CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code

Periodic review, updates, public notice & appeals

Explains CWUIC rules for recurring WUI map reviews and updates, the public‑notice/ordinance steps that follow, and the appeals process for code decisions.

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

This section of the California Wildland‑Urban Interface Code (CWUIC) covers how wildland‑urban interface (WUI) areas are mapped, how those maps are reviewed and updated on a recurring basis, the public‑notice/ordinance requirements that follow map changes, and the procedures for appealing code official decisions. The CWUIC establishes scope and mapping methodology in §301.1 and §302.1, and sets the periodic review cadence for WUI/fire‑hazard zones in §302.2.

These provisions matter because map updates trigger local ordinance actions, posting and transmittal obligations, and may change which mitigation requirements apply to properties. Local agencies may increase but not decrease a State Fire Marshal–identified hazard level and must follow statutory posting and transmittal procedures tied to the Government and Public Resources Code authorities cited in the CWUIC.

Disputes about code interpretation or application are handled through the CWUIC appeals process: Section §112 creates a board of appeals and Appendix I provides optional, detailed rules for board makeup, filing timelines (including a 20‑day filing period for appeals where adopted), open hearings, quorum and decision procedures. Those provisions explain who may appeal, what the board may decide, and how decisions are recorded and enforced.

In this section

Code references

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

  • CWUIC § 302.2 High relevance — show source text

    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.)

    Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
    CG
    SFM Col5 HCD Col7 Col8 DSA Col10 OSHPD Col12 Col13 Col14 Col15 Col16 BSCC DPH AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC
    Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
    CG
    T-24 T-19* 1 2 1/AC AC SS 1 1R 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
    Adopt Entire Chapter
    Adopt Entire Chapter as
    amended (amended sections
    listed below)
    X
    Adopt only those sections that
    are listed below
    [California Code of Regulations,
    Title 19, Division 1]
    Chapter / Section
    402
    402.1.1 X
    402.1.2 X
    402.1.2.1 X
    402.2.1 X
    402.2.2 X
    402.
  • CWUIC § 1-2 High relevance — show source text
    CHAPTER TOPICS Col2
    CHAPTER SUBJECT
    1-2 Administration and Definitions
    3-4 Wildland-Urban Interface Area Designation and Requirements
    5 Building Construction Regulations
    6 Fire Protection Requirements
    7 Referenced Standards
    Appendices A-I Adoptable and Informational Appendices

    Chapter 1 Scope and Administration.

    Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.

    Chapter 2 Definitions.

    Chapter 2 is the repository of the definitions of terms used in the body of the code. The user of the code should be familiar with and consult this chapter because the definitions are essential to the correct interpretation of the code and because the user may not be aware that a term is defined.

    Chapter 3 Wildland-Urban Interface Areas.

    Chapter 3 provides for the fundamental aspect of applying the code—the legal declaration and establishment of wildland-urban interface areas within the adopting jurisdiction, mapping of the area, periodic review and updates.

    Chapter 4 Wildland-Urban Interface Area Requirements.

    The requirements of Chapter 4 apply to all occupancies in the wildland-urban interface and pertain to all of the following:

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

    2. Premises identification.

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

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

    5. Fire department access to equipment such as fire suppression equipment and fire hydrants.

    Chapter 5 Special Building Construction Regulations.

    The regulations in Chapter 5 establish minimum standards for the location, design and construction of buildings and structures based on construction within a Fire Hazard Severity Zone or a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Area.

    The construction provisions of Chapter 5 are intended to supplement the requirements of the California Building Code and Califor- nia Residential Code and address mitigation of the unique hazards posed to buildings by wildfire and to reduce the hazards of building fires spreading to wildland fuels. This is accomplished by requiring ignition-resistant construction materials.

    Chapter 6 Fire Protection Requirements.

    Chapter 6 contains additional requirements for development and construction in Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and areas designated by the State Fire Marshal as State Responsibility Areas (SRA). While many of these provisions are found in Title 14 and Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, they are replicated here for the code user. The local jurisdiction has the authority to apply the same regulations to LRA when the regulations are adopted by local ordinance.

    The requirements in this chapter reference the process for adoption of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the LRA; criteria for evaluating existing subdivisions that are at significant fire risk and are without an adequate secondary egress; and criteria for fire safety provisions required in the Safety Element of a city or county General Plan.

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  • CWUIC § 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 § 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 § 112.1 High relevance — show source text

    The code official shall notify the serving utility and, where possible, the owner or the owner’s authorized agent and the occupant of the building, structure or service system of the decision to disconnect prior to taking such action. If not notified prior to disconnection, the owner, the owner’s authorized agent or the occupant of the building, structure or service system shall be notified in writing as soon as practical thereafter.

    SECTION 112—MEANS OF APPEALS

    [A] 112.1 General. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the code official relative to the application and interpretation of this code, there shall be and is hereby created a board of appeals. The board of appeals shall be appointed by the applicable governing authority and shall hold office at its pleasure. The board shall adopt rules of procedure for conducting its business and shall render all decisions and findings in writing to the appellant, with a duplicate copy to the code official.

    [A] 112.2 Limitations on authority. An application for appeal shall be based on a claim that the true intent of this code or the rules legally adopted thereunder have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully apply or an equivalent or better form of construction is proposed. The board shall not have authority to waive requirements of this code.

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    ADMINISTRATION

    [A] 112.3 Qualifications. The board of appeals shall consist of members who are qualified by experience and training on matters pertaining to the provisions of this code and are not employees of the jurisdiction.

    [A] 112.4 Administration. The code official shall take action without delay in accordance with the decision of the board.

    SECTION 113—STOP WORK ORDER

    [A] 113.1 Authority. Where the code official finds any work regulated by this code being performed in a manner contrary to the provisions of this code or in a dangerous or unsafe manner, the code official is authorized to issue a stop work order.

    [A] 113.2 Issuance. The stop work order shall be in writing and shall be given to the owner of the property, the owner’s authorized agent or the person performing the work. Upon issuance of a stop work order, the cited work shall immediately cease. The stop work order shall state the reason for the order and the conditions under which the cited work is authorized to resume.

    [A] 113.3 Emergencies. Where an emergency exists, the code official shall not be required to give a written notice prior to stopping the work.

    [A] 113.4 Failure to comply. Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be subject to fines established by the authority having jurisdiction.

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    CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

    CHAPTER 2 – DEFINITIONS

  • CWUIC § 3.3 Medium relevance — show source text

    [A] I101.3.3 Vacancies. Vacancies shall be filled for an unexpired term in the same manner in which original appointments are required to be made.

    [A] I101.3.4 Chairperson. The board shall annually select one of its members to serve as chairperson.

    [A] I101.3.5 Secretary. The chief appointing authority shall designate a qualified clerk to serve as secretary to the board. The secretary shall file a detailed record of all proceedings, which shall set forth the reasons for the board’s decision, the vote of each member, the absence of a member and any failure of a member to vote.

    [A] I101.3.6 Conflict of interest. A member with any personal, professional or financial interest in a matter before the board shall declare such interest and refrain from participating in discussions, deliberations and voting on such matters.

    [A] I101.3.7 Compensation of members. Compensation of members shall be determined by law.

    [A] I101.3.8 Removal from the board. A member shall be removed from the board prior to the end of their terms only for cause. Any member with continued absence from regular meeting of the board may be removed at the discretion of the chief appointing authority.

    [A] I101.4 Rules and procedures. The board shall establish policies and procedures necessary to carry out its duties consistent with the provisions of this code and applicable state law. The procedures shall not require compliance with strict rules of evidence, but shall mandate that only relevant information be presented.

    [A] I101.5 Notice of meeting. The board shall meet upon notice from the chairperson, within 10 days of the filing of an appeal or at stated periodic intervals.

    [A] I101.5.1 Open hearing. All hearings before the board shall be open to the public. The appellant, the appellant’s representative, the code official and any person whose interests are affected shall be given an opportunity to be heard.

    [A] I101.5.2 Quorum. Three members of the board shall constitute a quorum.

    [A] I101.5.3 Postponed hearing. When five members are not present to hear an appeal, either the appellant or the appellant’s representative shall have the right to request a postponement of the hearing.

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    APPENDIX I—BOARD OF APPEALS

    [A] I101.6 Legal counsel. The jurisdiction shall furnish legal counsel to the board to provide members with general legal advice concerning matters before them for consideration. Members shall be represented by legal counsel at the jurisdiction’s expense in all matters arising from service within the scope of their duties.

    [A] I101.7 Board decision. The board shall only modify or reverse the decision of the code official by a concurring vote of three or more members.

    [A] I101.7.1 Resolution. The decision of the board shall be by resolution. Every decision shall be promptly filed in writing in the office of the code official within three days and shall be open to the public for inspection. A certified copy shall be furnished to the appellant or the appellant’s representative and to the code official.

    [A] I101.7.2 Administration. The code official shall take immediate action in accordance with the decision of the board.

  • CWUIC § 1-2 Medium relevance — show source text

    Population growth and the expanding urban development into traditionally nonurban areas have increasingly brought humans into contact with wildfires. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), every year, wildfires burn across the United States and a growing number of people are living where wildfires are a real risk. In 2018 more than 58,000 fires burned nearly 9 million acres across the US. More than 25,000 structures were destroyed, including 18,137 residences and 229 commercial structures. California accounted for the highest number of structures lost in one state due to the number of significant fires, including the Mendocino Complex, Carr, Camp and Woolsey fires.

    The IWUIC is a model code that is intended to be adopted and used supplemental to the adopted building and fire codes of a jurisdiction. The unrestricted use of property in wildland-urban interface areas is a potential threat to life and property from fire and resulting erosion. The IWUIC has as its objective the establishment of minimum special regulations for the safeguarding of life and

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    property from the intrusion of fire from wildland fire exposures and fire exposures from adjacent structures and to prevent structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels, even in the absence of fire department intervention.

    Safeguards to prevent the occurrence of fires and to provide adequate fire protection facilities to control the spread of fire in wildland-urban interface areas are provided in a tiered manner commensurate with the relative level of hazard present.

    ARRANGEMENT AND FORMAT OF THE 2025 CWUIC

    The format of the CWUIC allows each chapter to be devoted to a particular subject. The following table shows how the CWUIC is divided. The chapter synopses detail the scope and intent of the provisions of the CWUIC.

    CHAPTER TOPICS Col2
    CHAPTER SUBJECT
    1-2 Administration and Definitions
    3-4 Wildland-Urban Interface Area Designation and Requirements
    5 Building Construction Regulations
    6 Fire Protection Requirements
    7 Referenced Standards
    Appendices A-I Adoptable and Informational Appendices

    Chapter 1 Scope and Administration.

    Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.

    Chapter 2 Definitions.

    Chapter 2 is the repository of the definitions of terms used in the body of the code. The user of the code should be familiar with and consult this chapter because the definitions are essential to the correct interpretation of the code and because the user may not be aware that a term is defined.

    Chapter 3 Wildland-Urban Interface Areas.

    Chapter 3 provides for the fundamental aspect of applying the code—the legal declaration and establishment of wildland-urban interface areas within the adopting jurisdiction, mapping of the area, periodic review and updates.

    Chapter 4 Wildland-Urban Interface Area Requirements.

    The requirements of Chapter 4 apply to all occupancies in the wildland-urban interface and pertain to all of the following:

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

    2. Premises identification.

  • CWUIC § 301.1 Medium relevance — show source text
    Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
    CG
    SFM Col5 HCD Col7 Col8 DSA Col10 OSHPD Col12 Col13 Col14 Col15 Col16 BSCC DPH AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC
    Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
    CG
    T-24 T-19* 1 2 1/AC AC SS 1 1R 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
    Adopt Entire Chapter
    Adopt Entire Chapter as
    amended (amended sections
    listed below)
    X
    Adopt only those sections that
    are listed below
    [California Code of Regulations,
    Title 19, Division 1]
    Chapter / Section
    301.1 X
    301.2 X
    302.1 X
    302.2 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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    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

  • CWUIC § 109.2.2 Medium relevance — show source text

    1|Authorization to issue
    corrective orders and
    notices|N||||||||| |109.2.2|Service of orders and
    notices|N||||||||| |109.3|Compliance with
    orders and notices|N||||||||| |109.3.1|General compliance|N||||||||| |109.3.2|Compliance with tags|N||||||||| |109.3.3|Removal and
    destruction of signs
    and tags|N||||||||| |109.3.4|Citations|N||||||||| |109.3.5|Unsafe conditions|N||||||||| |109.3.5.1|Record|N||||||||| |109.3.5.2|Notice|N||||||||| |109.3.5.2.1|Method of service|N||||||||| |109.3.5.3|Placarding|N||||||||| |109.3.5.3.1|Placard removal|N||||||||| |109.3.5.4|Abatement|N||||||||| |109.3.5.5|Summary abatement|N||||||||| |109.3.5.6|Evacuation|N||||||||| |109.3.6|Prosecution of
    violation|N||||||||| |109.3.7|Violation penalties|N||114||||||| |109.3.7.1|Unlawful acts|Y||114.1||||||| |109.3.7.2|Notice of violation|Y||114.2||||||| |109.3.8|Abatement of
    violation|N||||||||| |110|Certificate of
    occupancy|Y||111.1||||||| |110.1|General|Y||701A.4 #2||||||| |110.2|Certificate of
    occupancy|Y||||||||| |110.3|Temporary
    occupancy|Y||||||||| |110.4|Revocation|Y||||||||| |111|Service utilities|Y||||||||| |111.1|Connection of service
    utilities|Y||||||||| |111.2|Temporary
    connection|Y||||||||| |111.3|Authority to discon-
    nect service utilities|Y||||||||| |112|Means of appeals|N||||||||| |112.1|General|N||||||||| |112.2|Limitations on
    authority|N||||||||| |112.3|Qualifications|N||||||||| |112.4|Administration|N||||||||| |113|Stop work order|Y||||||||| |113.1|Authority|Y||||||||| |113.2|Issuance|Y||||||||| |113.3|Emergencies|Y||||||||| |113.4|Failure to comply|Y|||||||||

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    APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS

    |2025 CWUIC—continued|Col2|Adopted
    Yes/No|IWUIC
    Section|CBC
    Section|CFC
    Section|Title 14,
    Division 1.5
    Section|Title 19,

  • CWUIC § 302.1 Medium 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 § 51178 Medium relevance — show source text

    (2) A local agency may, at its discretion, include areas within the jurisdiction of the local agency, not identified as moderate and high fire hazard severity zones by the State Fire Marshal, as moderate and high fire hazard severity zones, respectively. (3) A local agency shall not decrease the level of fire hazard severity zone as identified by the State Fire Marshal for any area within the jurisdiction of the local agency, and, in exercising its discretion pursuant to paragraph (2), may only increase the level of fire hazard severity zone as identified by the State Fire Marshal for any area within the jurisdiction of the local

    agency. (c) The local agency shall transmit a copy of an ordinance adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection within 30 days of adoption. (d) Changes made by a local agency to the recommendations made by the State Fire Marshal shall be final and shall not be rebut- table by the State Fire Marshal.

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    APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS

    (e) The State Fire Marshal shall prepare and adopt a model ordinance that provides for the establishment of very high fire hazard severity zones. (f) Any ordinance adopted by a local agency pursuant to this section that substantially conforms to the model ordinance of the State Fire Marshal shall be presumed to be in compliance with the requirements of this section. (g) A local agency shall post a notice at the office of the county recorder, county assessor, and county planning agency identifying the location of the map provided by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 51178. If the agency amends the map, pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c) of this section, the notice shall instead identify the location of the amended map. 51181. The State Fire Marshal shall periodically review the areas in the state identified as very high fire hazard severity zones pursuant to this chapter, and as necessary, shall make recommendations relative to very high fire hazard severity zones. This review shall coincide with the review of state responsibility area lands every five years and, when possible, fall within the time frames for each county’s general plan update. Any revision of areas included in a very high fire hazard severity zone shall be made in accordance with Sections 51178 and 51179.

    51182. The State Fire Marshal shall periodically review the areas in the state identified as very high fire hazard severity zones pursuant to this chapter, and as necessary, shall make recommendations relative to very high fire hazard severity zones. This review shall coincide with the review of state responsibility area lands every five years and, when possible, fall within the time frames for each county’s general plan update. Any revision of areas included in a very high fire hazard severity zone shall be made in accordance with Sections 51178 and 51179.

  • CWUIC § 3.1 Medium relevance — show source text

    3.1_|Maintenance and
    defensible space|Y||||||||| |Appendix H|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents|Referenced California Documents| ||General|N||||||||| |H101|California Civil Code|N||||||||| |H102|California Govern-
    ment Code|N||||||Various||| |H103|California Public
    Resources Code|N|||||||Various|| |H104|California Code of
    Regulations, Title 14,
    Division 1.5|N||||Various||||| |H104.1|Subchapter 2 State
    Minimum Fire Safe
    Regulations|N||||Subchapter 2||||| |H104.2|Subchapter 3 Fire
    Hazard|N||||Subchapter 3||||| |H105|California Code of
    Regulations, Title 19|N|||||2201|||| |H106|Health and Safety
    Code|N||||||||Various| |H107|Cross Reference Tool|N|||||||||

    2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX H-35

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS

    2025 CWUIC—continued Col2 Adopted
    Yes/No
    IWUIC
    Section
    CBC
    Section
    CFC
    Section
    Title 14,
    Division 1.5
    Section
    Title 19,
    Division 1
    Section
    Gov Code
    Section
    PRC
    Section
    HSC
    Section
    Section Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title
    Appendix I Board of Appeals Board of Appeals Board of Appeals Board of Appeals Board of Appeals Board of Appeals Board of Appeals Board of Appeals Board of Appeals Board of Appeals
    I101.1 Scope N
    I101.2 Application for appeal N
    I101.2.1 Limitation of
    authority
    N
    I101.2.2 Stays of enforcement N
    I101.3 Membership of board N
    I101.3.1 Qualifications N
    I101.3.2 Alternate members N
    I101.3.3 Vacancies N
    I101.3.4 Chairperson N
    I101.3.5 Secretary N
    I101.3.6 Conflict of interest N
    I101.3.

Frequently asked questions

How often must WUI/fire‑hazard maps be reviewed?

The CWUIC requires reevaluation and recommended modification of wildland‑urban interface areas on a 5‑year basis, or more frequently if the legislative body determines it is necessary, per §302.2.

How do I appeal a decision by the code official?

Appeals are made to the board of appeals established under §112; Appendix I (where adopted) describes filing an appeal (typically on a form from the code official and usually within 20 days of notice), open hearings, quorum and decision requirements.

Can a local agency change the State Fire Marshal’s hazard designation?

A local agency may adopt a higher hazard level for areas within its jurisdiction but may not decrease the level assigned by the State Fire Marshal, and adopted ordinance changes must be transmitted and posted in accordance with the statutory procedures referenced in the CWUIC.

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