CC 06-03-2025 Item No. 7. Fire Hazard Severity Zones Designation_Staff PresentationCity Council
June 3, 2025
Fire Hazard Severity Zones Designation
Background
CAL FIRE must issue recommendations re:Fire
Severity Hazard Zones (FHSZ)per CA Govt .Code
51177-51179
FHSZ recommendations for Cupertino issued in Feb.
24,2025
City must adopt (CA Dept.of Forestry and Fire
Protection)CAL FIRE recommendations by June 24,
2025
CAL FIRE and maps
State Responsibility Area (SRA)maps prepared
since 1981
Local Responsibility Area (LRA)maps prepared
since 1992:
Bates Bills (1992)–only required local adoption of
Very High FHSZ
SB 63 (2021)–requires local adoption of all three FHSZ
designations –Very High,High and Moderate
LRA Maps updated for first time since 2009 with
new data and updated modeling
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Implications –Very High FHSZ
Vegetation management standards, related to
defensible space clearance per Fire code. Examples:
Fuel Management within 100 feet of structures (does not
apply to well-pruned and maintained trees/vegetation).
Intensity of fuel management may vary within 100 ft zone.
Remove that portion of a tree that extends within 10 feet of
outlet of chimney or stovepipe
Maintain tree/vegetation, adjacent to or overhanging a
building, free of dead or dying wood
Maintain roofs free of leaves/needles or other material
AND
Ignition-resistant building for new construction/major
remodels per applicable building codes
Implications –High FHSZ and disclosures
In High FHSZ:
Wildfire resistant construction standards for new
construction/major remodels, per applicable
building codes
In both Very High and High FHSZ:
Conduct natural hazard real estate disclosure at
time of sale per state law
Outreach
Information, map and comment form available
on City website since early March
Presentations by County Fire at City Council and
Public Safety Commission
Notices sent to all residents and property owners
within 2009 Cupertino WUI area and 2025 CAL FIRE
recommendation for FHSZ designations
WU
I
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2
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vs
.
FH
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(
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2
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)
Options and Recommendation
City MAY NOT reduce designated areas or
classifications
City MAY increase designated areas or
classifications
No additional areas/redesignations recommended
but, per guidance from CAL FIRE staff, one change
proposed as clarification:
When multiple classifications identified on a parcel,
highest classification applies
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Recommendation
Introduce and conduct First Reading of
Ordinance to:
Amend Chapter 16.74 to adopt 2025 CAL FIRE
recommendations for FHSZ and
Amend Chapter 16.40 for minor reference
update