ORDINANCE NO 2025 -
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CATHEDRAL CITY AMENDING SECTION 8.12.070(8) OF
THE CATHEDRAL CITY MUNICIPAL CODE TO REFLECT
THE CURRENT FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES (FHSZ)
AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE
PROTECTION IN COORDINATION WITH THE OFFICE OF
THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL
WHEREAS, the California State Legislature has declared that the prevention of fires is a matter of statewide concern; and
WHEREAS, the State Legislature has directed the Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE) to identify areas as fire hazard severity zones (FHSZ) in all counties based on consistent statewide criteria and based on the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in those areas; and WHEREAS, the determination of an area as FHSZ is based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and other relevant factors; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the designation of FHSZ areas is so that public officials are able to identify 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 WHEREAS, the FHSZ map, attached as Exhibit "A", dated March 24, 2025, identifies the FHSZ areas located within the City as recommended by CALFIRE, based on a model that took into account factors such as fire history, existing and potential fuel, flame length, blowing embers, terrain, weather and the likelihood of buildings igniting; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code section 51179, in the absence of findings supported by substantial evidence that the requirements of Government Code section 51182 are not necessary for effective fire protection within the FHSZ areas, the City Council must designate, by ordinance, FHSZ areas within the City as recommended by the Director of CALFIRE; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to designate the FHSZ areas within the City as recommended by the Director of CALFIRE without local amendments.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CATHEDRAL CITY DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 8.12.070 (B)
8.12.070 Designation of Fire Hazard Severity Zones
B. The designated Fire Hazard Severity Zones within the City are depicted upon the Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) Map, dated March 24, 2025, a copy of which shall be available for public inspection in the Office of the City Clerk.
Section 2. SEVERABILITY
The City Council declares that, should any provision, section, paragraph, sentence or word of this ordinance be rendered or declared invalid by any final court action in a court of competent jurisdiction or by reason of any preemptive legislation, the remaining provisions, sections, paragraphs, sentences or words of this ordinance as hereby adopted shall remain in full force and effect
Section 3. REPEAL OF CONFLICTING PROVISIONS
All the provisions of the Cathedral City Municipal Code as heretofore adopted by the City of Cathedral City that are in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section 4. EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its second reading by the City Council.
Section 5. CERTIFICATION
The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this ordinance and shall cause the same to be published according to law.
The foregoing Ordinance was approved and adopted at a meeting of the City Council held on , 2025 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstain:
Absent:
Nancy Ross, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Tracey R. Hermosillo, City Clerk Eric S. Vail, City Attorney