CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
How does WUI mapping affect permits, subdivisions and building applications?
If your property is inside a mapped WUI (per §302.1) the CWUIC’s subdivision and building rules apply: expect additional plan submittals (fire protection plan, vegetation management), water‑supply and access upgrades for subdivisions, and possible conditioning of parcel‑map or permit approvals under §402.1. Confirm mapping early and include WUI documents with your permit or map submittal.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — 2–4 sentences
A jurisdiction’s WUI mapping identifies parcels as being inside the Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI); once a site lies inside a mapped WUI area the CWUIC’s Chapter 4 requirements become applicable to permits, subdivision approvals and building applications. The mapping authority and the mapping declaration are specified at §302.1. The applicability to subdivisions (special access, water-supply and parcel‑map conditions) is established at §402.1.
If your lot is inside a mapped WUI area (per §302.1) expect additional submittal requirements and design conditions for permits and subdivisions (per §402.1) — mapping is the trigger that makes Chapter 4 apply.
Requirements in detail
1) Mapping: what being “mapped” means and the legal effect
- Mapping is the formal designation that identifies which areas are subject to the WUI provisions; the mapping authority, process and the fact that mapping triggers the Chapter 4 requirements are addressed in §302.1.
- Practically: if a parcel is inside a mapped WUI area, the code official applies the WUI-specific requirements during plan review, permit issuance and subdivision approvals. The code also contemplates a periodic review of WUI designations (see related provisions).
2) Permits and plan submittals — what changes at application time
- The CWUIC’s administration (applications and permits) remains governed by the permit and application sections (e.g., §104.3, §105 and §106) but when a proposal is inside a WUI the code official may require additional documents such as a Fire Protection Plan or Vegetation Management documentation at plan check.
- The code authorizes the code official to require a Fire Protection Plan prepared by a qualified professional; this is described in §602.1 (Chapter 6), and is commonly required during permit review for WUI projects.
3) Subdivisions — special applicability and required features
- §402.1 makes the WUI requirements applicable to subdivisions and breaks out subdivision‑specific obligations such as Access and Water supply; see §402.1.1 (Access), §402.1.2 (Water supply) and §402.1.2.1 (Parcel‑map approval). These items are treated as conditions that must be met for subdivision approval in mapped WUI areas.
- Subdivision plan review in WUI areas will therefore evaluate fire‑service access, off‑site or on‑site water supply adequacy, and may condition parcel‑map approval on meeting those provisions. The code ties subdivision water requirements to the water‑supply provisions in Chapter 4 (see §404.2 et seq.).
Decision‑relevant dimensions and how they affect the application:
| Decision dimension | Typical values / triggers | Effect on permit/subdivision application | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is lot in a mapped WUI area? | Yes / No | If Yes: Chapter 4 requirements apply and extra WUI submittals are required. | §302.1 |
| Project type | Subdivision / Individual structure | Subdivision → check §402.1 (access, water, parcel map conditions). Individual structures → see §402.2 for applicability. | §402.1, §402.2 |
| Access requirements | Presence of new roads, secondary egress needs | Access design/detail must meet WUI access rules and referenced access standards (see §402.1.1 and referenced CBC/CFC sections). | §402.1.1 |
| Water supply | New subdivision / required fire flow or hydrants | Subdivision approvals must demonstrate required water supply per Chapter 4 water rules (see §402.1.2 and §404.2). | §402.1.2, §404.2 |
| Parcel‑map approval | Any parcel map in mapped WUI | Code may condition parcel‑map approval on WUI compliance items (see §402.1.2.1). | §402.1.2.1 |
| Required plans/documentation | Fire Protection Plan, Vegetation Management Plan, construction documents | These are required at plan check and permit application under §§105 and 106; code official may require preliminary and final fire protection plans. | §105, §106, §602.1 |
4) How plan review changes
- Expect plan reviewers to: (1) confirm the parcel lies inside the mapped WUI; (2) require supporting documents (fire protection plan, vegetation management compliance and specific water/access drawings); and (3) hold final approvals or parcel‑map signatures until WUI conditions are satisfied. The administrative sections on permits, applications and plan retention remain applicable (see §104.3, §105, §106).
Exceptions & special cases
- The CWUIC includes provisions for review of WUI designations (the code contemplates mapping reviews and updates) so a mapping boundary can change through the formal review process; see §302.2 for review procedures. (Full operative text of §302.2 was not retrieved in the excerpts available here; check the printed code for details.)
- Existing developments and previously approved subdivisions may be treated differently; the code has an Existing conditions entry (§402.3) that can modify how requirements apply to existing development — the available preview shows the heading but the complete text for §402.3 was not in the returned excerpts. Consult the full code text for retroactivity and grandfathering language.
- Some WUI obligations (for example, precise fire‑flow quantities, hydrant spacing, and the numeric thresholds for access width or secondary egress) are in other referenced sections of Chapter 4 (e.g., §404.2, §403) or in referenced codes (CBC/CFC). Those numeric specifics were not fully included in the retrieved snippets here — you should pull the full CWUIC text for those exact thresholds.
Common mistakes
- Treating the WUI map as advisory rather than mandatory — once a parcel is mapped, Chapter 4 requirements are applied during permit/subdivision review. Always confirm mapping status early in pre‑application. §302.1
- Submitting a parcel map or building permit without the required WUI documentation (fire protection plan, vegetative control plan or water supply documentation). The code official can require these at plan check under §602.1, §106 and permit sections §104–§106.
- Assuming “existing” roads/water are automatically acceptable — subdivision approval in WUI may require upgrades or mitigation as a condition of approval (see §402.1).
Worked example — step‑by‑step scenario
Scenario: You’re the developer of an 8‑lot subdivision on a 4.2‑acre parcel that is inside your jurisdiction’s mapped WUI.
- Confirm mapping: Verify the parcel is inside the mapped WUI per §302.1 — this triggers Chapter 4 applicability.
- Pre‑application: Prepare to submit required documentation at parcel‑map and tentative‑map stage: expect to include a Fire Protection Plan and Vegetation Management/Defensible Space plan as part of the construction documents because the code official is authorized to request these for WUI projects. See §602.1, §106.
- Access evaluation: Under §402.1.1 and the referenced access standards, the reviewing authority will evaluate the site’s vehicular access and may require improvements (e.g., upgraded roadway surface, turnarounds or a secondary egress) before final parcel‑map approval. The exact geometric and width thresholds are set in the access sections and referenced CBC/CFC standards — consult §403 and referenced standards for numeric criteria.
- Water supply: Under §402.1.2 the subdivision must demonstrate the required water supply for fire protection (hydrants or on‑site storage) per Chapter 4 water provisions (see §404.2). If the municipal water system cannot deliver the required flows, the code official may require on‑site storage or system upgrades as a condition of map approval. The specific flow/volume numbers are in §404.2 and the water‑supply chapter — check the full text for exact gallons/minute or storage‑volume thresholds.
- Permits and final map: Do not file for building permits on individual lots until parcel‑map and the required WUI conditions (access/water/approved fire protection measures) are satisfied; parcel‑map approval may be conditioned per §402.1.2.1.
Note: the example uses an 8‑lot numeric scenario to show workflow. The CWUIC excerpts retrieved here identify the controlling sections (mapping §302.1 and subdivision applicability §402.1) and the related plan/permit sections, but the full numeric thresholds for access widths, fire‑flow, hydrant spacing and storage volumes are located in the referenced sections of Chapter 4 and in the CBC/CFC references; those numeric values were not fully contained in the preview snippets returned for this search and must be checked directly in the CWUIC full text.
Related provisions
- §302.1 — Mapping (WUI designations).
- §302.2 — Review of wildland‑urban interface areas (mapping review).
- §402.1 — Subdivisions (applicability, access and water references).
- §402.2 — Individual structures (applicability for single projects).
- §402.3 — Existing conditions (treated separately).
- §403 — Access (detailed access requirements referenced by §402.1.1).
- §404.2 — Required water supply (referenced by §402.1.2).
- §602.1 — Fire Protection Plans (authority to require plans).
- §104.3, §105, §106 — Applications, Permits and Construction Documents (administration and submittal expectations).
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CWUIC § 302.1 Medium relevance — show source text
2|Purpose|Y|||||||51176|4201| |302|Wildland-Urban
Interface Area
Designations|Y||||||||| |302.1|Mapping|Y|||4904.2||||51178|4202
4203(a)
4204| |302.2|Review of wildland-
urban interface areas|Y|||||||51181|4204| |Chapter 4|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements| |401|General|Y||||||||| |401.1|Scope|Y||||||||| |401.2|Objective|Y||||1273.00||||| |401.3|General safety
precautions|Y||||||||| |402|Applicability|Y|||||||||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 § 4.1 Medium relevance — show source text
4|Combustible
materials|N||||||||| |A105.4.1|Individual piles|N||||||||| |A105.4.2|Separation|N||||||||| |A106|Dumping|N||||||||| |A106.1|Waste material|N||||||||| |A106.2|Ashes and coals|N||||||||| |A107|Protection of pumps
and water storage
facilities|N||||||||| |A107.1|General|N||||||||| |A107.2|Objective|N||||||||| |A107.3|Fuel modification
area|N||||||||| |A107.4|Trees|N||||||||| |A107.5|Protection of electri-
cal power supplies|N||||||||| |A108|Land use limitations|N||||||||| |A108.1|General|N||||||||| |A108.2|Objective|N||||||||| |A108.3|Permits|N||||||||| |A108.4|Access roadways|N||||||||| |A109|Referenced standards|N||||||||| |A109.1|General|N|||||||||APPENDIX H-34 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 Appendix B Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan B101 General N B101.1 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) CWUIC § 6-1 Medium relevance — show source text
2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE 6-1
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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.
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. These strategies are included in the following requirements:
1. Development of fire protection plans.
2. Development of landscape plans and long-term vegetation management.
3. Creation and maintenance of defensible space to protect structures and subdivisions.
SECTION 601—GENERAL
601.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter establish general requirements for new and existing buildings, structures and premises located within wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas .
601.2 Objective. The objective of this chapter is to establish minimum requirements to mitigate conditions that might cause a fire originating in a structure to ignite vegetation in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) area, and conversely, a wildfire burning in vegetative fuels to transmit fire to buildings and threaten to destroy life, overwhelm fire suppression capabilities or result in large property losses.
601.3 Chapter 6 definitions. Where used in this chapter, the term listed below shall be defined as follows:
DEFENSIBLE SPACE. The buffer that landowners are required to create on their property between a “Building or Structure” and the plants, brush and trees or other items surrounding the “Building or Structure” that could ignite in the event of a fire. [CCR Title 14 §1299.02(a)]
SECTION 602— FIRE PROTECTION PLANS
602.1 General. The code official is authorized to require the owner or owner’s authorized agent to provide a fire protection plan. The fire protection plan shall be prepared to determine the acceptability of fire protection and life safety measures designed to mitigate wildfire hazards presented for the property under consideration.
The fire protection plan shall be prepared by a registered design professional, qualified landscape architect, qualified fire safety specialist or similar specialist acceptable to the code official and shall analyze the wildfire risk of the building, project, premises or region to recommend necessary changes.
The code official is authorized to require a preliminary fire protection plan prior to the submission of a final fire protection plan.
CWUIC § 100.0 Medium relevance — show source text
2025 CWUIC WUI Code
Converted from PDF using pymupdf4llm Source: 2025 CWUIC WUI Code.pdf Text ratio: 100.0% Conversion date: 2025-10-05 02:21:57
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2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
COPYRIGHT 2025
by INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, INC.
DSAAC 445-5827 DSAaccess@dgs.ca.gov Access for Persons with Disabilities
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Energy Commission [CEC] energy.ca.gov Title24@energy.ca.gov (800) 772-3300 Building Energy Efficiency, Compliance Manual & Compliance Forms
Office of the State Fire Marshal [SFM]
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How to Distinguish Between Model Code Language and California Amendments
To distinguish between model code language and the incorporated California amendments, including exclusive California stan- dards, California amendments will appear in italics.
[BSC] This is an example of a state agency acronym used to identify an adoption or amendment by the agency. The acronyms will appear at California Amendments and in the Matrix Adoption Tables. Sections 1.2 through 1.14 in Chapter 1, Division 1 of the Cali- fornia Building Code, explain the used acronyms, the application of state agency adoptions to building occupancies or building features, the enforcement agency as designated by state law (may be the state adopting agency or local building or fire official), the authority in state law for the state agency to make the adoption, and the specific state law being implemented by the agency’s adoption. The following acronyms are used in Title 24 to identify the state adopting agency making an adoption.
Legend of Acronyms of Adopting State Agencies
BSC California Building Standards Commission (see Section 1.2)
BSC-CG California Building Standards Commission-CALGreen (see Section 1.2.2)
BSCC Board of State and Community Corrections (see Section 1.3)
SFM Office of the State Fire Marshal (see Section 1.11)
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.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 § 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
INDEX-2 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
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HISTORY NOTE APPENDIX
2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 7
HISTORY:
CWUIC § 2.1.3 Medium relevance — show source text
2.1.3|Content|N||||||||| |104.2.1.4|Tests|N||||||||| |104.2.2|Alternative
materials, design and
methods|Y||1.11.2.4
1.11.2.5||||||| |104.2.2.1|Approval authority|N||||||||| |104.2.2.2|Application and
disposition|N||1.11.2.4
1.11.2.5||||||| |104.2.2.3|Compliance with
code intent|N||||||||| |104.2.2.4|Equivalency criteria|N||||||||| |104.2.2.5|Tests|N||||||||| |104.2.2.6|Reports|N||||||||| |104.2.2.6.1|Evaluation reports|N||||||||| |104.2.2.6.2|Other reports|N||||||||| |104.2.2.7|Peer review|N||||||||| |104.2.3|Modifications|N||||||||| |104.3|Applications and
permits|Y||||||||| |104.4|Right of entry|N||||||||| |104.4.1|Warrant|N||||||||| |104.5|Identification|N||||||||| |104.6|Notices and orders|Y||||||||| |104.7|Official records|N||||||||| |104.7.1|Approvals|N||||||||| |104.7.2|Inspections|N||||||||| |104.7.3|Code alternatives
and modifications|N||||||||| |104.7.4|Tests|N||||||||| |104.7.5|Fees|N||||||||| |104.8|Liability|Y||||||||| |104.8.1|Legal defense|Y||||||||| |104.9|Approved materials
and equipment|N||||||||| |104.9.1|Material and
equipment reuse|N||||||||| |104.10|Other agencies|N||||||||| |105|Permits|Y||||||||| |105.1|General|Y||||||||| |105.2|Permits required|Y||||||||| |105.3|Work exempt from
permit|Y||||||||| |105.4|Permit application|Y||||||||| |105.4.1|Preliminary
inspection|N||||||||| |105.4.2|Time limitation of
application|N||||||||| |105.5|Permit approval|N||||||||| |105.6|Permit issuance|N||||||||| |105.6.1|Refusal to issue a
permit|N||||||||| |105.7|Validity of permit|N||||||||| |105.8|Expiration|Y||105.5.1||||||| |105.9|Retention of permits|N|||||||||APPENDIX H-22 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 § 7.5 Medium relevance — show source text
7.5|Fees|N||||||||| |104.8|Liability|Y||||||||| |104.8.1|Legal defense|Y||||||||| |104.9|Approved materials
and equipment|N||||||||| |104.9.1|Material and
equipment reuse|N||||||||| |104.10|Other agencies|N||||||||| |105|Permits|Y||||||||| |105.1|General|Y||||||||| |105.2|Permits required|Y||||||||| |105.3|Work exempt from
permit|Y||||||||| |105.4|Permit application|Y||||||||| |105.4.1|Preliminary
inspection|N||||||||| |105.4.2|Time limitation of
application|N||||||||| |105.5|Permit approval|N||||||||| |105.6|Permit issuance|N||||||||| |105.6.1|Refusal to issue a
permit|N||||||||| |105.7|Validity of permit|N||||||||| |105.8|Expiration|Y||105.5.1||||||| |105.9|Retention of permits|N|||||||||APPENDIX H-22 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
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 1 _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration 105.10 Revocation of permits Y 106 Construction
documentsY 106.1 General Y 107.1 106.2 Information on plans
and specificationsY 106.3 Site plan Y 106.4 Vegetation manage-
ment_compliance_Y 701A.5 106.5 Fire protection plan Y 106.6 Other data and
substantiationN 106.7 Vicinity plan Y 106.8 Retention of plans Y 1.11.3.5 106.9 Examination of
documentsN 106. CWUIC § 11A-46 Medium relevance — show source text
2. The slopes of the planned finished grade measured between the entrance and all vehicular or pedestrian arrival points within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of the planned entrance also exceed 15 percent.
If there are no vehicular or pedestrian arrival points within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of the planned entrance, the slope for the purposes of Test No. 1 will be measured to the closest vehicular or pedestrian arrival point.
For purposes of these requirements, vehicular or pedestrian arrival points include public or resident parking areas, public trans- portation stops, passenger loading zones and public streets or sidewalks. To determine site impracticality, the slope would be measured at ground level from the point of the planned entrance on a straight line to (1) each vehicular or pedestrian arrival point that is within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of the planned entrance, or (2) if there are no vehicular or pedestrian arrival points within the speci- fied area, the vehicular or pedestrian arrival point closest to the planned entrance. In the case of sidewalks, the closest point to the entrance will be where a public sidewalk entering the site intersects with the walk to the entrance. In the case of resident parking areas, the closest point to the planned entrance will be measured from the entry point to the parking area that is located closest to the planned entrance.
TEST NO. 2—SITE ANALYSIS TEST
For a site having multiple buildings, or a site with a single building with multiple entrances, it is not required to provide an accessible route to all ground floor units under the following conditions:
1. Calculate the percentage of the total buildable area of the undisturbed site with a natural grade less than 10-percent slope. The analysis of the existing slope (before grading) shall be done on a topographic survey with 2-foot (610 mm) contour intervals
11A-46 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY
with slope determination made between each successive interval. The accuracy of the slope analysis shall be certified by a licensed engineer, landscape architect, architect or surveyor. 2. Determine the requirement of providing an accessible route to planned multifamily dwellings based on the topography of the existing natural terrain. The minimum percentage of ground floor units required on an accessible route shall equal the percent- age of the total buildable area (not restricted-use areas) of the undisturbed site with an existing natural grade of less than 10- percent slope. In no case shall less than 20 percent of the ground floor dwelling units be on an accessible route and comply with the provisions of Division IV. 3. In addition to the percentage established in paragraph (2), all additional ground floor units in a building or ground floor units served by a particular entrance, that fall within an 8.33-percent slope between their planned entrances and an arrival point shall be on an accessible route and comply with the provisions of Division IV. 4. All additional ground floor units in a building, or ground floor units served by a particular entrance, not on an accessible route shall comply with the features listed in Section 1150A.2.
TEST NO. 3—UNUSUAL CHARACTERISTICS TEST
CWUIC § 13-1.4 Medium relevance — show source text
CONSTRUCTION**|**4 **
hours|**3 **
hours|**2 **
hours|**1 **
hour|**4 **
hours|**3 **
hours|**2 **
hours|**1 **
hour| |13. Double wood floor over
wood joists spaced 16" on
center.m, n—continued|13-1.4|1/2" Type X gypsum wallboardc nailed
to joists with 5d coolero or wallboardo
nails at 6" on center. End joints of wall-
board centered on joists.|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|1/2| |14. Plywood stressed skin
panels consisting of5/8"-
thick interior C-D (exterior
glue) top stressed skin on 2"
× 6" nominal (minimum)
stringers. Adjacent panel
edges joined with 8d
common wire nails spaced
6" on center. Stringers
spaced 12" maximum on
center.|14-1.1|1/2"-thick wood fiberboard weighing
15 to 18 pounds per cubic foot
installed with long dimension paral-
lel to stringers or3/8" C-D (exterior
glue) plywood glued and/or nailed to
stringers. Nailing to be with 5d
coolero or wallboardo nails at 12" on
center. Second layer of1/2" Type X
gypsum wallboardc applied with
long dimension perpendicular to
joists and attached with 8d coolero
or wallboardo nails at 6" on center at
end joints and 8" on center else-
where. Wallboard joints staggered
with respect to fiberboard joints.|—|—|—|—|—|—|—|1| |15. Vermiculite concrete slab
proportioned 1:4 (Portland
cement to vermiculite aggre-
gate) on a 11/2"-deep steel
deck supported on individu-
ally protected steel framing.
Maximum span of deck 6′-
10" where deck is less than
0.019 inch (No. 26 carbon
steel sheet gage) or greater.
Slab reinforced with 4" × 8"
0.109/0.083" (No.12/14 B.W.
gage) welded wire mesh.|15-1.1|None|—|—|—|3j|—|—|—|—| |16. Perlite concrete slab
proportioned 1:6 (Portland
cement to perlite aggregate)
on a 11/4"-deep steel deck
supported on individually
protected steel framing. Slab
reinforced with 4" × 8"
0.109/0.083" (No.12/14 B.W.
gage) welded wire mesh.|16-1.1|None|—|—|—|31/2
j|—|—|—|—| |17.CWUIC § 104.2.1 Medium relevance — show source text
2|Determination of
compliance|N||||||||| |104.2.1|Technical assistance|N||||||||| |104.2.1.1|Cost|N|||||||||2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX H-21
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 1 _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration _Division II—_Scope and Administration 104.2.1.2 Preparer
qualificationsN 104.2.1.3 Content N 104.2.1.4 Tests N 104.2.2 Alternative
materials, design and
methodsY 1.11.2.4
1.11.2.5104.2.2.1 Approval authority N 104.2.2.2 Application and
dispositionN 1.11.2.4
1.11.2.5104.2.2.3 Compliance with
code intentN 104.2.2.4 Equivalency criteria N 104.2.2.5 Tests N 104.2.2.6 Reports N 104.2.2.6.1 Evaluation reports N 104.2.2.6.2 Other reports N 104.2.2.7 Peer review N 104.2.3 Modifications N 104.3 Applications and
permitsY 104.4 Right of entry N 104.4.1 Warrant N 104.5 Identification N 104.6 Notices and orders Y 104.7 Official records N 104.7.1 Approvals N 104.7.2 Inspections N 104.7.3 Code alternatives
and modificationsN 104.7.4 Tests N 104.7.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a different building permit if my lot is inside a mapped WUI?
Yes. The same building‑permit application form is used, but being inside a mapped WUI typically triggers additional plan submittals (fire protection plan, vegetation management, water/access details). The code official may require those under §602.1, §105, and §106.
Will a mapped WUI stop a tentative map or parcel map from being approved?
Not automatically — but §402.1 allows the authority to make approval conditional on meeting WUI requirements (access, water supply, parcel‑map conditions). If required improvements cannot be achieved, approval can be withheld.
If my parcel is outside the WUI map, can I still be required to meet WUI rules?
Generally no — the WUI Chapter 4 requirements apply when the parcel is inside the mapped WUI (the mapping is the trigger under §302.1). However, jurisdictions can adopt local ordinances expanding applicability; also mapping can be reviewed and changed (see §302.2).
Where are the exact numeric thresholds for fire flow, hydrant spacing and access width?
Those numeric thresholds are in the detailed Chapter 4 provisions (for example §404.2 for water and §403 for access) and in the referenced CBC/CFC sections. The preview excerpts here identify the sections but do not include all numeric values — consult the full CWUIC text for the exact numbers.
Who can prepare the Fire Protection Plan the code official requires?
The code authorizes a registered design professional, qualified landscape architect, qualified fire‑safety specialist or similar specialist acceptable to the code official to prepare fire protection plans per the Fire Protection Plan provision in Chapter 6 (see §602.1).
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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