CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
What are the road sign requirements and installation/visibility rules?
If you build a new road in a CWUIC area it must be named/numbered consistently and signed with reflectorized signs using at least 4‑inch letters and 0.5‑inch strokes; signs must be legible from both directions for at least 100 feet, intersection signs must sit at the intersection, traffic‑limitation signs must be at the preceding intersection and no more than 100 feet before the limitation, and all required signs must be posted at the start of construction and maintained (see **§ 403.2.2** and **§ 403.2.3**) .
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — 2-4 sentences
The California Wildland‑Urban Interface Code requires that newly constructed or approved Roads be identified with consistent names or numbers, using signs that are reflectorized, contrasting, and sized to be legible (minimum 4‑inch letter height, 0.5‑inch stroke) — see § 403.2.2. Road signs must be visible and legible from both directions for at least 100 feet, placed at intersections where they identify intersecting Roads, and traffic‑limitation signs must be placed at the preceding intersection and no more than 100 feet before the limitation. All required road signs must be posted at the beginning of construction and maintained thereafter (see § 403.2.3) .
The single most important rule: road signs for new roads must be reflectorized, at least 4 inches high, and readable from both directions for at least 100 feet (see § 403.2.2 and § 403.2.3) .
Requirements in detail
1) What roads must be signed and how they must be named
- Newly constructed or newly approved Roads must be identified by name or number in a consistent, non‑duplicative, sequenced/patterned system within the local jurisdiction. Existing roads are not required to be renamed or renumbered by this rule; a Road that provides access only to a single commercial or industrial occupancy is exempt from requiring a name/number . (Controlling text: § 403.2.2(a).)
2) Sign size, materials and legibility
- Minimum typographic requirements:
- Letter height: 4 inches
- Stroke width: 0.5 inch
- Finish: reflectorized and contrasting with the sign background (so that characters stand out) . (Controlling text: § 403.2.2(b).)
3) Installation location & visibility requirements
- Visibility: signs must be visible and legible from both directions for at least 100 feet of vehicle travel (minimum sight distance) . (Controlling text: § 403.2.3(a).)
- Intersection signs: signs that identify intersecting Roads must be placed at the intersection . (Controlling text: § 403.2.3(b).)
- Traffic‑limitation signs (weight, height, dead‑end, one‑way, single lane, etc.):
- Must be placed at the intersection preceding the limitation, and
- No more than 100 feet before the limitation itself . (Controlling text: § 403.2.3(c).)
- Timing & maintenance: required road signs must be posted at the beginning of construction and maintained thereafter . (Controlling text: § 403.2.3(d).)
Quick reference table
| Decision dimension | Required value / action | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Which roads must be identified | Newly constructed or approved Roads (consistent, sequenced, non‑duplicative); no renaming of existing roads required; single commercial/industrial access excepted | § 403.2.2(a) |
| Minimum letter height | 4 inches | § 403.2.2(b) |
| Minimum stroke width | 0.5 inch | § 403.2.2(b) |
| Reflectivity / contrast | Reflectorized and contrasting with background | § 403.2.2(b) |
| Visibility distance | Legible from both directions for at least 100 feet | § 403.2.3(a) |
| Placement for intersection signs | At the intersection | § 403.2.3(b) |
| Placement for traffic‑limitation signs | At preceding intersection and no more than 100 feet before the limitation | § 403.2.3(c) |
| When to post | At the beginning of construction; maintain thereafter | § 403.2.3(d) |
Exceptions & special cases
- No requirement to rename or renumber existing roads under this section — the rule applies to newly constructed or approved Roads only (§ 403.2.2(a)) .
- A Road that provides access only to a single commercial or industrial occupancy is not required to be named or numbered under § 403.2.2(a) .
- The code’s Intent states it “shall not restrict the size of letters or numbers appearing on road signs for other purposes,” so larger lettering for special signage is not prohibited (see § 403.2.1) .
- The CWUIC separates building address requirements and their specific standards (reflectorized residential addresses, address placement rules) — those are in § 403.2.4 and § 403.2.5 (related but distinct) .
Common mistakes
- Installing non‑reflective signs or using poor contrast — reduces nighttime and low‑visibility legibility (violates § 403.2.2(b)) .
- Using letters smaller than 4 inches or strokes < 0.5 inch on road name/number signs — below minimum § 403.2.2(b) sizing .
- Mounting signs where they are not visible from both directions for 100 feet (e.g., behind vegetation, around a sharp curve) — violates § 403.2.3(a) .
- Placing traffic‑limitation warnings too far upstream (more than 100 feet before the limitation) or not at the preceding intersection — fails § 403.2.3(c) requirements .
- Failing to post required signs at the start of construction or failing to maintain them — noncompliant with § 403.2.3(d) .
Worked example — concrete scenario
Scenario: You are building a new subdivision with a new Road (to be named “Juniper Ridge Drive”) that ends in a single‑lane bridge 80 feet past the main intersection.
Apply the rules:
- Because this is a newly constructed Road, it must be given a non‑duplicative name within the jurisdiction and signed accordingly (§ 403.2.2(a)) .
- The Juniper Ridge Drive sign must use at least 4‑inch letters, 0.5‑inch stroke, be reflectorized, and contrast with the background per § 403.2.2(b) .
- Place the road name sign at the intersection so it is legible from both directions for at least 100 feet (pick a mounting location with clear sightlines and trim vegetation) — this satisfies § 403.2.3(a) and (b) .
- Because there is a single‑lane bridge 80 feet beyond the intersection (a traffic access limitation), install a traffic‑limitation sign at the intersection preceding the limitation and ensure it is no more than 100 feet before the limitation. In practice: install the limitation sign at the intersection and, if necessary for advance warning, the physical sign face located 80 feet before the bridge (which is within the 100‑ft maximum) — meeting § 403.2.3(c) .
- Post all required signs at the beginning of construction and keep them maintained through occupancy as required by § 403.2.3(d) .
Related provisions
- § 403.2.1 — Intent for signing and building numbering (general purpose and non‑restriction on other sign sizes) .
- § 403.2.4 — Addresses for Buildings (address assignment and size standards) .
- § 403.2.5 — Address installation, location and visibility (where and how addresses must be posted) .
- § 403.1.2 — Road width and lane requirements (relevant when designing the roadway that will be signed) .
- § 403.1.10 (1273.09) — Gate entrance dimensions and clearance (signage for gates and access restrictions may be required) .
- Road/driveway structure and bridge signage requirements (see related text in 1273.10 / § 403.1.8 for bridge weight/clearance posting) .
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CWUIC § 1273.09 High relevance — show source text
Where security gates are installed, they shall have an approved means_ of emergency operation. Approval shall be by the local authority having jurisdiction. The security gates and the emergency operation shall be maintained operational at all times.
[CCR, Title 14 §1273.09]
403.2 Signing and building numbering.
403.2.1 Intent. To facilitate locating a fire and to avoid delays in response, all newly constructed or approved Roads and Buildings shall be designated by names or numbers posted on signs clearly visible and legible from the Road. This section shall not restrict the size of letters or numbers appearing on road signs for other purposes. [CCR, Title 14 §1274.00]
403.2.2 Road signs. (a) Newly constructed or approved Roads must be identified by a name or number through a consistent system that provides for sequenced or patterned numbering and/or nonduplicative naming within each Local Jurisdiction. This section does not require any entity to rename or renumber existing roads, nor shall a Road providing access only to a single commercial or industrial Occupancy require naming or numbering. (b) The size of letters, numbers and symbols for Road signs shall be a minimum four-inch letter height, half-inch stroke, reflector- ized, contrasting with the background color of the sign.
[CCR, Title 14 §1274.01]
403.2.3 Road sign installation, location, and visibility. (a) Road signs shall be visible and legible from both directions of vehicle travel for a distance of at least one hundred (100) feet. (b) Signs required by this article identifying intersecting Roads shall be placed at the intersection of those Roads. (c) A sign identifying traffic access or flow limitations, including but not limited to weight or vertical clearance limitations, dead- end roads, one-way roads, or single lane conditions, shall be placed: (1) at the intersection preceding the traffic access limitation, and (2) not more than one hundred (100) feet before such traffic access limitation. (d) Road signs required by this article shall be posted at the beginning of construction and shall be maintained thereafter.
[CCR, Title 14 §1274.02]
403.2.4 Addresses for Buildings. (a) All Buildings shall be issued an address by the Local Jurisdiction which conforms to that jurisdiction's overall address system. Utility and miscellaneous Group U Buildings are not required to have a separate address; however, each Residential Unit within a Building shall be separately identified. (b) The size of letters, numbers and symbols for addresses shall conform to the standards in the California Fire Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 9. (c) Addresses for residential Buildings shall be reflectorized.
[CCR, Title 14 §1274.03]
4-6 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS
403.2.5 Address installation, location and visibility. (a) All buildings shall have a permanently posted address which shall be plainly legible and visible from the Road fronting the property. (b) Where access is by means of a private Road and the address identification cannot be viewed from the public way, an unob- _structed sign or other means shall be used so that the address is visible from the public way.
CWUIC § 1274.00. High relevance — show source text
1274.00. Intent. To facilitate locating a fire and to avoid delays in response, all newly constructed or approved Roads and Buildings shall be designated by names or numbers posted on signs clearly visible and legible from the Road. This section shall not restrict the size of letters or numbers appearing on road signs for other purposes.
1274.01 Road signs. (a) Newly constructed or approved Roads must be identified by a name or number through a consistent system that provides for sequenced or patterned numbering and/or non-duplicative naming within each Local Jurisdiction. This section does not require any entity to rename or renumber existing roads, nor shall a Road providing access only to a single commercial or industrial Occupancy require naming or numbering. (b) The size of letters, numbers, and symbols for Road signs shall be a minimum four (4) inch letter height, half inch (.5) inch stroke, reflectorized, contrasting with the background color of the sign.
1274.02 Road sign installation, location, and visibility. (a) Road signs shall be visible and legible from both directions of vehicle travel for a distance of at least one hundred (100) feet. (b) Signs required by this article identifying intersecting Roads shall be placed at the intersection of those Roads. (c) A sign identifying traffic access or flow limitations, including but not limited to weight or vertical clearance limitations, dead- end roads, one-way roads, or single lane conditions, shall be placed: (1) at the intersection preceding the traffic access limitation, and (2) no more than one hundred (100) feet before such traffic access limitation. (d) Road signs required by this article shall be posted at the beginning of construction and shall be maintained thereafter.
1274.03 Addresses for buildings. (a) All Buildings shall be issued an address by the Local Jurisdiction which conforms to that jurisdiction's overall address system. Utility and miscellaneous Group U Buildings are not required to have a separate address; however, each Residential Unit within a Building shall be separately identified. (b) The size of letters, numbers, and symbols for addresses shall conform to the standards in the California Fire Code, California Code of Regulations title 24, part 9. (c) Addresses for residential Buildings shall be reflectorized.
1274.04 Address installation, location, and visibility. (a) All buildings shall have a permanently posted address which shall be plainly legible and visible from the Road fronting the property. (b) Where access is by means of a private Road and the address identification cannot be viewed from the public way, an unob- structed sign or other means shall be used so that the address is visible from the public way. (c) Address signs along one-way Roads shall be visible from both directions. (d) Where multiple addresses are required at a single driveway, they shall be mounted on a single sign or post. (e) Where a Road provides access solely to a single commercial or industrial business, the address sign shall be placed at the near- est Road intersection providing access to that site, or otherwise posted to provide for unobstructed visibility from that intersection.
(f) In all cases, the address shall be posted at the beginning of construction and shall be maintained thereafter.
Article 4 Emergency Water Standards
CWUIC § 1273.10 High relevance — show source text
1273.10 Road and driveway structures. (a) Appropriate signing, including but not limited to weight or vertical clearance limitations, one-way road or single traffic lane conditions, shall reflect the capability of each bridge. (b) Where a bridge or an elevated surface is part of a fire apparatus access road, the bridge shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17th Edition, published 2002 (known as AASHTO HB-17), hereby incorporated by reference. Bridges and elevated surfaces shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus. Vehicle load limits shall be posted at both entrances to bridges when required by the local authority having jurisdiction. (c) Where elevated surfaces designed for emergency vehicle use are adjacent to surfaces which are not designed for such use, barriers, or signs, or both, as approved by the local authority having jurisdiction, shall be installed, and maintained. (d) A bridge with only one traffic lane may be authorized by the local jurisdiction; however, it shall provide for unobstructed visibil- ity from one end to the other and turnouts at both ends.
Note: Authority cited: Section 4290, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 4290 and 4291, Public Resources Code.
Article 3 Signing and Building Numbering
1274.00. Intent. To facilitate locating a fire and to avoid delays in response, all newly constructed or approved Roads and Buildings shall be designated by names or numbers posted on signs clearly visible and legible from the Road. This section shall not restrict the size of letters or numbers appearing on road signs for other purposes.
1274.01 Road signs. (a) Newly constructed or approved Roads must be identified by a name or number through a consistent system that provides for sequenced or patterned numbering and/or non-duplicative naming within each Local Jurisdiction. This section does not require any entity to rename or renumber existing roads, nor shall a Road providing access only to a single commercial or industrial Occupancy require naming or numbering. (b) The size of letters, numbers, and symbols for Road signs shall be a minimum four (4) inch letter height, half inch (.5) inch stroke, reflectorized, contrasting with the background color of the sign.
1274.02 Road sign installation, location, and visibility. (a) Road signs shall be visible and legible from both directions of vehicle travel for a distance of at least one hundred (100) feet. (b) Signs required by this article identifying intersecting Roads shall be placed at the intersection of those Roads. (c) A sign identifying traffic access or flow limitations, including but not limited to weight or vertical clearance limitations, dead- end roads, one-way roads, or single lane conditions, shall be placed: (1) at the intersection preceding the traffic access limitation, and (2) no more than one hundred (100) feet before such traffic access limitation. (d) Road signs required by this article shall be posted at the beginning of construction and shall be maintained thereafter.
CWUIC § 1.7 High relevance — show source text
1.7_|Turnouts|Y||||1273.06||||| |403.1.8|Road and driveway
structures|Y||||1273.07(a)
1273.07(b)
1273.07(c)
1273.07(d)||||| |403.1.9|Dead-end roads|Y||||1273.08(a)
1273.08(b)||||| |403.10|Gate Entrances|Y||||1273.09(a)
1273.09(b)
1273.09(c)
1273.09(d)||||| |403.2|Signing and Building
Numbering|Y||||Article 3||||| |403.2.1|Intent|Y||||1274.00||||| |403.2.2|Road signs|Y||||1274.01||||| |403.2.3|Road Sign
Installation, Location
and Visibility|Y||||1274.02(a)
1274.02(b)
1274.02(c)
1274.02(d)||||| |403.2.4|Addresses for
Buildings|Y||||1274.03(a)
1274.03(b)
1274.03(c)||||| ||||||||||||2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX H-27
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 4 Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements 403.2.5 Address installation,
location, and visibilityY 1274.04(a)
1274.04(b)
1274.04(c)
1274.04(d)
1274.04(e)
1274.04(f)404 Water supply Y 1275.02 404.1 General Y 507 1275.02(b) 404.2 Required water supply Y 1275.02(c) 404.3 Draft sites Y 404.3.1 Access Y 507.5.4 404.3. CWUIC § 4.99 High relevance — show source text
Parcels zoned for less than one acre – 800 feet (262 m)
Parcels zoned for 1 acre to 4.99 acres – 1,320 feet (433 m)
Parcels zoned for 5 acres to 19.99 acres – 2,640 feet (866 m)
Parcels zoned for 20 acres or larger – 5,280 feet (1732 m) All lengths shall be measured from the edge of the road surface at the intersection that begins the road to the end of the road surface at its farthest point. Where a Dead-end Road crosses areas of differing zoned parcel sizes requiring different length limits, the shortest allowable length shall apply. (b) See Section 403.1.5 for Dead-end Road turnaround requirements.
[CCR, Title 14 §1273.08]
403.1.10 Gate entrances.
(a) Gate entrances shall be at least two (2) feet wider than the width of the traffic lane(s) serving that gate and a minimum width of fourteen (14) feet unobstructed horizontal clearance and unobstructed vertical clearance of thirteen feet, six inches (13' 6”). (b) All gates providing access from a road to a driveway shall be located at least thirty (30) feet from the roadway and shall open to allow a vehicle to stop without obstructing traffic on that Road. (c) Where a one-way road with a single traffic lane provides access to a gated entrance, a forty-foot turning radius shall be used. (d) Security gates shall not be installed without approval. Where security gates are installed, they shall have an approved means of emergency operation. Approval shall be by the local authority having jurisdiction. The security gates and the emergency operation shall be maintained operational at all times.
[CCR, Title 14 §1273.09]
403.2 Signing and building numbering.
403.2.1 Intent. To facilitate locating a fire and to avoid delays in response, all newly constructed or approved Roads and Buildings shall be designated by names or numbers posted on signs clearly visible and legible from the Road. This section shall not restrict the size of letters or numbers appearing on road signs for other purposes. [CCR, Title 14 §1274.00]
403.2.2 Road signs. (a) Newly constructed or approved Roads must be identified by a name or number through a consistent system that provides for sequenced or patterned numbering and/or nonduplicative naming within each Local Jurisdiction. This section does not require any entity to rename or renumber existing roads, nor shall a Road providing access only to a single commercial or industrial Occupancy require naming or numbering. (b) The size of letters, numbers and symbols for Road signs shall be a minimum four-inch letter height, half-inch stroke, reflector- ized, contrasting with the background color of the sign.
[CCR, Title 14 §1274.01]
_**403.2.3 Road sign installation, location, and visibility.
CWUIC § 402.1.1 Medium relevance — show source text
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
507|||||| |402.2.1|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)
1273.01(b)
1273.01(c)||||| |403.1.3|Road Surfaces|Y||||1273.02(a)
1273.02(b)
1273.02(c)||||| |403.1.4|Grades|Y||||1273.03(a)
1273.03(b)||||| |403.1.5|Radius|Y||||1273.04(a)
1273.04(b)||||| |403.1.6|Turnarounds|Y||||1273.05(a)
1273.05(b)
1273.05(c)
1273.05(d)
1273.05(e)
1273.05(f)
1273.05(g)||||| |Figure A|Turnaround with two
10' traffic lanes|Y||||Figure A||||| |Figure B|Turnaround with one
10' traffic lane|Y||||Figure B||||| |403.1.7|Turnouts|Y||||1273.06||||| |403.1.8|Road and driveway
structures|Y||||1273.07(a)
1273.07(b)
1273.07(c)
1273.07(d)||||| |403.1.9|Dead-end roads|Y||||1273.08(a)
1273.08(b)||||| |403.10|Gate Entrances|Y||||1273.09(a)
1273.09(b)
1273.09(c)
1273.09(d)||||| |403.2|Signing and Building
Numbering|Y||||Article 3||||| |403.2.1|Intent|Y||||1274.00||||| |403.2.2|Road signs|Y||||1274.01||||| |403.2.3|Road Sign
Installation, Location
and Visibility|Y||||1274.02(a)
1274.02(b)
1274.02(c)
1274.02(d)||||| |403.2.4|Addresses for
Buildings|Y||||1274.03(a)
1274.03(b)
1274.03(c)||||| ||||||||||||2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX H-27
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
CWUIC § 1274.03 Medium relevance — show source text
1274.03 Addresses for buildings. (a) All Buildings shall be issued an address by the Local Jurisdiction which conforms to that jurisdiction's overall address system. Utility and miscellaneous Group U Buildings are not required to have a separate address; however, each Residential Unit within a Building shall be separately identified. (b) The size of letters, numbers, and symbols for addresses shall conform to the standards in the California Fire Code, California Code of Regulations title 24, part 9. (c) Addresses for residential Buildings shall be reflectorized.
1274.04 Address installation, location, and visibility. (a) All buildings shall have a permanently posted address which shall be plainly legible and visible from the Road fronting the property. (b) Where access is by means of a private Road and the address identification cannot be viewed from the public way, an unob- structed sign or other means shall be used so that the address is visible from the public way. (c) Address signs along one-way Roads shall be visible from both directions. (d) Where multiple addresses are required at a single driveway, they shall be mounted on a single sign or post. (e) Where a Road provides access solely to a single commercial or industrial business, the address sign shall be placed at the near- est Road intersection providing access to that site, or otherwise posted to provide for unobstructed visibility from that intersection.
(f) In all cases, the address shall be posted at the beginning of construction and shall be maintained thereafter.
Article 4 Emergency Water Standards
1275.00 Intent. Emergency water for Wildfire protection shall be available, accessible, and maintained in quantities and locations spec- ified in the statute and these regulations in order to attack a Wildfire or defend property from a Wildfire.
1275.01 Application. The provisions of this article shall apply in the tentative and parcel map process when new parcels are approved by the Local Jurisdiction.
APPENDIX H-14 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
1275.02 Water supply. (a) When a water supply for structure defense is required to be installed, such protection shall be installed and made serviceable prior to and during the time of construction except when alternative methods of protection are provided and approved by the Local Jurisdiction.
(b) Water systems equaling or exceeding the California Fire Code, California Code of Regulations title 24, part 9, or, where a munic- ipal-type water supply is unavailable, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1142, “Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting,” 2017 Edition, hereby incorporated by reference, shall be accepted as meeting the require- ments of this article.
(c) Such emergency water may be provided in a fire agency mobile water tender, or naturally occurring or man made containment structure, as long as the specified quantity is immediately available. (d) Nothing in this article prohibits the combined storage of emergency Wildfire and structural firefighting water supplies unless so prohibited by local ordinance or specified by the local fire agency. (e) Where freeze or crash protection is required by Local Jurisdictions, such protection measures shall be provided.
CWUIC § 1274.02 Medium relevance — show source text
[CCR, Title 14 §1274.02]
403.2.4 Addresses for Buildings. (a) All Buildings shall be issued an address by the Local Jurisdiction which conforms to that jurisdiction's overall address system. Utility and miscellaneous Group U Buildings are not required to have a separate address; however, each Residential Unit within a Building shall be separately identified. (b) The size of letters, numbers and symbols for addresses shall conform to the standards in the California Fire Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 9. (c) Addresses for residential Buildings shall be reflectorized.
[CCR, Title 14 §1274.03]
4-6 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS
403.2.5 Address installation, location and visibility. (a) All buildings shall have a permanently posted address which shall be plainly legible and visible from the Road fronting the property. (b) Where access is by means of a private Road and the address identification cannot be viewed from the public way, an unob- structed sign or other means shall be used so that the address is visible from the public way. (c) Address signs along one-way Roads shall be visible from both directions. (d) Where multiple addresses are required at a single driveway, they shall be mounted on a single sign or post. (e) Where a Road provides access solely to a single commercial or industrial business, the address sign shall be placed at the near- est Road intersection providing access to that site, or otherwise posted to provide for unobstructed visibility from that intersection.
(f) In all cases, the address shall be posted at the beginning of construction and shall be maintained thereafter.
[CCR, Title 14 §1274.04]
SECTION 404—WATER SUPPLY
404.1 General. An approved water source shall have an adequate water supply for the use of the fire protection service to protect buildings and structures from exterior fire sources or to suppress structure fires within the wildland-urban interface area of the jurisdiction in accordance with this section.
404.2 Required water supply. An approved water supply capable of supplying the required fire flow for structural fire protection and wildland fire exposure shall be provided to the premises on which facilities, buildings or portions of buildings are hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction in accordance with Section 507 of the California Fire Code.
404.3 Draft sites. Approved draft sites shall be provided at natural water sources intended for use as fire protection for compliance with this code. The design, construction, location, access and access maintenance of draft sites shall be approved by the code official.
404.3.1 Access. The draft site shall have emergency vehicle access from an access road in accordance with Section 403.
404.3.2 Pumper access points. The pumper access point shall be either an emergency vehicle access area alongside a conforming access road or an approved driveway not longer than 150 feet (45 720 mm). Pumper access points and access driveways shall be designed and constructed in accordance with all codes and ordinances enforced by this jurisdiction. Pumper access points shall not require the pumper apparatus to obstruct a road or driveway.
CWUIC § 1273.09 Medium relevance — show source text
Note: Authority cited: Section 4290, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 4290 and 4291, Public Resources Code.
1273.09 Gate Entrances.
(a) Gate entrances shall be at least two (2) feet wider than the width of the traffic lane(s) serving that gate and a minimum width of fourteen (14) feet unobstructed horizontal clearance and unobstructed vertical clearance of thirteen feet, six inches (13' 6”). (b) All gates providing access from a road to a driveway shall be located at least thirty (30) feet from the roadway and shall open to allow a vehicle to stop without obstructing traffic on that Road. (c) Where a one-way road with a single traffic lane provides access to a gated entrance, a forty (40) foot turning radius shall be used.
(d) Security gates shall not be installed without approval. Where security gates are installed, they shall have an approved means of emergency operation. Approval shall be by the local authority having jurisdiction. The security gates and the emergency operation shall be maintained operational at all times.
Note: Authority cited: Section 4290, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 4290 and 4291, Public Resources Code.
2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX H-13
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS
1273.10 Road and driveway structures. (a) Appropriate signing, including but not limited to weight or vertical clearance limitations, one-way road or single traffic lane conditions, shall reflect the capability of each bridge. (b) Where a bridge or an elevated surface is part of a fire apparatus access road, the bridge shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17th Edition, published 2002 (known as AASHTO HB-17), hereby incorporated by reference. Bridges and elevated surfaces shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus. Vehicle load limits shall be posted at both entrances to bridges when required by the local authority having jurisdiction. (c) Where elevated surfaces designed for emergency vehicle use are adjacent to surfaces which are not designed for such use, barriers, or signs, or both, as approved by the local authority having jurisdiction, shall be installed, and maintained. (d) A bridge with only one traffic lane may be authorized by the local jurisdiction; however, it shall provide for unobstructed visibil- ity from one end to the other and turnouts at both ends.
Note: Authority cited: Section 4290, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 4290 and 4291, Public Resources Code.
Article 3 Signing and Building Numbering
1274.00. Intent. To facilitate locating a fire and to avoid delays in response, all newly constructed or approved Roads and Buildings shall be designated by names or numbers posted on signs clearly visible and legible from the Road. This section shall not restrict the size of letters or numbers appearing on road signs for other purposes.
CWUIC § 1609.3.1. Medium relevance — show source text
Horizontal battens are required for slopes over 7:12.
e. Perimeter fastening areas include three tile courses but not less than 36 inches from either side of hips or ridges and edges of eaves and_gable_ rakes.
f._ Vasd_ shall be determined in accordance with Section 1609.3.1.|For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s, 1 pound per square foot = 4.882 kg/m2.
a. Minimum fastener size. Corrosion-resistant nails not less than No. 11 gage with5/16-inch head. Fasteners shall be long enough to penetrate into the sheathing3/4 inch or
through the thickness of the sheathing, whichever is less. Attaching wire for clay and concrete tile shall not be smaller than 0.083 inch.
b. Snow areas. Not fewer than two fasteners per tile are required or battens and one fastener.
c. Roof slopes greater than 24:12. The nose of all tiles shall be securely fastened.
d. Horizontal battens. Battens shall be not less than 1 inch by 2 inches nominal. Provisions shall be made for drainage by a riser of not less than1/8 inch at each nail or by 4-foot-
long battens with not less than a1/2-inch separation between battens. Horizontal battens are required for slopes over 7:12.
e. Perimeter fastening areas include three tile courses but not less than 36 inches from either side of hips or ridges and edges of eaves and_gable_ rakes.
f._ Vasd_ shall be determined in accordance with Section 1609.3.1.|For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s, 1 pound per square foot = 4.882 kg/m2.
a. Minimum fastener size. Corrosion-resistant nails not less than No. 11 gage with5/16-inch head. Fasteners shall be long enough to penetrate into the sheathing3/4 inch or
through the thickness of the sheathing, whichever is less. Attaching wire for clay and concrete tile shall not be smaller than 0.083 inch.
b. Snow areas. Not fewer than two fasteners per tile are required or battens and one fastener.
c. Roof slopes greater than 24:12. The nose of all tiles shall be securely fastened.
d. Horizontal battens. Battens shall be not less than 1 inch by 2 inches nominal. Provisions shall be made for drainage by a riser of not less than1/8 inch at each nail or by 4-foot-
long battens with not less than a1/2-inch separation between battens. Horizontal battens are required for slopes over 7:12.
e.CWUIC § 1270.01 Medium relevance — show source text
1|||||| ||Strategic
ridgeline (T14)|Y||||1270.01(dd)||||| ||Structure|Y|202|||1270.01(ee)||||| ||Subdivision|Y||||||||| ||Tree crown|Y||||||||| ||Undeveloped
ridgeline (T14)|Y||||1270.01(ii)||||| ||Unenclosed acces-
sory structure|Y||||||||| ||Vertical curve (T14)|Y||||1270.01(k)||||| ||Wildfire|Y||702A|4902.1|||||| ||Wildfire exposure|Y||702A|4902.1|||||| ||Wildland|Y||||||||| ||Wildland-urban inter-
face area|Y||702A|4902.1|||||| |Chapter 3|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas|Wildland-urban interface areas| |301|General|Y||||||||| |301.1|Scope|Y||||||||4201| |301.2|Purpose|Y|||||||51176|4201| |302|Wildland-Urban
Interface Area
Designations|Y||||||||| |302.1|Mapping|Y|||4904.2||||51178|4202
4203(a)
4204| |302.2|Review of wildland-
urban interface areas|Y|||||||51181|4204| |Chapter 4|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements| |401|General|Y||||||||| |401.1|Scope|Y||||||||| |401.2|Objective|Y||||1273.00||||| |401.3|General safety
precautions|Y||||||||| |402|Applicability|Y|||||||||APPENDIX H-26 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
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,CWUIC § 402.3 Medium relevance — show source text
402.3 Existing conditions. Existing buildings shall be provided with address markers in accordance with Sections 403.2.4 and 403.2.5 . Existing roads and fire protection equipment shall be provided with markings in accordance with Sections 403.4 and 404.8, respectively.
SECTION 403—ACCESS
USER NOTE: The standards in Section 403 applicable to roads shall not apply to roads used solely for agriculture; mining; or the management of timberland or harvesting of forest products. [CCR, Title 14 §1270.03(d)]
403.1 General. Roads and driveways, whether public or private, unless exempted under 14 CCR § 1270.03(d), shall provide for safe access for emergency wildfire equipment and civilian evacuation concurrently, and shall provide unobstructed traffic circulation during a wildfire emergency consistent 403.1.1 to 403.1.9. [CCR, Title 14 §1273.00]
403.1.1 Section 403 definitions. When used in Section 403, the term listed below shall be defined as follows:
DEFENSIBLE SPACE. The area within the perimeter of a parcel, development, neighborhood or community where basic wildland fire protection practices and measures are implemented to defend against encroaching wildfire or to escape structure fires. The perimeter as used in this regulation [CCR Title 14] is the area encompassing the parcel or parcels proposed for construction and/or development, excluding the physical structure itself. The area is characterized by the establishment and maintenance of emer- gency vehicle access, emergency water reserves, road names and identification, and fuel modification measures. [CCR Title 14 §1270.01(f)]
2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE 4-3
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS
403.1.2 Width.
(a) All Roads shall be constructed to provide a minimum of two ten-foot traffic lanes, not including shoulder and striping. These traffic lanes shall provide for two-way traffic flow to support emergency vehicle and civilian egress, unless other standards are provided in this article or additional requirements are mandated by local jurisdictions or local subdivision requirements. Verti- cal clearances shall conform to the requirements in California Vehicle Code Section 35250. (b) All one-way roads shall be constructed to provide a minimum of one twelve-foot traffic lane, not including Shoulders. The Local Jurisdiction may approve One-way Roads. (1) All one-way roads shall, at both ends, connect to a road with two traffic lanes providing for travel in different directions, and shall provide access to an area currently zoned for not more than ten (10) Residential Units. (2) In no case shall a One-way Road exceed 2,640 feet in length. A turnout shall be placed and constructed at approximately the midpoint of each One-way Road. (c) All Driveways shall be constructed to provide a minimum of one (1) ten-foot traffic lane, fourteen (14) feet unobstructed hori- zontal clearance, and unobstructed vertical clearance of thirteen feet, six inches (13' 6”).
[CCR, Title 14 §1273.01]
403.1.3 Road surfaces.
Frequently asked questions
Do the sign size and visibility rules apply to existing roads?
No — the naming/numbering requirements in § 403.2.2(a) apply to newly constructed or approved Roads. The code does not require renaming or renumbering existing roads under that section .
What does “reflectorized” mean in practice for compliance?
“Reflectorized” means the sign face or characters use materials that reflect vehicle headlights so the characters are legible at night — this is required by § 403.2.2(b) to ensure legibility in low light .
How far must a road sign be legible from?
Road signs must be visible and legible from both directions for at least 100 feet of vehicle travel, per § 403.2.3(a) .
Where should signs warning of a dead‑end or low clearance be placed?
They must be placed at the intersection preceding the traffic access limitation and no more than 100 feet before the limitation itself (see § 403.2.3(c)) .
When must required signs be posted?
All required road signs must be posted at the beginning of construction and maintained thereafter, per § 403.2.3(d) .
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)
Ask about the CWUIC
Get cited, plain-English answers on the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code for your project — any code section, any scenario.
Start Free Trial