Sec. 13-55. - Setback for building defensible space.
Sec. 13-56. - Flammable vegetation clearance areas for roads and driveways.
Sec. 13-58. - Disposal of flammable vegetation and fuels.
Sec. 13-59.5. - Defensible space.
This division establishes minimum fuel modification requirements to reduce the possibility and intensity of a wildfire, to provide increased safety for emergency fire equipment, personnel and evacuating civilians, and to provide a point of attack against or defense from a wildfire.
(Ord. No. 5905, § I, 11-2-2010; Ord. No. 5373, § 2, 2002; Ord. No. 4905, § 1, 1995.)
Sec. 13-55. - Setback for building defensible space.
(a)
On parcels less than one (1) acre, all buildings shall have a setback from any property line or the centerline of any road of not less than the applicable minimum setbacks specified in Chapter 26 of the County Building Code.
(b)
On parcels one (1) acre or larger all buildings and accessory buildings shall have setbacks to the property line and/or exterior wall protection according to Table 13-55.
EXCEPTION: Commercial building and R-1 occupancy residential building setbacks in local responsibility areas shall be according to Section 503 of the County Building Code.
TABLE 13-55
SETBACKS AND EXTERIOR WALL
PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS1
| Location2 | Fire Resistance of Exterior Walls3 | Openings in Exterior Walls4 |
| Less than 10' | 1 hour construction | Not allowed |
| 10' to less than 20' | 1 hour construction | Protected |
| 20' to less than 30' | 1 hour construction | Allowed |
| 30' or more | None | Allowed |
Notes:
1.
Where setbacks and exterior wall and opening protection of the County Building Code are more stringent, the more stringent requirement shall apply as if part of this Code.
2.
Distance to property line shall be measured at a right angle from the property line.
3.
1-hour exterior walls and projections there from shall conform to the requirements of the County Building Code.
4.
Openings shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 7 of the County Building Code.
(Ord. No. 5905, § I, 11-2-2010; Ord. No. 5373, § 2, 2002; Ord. No. 5166 § 1(gg), 1999: Ord. No. 4905, § 1, 1995.)
Sec. 13-56. - Flammable vegetation clearance areas for roads and driveways.
All roads and driveways shall have a flammable vegetation clearance area on each side of the road or driveway of not less than ten (10) feet unless otherwise authorized by the director of permit and resource management.
(Ord. No. 5905, § I, 11-2-2010; Ord. No. 5373, § 2, 2002; Ord. No. 4905, § 1, 1995.)
All electric utility companies shall make every reasonable effort to select routes and types of conductors that minimize the risk of fire when installing new overhead electric utilities.
(Ord. No. 5905, § I, 11-2-2010; Ord. No. 5373, § 2, 2002; Ord. No. 4905, § 1, 1995.)
Sec. 13-58. - Disposal of flammable vegetation and fuels.
All disposal, including chipping, burying, burning or removal to a landfill site, of flammable vegetation and fuels caused by site development and construction, road and driveway construction, or fuel modification shall be completed prior to completion of road or driveway construction, or foundation inspection for a building permit, whichever occurs first.
(Ord. No. 5905, § I, 11-2-2010; Ord. No. 5373, § 2, 2002; Ord. No. 5166 § 1(hh), 1999: Ord. No. 4905, § 1, 1995.)
Any development which designates a facility or land use as a greenbelt shall locate the greenbelt strategically, as a separation between wildland fuels and buildings. The Director of Permit and Resource Management shall approve the location of any greenbelt.
(Ord. No. 5905, § I, 11-2-2010; Ord. No. 5373, § 2, 2002; Ord. No. 4905, § 1, 1995.)
Sec. 13-59.5. - Defensible space.
(a)
A fire protection plan shall be required for any new residential or commercial building within a state responsibility area (SRA) or a very high severity zone of a local responsibility area (LRA). The plan shall be prepared by a qualified professional and shall be approved by the county fire chief. The plan shall include, at a minimum, defensible space zones, identification of vegetation types, replacement of non-native flammable vegetation with approved fire resistive vegetation, and a maintenance program for all vegetation. When required by the code official, the property owner shall record a covenant, in a form satisfactory to county counsel, which ensures that the approved plan will be implemented and maintained.
(b)
The fire protection plan shall be based upon a site-specific wildfire risk assessment that includes considerations of location, topography, aspect, flammable vegetation, climatic conditions and fire history. The plan shall address water supply, access, building ignition and fire-resistance factors, fire protection systems and equipment, defensible space and vegetation management.
(c)
A copy of the fire protection plan shall be retained by the property owner.
(d)
The cost of fire protection plan preparation and review shall be the responsibility of the applicant. All existing buildings shall meet the requirements of Public Resources Code (PRC 4291) for defensible space.
(e)
All existing buildings shall meet the requirements of the California Fire Code, Chapter 49, Section 4906 and 4907.
(Ord. No. 5905, § I, 11-2-2010)
Editor's note—
Ord. No. 5905, § I, adopted November 2, 2010, amended the Code by repealing former § 13-59.5, and adding a new § 13-59.5. Former § 13-59.5 pertained to vegetation management plans, and derived from Ord. No. 5166 of 1999; and Ord. No. 5373 of 2002.
All structures regulated by the County Building Code shall have roof coverings that comply with the requirements of Chapter 7 of this Code.
(Ord. No. 5905, § I, 11-2-2010; Ord. No. 5373, § 2, 2002; Ord. No. 4905, § 1, 1995.)