CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
Which statutes and references underlie CWUIC mapping?
The CWUIC requires the State Fire Marshal to map Fire Hazard Severity Zones using the statutory procedures in Public Resources Code §§ 4201–4204 for State Responsibility Areas and Government Code §§ 51175–51189 for Local Responsibility Areas; maps must reflect fuel loading, slope, fire weather, winds and other relevant factors and be reviewed at least every five years.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — 2-4 sentences
The California Wildland‑Urban Interface Code requires the State Fire Marshal to classify lands into Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The mapping of those zones must be done “in accordance with California Public Resources Code, Sections 4201 through 4204 for State Responsibility Areas and in accordance with Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189 for Local Responsibility Areas” — the controlling rule is § 302.1.
The State Fire Marshal maps Fire Hazard Severity Zones using the statutory procedures in PRC §§ 4201–4204 for SRAs and Gov. Code §§ 51175–51189 for LRAs; maps must reflect fuel, slope, weather, winds and other relevant factors.
Requirements in detail
Core legal authorities and who maps what
- Statutory authorities: mapping for State Responsibility Areas (SRA) follows PRC §§ 4201–4204; mapping for Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) follows Gov. Code §§ 51175–51189. § 302.1 cites those two statutory blocks as the required bases for CWUIC mapping.
- Lead agency: the State Fire Marshal is the entity charged with classifying and designating the zones under § 302.1.
- Classification basis: the classification must “embrace relatively homogeneous lands” and be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather and other relevant factors (explicitly including areas where winds identified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal are a major cause of wildfire spread, and other areas designated by the enforcing agency). § 302.1 lists these decision factors.
Decision‑relevant dimensions (quick lookup)
| Decision dimension | Typical values / notes | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdictional context | State Responsibility Area (SRA) or Local Responsibility Area (LRA) | § 302.1. |
| Governing statute | PRC §§ 4201–4204 (SRA); Gov. Code §§ 51175–51189 (LRA) | § 302.1. |
| Lead mapping authority | State Fire Marshal (designation and assignment of zones) | § 302.1. |
| Classification factors | Fuel loading, slope, fire weather, winds identified by OSFM, other enforcing‑agency designations | § 302.1. |
| Map review cadence | 5‑year periodic review (or more frequently if local legislative body deems necessary) | § 302.2. |
| Supporting references in CWUIC | Appendix H reprints portions of California statutes and regulations for user convenience (informational) | Appendix H (see CWUIC appendices). |
How the statute references appear in the CWUIC
- § 302.1 explicitly states the PRC and Government Code sections that must be used for SRA and LRA mapping respectively; the CWUIC also includes Appendix H which reprints portions of those California statutes and regulations for user convenience (informational, not a substitute for the statute).
Exceptions & special cases
- The CWUIC language allows the enforcing agency to designate other areas “to be at a significant risk from wildfires”; that means local or enforcing agencies may identify additional locations for zone consideration beyond the statutory baselines. § 302.1 contains that allowance.
- The CWUIC reprints some Title 14 or Title 19 CCR text in Appendix H for convenience, but those reprinted CCR provisions may not be adopted by the State Fire Marshal in the same manner — Appendix notes explain which CCR text is reprinted versus adopted. Do not assume Appendix text changes statutory mapping obligations.
Common mistakes
- Treating CWUIC maps as purely local decisions: the State Fire Marshal is the designated mapping authority under § 302.1; local agencies can recommend or designate additional areas but the statutory mapping framework is explicit.
- Confusing which statute applies by ownership/jurisdiction: use PRC §§ 4201–4204 for SRAs and Gov. Code §§ 51175–51189 for LRAs as the starting legal authority — the CWUIC explicitly ties each jurisdiction type to those statutes.
- Ignoring the listed factors: maps must be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, winds and “other relevant factors.” Relying only on one criterion (for example slope alone) is insufficient under § 302.1.
- Assuming maps are permanent: § 302.2 requires periodic review on a 5‑year cycle (or sooner) — maps should be checked against changing conditions and updated accordingly.
Worked example — concrete scenario
Scenario: A county submits candidate maps for a mixed area that includes parcels on steep chaparral‑covered hills and flatter grazing lands.
- Determine responsibility: for parcels inside a State Responsibility Area, the map must follow PRC §§ 4201–4204; for parcels inside Local Responsibility Areas, mapping must follow Gov. Code §§ 51175–51189. Use § 302.1 as the CWUIC directive to follow those statutes.
- Apply classification factors to a sample parcel (illustrative only): Parcel A—20 acres, dense chaparral, slope 30%, documented frequent high winds by OSFM. Under § 302.1 the State Fire Marshal would consider fuel loading, slope, fire weather and wind exposure in assigning a Fire Hazard Severity Zone; given the factors listed, Parcel A would be placed into a higher hazard severity zone by the mapping authority. (Exact numeric cutoffs or the label assigned—e.g., “High” vs “Very High”—are determined by the statutory mapping methodology in the PRC/Gov. Code and OSFM procedures; the CWUIC points to those statutes rather than restating their numeric thresholds.)
- Review timing: the county should expect the designation to be reviewed at least every 5 years under § 302.2, so maps and parcel classifications should be revisited within that cadence.
Note: this worked example uses illustrative values for slope and fuels. For the specific computational methods and thresholds you must consult the statutory text and OSFM mapping procedures referenced in § 302.1 (PRC and Gov. Code citations) and any technical guidance the State Fire Marshal publishes.
Related provisions
- § 302.2 — Review of wildland‑urban interface areas (5‑year review cadence).
- § 301.1 — Scope (ties Chapter 3 mapping methodology to PRC and Gov. Code).
- § 301.2 — Purpose (why wildland‑urban interface areas are classified).
- Appendix H — Reprinted California statutes and regulations for user convenience (informational background and statutory excerpts).
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CWUIC § 302.1 High relevance — show source text
2|Purpose|Y|||||||51176|4201| |302|Wildland-Urban
Interface Area
Designations|Y||||||||| |302.1|Mapping|Y|||4904.2||||51178|4202
4203(a)
4204| |302.2|Review of wildland-
urban interface areas|Y|||||||51181|4204| |Chapter 4|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements| |401|General|Y||||||||| |401.1|Scope|Y||||||||| |401.2|Objective|Y||||1273.00||||| |401.3|General safety
precautions|Y||||||||| |402|Applicability|Y|||||||||APPENDIX H-26 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
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APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
2025 CWUIC—continued Col2 Adopted
Yes/NoIWUIC
SectionCBC
SectionCFC
SectionTitle 14,
Division 1.5
SectionTitle 19,
Division 1
SectionGov Code
SectionPRC
SectionHSC
SectionSection Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Chapter 4 Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements 402.1 Subdivisions Y 402.1.1 Access Y 503 402.1.2 Water supply Y 507 402.1.2.1 Parcel map approval Y 1275.01 402.2 Individual structures Y 503
507402.2.1 Access Y 503 402.2.2 Water supply Y 507 402.3 Existing conditions N 505.1 403 Access Y 1273 403.1 General Y 1273.00 403.1.1 Section 403 definitions Y 1270.01(f) 403.1.2 Width Y 1273.01(a)
1273.CWUIC § 302.1 High relevance — show source text
SECTION 302—WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA DESIGNATIONS
302.1 Mapping . The State Fire Marshal shall classify lands into Fire Hazard Severity Zones in accordance with California Public Resources Code, Sections 4201 through 4204 for State Responsibility Areas and in accordance with Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189 for Local Responsibility Areas. The State Fire Marshal shall designate areas in the state as fire hazard severity zones and assign each zone based on the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in those areas. Each fire hazard severity zone shall embrace relatively homogeneous lands, and the classification shall be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather and other relevant factors including areas where winds have been identified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as a major cause of wildfire spread and other areas designated by the enforcing agency to be at a significant risk from wildfires.
302.2 Review of wildland-urban interface areas. The code official shall reevaluate and recommend modification to the wildlandurban interface areas in accordance with Section 302.1 on a 5-year basis or more frequently as deemed necessary by the legislative body. The State Fire Marshal shall periodically review the areas in the state identified as fire hazard severity zones and, as necessary, shall make recommendations relative to fire hazard severity zones. This review shall coincide with the review of state responsibility area lands every five years and, when possible, fall within the time frames for the county’s general plan update.
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CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE
CHAPTER 4 – WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS
(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)
CWUIC § 1.5 High relevance — show source text
The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Division 1.5 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are not listed in the Matrix Adoption Tables as they are not within the State Fire Marshal’s authority to adopt. These provisions are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 14, Division 1.5 text for the code user’s convenience only and are identified in the body of the code by square brackets containing references to applicable Title 14 sections.
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3 WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREAS
User notes:
About this chapter: Chapter 3 provides for the fundamental aspect of applying the code—the legal declaration and establishment of wildlandurban interface areas within the adopting jurisdiction, mapping of the area, periodic review and updates.
SECTION 301—GENERAL
301.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter provide methodology to establish and record wildland-urban interface areas in accor- dance with California Public Resources Code (PRC) and California Government Code (GC).
301.2 Purpose . The purpose of this chapter is to classify lands in the state in accordance with the level of fire hazard present for the purpose of identifying measures that will retard the rate of spread and reduce the potential intensity of uncontrolled fires that threaten to destroy resources, life or property, and to require that those measures be taken.
SECTION 302—WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA DESIGNATIONS
302.1 Mapping . The State Fire Marshal shall classify lands into Fire Hazard Severity Zones in accordance with California Public Resources Code, Sections 4201 through 4204 for State Responsibility Areas and in accordance with Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189 for Local Responsibility Areas. The State Fire Marshal shall designate areas in the state as fire hazard severity zones and assign each zone based on the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in those areas. Each fire hazard severity zone shall embrace relatively homogeneous lands, and the classification shall be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather and other relevant factors including areas where winds have been identified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as a major cause of wildfire spread and other areas designated by the enforcing agency to be at a significant risk from wildfires.
302.2 Review of wildland-urban interface areas. The code official shall reevaluate and recommend modification to the wildlandurban interface areas in accordance with Section 302.1 on a 5-year basis or more frequently as deemed necessary by the legislative body. The State Fire Marshal shall periodically review the areas in the state identified as fire hazard severity zones and, as necessary, shall make recommendations relative to fire hazard severity zones. This review shall coincide with the review of state responsibility area lands every five years and, when possible, fall within the time frames for the county’s general plan update.
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CWUIC § 603.4.2 High relevance — show source text
Trees 603.4.2
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INDEX
Undeveloped Ridgeline 202 Unenclosed Accessory Structure 202
Vegetation Control Appendix A, A102 Vegetation management compliance 106.4 Vegetation Management Plan Appendix B Vents 504.10
Vertical Curve 202
Water Supply Adequate water supply 404.5 Applicability 402 Draft sites 404.3 Hydrants 404.4 Identification 404.8
Obstructions 404.7 Reliability 404.10 Required water supply 404.2 Subdivisions 402.1 Testing and maintenance 404.9 Water sources 404.2
Wildfire 202
Wildland 202
Wildland-Urban Interface Area 202
Wildland-Urban Interface Area Designations 302 Declaration 302.1
Mapping 302.2 Review 302.3
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HISTORY NOTE APPENDIX
2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 7
HISTORY:
- (SFM 08/24)—Adoption by reference of the 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code with necessary amendments relocated from the California Building Code, California Residential Code and California Fire Code to become the 2025 Califor- nia Wildland-Urban Interface Code . Approved by the California Building Standards Commission on February 26, 2025, filed with Secretary of State on March 7, 2025, and effective on January 1, 2026.
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CWUIC § 1-3 High 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 § 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|||||||||APPENDIX H-26 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
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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 § 1.7 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)||||| ||||||||||||2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX H-27
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APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
2025 CWUIC—continued Col2 Adopted
Yes/NoIWUIC
SectionCBC
SectionCFC
SectionTitle 14,
Division 1.5
SectionTitle 19,
Division 1
SectionGov Code
SectionPRC
SectionHSC
SectionSection Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Chapter 4 Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements 403.2.5 Address installation,
location, and visibilityY 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 § 65852.2 Medium relevance — show source text
47
New Government Code Sections Previous Government Code Sections Col2 6631965852.2 (a)(10)6632065852.2 (b)6632165852.2 (c)6632265852.2 (d)6632365852.2 (e)6632465852.2 (f)6632565852.2 (g)6632665852.2 (h)6632765852.2 (i)6632865852.2 (k)6632965852.2 (l)6633065852.2 (m)6633165852.2 (n)6633265852.23.**Article 3. Junior Accessory Dwelling Units ****Article 3. Junior Accessory Dwelling Units **6633365852.22 (a)6633465852.22 (b)6633565852.22 (c)6633665852.22 (d)6633765852.22 (e)6633865852.22 (f)-(g)6633965852.22 (h)**Article 4. Accessory Dwelling Unit Sales ****Article 4. Accessory Dwelling Unit Sales **6634065852.26 (b)6634165852.26 (a)6634265852.2 (a)(10)Note: The statutory references below have been adjusted to the new numbering described above.
AB 976 and AB 1033
AB 976 (Chapter 751, Statutes of 2023) and AB 1033 (Chapter 1033, Statutes of 2023) made changes to State ADU Law (Gov. Code, §§ 66310-66342) regarding the occupancy, sale, and separate conveyance of ADUs and went into effect on January 1, 2024. These bills:
Removed the existing 2025 sunset prohibition on a local agency imposing an owner occupancy requirement on any ADU and would instead prohibit a local agency from requiring owner-occupancy for an ADU (Gov. Code, § 66315).
CWUIC § 104.2.2.7 Medium relevance — show source text
Outbuilding 202
Peer Review 104.2.2.7, 202 Permits
Application 105.4 Approval 105.5 Expiration 105.8 Issuance 105.6 Preliminary inspection 105.4.1 Refusal to issue 105.6.1
Required 105.2 Retention 105.9
Revocation 105.10 Validity 105.7 Work exempt from permit 105.3 Placarding as Unsafe 109.3.5.3 Powers and Duties of the Code
Official 104.1
Practical Difficulties 104.2.3 Protection of Pumps and Water Storage Facilities Appendix A, A107
Rafter Tail 202 Referenced Standards 102.4, Chapter 7 Registered Design Professional 104.2.1.2, 104.2.2.6.2, 106.1, 202 Residential Unit 202 Retroactivity 101.4 Ridgelline 202 Road 202 Roof Covering 202 Roof Covering System 202 Roof Coverings, Replacement or Repair of 507
Roof Deck 202
Scope 101 Self-Defense Mechanism Appendix G Service Utilities 111
Slope 202 Spark Arrestors 605 Stop Work Order 113 Storage of Firewood and Combustible Materials 607 Strategic Ridgeline 202 Structure 202
Subdivision 202
Technical Assistance 104.2.1 Temporary Uses, Equipment and Systems 107 Tree Crown 202
Trees 603.4.2
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INDEX
Undeveloped Ridgeline 202 Unenclosed Accessory Structure 202
Vegetation Control Appendix A, A102 Vegetation management compliance 106.4 Vegetation Management Plan Appendix B Vents 504.10
Vertical Curve 202
Water Supply Adequate water supply 404.5 Applicability 402 Draft sites 404.3 Hydrants 404.4 Identification 404.8
Obstructions 404.7 Reliability 404.10 Required water supply 404.2 Subdivisions 402.1 Testing and maintenance 404.9 Water sources 404.2
Wildfire 202
Wildland 202
Wildland-Urban Interface Area 202
Wildland-Urban Interface Area Designations 302 Declaration 302.1
Mapping 302.2 Review 302.3
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HISTORY NOTE APPENDIX
2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 7
HISTORY:
CWUIC § 1-3 Medium relevance — show source text
Appendix C contains a preliminary Community WUI Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework as a suggested methodology to begin to support communities at risk in the identification of their unique hazards and to provide common metrics for comparisons between communities. This preliminary framework includes information on community size, population and fuels; on notification and evacuation; and on the community infrastructure and firefighting response potential. Aspects of this framework may already be included in various community- level documents, such as Community Wildfire Protection Plans or evacuation plans. Development of a standard framework will (1) consolidate relevant WUI fire hazard and planning information in one place, and (2) allow for cross-community comparisons.
The evaluation required to implement this framework will support prefire hazard assessment and during-fire response operations. An increased understanding of fire evacuation, fire structural response and fire defensive action relationships is needed to assess the over- all community WUI fire hazard. The quantification of these relationships will enable communities to optimize the community-level response to WUI fire hazards in a more integrated approach and result in increased life safety and reduced losses.
Appendix D Model Ordinance for Fire Hazard Severity Zone Adoption.
Appendix D is an informational appendix that is a sample ordinance designed as guidance for a city, county, city and county, or fire district to establish and designate fire hazard severity zones within their jurisdiction.
Appendix E Reserved.
Appendix F Characteristics of Fire-Smart Vegetation.
Appendix F is an informational appendix provided for the convenience of the code user. It is simply a compilation of the eight characteristics of fire-smart vegetation that can be used effectively within wildland-urban interface areas to reduce the likelihood of fire spread through vegetation.
Appendix G Voluntary Home-Hardening Recommendations.
Appendix G is an informational appendix that provides discussion of some elements of the proposed self-defense mechanisms and their role in enhancing the protection of exposed structures in the wildland-urban interface. The items provided in this appendix provide owners with suggestions for increasing the survivability of their structure. These items are not mandatory but can be considered by owners to increase the safety of structures.
Appendix H Referenced California Documents.
Appendix H contains portions of California statutes and regulations located in other documents. They are reprinted in Appendix H to aid the user in understanding the requirements applicable to wildland-urban interface areas and to provide a background for the provi- sions. Much of the text in the CWUIC is based on the requirements found in these other documents.
Appendix I Board of Appeals.
Appendix I contains the provisions for appeal and the establishment of a board of appeals. The provisions include the application for an appeal, the makeup of the board of appeals and the conduct of the appeal process.
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
DIVISION I CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATION
1.1 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
CWUIC § 1.11. Medium relevance — show source text
- The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.
The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Division 1.5 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are not listed in the Matrix Adoption Tables as they are not within the State Fire Marshal’s authority to adopt. These provisions are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 14, Division 1.5 text for the code user’s convenience only and are identified in the body of the code by square brackets containing references to applicable Title 14 sections.
2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX H-1
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APPENDIX H-2 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
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
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
2025 CWUIC—continued Col2 Adopted
Yes/NoIWUIC
SectionCBC
SectionCFC
SectionTitle 14,
Division 1.5
SectionTitle 19,
Division 1
SectionGov Code
SectionPRC
SectionHSC
SectionSection Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Chapter 2 Definitions Definitions Definitions Definitions Definitions Definitions Definitions Definitions Definitions Definitions Multilayered glazed
panelsY Noncombustible roof
coveringY Outbuilding (T14) Y 1299.02(c) Peer review Y Rafter tail Y 702A Registered design
professionalY Residential unit (T14) Y 1270.01(w) Ridgeline
(topography) (T14)Y 1270.01(x) Road (T14) Y 1270.01(y) Roof assembly Y Roof covering Y Roof covering system Y Roof deck Y Roof eave Y 702A Roof eave soffit Y 702A Slope Y State Responsibility
Area (SRA)Y 702A 4902.1 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 structureY Vertical curve (T14) Y 1270.01(k) Wildfire Y 702A 4902.1 Wildfire exposure Y 702A 4902.1 Wildland Y Wildland-urban inter-
face areaY 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.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for creating CWUIC fire hazard maps?
The State Fire Marshal is the mapping authority directed by § 302.1; maps must be produced in accordance with the PRC and Government Code statutory blocks cited in that section.
Which statutes control mapping for State vs Local Responsibility Areas?
Mapping for State Responsibility Areas follows PRC §§ 4201–4204; mapping for Local Responsibility Areas follows Gov. Code §§ 51175–51189, as called out in § 302.1.
How often must maps be reviewed or updated?
Maps shall be reevaluated and modifications recommended on a 5‑year basis (or sooner if the legislative body deems necessary) under § 302.2.
Can a local agency add areas not listed by the State Fire Marshal?
Yes — § 302.1 expressly allows designation based on “other areas designated by the enforcing agency” where there is significant wildfire risk; local designations should still be consistent with the statutory mapping framework.
Where can I find the statutory text referenced by the CWUIC?
Appendix H of the CWUIC reprints portions of the California statutes and regulations for convenience, but you should consult the official PRC and Government Code texts (PRC §§ 4201–4204; Gov. Code §§ 51175–51189) and OSFM guidance for definitive legal and technical detail.
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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