CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
Can zone designations or ratings be petitioned, revised or repealed?
Plain English: Yes — the State Fire Marshal and local code officials must periodically review fire hazard zone maps (at least every five years) and can revise ratings or repeal zones. Changes must follow formal rulemaking steps (including sending proposals to the county board at least 45 days before adoption and holding a county hearing). Revisions or repeals can also be petitioned under the Government Code sections referenced in PRC § 4204.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — plain English
- The State Fire Marshal or the local code official must periodically review fire-hazard zone designations and may revise, reassign ratings, or repeal a zone when necessary. See § 302.2 and § 4204.
- Any revision or repeal must follow the procedural notice and hearing steps required for adoption of the regulation (transmission to the county board and a public hearing) and must conform to the requirements of § 4203.
The short rule: zone maps and ratings are periodically reviewed (at least every 5 years), can be revised or repealed, and those changes must follow the State Fire Marshal’s regulatory process (including county notice and hearing) — and revisions/repeals may be petitioned under the Government Code referenced in PRC § 4204.
Requirements in detail
Who reviews and who may change a zone
- Code official: must reevaluate and recommend modifications to wildland‑urban interface areas on a 5‑year basis (or more often if the legislative body requires) — § 302.2.
- State Fire Marshal: shall periodically review zones designated and rated and, as necessary, revise zones or their ratings or repeal zone designations — § 4204.
Notice, hearing and procedural constraints
- Any designation or rating assignment adopted by the State Fire Marshal must be transmitted to the county board of supervisors at least 45 days before adoption and a public hearing must be held in that county during that 45‑day period — § 4203.
- Any revision or repeal under § 4204 must conform to the requirements of § 4203 (i.e., the same notice/hearing transmission requirements).
Petition rights
- Revisions or repeals may be petitioned pursuant to Government Code §§ 11340.6 and 11340.7, as stated in § 4204. The CWUIC/PRC text explicitly points you to those Government Code sections for the petition process, but the Government Code text itself is not included in the retrieved CWUIC files.
Decision-relevant table
| Decision dimension | Key value / trigger | Who decides / acts | Procedure trigger | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Review frequency | 5‑year cycle (or sooner if legislative body requires) | Code official (reevaluation & recommendation) | Periodic review schedule | § 302.2 |
| Authority to revise/repeal | State Fire Marshal may revise, reassign ratings, or repeal zone | State Fire Marshal (regulation process) | As necessary following review | § 4204 |
| County notice & hearing | Transmit proposal at least 45 days before adoption; public hearing within that period | State Fire Marshal → Board of Supervisors (county) | Prior to adoption of regulation | § 4203 |
| Right to petition | Revisions/repeals may be petitioned under the APA provisions cited | Petitioner follows Government Code §§ 11340.6–11340.7 | Petition process (see Gov. Code) | § 4204 (points to Gov. Code) |
| Conformance requirement | Any revision/repeal must conform to § 4203 (notice/hearing) | State Fire Marshal | Applied to every revision/repeal | § 4204 & § 4203 |
Exceptions & special cases
- Local legislative bodies may require reviews more frequently than the default 5‑year interval; § 302.2 explicitly allows review "on a 5‑year basis or more frequently as deemed necessary by the legislative body."
- The code text directs petition procedures to Government Code §§ 11340.6–11340.7; the CWUIC/PRC text tells you that petitions are available but the detailed petition procedures and timelines live in the Government Code (not reproduced in the CWUIC file excerpts). If you need the specific petition form, standing, or timing, consult those Government Code sections.
- Revisions or repeals are regulatory actions by the State Fire Marshal (not informal local map edits). They must follow the formal regulation adoption steps (including county notice/hearing) set out in § 4203.
Common mistakes
- Mistake: assuming a homeowner petition automatically changes a zone. Reality: petitions are accepted under the referenced Government Code provisions, but changes still require the formal rulemaking/notice/hearing and adoption process by the State Fire Marshal per § 4203/4204.
- Mistake: ignoring the 45‑day county transmission and public hearing requirement. Proposed designations, and revisions or repeals, must be transmitted to the county board of supervisors and a county hearing held during that period per § 4203.
- Mistake: mixing local “enforcing agency” map edits with State Fire Marshal regulatory actions. CWUIC § 302.1 ties mapping to PRC classification; substantial changes to PRC‑based hazard severity zones are done via the State Fire Marshal regulatory process described in § 4203/4204.
Worked example — how a petition / revision would play out (numbers and timeline)
Scenario: A cluster of parcels in County X currently lies in a mapped Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. A property‑owner group wants the rating reduced based on recent fuel‑management work and new slope data.
- Local review: The code official performs a reevaluation during the scheduled 5‑year review (or the local legislative body requests an earlier review) and may recommend a change to the State Fire Marshal — see § 302.2.
- Petition option: The property‑owner group may petition for revision/repeal under the Government Code procedures referenced by § 4204. The petition would follow Gov. Code §§ 11340.6–11340.7 (the CWUIC points to those sections; their text must be consulted for filing details).
- State Fire Marshal action: If the State Fire Marshal proposes a regulatory revision to the map or rating, the proposal must be transmitted to the county board of supervisors at least 45 days before adoption, and a public hearing must be held in that county within that 45‑day period — per § 4203. Example timeline: transmit on March 1 → hearing between March 1–April 15 (≥45 days) → adoption after hearing if regulation is approved.
- Conformity: Any final revision or repeal must conform to § 4203 (notice/hearing rules). If adopted, the new map or rating takes effect as provided by the adopted regulation.
Notes: The CWUIC/PRC text establishes the review, procedural and petition references; it does not provide the detailed petition filing form or the full Administrative Procedure Act steps — those are in the Government Code sections cited by § 4204.
Related provisions
- § 302.1 — Mapping; relationship to PRC §§ 4201–4204 (CWUIC mapping authority and basis).
- § 302.2 — Review of wildland‑urban interface areas (5‑year reevaluation requirement).
- § 4201 — Purpose of PRC article on SRA classification.
- § 4202 — Classification criteria for fire hazard severity zones.
- § 4203 — State Fire Marshal must designate zones and provide county transmission and public hearing (45‑day notice).
- § 4204 — Periodic review; authority to revise, re‑rate, repeal; petition reference to Government Code §§ 11340.6–11340.7.
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CWUIC § 11340.6 High relevance — show source text
4203.
(a) The State Fire Marshal shall, by regulation, designate fire hazard severity zones and assign to each zone a rating reflecting the degree of severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in the zone. (b) No designation of a zone and assignment of a rating shall be adopted by the State Fire Marshal until the proposed regulation has been transmitted to the board of supervisors of the county in which the zone is located at least 45 days before the adoption of the proposed regulation and a public hearing has been held in that county during that 45-day period. 4204. The State Fire Marshal shall periodically review zones designated and rated pursuant to this article and, as necessary, shall revise zones or their ratings or repeal the designation of zones. Any revision of a zone or its rating or any repeal of a zone shall conform to the requirements of Section 4203. In addition, the revision or repeal of a zone may be petitioned pursuant to Sections 11340.6 and 11340.7 of the Government Code.
4290.
(a) The board shall adopt regulations implementing minimum fire safety standards related to defensible space that are applicable to state responsibility area lands under the authority of the department, and to lands classified and designated as very high fire hazard severity zones, as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 51177 of the Government Code. These regulations apply to the perimeters and access to all residential, commercial, and industrial building construction within state responsibility areas approved after January 1, 1991, and within lands classified and designated as very high fire hazard severity zones, as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 51177 of the Government Code after July 1, 2021. The board may not adopt building standards, as defined in Section 18909 of the Health and Safety Code, under the authority of this section. As an integral part of fire safety stan- dards, the State Fire Marshal has the authority to adopt regulations for roof coverings and openings into the attic areas of buildings specified in Section 13108.5 of the Health and Safety Code. The regulations apply to the placement of mobile homes as defined by National Fire Protection Association standards. These regulations do not apply where an application for a build- ing permit was filed prior to January 1, 1991, or to parcel or tentative maps or other developments approved prior to January 1, 1991, if the final map for the tentative map is approved within the time prescribed by the local ordinance. The regulations shall include all of the following: (1) Road standards for fire equipment access. (2) Standards for signs identifying streets, roads, and buildings. (3) Minimum private water supply reserves for emergency fire use. (4) Fuel breaks and greenbelts. (b) The board shall, on and after July 1, 2021, periodically update regulations for fuel breaks and greenbelts near communities to provide greater fire safety for the perimeters to all residential, commercial, and industrial building construction within state responsibility areas and lands classified and designated as very high fire hazard severity zones, as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 51177 of the Government Code, after July 1, 2021. These regulations shall include measures to preserve undeveloped
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APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
CWUIC § 11340.6 High relevance — show source text
The_ guidance document shall include, but not be limited to, regionally appropriate vegetation management suggestions that preserve and restore native species that are fire resistant or drought tolerant, or both, minimize erosion, minimize the spread of flammable nonnative grasses and weeds, minimize water consumption, and permit trees and shrubs near homes for shade, aesthetics, and habitat; and suggestions to minimize or eliminate the risk of flammability of nonvegetative sources of combus- tion such as woodpiles, propane tanks, decks, and outdoor lawn furniture. (2) On or before January 1, 2023, the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, in consultation with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, shall update the guidance document to include suggestions for creating an ember-resistant zone within five feet of a structure based on regulations promulgated by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, in consultation with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, to consider the elimination of materials in the ember-resistant zone that would likely be ignited by embers.
(d) For purposes of this section, a structure for the purpose of an ember-resistant zone shall include any attached deck. This section does not limit the authority of the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection or the Office of the State Fire Marshal to require the removal of fuel or vegetation on top of or underneath a deck pursuant to this section.
SECTION H103—CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE
Sections 4201–4204; 4290–4291.
4201. The purpose of this article is to provide for the classification of lands within state responsibility areas in accordance with the severity of fire hazard present for the purpose of identifying measures to be taken to retard the rate of spreading and to reduce the potential intensity of uncontrolled fires that threaten to destroy resources, life, or property. 4202. The State Fire Marshal shall classify lands within state responsibility areas into fire hazard severity zones. Each zone shall embrace relatively homogeneous lands and shall be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and other relevant factors pres- ent, including areas where winds have been identified by the department as a major cause of wildfire spread.
4203.
(a) The State Fire Marshal shall, by regulation, designate fire hazard severity zones and assign to each zone a rating reflecting the degree of severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in the zone. (b) No designation of a zone and assignment of a rating shall be adopted by the State Fire Marshal until the proposed regulation has been transmitted to the board of supervisors of the county in which the zone is located at least 45 days before the adoption of the proposed regulation and a public hearing has been held in that county during that 45-day period. 4204. The State Fire Marshal shall periodically review zones designated and rated pursuant to this article and, as necessary, shall revise zones or their ratings or repeal the designation of zones. Any revision of a zone or its rating or any repeal of a zone shall conform to the requirements of Section 4203. In addition, the revision or repeal of a zone may be petitioned pursuant to Sections 11340.6 and 11340.7 of the Government Code.
4290.
(a) The board shall adopt regulations implementing minimum fire safety standards related to defensible space that are applicable to state responsibility area lands under the authority of the department, and to lands classified and designated as very high _fire hazard severity zones, as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 51177 of the Government Code.
CWUIC § 1.5 Medium relevance — show source text
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 5 Special building construction regulations Special building construction regulations Special building construction regulations Special building construction regulations Special building construction regulations Special building construction regulations Special building construction regulations Special building construction regulations Special building construction regulations Special building construction regulations 503.2.4.3.3 Plastic lumber
materialsY 703A.6 503.2.5 Surface treatment
protectionY 703A.5.3 503.3 Standards of quality Y 703A.1 503.3.1 Qualification by
testingY 703A.2 503.3.2 Approved agency Y 703A.3 503.3.3 Labeling Y 703A.4 503.3.4 Fire-retardant-
treated wood shin-
gles and shakesY 703A.5.2.2 504 Ignition-resistant
constructionY 704A 504.1 General Y 705A.1 504.2 Roof assembly Y 705A.2
1505.2504.2.1 Roof covering voids Y 705A.2 504.2.1.1 Airspace under roof
coveringY 705A.2.1 504.2.1.2 Roof underlayment Y 705A.2.2 504.2.2 Roof valleys Y 705A.3 504.3 Protection of
enclosed eavesY 707A.6 504.3.1 Protection of open
eavesY 707A.5 504.4 Gutters and
downspoutsY 705A.4 504.5 Exterior walls Y 707A.4 504.5.1 Flashing Y 504.5.1 504.5.2 Exterior wall covering Y 707A.3
704A.4 #3504.5.2.1 Extent of exterior wall
coveringY 707A.3.1 504.6 Underfloor enclosure Y 707A.9 504. CWUIC § 1.5 Medium relevance — show source text
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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 6 Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements 603.4.1 Shrubs Y 4906.4.1 603.4.2 Trees Y 4906.4.2 1299.03 3.07(b)(3) 603.4.2.1 Nonfire-smart
vegetationY 4906.4.2.1 604 Maintenance of
defensible spaceY 4907 604.1 General Y 4907.1 4291 604.2 Application Y 4907.2 604.3 Buildings and
structuresY 701A.3.1 4907.3 604.4 Outbuildings Y 1299.03(c)(1) 604.5 Disposal of flammable
vegetation and fuelsY 1276.05 605 Spark arrestors Y 2113.9.2 3.07(b)(6) 605.1 General Y 2113.9.2 #2
2113.9.2 #3605.8.2 605.2 Net free area Y 2113.9.2 #1 606 Liquefied petroleum
gas installationsY 6103 606.1 General Y 6103.2.1 606.2 Location of contain-
ers or tanksY 6104.3 606.3 Clear area Y 1299.03(c)(1) 607 Storage of firewood
and combustible
materialsY 607.1 General Y 1299.03(a)(3)
1299.03(b)(2)(c)607.2 Storage for off-site
useY 607.2 608 Building siting and
setbacksY 1276.00 608.1 Intent Y 1276.01 _608. CWUIC § 101.1. Medium relevance — show source text
ORDINANCE NO.
An ordinance of the [JURISDICTION] adopting the 2024 edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code, regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, erection, installation, alteration, repair, location, relocation, replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of plumbing systems in the [JURISDICTION]; providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor; repealing Ordinance No. of the [JURISDICTION] and all other ordinances and parts of the ordinances in conflict therewith.
The [GOVERNING BODY] of the [JURISDICTION] does ordain as follows:
Section 1 Codes Adopted by Reference. That certain documents, three (3) copies of which are on file in the office of the [JURISDICTION'S KEEPER OF RECORDS] and the [JURISDICTION], being marked and designated as the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code, including Appendix Chapters [FILL IN THE APPENDIX CHAPTERS BEING ADOPTED], as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, be and is hereby adopted as the Code of the [JURISDICTION], in the State of [STATE NAME] regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, erection, installation, alteration, repair, location, relocation, replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of plumbing systems as herein provided; providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor; and each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of such 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code on file in the office of the
[JURISDICTION] are hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in this ordinance.
Section 2 Modifications. The following sections are hereby revised: Section 101.1. Insert: [NAME OF JURISDICTION] Section 104.5. Insert: [APPROPRIATE FEE SCHEDULE]
Section 3 Conflicting Ordinances Repealed. That Ordinance No. of [JURISDICTION] entitled
[TITLE OF THE ORDINANCE OR ORDINANCES IN EFFECT AT THE PRESENT TIME SO THAT THEY WILL BE REPEALED BY MENTION] and all other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
Section 4 Preemption. [JURISDICTION] hereby fully occupies and preempts the entire field of regulation of design, construction, quality of materials, erection, installation, alteration, repair, location, relocation, replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of plumbing systems; and provision for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor; within the boundaries of [JURISDICTION]. [AS APPROPRIATE] Cities, towns, and counties or other municipalities may enact only those laws and ordinances relating to this field as specifically authorized by state law and consistent with this ordinance. Local laws and ordinances that are inconsistent with, more restrictive than, or exceed the requirements of [ORDINANCE NO.] shall not be enacted and are hereby expressly preempted and repealed, regardless of the nature of the code, charter, or home rule status of such city, town, county, or municipality.
CWUIC § 1.11 Medium relevance — show source text
1||1.11
1.12||||2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX H-19
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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 1 Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration Division I—California Administration [T-19 §1.11] Enforcement of
RegulationsY 1.11 [T-19 §1.12] Enforcement Agency Y 1.121 1.11.2.1.2 Reprint of Health and
Safety CodeY 1.11.2.1.2 1.11.2.1.2 13108 1.11.2.2 Right of entry Y 1.11.2.2 1.11.2.2 1.08
1.13[T-19 §1.08] Report of Arrest Y 1.08 [T-19 §1.13] Penalty Y 1.13 1.11.2.3 More restrictive fire
and panic safety
building standardsY 1.11.2.3 1.11.2.3 1.11.2.3.1 Fire Protection District Y 1.11.2.3.1 1.11.2.3.1 1.11.2.3.2 Noticing a Proposed
OrdinanceY 1.11.2.3.2 1.11.2.3.2 1.11.2.3.3 Ratification Y 1.11.2.3.3 1.11.2.3.3 1.11.2.4 Request for alternate
means of protectionY 1.11.2.4 1.11.2.4 1.11.2.5 Appeals Y 1.11.2.5 1.11.2.5 1.11.3 Construction
documentsY _1.11. 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:
Fire service access to the property that is to be protected, including fire apparatus access roads and off-road driveways.
Premises identification.
CWUIC § 1505.1.2 Medium relevance — show source text
1
1505.1.2||||||| |Chapter 6|Fire protection requirements|Fire protection requirements|Fire protection requirements|Fire protection requirements|Fire protection requirements|Fire protection requirements|Fire protection requirements|Fire protection requirements|Fire protection requirements|Fire protection requirements| |601|General|Y||||||||| |601.1|Scope|Y||||||||| |601.2|Objective|Y|||4901.1|||||| |601.3|Chapter 6 definitions|Y||||||1299.02(a)||| |602|Fire protection plans|Y|||4903|||||| |602.1|General|Y|||4903.1|||||| |602.2|Contents|Y|||4903.2|||||| |602.3|Project information|Y|||4903.2.1|||||| |602.3.1|Preliminary fire
protection plan|Y|||4903.2.1.1|||||| |602.3.2|Fire protection plan|Y|||4903.2.1.2|||||| |603|Vegetation plan|Y|||4906|||||| |603.1|General|Y|||4906.1|||||| |603.2|Application|Y|||4906.2||||51182(a)|| |603.3|Landscape plans|Y|||4906.3|||||| |603.3.1|Contents|Y|||4906.3.1||3.07(b)(2)||51182(a)|4291| |603.4|Vegetation|Y|||4906.4||||||APPENDIX H-30 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 6 Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements Fire protection requirements 603.4.1 Shrubs Y 4906.4.1 603.4.2 Trees Y 4906.4.2 1299.03 3.07(b)(3) 603.4.2.1 Nonfire-smart
vegetationY 4906.4.2.1 604 Maintenance of
defensible spaceY 4907 604. 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 § 1-33 Medium relevance — show source text
112 Service Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33
113 Means of Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33
114 Violations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34
115 Stop Work Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34
CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1
201 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
202 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
CHAPTER 3 OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE . . . . .3-1
301 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
302 Occupancy Classification and Use Designation . . . . 3-3
303 Assembly Group A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
304 Business Group B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
305 Educational Group E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
306 Factory Group F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
307 High-Hazard Group H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
308 Institutional Group I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
309 Mercantile Group M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
310 Residential Group R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
311 Storage Group S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
312 Utility and Miscellaneous Group U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
313 Laboratories Group L [SFM]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-19
CWUIC § 12-7 Medium relevance — show source text
Title 19, Division 1]|||||||||||||||||||||||| |Chapter / Section|||||||||||||||||||||||| |AASHTO HB-17—2002|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |ASTM D638—2022|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |ASTM D3909/D3909M_—2022_|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |ASTM E84_—2023d_|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |ASTM E119_—2022_|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |ASTM E136_—2024a_|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |ASTM E1354_—2023_|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |ASTM E2632—2020|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |ASTM E2652—2022|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |ASTM E2707—2022|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |ASTM E2726/E2726M—
2012a(2017)|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |ASTM E2957—2017|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |ASTM G155—2021|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |NFPA 252—2022|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |NFPA 257—2022|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |SFM 12-7A-1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |SFM 12-7A-2|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |SFM 12-7A-3|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |SFM 12-7A-4|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |SFM 12-7A-4A|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |UL 9—2009|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |UL 10B—2008|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |UL 10C—2016|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |UL 94—2023|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |UL 263_—2011|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |UL 723—2018|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |UL 790—2022_|||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.
CWUIC § 109.1.4.3 Medium relevance — show source text
2|Apparatus, instru-
ments, material and
labor for tests|N||||||||| |109.1.4.3|Reinspection and
testing|N|||||||||2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX H-23
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 109.2 Enforcement N 109.2.1 Authorization to issue
corrective orders and
noticesN 109.2.2 Service of orders and
noticesN 109.3 Compliance with
orders and noticesN 109.3.1 General compliance N 109.3.2 Compliance with tags N 109.3.3 Removal and
destruction of signs
and tagsN 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
violationN 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
violationN 110 Certificate of
occupancyY 111.1 110.
Frequently asked questions
Who can file a petition to revise or repeal a zone designation?
The PRC text in § 4204 says a revision or repeal may be petitioned pursuant to Government Code §§ 11340.6 and 11340.7. The CWUIC/PRC excerpt does not provide the petition form or standing rules — consult those Government Code sections for details.
How often must zones be reviewed?
The code official must reevaluate and recommend modifications on a 5‑year basis, or more often if the legislative body requires, per § 302.2.
Does a petition automatically change my property’s rating?
No. A petition initiates a process. Any revision or repeal still requires the State Fire Marshal’s formal regulatory action (and must conform to the notice/hearing requirements of § 4203).
Is the county the final decision maker?
No. The State Fire Marshal adopts the regulatory designation, rating, revision, or repeal. The county board of supervisors receives the proposed regulation at least 45 days before adoption and a public hearing must be held in that county during the 45‑day period per § 4203.
If my local code official recommends a change, how long before a decision?
The CWUIC sets review schedules (e.g., 5‑year) and the State Fire Marshal’s rulemaking process includes a minimum 45‑day county notice/hearing window; the total timeline depends on agency workload and the Administrative Procedure Act steps. See § 302.2 and § 4203–4204.
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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