CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
Where does the CWUIC reprint Civil Code disclosure requirements for properties in high/very high fire hazard zones?
If your house is in a high or very high fire hazard zone and was built before January 1, 2010, the CWUIC (Appendix H, SECTION H101) reproduces Civil Code **§ 1102.6f** and **§ 1102.19** requiring the seller to give buyers a wildfire‑risk disclosure (a standard statement, a checklist of vulnerability features, and—after July 1, 2025—a State list of low‑cost retrofits and which were completed) and to provide vegetation/defensible‑space documentation where required (or point to inspection reports); these provisions are informational and not themselves building‑code mandates.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — 2–4 sentences
The CWUIC reprints the California Civil Code disclosure rules for wildfire-risk properties in Appendix H, SECTION H101 — specifically § 1102.6f and § 1102.19. § 1102.6f requires sellers of homes built before January 1, 2010 that are located in a high or very high fire hazard severity zone to give buyers a specific wildfire‑risk disclosure (statement, retrofit list, vulnerability features list, and inspection-report disclosure) effective on and after January 1, 2021 (with parts becoming effective later). § 1102.19 requires documentation about compliance with vegetation/defensible‑space rules and sets who must provide or obtain that documentation.
The CWUIC reproduces Civil Code § 1102.6f and § 1102.19 in Appendix H (H101); if your property is in a high/very high fire zone and the house was built before 1/1/2010, the seller must give the buyer the Civil Code disclosures listed in those sections.
Requirements in detail
At-a-glance decision table
| Decision dimension | Required value / threshold | What the seller must provide | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicability — location | Property located in a high or very high fire hazard severity zone (as identified under § 51178 / PRC Article 9) | Disclosure obligations apply to properties in those zones | § 1102.6f |
| Applicability — age of home | Built before January 1, 2010 | Seller must provide the § 1102.6f disclosure notice | § 1102.6f |
| Effective date — general | On or after January 1, 2021 | § 1102.6f disclosure requirement becomes operative | § 1102.6f |
| Retrofit list | Available on or after July 1, 2025 | Seller must include the State-listed low-cost retrofits and disclose which were completed while seller owned the property | § 1102.6f(2) |
| Vulnerability features — list | Examples: vents with openings > one‑eighth of an inch, untreated wood roof coverings, combustible landscaping within 5 feet, single‑pane windows, missing bird stopping/flashings, gutters without noncombustible covers | Seller must disclose which of these features, if any, are present to seller’s knowledge | § 1102.6f(3) |
| Final inspection report | If seller has a final inspection report obtained under Gov. Code § 51182 | Seller must provide a copy or tell buyer where to obtain it | § 1102.6f(4) |
| Vegetation/defensible‑space documentation | If local ordinance requires documentation, seller provides it; if not, seller provides any inspection documentation obtained within prior 6 months; otherwise buyer must obtain documentation within 1 year of close of escrow | Rules and timelines set out in § 1102.19 (subdivisions (1)–(2) and buyer one‑year obligation) | § 1102.19 |
| Enforcement caveat | Disclosure requirements are informational only and do not impose building code mandates | § 1102.6f expressly states it shall not be construed as a building‑code requirement | § 1102.6f(5) |
(See the cited Civil Code sections reprinted in CWUIC Appendix H — SECTION H101 for the full statutory language.)
Plain-English breakdown of the disclosure elements (from § 1102.6f)
- A written statement telling the buyer the home is in a high or very high fire hazard severity zone and that the home was built before January 1, 2010 (and pointing buyers to ReadyForWildfire for fire‑hardening info). § 1102.6f(1)
- A list of low‑cost retrofits developed under Government Code § 51189, starting July 1, 2025; seller must note which listed retrofits, if any, the seller completed while owning the property. § 1102.6f(2)
- A checklist of features that increase vulnerability to flying embers (vent openings > 1/8", untreated wood roof, combustible materials within 5 ft, single‑pane windows, missing bird stops/roof flashing, unprotected gutters) — disclose which exist to seller’s knowledge. § 1102.6f(3)
- If a final inspection report was obtained under Government Code § 51182, provide the buyer a copy or directions to obtain it. § 1102.6f(4)
Vegetation / defensible‑space documentation rules (from § 1102.19)
- If a local jurisdiction has an ordinance requiring owners to obtain documentation showing compliance with PRC § 4291 or a local vegetation rule, the seller must provide that documentation and where to obtain additional copies. § 1102.19(1)
- If the local jurisdiction has no such ordinance, and a government or qualified nonprofit inspection with documentation exists for the jurisdiction, the seller must provide documentation obtained in the six‑month period preceding sale. If documentation is not provided, the buyer must obtain documentation within one year after close of escrow. § 1102.19(2) and related subdivision language
- These rules do not limit state or local agencies from enforcing defensible‑space requirements (PRC § 4291, Gov. Code § 51182, etc.). § 1102.19(c)
Exceptions & special cases
- The disclosure in § 1102.6f(5) is explicitly informational and may not be used as a building code requirement; it does not require retrofits — it only requires disclosure of facts and completed retrofits. § 1102.6f(5)
- Only homes built before January 1, 2010 are subject to § 1102.6f’s notice requirement; newer homes are not covered by that subsection. § 1102.6f(a)
- Where a local ordinance already requires owner documentation showing compliance with vegetation/defensible‑space law, § 1102.19 defers to that ordinance (seller must provide the documentation required by the local law). § 1102.19(1)
- If a seller has obtained a final inspection report under Govt. Code § 51182, the seller must provide it or tell the buyer where to get it; absence of such a report does not itself relieve other clearance or inspection duties under local/state law. § 1102.6f(4) and related Govt. Code refs
Common mistakes
- Assuming the disclosure creates a retroactive building‑code requirement. It does not — § 1102.6f(5) expressly forbids using the disclosure as a reformulation of building code obligations. § 1102.6f(5)
- Forgetting the age cutoff: only homes built before January 1, 2010 trigger the § 1102.6f prescriptive disclosure. § 1102.6f(a)
- Missing the July 1, 2025 effective date for the low‑cost retrofit list requirement (sellers on/after that date must include the State list and note completed items). § 1102.6f(2)
- Confusing who must obtain defensible‑space documentation: where no local ordinance exists, the seller must provide existing inspection documentation for the prior 6 months if available; otherwise the buyer has a one‑year window to obtain required documentation. § 1102.19(2) and follow‑on text
- Not disclosing the specific vulnerability items (vents opening size, roof cover type, combustible materials within 5 feet, etc.) — those items are enumerated and must be addressed in the notice. § 1102.6f(3)
Worked example — concrete scenario
Scenario: Seller A is selling a house built in 2008 located in a very high fire hazard severity zone. The sale contract is signed on August 1, 2025.
What Seller A must give the buyer under the CWUIC reproduction of Civil Code:
- Because the home was built before January 1, 2010 and is in a high/very high zone, Seller A must provide the § 1102.6f disclosure notice (statement, features list, and—because the date is after July 1, 2025—the State's low‑cost retrofit list and which retrofits, if any, Seller A completed while owning the property). § 1102.6f(1)–(3)
- If Seller A had, within prior ownership, obtained a final inspection report under Government Code § 51182, Seller A must give the buyer a copy or tell the buyer where to obtain it. § 1102.6f(4)
- If the city has an ordinance requiring owners to show compliance with PRC § 4291, Seller A must provide that documentation. If no local ordinance exists but Seller A has an agency inspection report produced within the six‑month period before the sale, Seller A must provide that report. If Seller A cannot provide such documentation, the buyer will have up to one year after close of escrow to obtain documentation. § 1102.19(1)–(2)
Numbers called out in statute to watch for in this scenario: January 1, 2010 (home age), July 1, 2025 (retrofit list effective), five feet (combustible materials near home), one‑eighth of an inch (vent opening size), six months (inspection window), one year (buyer to obtain documentation if seller cannot). §§ 1102.6f, 1102.19
Related provisions in CWUIC (reprinted / referenced in Appendix H)
- § 1102.6f — Civil Code disclosure elements for pre‑2010 homes in high/very high zones (Appendix H101).
- § 1102.19 — Civil Code rules for providing documentation of compliance with defensible‑space/vegetation requirements (Appendix H101).
- § 51178 — Government Code framework for identifying high and very high fire hazard severity zones (referenced in H101).
- § 51182 — Government Code reference for final inspection reports and defensible‑space enforcement (referenced in H101 / § 1102.6f).
- PRC § 4291 — Public Resources Code defensible‑space standard and related documentation requirements (referenced in § 1102.19).
- Appendix H (SECTION H101) — explains that the CWUIC reproduces these Civil Code sections for user convenience (informational appendix).
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CWUIC § 1102.6 High relevance — show source text
The text is reprinted below to aid the user in understanding the requirements applicable to wildland-urban interface areas and to provide a background for the provisions.
SECTION H101—CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE
Sections 1102.6f and 1102.19.
1102.6f.
(a) On or after January 1, 2021, in addition to any other disclosure required pursuant to this article, the seller of any real property subject to this article that is located in a high or very high fire hazard severity zone, as identified by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code or Article 9 (commencing with Section 4201) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 4 of the Public Resources Code, shall provide a disclosure notice to the buyer, if the home was constructed before January 1, 2010, that includes the following information: (1) A statement as follows: “This home is located in a high or very high fire hazard severity zone and this home was built before the implementation of the Wildfire Urban Interface building codes which help to fire harden a home. To better protect your home from wildfire, you might need to consider improvements. Information on fire hardening, including current building standards and information on minimum annual vegetation management standards to protect homes from wildfires, can be obtained on the internet website http://www.readyforwildfire.org.” (2) On or after July 1, 2025, a list of low-cost retrofits developed and listed pursuant to Section 51189 of the Government Code. The notice shall disclose which listed retrofits, if any, have been completed during the time that the seller has owned the property. (3) A list of the following features that may make the home vulnerable to wildfire and flying embers. The notice shall disclose which of the listed features, if any, that exist on the home of which the seller is aware: (A) Eave, soffit, and roof ventilation where the vents have openings in excess of one-eighth of an inch or are not flame and ember resistant.
(B) Roof coverings made of untreated wood shingles or shakes. (C) Combustible landscaping or other materials within five feet of the home and under the footprint of any attached deck. (D) Single pane or nontempered glass windows. (E) Loose or missing bird stopping or roof flashing. (F) Rain gutters without metal or noncombustible gutter covers. (4) If, pursuant to Section 51182 of the Government Code, a seller has obtained a final inspection report described in that section, the seller shall provide to the buyer a copy of that report or information on where a copy of the report may be obtained. (5) This section shall not be construed as a requirement, instruction, or consideration for present or future building code formula- tion, including, but not limited to, the Wildland-Urban Interface building standards (Chapter 7A (commencing with Section 701A.1) of Part 2 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations).
1102.19.
(a) On and after July 1, 2021, a seller of a real property subject to this article that is located in a high or very high fire hazard sever- _ity zone,
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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H REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
This appendix is for informational purposes and is not intended for adoption.
User notes:
About this appendix: Appendix H contains portions of California statutes and regulations located in other documents. Much of the text in the CWUIC is based on the requirements found in these other documents.
The text is reprinted below to aid the user in understanding the requirements applicable to wildland-urban interface areas and to provide a background for the provisions.
SECTION H101—CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE
Sections 1102.6f and 1102.19.
1102.6f.
(a) On or after January 1, 2021, in addition to any other disclosure required pursuant to this article, the seller of any real property subject to this article that is located in a high or very high fire hazard severity zone, as identified by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code or Article 9 (commencing with Section 4201) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 4 of the Public Resources Code, shall provide a disclosure notice to the buyer, if the home was constructed before January 1, 2010, that includes the following information: (1) A statement as follows: “This home is located in a high or very high fire hazard severity zone and this home was built before the implementation of the Wildfire Urban Interface building codes which help to fire harden a home. To better protect your home from wildfire, you might need to consider improvements. Information on fire hardening, including current building standards and information on minimum annual vegetation management standards to protect homes from wildfires, can be obtained on the internet website http://www.readyforwildfire.org.” (2) _On or after July 1, 2025, a list of low-cost retrofits developed and listed pursuant to Section 51189 of the Government Code.
CWUIC § 1.5 Medium relevance — show source text
The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Division 1.5 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are not listed in the Matrix Adoption Tables as they are not within the State Fire Marshal’s authority to adopt. These provisions are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 14, Division 1.5 text for the code user’s convenience only and are identified in the body of the code by square brackets containing references to applicable Title 14 sections.
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1 ADMINISTRATION
DIVISION I
CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATION
SECTION 1.1—GENERAL
1.1.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, may be cited as such, and will be referred to herein as “this code.” The California Wildland-Urban Interface Code is Part 7 of thirteen parts of the official compilation and publica- tion of the adoptions, amendment, and repeal of building regulations to the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, also referred to as the California Building Standards Code. This part incorporates by adoption of the 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code of the International Code Council (ICC) with necessary California amendments.
1.1.2 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to establish minimum requirements to reduce the likelihood of life and property loss due to a wildfire through the use of performance and prescriptive requirements for construction and development in all Fire Hazard Severity Zones in State Responsibility Areas (SRA), and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, and increase the ability of buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone within State Responsibility Areas (SRA), or Wildland-Urban Inter- face (WUI) Areas, to resist the intrusion of flames or burning embers projected by a vegetation fire and contributes to a systematic reduction in conflagration losses and reduce the likelihood of life and property loss due to a wildfire.
1.1.3 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equip- ment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal, and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such building structures throughout the State of California.
This code establishes regulations affecting or relating to buildings, structures, processes, premises, and a reasonable degree of life and property safeguards regarding: 1. The hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling, or use of structures, materials, or devices. 2. Conditions hazardous to life, property, or public welfare in the use or occupancy of buildings, structures, or premises. 3. Fire hazards in the buildings, structures, orp on-premises from use of, occupancy of, or operation. 4. Matters related to the construction, extension, repair, alteration, or removal of fire suppression or alarm systems. 5. Conditions affecting the safety of firefighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.
CWUIC § 102.4 Medium relevance — show source text
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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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.
CWUIC § 51178.5. Medium relevance — show source text
(2) In a local jurisdiction that has not enacted an ordinance requiring an owner or buyer to obtain documentation of compliance, and if a state or local agency, or other government entity, or other qualified nonprofit entity, provides an inspection with docu- mentation for the jurisdiction in which the property is located, the buyer shall obtain documentation of compliance within one year of the date of the close of escrow. (c) Nothing in this section, including the existence of an agreement between a buyer and seller pursuant to subdivision (b), shall limit the ability of a state or local agency to enforce defensible space requirements pursuant to Section 51182 of the Govern- ment Code, Section 4291 of the Public Resources Code, or other applicable statutes, regulations, and local ordinances.
SECTION H102—CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE
Sections 51175, 51176, 51178 – 51179, and 51181.
51175. The Legislature hereby finds and declares as follows: (a) Wildfires are extremely costly, not only to property owners and residents, but also to local agencies. Wildfires pose a serious threat to the preservation of the public peace, health, or safety. The wildfire front is not the only source of risk since embers, or firebrands, travel far beyond the area impacted by the front and pose a risk of ignition to a structure or fuel on a site for a longer time. Since fires ignore civil boundaries, it is necessary that cities, counties, special districts, state agencies, and federal agencies work together to bring raging fires under control. Preventive measures are therefore needed to ensure the preserva- tion of the public peace, health, or safety. (b) The prevention of wildland fires is not a municipal affair, as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitu- tion, but is instead, a matter of statewide concern. 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.
CWUIC § 601.1 Medium relevance — show source text
Title 19, Division 1]|||||||||||||||||||||||| |Chapter / Section|||||||||||||||||||||||| |601.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |601.2|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |601.3|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |602.1 –602.3.2|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |603.1 –603.4.2.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |604.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |604.2 –604.4|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |606.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |606.3|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |607.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |610|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |611|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |612|||X|||||||||||||||||||||- 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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6 FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
User notes:
About this chapter: In addition to the building construction requirements in the California Building Code and California Residential Code, this chapter contains 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.
CWUIC § 101.3.1 Medium relevance — show source text
This code shall supplement the jurisdiction’s building and fire codes, if such codes have been adopted, to provide for special regulations to mitigate the fire- and life-safety hazards of the wildland-urban interface areas.
101.3.1 Application. New buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone or Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Area designated by the enforcing agency constructed after the application date shall comply with the provisions of this code. This shall include all new buildings with residential, commercial, educational, institutional or similar occupancy type use, which shall be referred to in this code as “applicable buildings,” as well as new buildings and structures accessory to those applicable buildings.
Exceptions: 1. Group U occupancy accessory buildings of any size located at least 50 feet (15 240 mm) from an applicable building on the same lot.
2. Group U occupancy agricultural buildings, as defined in Section 202 of the California Building Code of any size located at least 50 feet (15 240 mm) from an applicable building. 3. Group C occupancy special buildings conforming to the limitations specified in Section 450.4.1 of the California Building Code. 4. New accessory buildings and miscellaneous structures specified in Section 504.11 shall comply only with the requirements of that section.
5. Additions to and remodels of buildings originally constructed prior to July 1, 2008.
101.3.1.1 Application date and where required. New buildings for which an application for a building permit is submitted on or after July 1, 2008, located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone or Wildland-Urban Interface Area shall comply with this code, including all of the following areas:
All unincorporated lands designated by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection as State Responsibility Area (SRA) including:
Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Land designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by cities and other local agencies.
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ADMINISTRATION
Land designated as a wildland-urban interface area by cities and other local agencies.
Exceptions: 1. New buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone within a State Responsibility Area, for which an application for a building permit is submitted on or after January 1, 2008, shall comply with this code. 2. New buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone within a State Responsibility Area or any wildland-urban interface area designated by cities and other local agencies for which an application for a building permit is submit- ted on or after December 1, 2005, but prior to July 1, 2008, shall only comply with the following sections of this chapter: 2.1. Section 507 – Replacement or Repair of Roof Coverings.
2.2. Section 504.10 – Vents.
[A] 101.4 Retroactivity. The provisions of the code shall apply to conditions arising after the adoption thereof, conditions not legally in existence at the adoption of this code and conditions that, in the opinion of the code official, constitute a distinct hazard to life or property.
Exception: Provisions of this code that specifically apply to existing conditions are retroactive.
CWUIC § 1-2 Medium relevance — show source text
CHAPTER TOPICS Col2 CHAPTER SUBJECT 1-2 Administration and Definitions 3-4 Wildland-Urban Interface Area Designation and Requirements 5 Building Construction Regulations 6 Fire Protection Requirements 7 Referenced Standards Appendices A-I Adoptable and Informational Appendices Chapter 1 Scope and Administration.
Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.
Chapter 2 Definitions.
Chapter 2 is the repository of the definitions of terms used in the body of the code. The user of the code should be familiar with and consult this chapter because the definitions are essential to the correct interpretation of the code and because the user may not be aware that a term is defined.
Chapter 3 Wildland-Urban Interface Areas.
Chapter 3 provides for the fundamental aspect of applying the code—the legal declaration and establishment of wildland-urban interface areas within the adopting jurisdiction, mapping of the area, periodic review and updates.
Chapter 4 Wildland-Urban Interface Area Requirements.
The requirements of Chapter 4 apply to all occupancies in the wildland-urban interface and pertain to all of the following:
Fire service access to the property that is to be protected, including fire apparatus access roads and off-road driveways.
Premises identification.
Key boxes to provide ready access to properties secured by gated roadways or other impediments to rapid fire service access.
Fire protection water supplies, including adequate water sources, pumper apparatus drafting sites, fire hydrant systems and system reliability.
Fire department access to equipment such as fire suppression equipment and fire hydrants.
Chapter 5 Special Building Construction Regulations.
The regulations in Chapter 5 establish minimum standards for the location, design and construction of buildings and structures based on construction within a Fire Hazard Severity Zone or a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Area.
The construction provisions of Chapter 5 are intended to supplement the requirements of the California Building Code and Califor- nia Residential Code and address mitigation of the unique hazards posed to buildings by wildfire and to reduce the hazards of building fires spreading to wildland fuels. This is accomplished by requiring ignition-resistant construction materials.
Chapter 6 Fire Protection Requirements.
Chapter 6 contains additional requirements for development and construction in Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and areas designated by the State Fire Marshal as State Responsibility Areas (SRA). While many of these provisions are found in Title 14 and Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, they are replicated here for the code user. The local jurisdiction has the authority to apply the same regulations to LRA when the regulations are adopted by local ordinance.
The requirements in this chapter reference the process for adoption of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the LRA; criteria for evaluating existing subdivisions that are at significant fire risk and are without an adequate secondary egress; and criteria for fire safety provisions required in the Safety Element of a city or county General Plan.
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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.California Wildland-Urban Interface Code Medium 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 § 51178.5. Medium 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 § 1-3 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 § 1102.19. Medium relevance — show source text
The_ notice shall disclose which listed retrofits, if any, have been completed during the time that the seller has owned the property. (3) A list of the following features that may make the home vulnerable to wildfire and flying embers. The notice shall disclose which of the listed features, if any, that exist on the home of which the seller is aware: (A) Eave, soffit, and roof ventilation where the vents have openings in excess of one-eighth of an inch or are not flame and ember resistant.
(B) Roof coverings made of untreated wood shingles or shakes. (C) Combustible landscaping or other materials within five feet of the home and under the footprint of any attached deck. (D) Single pane or nontempered glass windows. (E) Loose or missing bird stopping or roof flashing. (F) Rain gutters without metal or noncombustible gutter covers. (4) If, pursuant to Section 51182 of the Government Code, a seller has obtained a final inspection report described in that section, the seller shall provide to the buyer a copy of that report or information on where a copy of the report may be obtained. (5) This section shall not be construed as a requirement, instruction, or consideration for present or future building code formula- tion, including, but not limited to, the Wildland-Urban Interface building standards (Chapter 7A (commencing with Section 701A.1) of Part 2 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations).
1102.19.
(a) On and after July 1, 2021, a seller of a real property subject to this article that is located in a high or very high fire hazard sever- ity zone, as identified by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code or Article 9 (commencing with Section 4201) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 4 of the Public Resources Code, shall provide to the buyer documentation stating that the property is in compliance with Section 4291 of the Public Resources Code or local vegeta- tion management ordinances, as follows: (1) In a local jurisdiction that has enacted an ordinance requiring an owner of real property to obtain documentation that the property is in compliance with Section 4291 of the Public Resources Code or a local vegetation management ordinance, the seller shall provide the buyer with a copy of the documentation that complies with the requirements of that local ordinance and information on the local agency from which a copy of that documentation may be obtained. (2) In a local jurisdiction that has not enacted an ordinance for an owner of real property to obtain documentation that a property is in compliance with Section 4291 of the Public Resources Code or a local vegetation management ordinance, and if a state or local agency, or other government entity, or other qualified nonprofit entity, provides an inspection with documentation for the jurisdiction in which the property is located, the seller shall provide the buyer with the documentation obtained in the six- month period preceding the date the seller enters into a transaction to sell that real property and provide information on the local agency from which a copy of that documentation may be obtained.
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APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
CWUIC § 11340.6 Medium 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
CWUIC § 1.2 Medium relevance — show source text
E103.1.2 Physical properties of the material. Physical properties, such as whether a material is a solid, liquid or gas at ordinary temperatures and pressures, considered along with chemical properties will determine requirements for containment of the material. Specific gravity (weight of a liquid compared to water) and vapor density (weight of a gas compared to air) are both physical properties that are important in evaluating the hazards of a material.
E103.1.3 Amount and concentration of the material. The amount of material present and its concentration must be considered along with physical and chemical properties to determine the magnitude of the hazard. Hydrogen peroxide, for example, is used as an antiseptic and a hair bleach in low concentrations (approximately 8 percent in water solution). Over 8 percent, hydrogen peroxide is classed as an oxidizer and is toxic. Above 90 percent, it is a Class 4 oxidizer “that can undergo an explosive reaction when catalyzed or exposed to heat, shock or friction,” a definition that, incidentally, places hydrogen peroxide over 90-percent concentration in the unstable (reactive) category. Small amounts at high concentrations could present a greater hazard than large amounts at low concentrations.
E103.1.3.1 Mixtures. Gases—toxic and highly toxic gases include those gases that have an LC 50 of 2,000 parts per million (ppm) or less when rats are exposed for a period of 1 hour or less. To maintain consistency with the definitions for these materials, exposure data for periods other than 1 hour must be normalized to 1 hour. To classify mixtures of compressed gases that contain one or more toxic or highly toxic components, the LC 50 of the mixture must be determined. Mixtures that contain only two components are binary mixtures. Those that contain more than two components are multicomponent mixtures. Where two or more hazardous substances (components) having an LC 50 below 2,000 ppm are present in a mixture, their combined effect, rather than that of the individual substance components, must be considered. The effects of the hazards present must be considered as additive, except where there is a good reason to believe that the principal effects of the different harmful substances (components) are not additive.
For binary mixtures where the hazardous component is diluted with a nontoxic gas such as an inert gas, the LC 50 of the mixture is estimated by use of the methodology contained in CGA P-20. The hazard zones specified in CGA P-20 are applicable for DOTn purposes and shall not be used for hazard classification.
E103.1.4 Actual use, activity or process involving the material. The definition of handling, storage and use in closed systems refers to materials in packages or containers. Dispensing and use in open containers or systems describes situations where a material is exposed to ambient conditions or vapors are liberated to the atmosphere. Dispensing and use in open systems, then, are generally more hazardous situations than handling, storage or use in closed systems. The actual use or process could include heating, electric or other sparks, catalytic or reactive materials and many other factors that could affect the hazard and must therefore be thoroughly analyzed.
E103.1.5 Surrounding conditions. Conditions such as other materials or processes in the area, type of construction of the structure, fire protection features (for example, fire walls, automatic sprinkler systems, alarms), occupancy (use) of adjoining areas, normal temperatures, exposure to weather, etc., must be taken into account in evaluating the hazard.
CWUIC § 5704.3.6.3 Medium relevance — show source text
Ordinary
temperature,
quick-response
sprinklers,
maximum 8
feet 3 inches
horizontal
spacing
2.
One line
sprinklers
above each
level of storage
3.
Locate in
longitudinal
flue space,
staggered
vertical
4.
Shields
required where
multiple-level|1.
Ordinary
temperature,
quick-response
sprinklers,
maximum 8
feet 3 inches
horizontal
spacing
2.
See 2 above
3.
See 3 above
4.
See 4 above|Not Applicable
None for maximum
6-foot-deep racks| |TABLE 5704.3.6.3(5)—AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR RACK STORAGE OF LIQUIDS IN
METAL CONTAINERS OF 5-GALLON CAPACITY OR LESS WITH OR WITHOUT CARTONS ON CONVENTIONAL WOOD PALLETSa|IN-RACK SPRINKLER ARRANGEMENT AND DEMAND|Maximum
spacing|Maximum
spacing|80 ft2/head|100 ft2/head|100 ft2/head| |TABLE 5704.3.6.3(5)—AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR RACK STORAGE OF LIQUIDS IN
METAL CONTAINERS OF 5-GALLON CAPACITY OR LESS WITH OR WITHOUT CARTONS ON CONVENTIONAL WOOD PALLETSa|CEILING SPRINKLER DESIGN AND
DEMAND|Area
(square feet)|Ordinary
temperature
sprinklers|5,000|Not
Applicable|Not
Applicable| |TABLE 5704.3.6.3(5)—AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR RACK STORAGE OF LIQUIDS IN
METAL CONTAINERS OF 5-GALLON CAPACITY OR LESS WITH OR WITHOUT CARTONS ON CONVENTIONAL WOOD PALLETSa|CEILING SPRINKLER DESIGN AND
DEMAND|Area
(square feet)|High-
temperature
sprinklers|3,000|2,000b|2,000d| |TABLE 5704.3.6.3(5)—AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR RACK STORAGE OF LIQUIDS IN
METAL CONTAINERS OF 5-GALLON CAPACITY OR LESS WITH OR WITHOUT CARTONS ON CONVENTIONAL WOOD PALLETSa|CEILING SPRINKLER DESIGN AND
DEMAND|Density
(gpm/ft2)|Density
(gpm/ft2)|0.40|0.55|0.55c| |**TABLE 5704.3.6.CWUIC § 2-3 Medium relevance — show source text
EXTERIOR WALL COVERING. A material or assembly of materials applied on the exterior side of exterior walls for the purpose of providing a weather-resisting barrier, insulation or for aesthetics, including but not limited to veneers, siding, exterior insulation and finish systems, rainscreen systems, architectural trim, and embellishments such as cornices, soffits, facias, gutters and leaders.
[F] FIRE CHIEF. The chief officer or the chief officer’s authorized representative of the fire department serving the jurisdiction.
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DEFINITIONS
FIRE CODE OFFICIAL. The fire chief or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the California Fire Code, or a duly authorized representative.
FIRE FLOW CALCULATION AREA. The floor area, in square feet (square meters), used to determine the adequate water supply.
FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES. Geographical areas designated pursuant to California Public Resources Codes, Sections 4201 through 4204 California Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189.
The map, approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, is hereby incorporated by reference and entitled “State Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones,” dated September 29, 2023.
FIRE PROTECTION PLAN. A document prepared for a specific project or development proposed for the wildland-urban interface area. It describes ways to minimize and mitigate potential for loss from wildfire exposure.
FIRE WEATHER. Weather conditions favorable to the ignition and rapid spread of fire. In wildfires, this generally includes high temperatures combined with strong winds and low humidity. See “Critical fire weather.”
FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED CONSTRUCTION. The use of materials and systems in the design and construction of a building or structure to safeguard against the spread of fire within a building or structure and the spread of fire to or from buildings or structures to the wildland-urban interface area.
FIRE-SMART VEGETATION. Plants, shrubs, trees and other vegetation that exhibit properties, such as high moisture content, little accu- mulation of dead vegetation and low sap or resin content, that make them less likely to ignite or contribute heat or spread flame in a fire than native vegetation typically found in the region.
( Note: The following sources contain examples of types of vegetation that can be considered as fire-smart vegetation: Fire-resistant Plants for Home Landscapes, A Pacific Northwest Extension publication; Home Landscaping for Fire, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Sunset Western Garden Book.)
[BG] FLAME SPREAD INDEX. A comparative measure, expressed as a dimensionless number, derived from visual measurements of the spread of flame versus time for a material tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL 723.
FUEL. Any combustible material, including petroleum-based products, cultivated landscape plants, grasses, weeds and wildland vegetation.
FUEL BREAK (applicable to CCR, Title 14 provisions only). A strategically located area where the volume and arrangement of vegetation has been managed to limit fire intensity, fire severity, rate of spread, crown fire potential and/or ember production. [CCR Title 14 §1270.01(n)]
CWUIC § 2.1 Medium relevance — show source text
BUILDING PLANNING
loads determined in accordance with either Table R301.2.1(1) or ASCE 7, with the permanent corrosion-resistant attachment hardware provided and anchors permanently installed on the building. Attachment in accordance with Table R301.2.1.2 is permitted for buildings with a mean roof height of 45 feet (13 716 mm) or less where the ultimate design wind speed, V ult , is 180 mph (290 kph) or less.
TABLE R301.2.1.2—WINDBORNE DEBRIS PROTECTION FASTENING SCHEDULE FOR WOOD STRUCTURAL PANELSa, b, c, d Col2 Col3 Col4 ** FASTENER TYPE** ** FASTENER SPACING (inches)a, b** ** FASTENER SPACING (inches)a, b** ** FASTENER SPACING (inches)a, b** ** FASTENER TYPE** ** Panel span ≤ 4 feet** ** 4 feet < panel span ≤ 6 feet** ** 6 feet < panel span ≤ 8 feet** No. 8 wood-screw-based anchor with 2-inch
embedment length16 10 8 No. 10 wood-screw-based anchor with 2-inch
embedment length16 12 9 1/4-inch lag-screw-based anchor with 2-inch
embedment length16 16 16 For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound-force = 4.448 N, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s, 1 pound = 0.45 kg.
a. This table is based on 180 mph ultimate design wind speeds,Vult, and a 45-foot mean roof height.
b. Fasteners shall be installed at opposing ends of the wood structural panel. Fasteners shall be located not less than 1 inch from the edge of the panel.
c. Anchors shall penetrate through the exterior wall covering with an embedment length of not less than 2 inches into the building frame. Fasteners shall be located not less
than 21/2 inches from the edge of concrete block or concrete.
d. Panels attached to masonry or masonry/stucco shall be attached using vibration-resistant anchors having an ultimate withdrawal capacity of not less than 1,500 pounds.For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound-force = 4.448 N, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s, 1 pound = 0.45 kg.
a. This table is based on 180 mph ultimate design wind speeds,Vult, and a 45-foot mean roof height.
b. Fasteners shall be installed at opposing ends of the wood structural panel. Fasteners shall be located not less than 1 inch from the edge of the panel.
c. Anchors shall penetrate through the exterior wall covering with an embedment length of not less than 2 inches into the building frame. Fasteners shall be located not less
than 21/2 inches from the edge of concrete block or concrete.
d.
Frequently asked questions
Who must give the disclosure required by § 1102.6f?
The seller of a home that is located in a high or very high fire hazard severity zone and that was built before January 1, 2010 must give the § 1102.6f disclosure notice. § 1102.6f
Does § 1102.6f force sellers to retrofit the home?
No. § 1102.6f requires informational disclosure only and explicitly says it shall not be construed as a building‑code requirement or instruction to mandate retrofits. § 1102.6f(5)
When must the low‑cost retrofit list be included?
The State‑developed list of low‑cost retrofits is required in the disclosure on or after July 1, 2025; sellers must also say which of those listed retrofits, if any, were completed during their ownership. § 1102.6f(2)
What if the local government already requires vegetation compliance documentation?
If a local ordinance requires owners to obtain documentation of compliance with PRC § 4291 (or a local vegetation ordinance), the seller must provide that documentation to the buyer per § 1102.19(1). § 1102.19(1)
If the seller doesn’t provide defensible‑space documentation, who must obtain it?
If documentation is not provided and the jurisdiction has no local ordinance requiring owner documentation, the buyer must obtain documentation of compliance within one year after the close of escrow (subject to the details in § 1102.19). § 1102.19(2)
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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How does the CWUIC reference PRC 4290/4291 and Government Code 51177 for SRA and VHFSZ applicability?
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Statutory cross‑references (PRC, Govt Code, HSC, Civil Code) and consumer disclosures
California Wildland-Urban Interface Code