban interface area of the jurisdiction in accordance with this section.

    404.2 Required water supply. An approved water supply capable of supplying the required fire flow for structural fire protection and wildland fire exposure shall be provided to the premises on which facilities, buildings or portions of buildings are hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction in accordance with Section 507 of the California Fire Code.

    404.3 Draft sites. Approved draft sites shall be provided at natural water sources intended for use as fire protection for compliance with this code. The design, construction, location, access and access maintenance of draft sites shall be approved by the code official.

    404.3.1 Access. The draft site shall have emergency vehicle access from an access road in accordance with Section 403.

    404.3.2 Pumper access points. The pumper access point shall be either an emergency vehicle access area alongside a conforming access road or an approved driveway not longer than 150 feet (45 720 mm). Pumper access points and access driveways shall be designed and constructed in accordance with all codes and ordinances enforced by this jurisdiction. Pumper access points shall not require the pumper apparatus to obstruct a road or driveway.

    404.4 Hydrants. Hydrants shall be designed and constructed in accordance with nationally recognized standards. The location and access shall be approved by the code official. The number and spacing of fire hydrants shall be in accordance with Appendix C or CC of the California Fire Code, as applicable.

    404.5 Adequate water supply. Fire-flow requirements shall be determined in accordance with Appendix B or BB of the California Fire Code, as applicable.

    404.6 Reserved.

    404.7 Obstructions. Access to water sources required by this code shall be unobstructed at all times. The fire department shall not be deterred or hindered from gaining immediate access to water source equipment, fire protection equipment or hydrants.

    404.8 Identification. Water sources, draft sites, hydrants and fire protection equipment and hydrants shall be clearly identified in a manner approved by the code official to identify location and to prevent obstruction by parking and other obstructions. Each fire hydrant and access to a water supply shall be identified in accordance with one of the following: 1. Where located along a driveway, a reflectorized blue marker with a minimum dimension of 3 inches (73 mm) shall be located on the driveway address sign and mounted on a fire-retardant post. 2. Where located along an access road: 2.2. A reflectorized blue marker with a minimum dimension of 3 inches (73 mm) shall be mounted on a fire-retardant post. The signpost shall be within 3 feet (914 mm) of said fire hydrant with the sign not less than 3 feet (914 mm) nor greater than 5 feet (1524 mm) above ground, in a horizontal position and visible from the driveway. _2.3.

  • CWUIC § 1.7 Medium relevance — show source text

    1.7_|Turnouts|Y||||1273.06||||| |403.1.8|Road and driveway
    structures|Y||||1273.07(a)
    1273.07(b)
    1273.07(c)
    1273.07(d)||||| |403.1.9|Dead-end roads|Y||||1273.08(a)
    1273.08(b)||||| |403.10|Gate Entrances|Y||||1273.09(a)
    1273.09(b)
    1273.09(c)
    1273.09(d)||||| |403.2|Signing and Building
    Numbering|Y||||Article 3||||| |403.2.1|Intent|Y||||1274.00||||| |403.2.2|Road signs|Y||||1274.01||||| |403.2.3|Road Sign
    Installation, Location
    and Visibility|Y||||1274.02(a)
    1274.02(b)
    1274.02(c)
    1274.02(d)||||| |403.2.4|Addresses for
    Buildings|Y||||1274.03(a)
    1274.03(b)
    1274.03(c)||||| ||||||||||||

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    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,
    Division 1
    Section    		 Gov Code
    Section    		 PRC
    Section    		 HSC
    Section
    Section 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
    403.2.5 Address installation,
    location, and visibility    		 Y 1274.04(a)
    1274.04(b)
    1274.04(c)
    1274.04(d)
    1274.04(e)
    1274.04(f)
    404 Water supply Y 1275.02
    404.1 General Y 507 1275.02(b)
    404.2 Required water supply Y 1275.02(c)
    404.3 Draft sites Y
    404.3.1 Access Y 507.5.4
    404.3.
  • CWUIC § 404.5 Medium relevance — show source text

    404.5 Adequate water supply. Fire-flow requirements shall be determined in accordance with Appendix B or BB of the California Fire Code, as applicable.

    404.6 Reserved.

    404.7 Obstructions. Access to water sources required by this code shall be unobstructed at all times. The fire department shall not be deterred or hindered from gaining immediate access to water source equipment, fire protection equipment or hydrants.

    404.8 Identification. Water sources, draft sites, hydrants and fire protection equipment and hydrants shall be clearly identified in a manner approved by the code official to identify location and to prevent obstruction by parking and other obstructions. Each fire hydrant and access to a water supply shall be identified in accordance with one of the following: 1. Where located along a driveway, a reflectorized blue marker with a minimum dimension of 3 inches (73 mm) shall be located on the driveway address sign and mounted on a fire-retardant post. 2. Where located along an access road: 2.2. A reflectorized blue marker with a minimum dimension of 3 inches (73 mm) shall be mounted on a fire-retardant post. The signpost shall be within 3 feet (914 mm) of said fire hydrant with the sign not less than 3 feet (914 mm) nor greater than 5 feet (1524 mm) above ground, in a horizontal position and visible from the driveway. 2.3. As specified in the State Fire Marshal’s Guidelines for Fire Hydrant Markings Along State Highways and Freeways, May 1988.

    404.9 Testing and maintenance. Water sources, draft sites, hydrants and other fire protection equipment required by this code shall be subject to periodic tests as required by the code official. Such equipment installed under the provisions of this code shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and shall be repaired or replaced where defective. Additions, repairs, alterations and servicing of such fire protection equipment and resources shall be in accordance with approved standards.

    404.10 Reliability. Water supply reliability shall comply with Sections 404.10.1 through 404.10.3.

    404.10.1 Objective. The objective of this section is to increase the reliability of water supplies by reducing the exposure of vegetative fuels to electrically powered systems.

    404.10.2 Clearance of fuel. Defensible space shall be provided around water tank structures, water supply pumps and pump houses in accordance with Section 603.

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    WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS

    404.10.3 Standby power. Standby power shall be provided to pumps, controllers and related electrical equipment so that stationary water supply facilities within the wildland-urban interface area that are dependent on electrical power can provide the required water supply. The standby power system shall be in accordance with Section 2702 of the California Building Code and Section 1203 of the California Fire Code . The standby power source shall be capable of providing power for not less than 2 hours.

  • 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:

    1. Fire service access to the property that is to be protected, including fire apparatus access roads and off-road driveways.

    2. Premises identification.

    3. Key boxes to provide ready access to properties secured by gated roadways or other impediments to rapid fire service access.

    4. Fire protection water supplies, including adequate water sources, pumper apparatus drafting sites, fire hydrant systems and system reliability.

    5. 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.

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  • CWUIC § 302.1 Medium 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|||||||||

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    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,
    Division 1
    Section    		 Gov Code
    Section    		 PRC
    Section    		 HSC
    Section
    Section 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
    507
    402.2.1 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 § 1-3 Medium relevance — show source text

    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

    1.11 Office of the State Fire Marshal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

    1.12 Board of Forestry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10

    DIVISION II SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15

    PART 1—GENERAL PROVISIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15

    101 Scope and General Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15

    102 Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16

    PART 2—ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17

    103 Code Compliance Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17

    104 Duties and Powers of the Code Official . . . . . . . . . 1-17

    105 Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19

    106 Construction Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20

    107 Temporary Uses, Equipment and Systems . . . . . . 1-21

  • CWUIC § 1275.01 Medium relevance — show source text

    1275.01 Application. The provisions of this article shall apply in the tentative and parcel map process when new parcels are approved by the Local Jurisdiction.

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    APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS

    1275.02 Water supply. (a) When a water supply for structure defense is required to be installed, such protection shall be installed and made serviceable prior to and during the time of construction except when alternative methods of protection are provided and approved by the Local Jurisdiction.

    (b) Water systems equaling or exceeding the California Fire Code, California Code of Regulations title 24, part 9, or, where a munic- ipal-type water supply is unavailable, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1142, “Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting,” 2017 Edition, hereby incorporated by reference, shall be accepted as meeting the require- ments of this article.

    (c) Such emergency water may be provided in a fire agency mobile water tender, or naturally occurring or man made containment structure, as long as the specified quantity is immediately available. (d) Nothing in this article prohibits the combined storage of emergency Wildfire and structural firefighting water supplies unless so prohibited by local ordinance or specified by the local fire agency. (e) Where freeze or crash protection is required by Local Jurisdictions, such protection measures shall be provided.

    1275.03 Hydrants and fire valves. (a) The hydrant or fire valve shall be eighteen (18) inches above the finished surface. Its location in relation to the road or driveway and to the building(s) or structure(s) it serves shall comply with California Fire Code, California Code of Regulations title 24, part 9, Chapter 5, and Appendix C. (b) The hydrant head shall be a two and half (2 [1] / 2 ) inch National Hose male thread with cap for pressure and gravity flow systems and four and a half (4 [1] / 2 ) inch for draft systems. (c) Hydrants shall be wet or dry barrel and have suitable freeze or crash protection as required by the local jurisdiction.

    1275.04 Signing of water sources. (a) Each hydrant, fire valve, or access to water shall be identified as follows: (1) if located along a driveway, a reflectorized blue marker, with a minimum dimension of three (3) inches shall be located on the driveway address sign and mounted on a fire retardant post, or (2) if located along a road, (i) a reflectorized blue marker, with a minimum dimension of three (3) inches, shall be mounted on a fire retardant post. The sign post shall be within three (3) feet of said hydrant or fire valve, with the sign no less than three (3) feet nor greater than five (5) feet above ground, in a horizontal position and visible from the driveway, or (ii) as specified in the State Fire Marshal's Guidelines for Fire Hydrant Markings Along State Highways and Freeways, May 1988.

    Article 5 Building Siting, Setbacks, and Fuel Modification

  • CWUIC § 1270.01 Medium relevance — show source text

    1|||||| ||Strategic
    ridgeline (T14)|Y||||1270.01(dd)||||| ||Structure|Y|202|||1270.01(ee)||||| ||Subdivision|Y||||||||| ||Tree crown|Y||||||||| ||Undeveloped
    ridgeline (T14)|Y||||1270.01(ii)||||| ||Unenclosed acces-
    sory structure|Y||||||||| ||Vertical curve (T14)|Y||||1270.01(k)||||| ||Wildfire|Y||702A|4902.1|||||| ||Wildfire exposure|Y||702A|4902.1|||||| ||Wildland|Y||||||||| ||Wildland-urban inter-
    face area|Y||702A|4902.1|||||| |Chapter 3|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas| |301|General|Y||||||||| |301.1|Scope|Y||||||||4201| |301.2|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|||||||||

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    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

    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:

    1. Fire service access to the property that is to be protected, including fire apparatus access roads and off-road driveways.

    2. Premises identification.

  • CWUIC § 1.8.3.2 Medium relevance — show source text

    For additional information regarding the use and occupancy of existing buildings and appurtenant struc- tures, see California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Divi- sion 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1, commencing with Section 1.

    1.8.3.2 Laws, Rules, and Regulations. Other than the building standards contained in this code, and notwith- standing other provisions of law, the statutory authority and location of the laws, rules, and regulations to be enforced by local enforcing agencies are listed by statute in Sections 1.8.3.2.1 through 1.8.3.2.5 below:

    1.8.3.2.1 State Housing Law. Refer to the State Housing Law, California Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 1.5, commencing with Section 17910, and California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1, commencing with Section 1, for the erection, construction, recon- struction, movement, enlargement, conversion, alteration, repair, removal, demolition, or arrange- ment of apartments, condominiums, hotels, motels, lodging houses, and dwellings, including accessory buildings, facilities, and uses thereto.

    1.8.3.2.2 Mobilehome Parks Act. Refer to the Mobilehome Parks Act, California Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 2.1, commencing with Section 18200 and California Code of Regula- tions, Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 2, commencing with Section 1000 for mobilehome park administra- tive and enforcement authority, permits, plans, fees, violations, inspections, and penalties both within and outside mobilehome parks.

    Exception: Mobilehome parks where the Depart- ment of Housing and Community Development is the enforcing agency.

    1.8.3.2.3 Special Occupancy Parks Act. Refer to the Special Occupancy Parks Act, California Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 2.3, commencing with Section 18860 and California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 2.2, commencing with Section 2000 for special occupancy park adminis- trative and enforcement authority, permits, fees, vio- lations, inspections, and penalties both within and outside of special occupancy parks.

    Exception: Special occupancy parks where the Department of Housing and Community Develop- ment is the enforcing agency.

    1.8.3.2.4 Employee Housing Act. Refer to the Employee Housing Act, California Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 1, commencing with Section 17000 and California Code of Regulations,

    Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3, com- mencing with Section 600 for employee housing administrative and enforcement authority, permits, fees, violations, inspections, and penalties.

  • CWUIC § 07-31 Medium relevance — show source text


    Max.
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    Section A-A Preferred Installation

    Note 1

    Section A-A

    Alternate Installation

    Figure 3 Portable Structure Metering

    Revision Notes

    Revision 04 has the following changes:

    1. Revised 100 Amp to 200 Amp maximum.

    2. Revised Note 1 on Page 3 :customer is to contact PG&E when they are ready to extend the conduit and cable into the splice box.

    036670 Page 4 of 4 Rev. #04: 07-31-15

    UG-1: General Greenbook

    Prepared by: MZGD

    Purpose and Scope

    This document describes the minimum requirements for the design and installation of electric conduits and pulling insulated cables. This document also provides requirements of what facilities are allowed within the same enclosure.

    General Information

    1. A minimum of 24 inches of cover for secondary (0 − 750 V) electric service, or 36 inches minimum cover for primary (over 750 V) is required for electric trench only. Cover is the distance from the outer surface of an underground facility to the top of the final grade. The actual trench depth will be greater (approximately 30 inches or 42 inches minimum respectively) to accommodate the underground facility, bedding, enclosures, riser sweeps, and joint trench installations with other utilities.

    2. For detail information for joint trench requirements see S5453, Exhibit B.

    1. There is no cut-off date of when a cable needs to be installed after it has been manufactured if the cable meets the following parameters

    A. Cable is manufactured by a currently approved supplier and meets PG&E approved standard design cable requirements.

    B. Cable was properly stored at PG&E, applicant or contractor facility, i.e. properly sealed with end caps at both ends so no water/debris could have entered the cable at any time.

  • CWUIC § 1.5 Medium relevance — show source text


    Division 1.5
    Section|Title 19,
    Division 1
    Section|Gov Code
    Section|PRC
    Section|HSC
    Section| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Section|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| |403.2.5|Address installation,
    location, and visibility|Y||||1274.04(a)
    1274.04(b)
    1274.04(c)
    1274.04(d)
    1274.04(e)
    1274.04(f)||||| |404|Water supply|Y||||1275.02||||| |404.1|General|Y|||507|1275.02(b)||||| |404.2|Required water supply|Y||||1275.02(c)||||| |404.3|Draft sites|Y||||||||| |404.3.1|Access|Y|||507.5.4|||||| |404.3.2|Pumper access points|Y|404.3.2|||||||| |404.4|Hydrants|Y|||507.5|||||| |404.5|Adequate water
    supply|Y|||507.3|1275.02(b)||||| |404.6|Reserved|N||||||||| |404.7|Obstructions|Y|||507.5.4|||||| |404.8|Identification|Y||||1275.04(a)||||| |404.9|Testing and
    maintenance|Y|||507.5.2|||||| |404.10|Reliability|Y|||507.5.2|||||| |404.10.1|Objective|Y|404.10.1|||||||| |404.10.2|Clearance of fuel|Y|||4907.1|||||| |404.10.3|Standby power|Y|||507.5.2|||||| |Chapter 5|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations| |501|General|Y||701A||||||| |501.1|Scope|Y||701A.3||||||| |501.2|Objective|Y||701A.2||||||| |501.3|Fire-resistance-rated
    construction|Y||703.2.1.5||||||| |501.4|Noncombustibility
    tests|Y||703.3||||||| |501.4.1|Noncombustible
    materials|Y||703.3.

Frequently asked questions

What if my local fire code adopts different spacing than Appendix C?

CWUIC § 404.4 defers number and spacing to Appendix C or CC of the California Fire Code; the local adoption of the Fire Code (and any local amendments) controls spacing. The CWUIC requires code‑official approval of location and access.

Are thread sizes mandatory under CWUIC § 404.4?

Thread sizes are not specified in § 404.4 itself; the CWUIC reproduces related state-level provisions in Appendix H — § 1275.03(b) — that specify 2‑1/2‑inch NH for pressure/gravity and 4‑1/2‑inch for draft systems. Jurisdictions rely on those or local standards. file

How high must a hydrant outlet be above finished grade?

The CWUIC’s Appendix H reproduction states 18 inches above the finished surface for hydrants. See § 1275.03(a) as included in the CWUIC materials.

What exactly must the identification marker look like and where must it be mounted?

CWUIC § 404.8 requires a reflectorized blue marker, minimum 3 inches. If on a driveway it goes on the driveway address sign mounted on a fire‑retardant post; if on an access road the sign must be within 3 feet of the hydrant and the sign face between 3 and 5 feet above ground in a horizontal position and visible from the driveway.

Who approves non‑standard hydrant installations or alternate markings?

The code official approves location, access, and identification methods under § 404.4 and § 404.8; consult the code official early for any alternate designs or markings. file

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California Wildland-Urban Interface Code