Cupertino City Council
May 19, 2026

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CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

Introduction
Community health and public safety responsibilities have to evolve to address the community’s growth and changing needs. The City is committed to maintaining a high level of preparedness to protect the community from risks to life, property, and the environment associated with both natural and human-caused disasters and hazards. In the future, more emphasis will be placed on sustainable approaches to community health and safety, including crime and fire prevention through design, improved use of technology, management of hazardous materials, and improved disaster planning.

This Element includes goals, policies, and strategies that address the potential risks associated with these hazards, actions the City can take to reduce these risks, and ways the City and community can take more sustainable approaches for preventing or minimizing injuries to life and damages to property.

CONTENTS:

Introduction
ContextOverview
Purpose and Content
Relationship to Other Local Plans
Climate Change Vulnerability
Public Safety Issues
H
S
-
2 4
H
S
-
2 5
Looking Forward
Goals, and Policies, and Strategies
Emergency Preparedness and Response Regional Coordination Emergency Preparedness and Response
Fire Safety Hazards Fire Safety
Hazardous Waste and MaterialsPublic
Safety
Public SafetyServices
Electromagnetic Fields Geologic and Seismic Hazards
Seismic and Geologic Hazards Hazardous Materials
Flood and Inundation HazardsGeologic
and
Flooding
Climate Change Resilience Noise
Noise Climate Change Resilience

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Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 1

CONTEXTOVERVIEW

PURPOSE AND CONTENT
The Health and Safety Element includes the City’s goals, policies, and strategies to minimize health and safety hazards and increase resilience in Cupertino. Section 65302(g) of the California Government Code requires that the Health and Safety Element contain background information and policies to address multiple natural hazards, an analysis of vulnerabilities from climate change, policies to improve climate change resilience, and an assessment of residential areas with evacuation constraints. The health and safety issues in Cupertino include the following:
 Emergency preparedness and response
 Fire hazards
 Hazardous waste and materials
 Electromagnetic fields
 Seismic and geologic hazards
 Flood and inundation hazards
 Climate change resilience
 Noise
This element is supported by the Health and Safety Element Background Report (Appendix H), which provides detailed information for each of the health and safety issues.

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LOCAL PLANS
Cupertino General Plan’s Health and Safety Element is one of several plans that address community safety and related topics. Other City plans include the Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (Hazard Mitigation Plan), the Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan, the Cupertino Climate Action Plan, and various local regulations. The Health and Safety Element is consistent with these other plans and integrates them as appropriate to ensure that the City has a unified strategy to address public safety and resilience issues.

GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS
The Health and Safety Element provides policy direction and safety improvements that complement the intent and policies of other General Plan elements. How land uses are determined in areas prone to natural hazards, what regulations limit development in these areas, and how hazards are mitigated for existing development are all issues that tie the elements together. For instance, the Recreation, Parks, and Community Services Element must consider how hazards will affect the park and recreation infrastructure and facilities in Cupertino but also recognize that parks can provide strategies to reduce flood risks throughout the city. The Housing Element is also closely tied to the Health and Safety Element. Future potential development in the city must be protected from hazards and be able to adapt to climate change hazards to ensure homes and the people living in them remain safe. Health and Safety CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

Element policies, especially those concerning evacuation routes and critical facilities, must also be consistent with those of the Mobility Element. Interstate 280 and State Route 85 are Cupertino’s primary evacuation routes, supported by routes designated as arterials in the City’s Mobility Element.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN The 2023 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan assesses the risk of hazards and vulnerabilities from natural and human-caused hazards, including risk to people and facilities, and identifies short-term (five-year) mitigation actions to reduce or eliminate hazard risks. The Hazard Mitigation Plan includes a dedicated annex for the City of Cupertino, which discusses Cupertino’s characteristics and history, development trends, hazard mitigation capabilities, integration with other hazard mitigation planning efforts, and vulnerabilities of specific facilities and infrastructure. Santa Clara County led the preparation of the Hazard Mitigation Plan in collaboration with the City and other local agencies and special districts, in accordance with the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s hazard mitigation assistance guidance. The City Council adopted the Cupertino annex on October 1, 2024. The current Hazard Mitigation Plan, including Cupertino’s annex, as certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is incorporated into this Health and Safety Element by reference, as permitted by California Government Code Section 65302.6. It is available online at:
www.cupertino.org/emergencyplans.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN
The 2023 Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan is a plan is to reduce fire hazards through increased information and education about wildfires, hazardous fuels reduction, actions to reduce structure ignitability, and other recommendations to assist emergency preparedness and fire- suppression efforts. The Santa Clara County Fire Department (Fire Department) prepared and published this plan, in collaboration with the Community Wildfire Protection Plan Core Team, made up of representatives of Santa Clara County organizations, including the City. The Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan complements local agreements and existing plans for wildfire protection to coordinate efforts in determining appropriate fire management actions. The Community Wildfire Protection Plan is available online at: www.cupertino.org/emergencyplans.

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CITY OF CUPERTINO CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
On August 16, 2022, the Cupertino City Council adopted the City’s Climate Action Plan 2.0 to address climate change challenges. Cupertino’s goal is to reduce the City’s greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by the year 2040. The Climate Action Plan describes a series of community-wide and municipal measures and actions that will aid the City in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to meet community goals. The Climate Action Plan includes topics such as energy, transportation, waste, water, plants and animals, and natural systems, as well as an adaptation chapter that is intended to help residents prepare for extreme weather events and the impacts of a changing climate. The Climate Action Plan is viewed as a strategic framework that will be re-evaluated regularly. The Climate Action Plan has targeted communitywide carbon neutrality by 2040 in line with the emergency climate declaration made by the City Council in 2018 and in support of state and international climate goals. The Climate Action Plan is available online at: https://www.cupertino.gov/Your-City/Divisions/Environment-Sustainability/Climate- Action

CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERABILITY
Changes to the global climate system are expected to affect future occurrences of natural hazards in and around
Cupertino. Many hazards are projected to become more
frequent and intense in coming years and decades, and in some cases, these trends have already begun. According to California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, Cupertino can expect to experience various changes from climate-
related hazard events.

Climate change is expected to lead to an increase in
wildfires in the surrounding area and across Santa Clara County due to hotter and drier conditions. Across the
region, more frequent and intense wildfires may also create poor air quality for Cupertino. Warmer temperatures are projected to cause an increase in extreme heat events. The number of extreme heat days, defined in Cupertino as a day when the high temperature is at least 93.2 degrees Fahrenheit (°F), is expected to rise from a historical annual average of 5 to 14 days by the middle of the century (2035 to 2064), and an average of 24 days by the end of the century (2070 to 2099).

Both droughts and floods are expected to become more frequent as rainfall is likely to occur in fewer, more intense storms. Climate change is expected to cause an increase in heavy rainfall, which may also contribute to an increased risk of landslides in the hills around Cupertino. Climate change can increase infection rates from various diseases because many of the animals that carry diseases are more active during warmer weather. Warmer temperatures earlier in the spring and later in the winter can cause these animals to be active for extended periods, increasing the time these diseases can be transmitted.

What is vulnerability?
Vulnerability is the degree to which
natural, built, and human systems
are susceptible to harm from
exposure to stresses associated with
environmental and social change
and from the absence of a capacity
to adapt.

Source: California Governor’s Office of
Emergency Services. 2022. California
AdaptaƟon Planning Guide.
hƩps://www.caloes.ca.gov/climate.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
Under California law (California Government Code Section 65302[g]), the Health and Safety Element is required to include a vulnerability assessment of how people, buildings, infrastructure, and other key community assets may be affected by climate change. The City of Cupertino conducted a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment as part of preparation of the Safety Element, which assessed how eight different climate-related hazards (air quality and smoke, drought, extreme heat, flooding, human health hazards, landslides, severe storms, and wildfire) may affect 45 different population groups and community assets. Each population or asset received a score of low, medium, or high vulnerability for each climate-related hazard. Cupertino’s Vulnerability Assessment is included in the Health and Safety Element Background Report, Appendix H of the City’s General Plan.

The Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment found that Cupertino’s populations and assets are most vulnerable to flooding, extreme heat, and wildfire. Overall, residents in Cupertino tend to be most vulnerable to extreme heat, human health hazards, and flooding, which directly affect health outcomes.

The most vulnerable population groups include those with chronic illness and/or disabilities, seniors living alone, households in poverty, and persons experiencing homelessness. Infrastructure and key services are also highly vulnerable, especially energy delivery and communication infrastructure, the transportation network and public transit services, and water and wastewater services, which can be disrupted by flooding that causes roadways to become impassable, extreme heat events that strain electricity transmission lines, and severe storms that cause Public Safety Power Shutoffs. To increase community resilience and help lower vulnerability, the Health and Safety Element includes goals, policies, and strategies, several of which are particular to the populations and assets identified to be highly vulnerable in the Vulnerability Assessment.

PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES
The City’s commitment to public safety encompasses two broad areas of responsibility: (1) provide public safety services, including preparing a response for emergencies such as natural disasters or structure fires; and (2) plan for a safe environment in which the public is not exposed to unnecessary risks to life and property. There are multiple areas in which the City develops policies and strategies to address Public Safety Issues as further described below.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
Emergencies can severely impact the health of a community and a city or agency’s ability to provide needed services. Emergencies can include natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and forest fires, or others events such as infrastructure disruptions, security incidents, andor hazardous spills.

Emergency preparedness includes activities that are undertaken before an emergency occurs so there is an effective and coordinated response. Emergency response accounts for actions taken after an emergency or disaster to minimize the negative effects, such as evacuation, emergency communication, CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 5 and coordinating first responders. Emergency preparedness and response requires the integration of the following elements into each of the City’s functions: emergency planning, coordination, mitigation, training, and public education. The City, its contributing agencies, and the community are partners in ensuring that emergency planning is effectively implemented.

LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE
The City of Cupertino’s Office of Emergency Management, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office West Valley Patrol Division, and Santa Clara County Fire Department conduct emergency preparedness activities in Cupertino.

City of CuperƟno’s Office of Emergency Management
The City’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) works to mitigate risks, to prepare, respond, and recover from emergencies affecting the city. OEM works with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and Santa Clara County Fire Department to conduct emergency response activities in Cupertino.

OEM coordinates several volunteer programs vital to the community’s preparedness and resilience. These programs include the CuperƟno CiƟzen Corps, Block Leaders, and Neighborhood Watch. These iniƟaƟves engage residents in proacƟve measures to safeguard their neighborhoods, ensuring a robust community response in the face of emergencies. The OEM conducts regular community training sessions, equipping residents with essenƟal disaster preparedness and response skills. For instance, the CuperƟno CiƟzen Corps offers Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training courses, which prepare volunteers to assist during emergencies and provide CPR and first aid cerƟficaƟon. The Block Leaders program also trains residents to organize and support their immediate community, fostering a network of informed and prepared individuals.

Citywide exercises are essenƟal for the OEM, simulaƟng disaster scenarios to help officials, first responders, and volunteers pracƟce their response strategies. These exercises ensure everyone knows their roles and can act promptly during emergencies. The OEM collaborates closely with City departments and public safety agencies to provide a unified and coordinated response.

The OEM also focuses on planning and protocol development and draŌing and updaƟng emergency response plans that align with state and federal guidelines. These plans cover various hazards, including earthquakes, floods, and wildfires, ensuring swiŌ and effecƟve recovery aŌer an emergency. The collaboraƟve efforts with City departments and public safety agencies ensure comprehensive coverage and efficiency.

By fostering a culture of preparedness and community involvement and working closely with City departments and public safety agencies, the OEM plays a crucial role in safeguarding CuperƟno's residents, infrastructure, and services from potenƟal hazards.

Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, specifically the West Valley Patrol Division of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, provides law enforcement services to the City of CuperƟno in addiƟon to the ciƟes of CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

Saratoga and Los Altos Hills, and the western unincorporated county areas from Summit Road to MoffeƩ Field. The West Valley Patrol Division provides progressive law enforcement services and works towards maintaining healthy community partnerships.

The Sheriff's Office is integral to CuperƟno's emergency response framework. In natural disasters, accidents, or other emergencies, the West Valley Division collaborates with the Office of Emergency Management and the Fire Department to coordinate evacuaƟons and manage emergencies to deliver a swiŌ, coordinated response.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office strives to maintain high standards for their response Ɵmes to ensure that criƟcal situaƟons are addressed promptly, enhancing the safety and security of the community, as follows:
 Priority 1 incidents, which include emergencies requiring immediate response, the expected response time is within five minutes.
 Priority 2 incidents, which involve urgent but not life-threatening situations, have a target response time of under nine minutes.
 For Priority 3 incidents, which are non-emergency calls, the Sheriff's Office aims to respond within 20 minutes.

The Sheriff's Office also parƟcipates in public safety educaƟon programs, informing residents about crime prevenƟon, personal safety, and emergency preparedness. DepuƟes rouƟnely parƟcipate in community events across all ciƟes in this endeavor.

The City, and a number of surrounding jurisdicƟons, contracts with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’ s Office, West Valley Division, for law enforcement services. Law enforcement services include police patrols, criminal invesƟgaƟons, traffic enforcement, accident invesƟgaƟon and tacƟcal teams.

Santa Clara County Fire Department
Firefighting and emergency medical services are provided to Cupertino by the Santa Clara County Fire Department through three fire stations:
 Cupertino Fire Station at 20215 Stevens Creek Boulevard  Monta Vista Fire Station at 22620 Stevens Creek Boulevard  Seven Springs Fire Station at 21000 Seven Springs Parkway Figure HS-1 shows the locaƟon of fire staƟons and their service areas in Cuper Ɵno.

Response Ɵme is one metric for measuring level of service for fighƟng fire and emergency services. It is the policy of SCCFD to respond to 90 percent of emergency calls not requiring a paramedic in under seven minutes. For situaƟons where emergency medical services are required, it is the policy that paramedics arrive in less than seven minutes at least 90 percent of the Ɵme. An increase in calls for fire service and traffic congesƟon may affect SCCFDs’ criƟcal response Ɵme, and the District may need to adjust or expand staff, and equipment in areas of high service demand in the future. Figure HS- 3 shows the locaƟon of fire staƟons and their service areas in CuperƟno.

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FIGURE HS-1

FIRE SERVICE
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Santa Clara County Fire Department is a full service, all-risk, “all hazard” fire department that provides similar services to six other West Valley cities and adjacent unincorporated county areas. The Santa Clara County Fire Department is an internationally accredited agency through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International; therefore, frequently monitors and reviews multiple performance metrics to assure prompt and efficient delivery of firefighting resources to all emergencies based on risk. These metrics are compiled into the Department’s Community Risk Assessment -Standards of Cover document available on the Santa Clara County Fire Department website.

The current performance benchmark is when fire apparatus arrives on scene to an emergency incident is:
 Structure fire incidents, the first unit should arrive within 7 minutes, 40 seconds, 90 percent of the time.
 Emergency medical incidents and non-structure fires, the first unit should arrive within 8 minutes, 40 seconds, 90 percent of the time.

These times are from when the incident is acknowledged at the dispatch center, a unit(s) are dispatched, responds, and arrives on scene.

Increases in population density will lead to an increase in service demand and potentially traffic congestion. This will impact the Fire Department’s critical response times, and the Department may need to adjust or expand staffing levels and equipment in areas of high service demand in the future.

The Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division provides comprehensive fire/life safety plan review for land development, new building construction, interior remodel projects, fire suppression, and fire alarm systems. The Division’s staff also perform construction inspections to ensure that completed projects conform to State and local fire safety regulations. In addition to conducting construction-related plan reviews and inspections, the Santa Clara County Fire Department provides annual occupancy and special event inspections, Defensible Space Inspections, and also offers community educational programs, such as those on Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and first aid certification.

The Fire Department also provides first response Advanced Life Support paramedic level services to Cupertino. through an exclusive operating area agreement between the County of Santa Clara and Rural/Metro of California, Inc., d/b/a American Medical Response.

The Department maintains a Santa Clara County Emergency Medical Service Multi-Casualty Incident supply trailer for large-scale emergency medical incidents and is a participant in Master Mutual Aid in the event of major disasters. In the event of a wildfire or an emergency, the Fire Department can issue evacuation warnings or evacuation orders in coordination with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and Cupertino’s Office of Emergency Management.

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EMERGENCY PLANNING
The State of California requires all state, regional, and local agencies and utilities, including the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and Santa Clara Valley Water District, to maintain their own emergency plans relating to the infrastructure they install and maintain. The City of Cupertino’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinates citywide emergency planning and protocol development.

CUPERTINO EMERGENCY PLAN
Additionally, State law requires cities to prepare an emergency plan in order toto effectively respond to natural or human-caused disasters that threaten lives, the natural environment, or property. In the event of an emergency, the City would implement the Cupertino Emergency Operations Plan and rely on State, regional, and local agencies to implement their emergency operations plans, with the City supporting as needed.

The Cupertino Emergency Operations Plan establishes an organizational framework to enable the City to manage its emergency response activities and to coordinate with County, State, and fFederal agencies.

The Emergency Operations Plan was prepared in accordance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and is used in conjunction with the State Emergency Plan, the Santa Clara Operational Disaster Response and Recovery Area Interim Agreement, Santa Clara County Emergency Operations Plan, as well as plans and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of contract agencies and special districts. The City reviews the Emergency Operations Plan annually and conducts periodic emergency disaster drills to ensure the plan is effective.

When an incident occurs anywhere in Cupertino, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and/or the Santa Clara County Fire Department will be the first to arrive at the scene, where they will implement the incident command system (ICS) and determine which agencies and resources need to be involved.

Support personnel, such as City staff, special districts, and volunteer groups, are trained to perform specific functions in ICS and the Emergency Operations Center.

The City maintains the Cupertino Alert, Warning, and Notification Program, which provides critical alerts and warnings to the public while sharing information among City departments and partner agencies before, during, and after an emergency. The Alert, Warning, and Notification Program is designed to help the City’s departments effectively coordinate information sharing and provide alerts, warnings and notification to the public before, during, and after any emergency or situation.

To reach as many people as possible with crucial information, the City’s emergency alert, warning, and notification plan includes several information methods, such as the Emergency Alert and Warning System (AlertSCC, Genasys Protect), Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), Cupertino.org, the City Channel (TV), Radio Cupertino, and social media sites such as Nextdoor, Facebook and X.

AlertSCC is capable of notifying anyone who lives or works in Cupertino that is impacted by, or is in danger of being impacted by, an emergency. Alerts are distributed through AlertSCC via voice or text CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

messages to cell phones, home phones, personal digital assistants, laptops, desktop computers, and Teletypewriter/Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TTY/TDD) devices for the hearing impaired.

IPAWS, FEMA's national alert system, is an online tool enabling jurisdictions to send emergency alerts to the public. It enables emergency officials to issue effective warnings during serious emergencies using the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio. The City also uses volunteers to disseminate public information about extreme weather events through an outreach program called Raising Awareness of Community Hazards.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
The City’s Emergency Operations Center is located on the first floor of City Hall, with an alternative location in the Service Center on Mary Avenue. The staffing and duties of the Emergency Operations Center are actively managed through the City’s Emergency Operations Plan.The EOC can be fully functional within 30 minutes of activation for a Level 3 activation on a work day, to up to multiple hours for a Level 1 activation on a weekend. Capabilities include emergency backup power, computer network and internet access, and telephone and radio communications to City and County sites. While the staffing and duties are actively managed through the City’s Emergency Operations Plan, there may be additional physical and seismic improvements required to City Hall to ensure that it can continue to meet the requirements of an Emergency Operations CenterEOC. It should be noted that due to structural deficiencies at the existing City Hall location, there may be additional physical and seismic improvements required to City Hall building to ensure that it can continue to meet the requirements of an Emergency Operations Center.

Additional communication support is provided by volunteers from Cupertino Amateur Radio Emergency Service (CARES). CARES volunteers coordinate extensive citywide communications capabilities, including helping to connect neighbors, public safety officials, special districts, the City, and County dDepartments.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS
During emergencies, all City employees are designated Disaster Service Workers under Section 3100 of the California Government CodeAll City employees are designated Disaster Service Workers under Section 3100 of the California Government Code during declared emergencies. They are may be required to remain at work as long as they are needed, and receive specific training in personal and home preparedness, First Aid, CPR, National Incident Management SystemNIMS, and Terrorism Awareness.

Volunteer groups also play an important role in the City’s Emergency Operations Plan. The City is part of a countywide volunteer services plan and is working with the Emergency Volunteer Center, Blockleaders, and Neighborhood Watch to develop a plan for coordinating and deploying volunteers.

Citizen Corps members (CARES, CERT, and Medical Reserve Corps) continue to receive appropriate training and equipment to rapidly respond throughout the Citycity and augment professional first CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 11 responders. Unregistered and untrained volunteers may be utilized and trained, as needed during a disaster.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION
With advanced warning, evacuation can effectively reduce injury and loss of life during a catastrophic event. Emergency evacuations can be triggered by a number of hazard events, especially wildfire and flooding, with the main goal of providing information to support residents and employees leaving a hazardous area in an orderly fashion. As shown in Figure HS-2, primary emergency access and evacuation routes include Interstate 280, which intersects the city from the northwest to the east along the northern portion of the city, State Route 85, which intersects the city from the north to southeast through the central portion of the city, and other local roadways that connect to these primary evacuation routes. It is important to note that the recommended evacuation routes in any given situation will depend on the specifics of the emergency.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department manages evacuation events in Cupertino in coordination with the City’s Emergency Manager and Santa Clara County Fire Department. During an evacuation event the City and County Sheriff’s Department use the online Genasys Protect platform to identify evacuation zones and send out notifications to residents in those zones with evacuation warnings and/or orders. Evacuation orders and warnings are also sent out through AlertSCC emergency notification platform. There are 34 contiguous evacuation zones in the city. Maps of each zone are available through the City’s website: www.cupertino.gov/evacuation.

California Government Code Section 65302(g)(5) requires cities to identify evacuation constrained residential parcels in hazard areas that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes. Nearly all parcels in the city are in at least one hazard zone. Figure HS-3 shows residential parcels with evacuation constraints. This includes residential parcels located on a single access road and parcels in cul-de-sac neighborhoods with 10 parcels or more. As shown on Figure HS-3, evacuation constrained residential parcels in the western portion of Cupertino are also within Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The lack of multiple emergency access points limits roadway access for these properties, which may create difficulties if there is a need to evacuate.

California Government Code Section 65302.15 requires Safety Elements to identify evacuation routes and their capacity, safety, and viability and evacuation locations under a range of emergency scenarios.

In coordination with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and Santa Clara County Fire Department, the City conducted an Evacuation Route Capacity Assessment in October 2025 in compliance with Government Code Section 65302.15. The assessment evaluates the capacity, safety, and viability of evacuation routes and locations under three wildfire evacuation scenarios, assuming that evacuations would occur in the western portions of Cupertino:
 Scenario A: A wildfire evacuation in the Fall at 2:00pm and all roadways would be open.

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 Scenario B: A wildfire were to occur after an earthquake and evacuation would occur in the Summer at 6:00pm with road closures.
 Scenario C: A wildfire were to occur after an earthquake and evacuation would occur in the Fall at 2:00pm with road closures.

Based on these three scenarios, the assessment defines the evacuation area, evacuation routes, and estimates vehicle trips. The assessment found that each scenario would have varying capacity and viability constraints due to the number of evacuees, type of evacuees, and potential road closures. It is important to note that emergency scenarios are often unpredictable, and it is anticipated that evacuees would vacate at a rate that closely resembles a bell curve from the time an evacuation order is issued.

General Plan Appendix I provides additional details about the Evacuation Route Capacity Assessment, including the analysis methods and results.

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FIGURE HS-2

POTENTIAL EVACUATION ROUTES
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FIGURE HS-3

EVACUATION CONSTRAINED

RESIDENTIAL AREAS
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FIRE SAFETYFIRE HAZARDS
Fire hazards include wildfires and urban fires. The combination of complex terrain, climate, vegetation, and development patterns contribute to an elevated risk of wildfire. Historically, the fire season extended from early summer through late fall of each year during the hotter, drier months, although it is increasingly a hazard that can occur year-round. Fire conditions arise from a combination of high temperatures, low moisture content in the air and plant matter, an accumulation of vegetation, and high winds.

Two types of fires are of concern to Cupertino: wildfires, and structural fires.

WILDFIRES
Wildfires occur on mountains, hillsides, and grasslands. Fuel, weather, and topography are primary factors that affect how wildland fires spread. In and around Cupertino, grassland and woodland habitat provide highly flammable fuel that is
conducive to wildfires. Due to Cupertino’s geographical location, it is exposed to hazards from both wildland and urban fires. There are approximately 16 square miles of hillsides included in and around the boundary of the city. These areas include State Responsibility Area (SRA) lands west of the city, such as Rancho San Antonio Open Space, Picchetti Ranch Open Space, Saratoga Creek County Park, and Sanborn County Park, as well as Local Responsibility Area (LRA) lands, including McClellan Ranch Preserve, Stevens Creek County Park, Fremont Older Open Space, residential neighborhoods along the western hillsides of the city, and the hillsides of Saratoga.

There is limited information on historic fires in the Cupertino area. However, there is no recorded history of wildfires within the city. The closest known wildfire was the Stevens Fire which occurred on August 30, 2007. This wildfire burned 151 acres in the dry brush-covered hills near Stevens Creek Canyon
southwest of Cupertino.

Changing climate conditions are expected to increase the fire risk in and around Cupertino. For instance, warmer
temperatures brought on by climate change can exacerbate drought conditions and droughts can kill or dry out plants, creating more fuel for wildfires. Increased winds can result in more erratic fire behavior, making fires Fire Hazard Severity Zones
and Responsibility Areas
CAL FIRE designates Fire Hazard
Severity Zones, which may be
designated Very High, High, or
Moderate. Several factors are
considered, including fire history,
exisƟng and potenƟal vegetaƟon
fuel, flame length, blowing embers,
terrain, and weather paƩerns for
the area. CAL FIRE designates Fire
Hazard Severity Zones in two types
of areas depending on which level
of government is financially
responsible for fire protecƟon.

Local Responsibility Areas:

Incorporated communiƟes are
financially responsible for wildfire
protecƟon.

State Responsibility Areas: CAL FIRE
and contracted counƟes are
financially responsible for wildfire
protecƟon.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

harder to contain. Warmer temperatures are also expected to occur later in the year, extending the wildfire season, which is likely to begin earlier in the year and extend later than it has historically.

FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) establishes Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs) in both state responsibility area (SRA) and local responsibility areas (LRA), designating each as moderate, high, or very high severity. These zones evaluate hazard, instead of risk, and are based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and other relevant factors, such as areas where winds have been identified as a major cause of wildfire spread. Hazard is based on the physical conditions that create a likelihood and expected fire behavior over a 30 to 50-year period without considering hazard reduction measures such as home hardening, whether a wildfire has recently occurred, or fuel reduction efforts. Development in Very High FHSZs, and where applicable within Moderate or High FHSZs as determined by local fire code adoption, must comply with additional State requirements for building and site design, including the latest provisions of the California Building Code, California Residential Code, and California Fire Code. Figure HS-4 shows the FHSZs in and around Cupertino.

In June 2025, the City adopted the updated Local Responsibility Area FHSZ map into Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 16.74, Wildland Urban Interface Fire Area. During the review and adoption process, the FHSZ was revised to ensure that only one FHSZ applied to each applicable parcel. Where CAL FIRE identified multiple FHSZs on a single parcel, the City upgraded the designation to the higher of the zones, to ensure consistency in implementation of fire hazard reduction measures.

In 2009, based on vegetaƟon data, topography and potenƟal fire behavior, the California Department of Forestry and Fire ProtecƟon (CalFire) idenƟfied approximately three acres of the City to be in the High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The City adopted this area as its Wildand-Urban Interface Fire Area (WUIFA). ProperƟes in the WUIFA are subject to building and property maintenance standards intended to prevent and manage community safety due to brush and forest fires (Figure HS- 1). Planning for such areas also requires aƩenƟon to the availability of access roads and water for firefighƟng and evacuaƟon efforts.

The City regulates building construcƟon and site planning through the Uniform Fire Code and the California Building Code. The City and the SCCFD inspect commercial and industrial buildings for compliance with the applicable codes. In addiƟon, the County Fire Marshal and the Fire Department regulate acƟviƟes, including weed abatement and brush clearance, in the Wildland Urban Interface Fire Area (WUFIA).

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 – 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | June 2024MarchDecemberJanuary 2026 Page SE- 17 FIGURE HS-4

FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

Santa Clara County lists the Montebello Road/Stevens Canyon area as the fourth-highest risk area in the county for fire hazards. The road linking Montebello and the Palo Alto Sphere of Influence toon the bottom south end of Stevens Canyon has been improved to acceptable standards for a fire access road.

A fire trail extends from Skyline Boulevard on Charcoal Road to Stevens Canyon. The City requires that all emergency roads be constructed in accordance with locally adopted Fire Code and Standards. It also requires a private emergency access connection between public streets within Lindy Canyon and Regnart Canyon areas. Presently, there are no water systems serving the Montebello Road and upper Stevens Canyon area, with the exception ofexcept for Stevens Creek itself. Because there is no water service to these areas, tThe County requires homes to provide individual water tanks and fire sprinkler systemsprivate fire protection water supply tanks and hydrants since there is no water service to these areas. (Figure HS-5 illustrates the water service areas in the city).

The urbanized portions of Cupertino are not exposed toin areas considered a risk of firedesignated fire hazard severity zones. The Citycity is served by a well-managed fire protection serviceall hazard emergency response services with a robust as well as a fire prevention program. Buildings in the City are relatively newMoreover, and there is a strong code enforcement program, an adequate water supply, and a well-maintained delivery system. State, regional, and local standards also ensure that new buildings and facilities adequately address issues of fire safety, access, evacuation, and fire-fighting requirements.

STRUCTURAL FIRES
Cupertino is also at risk from structural fires. Structural fires are often due to hazardous conditions, faulty wiring, mechanical equipment, or combustible construction materials in the built environment.

The absence of fire alarms and fire sprinkler systems often exacerbates the damage associated with a structural fire. Structural fires are largely caused by human accidents, although deliberate fires (arson) may cause some events. Older buildings lacking modern fire safety features may face greater risk of fire damage. To minimize fire damage and loss, the City’s Fire Code, based on California Code of Regulation Title 24, sets standards for building and construction. It requires adequate water supply for firefighting, and minimum street widths, among other things.

FIRE PROTECTION
Santa Clara County Fire Department provides fire protection in Cupertino through three fire stations (Cupertino, Monta Vista, and Seven Springs stations). For existing commercial buildings, the Fire Department conducts periodic inspections to ensure compliance with the general and specific fire safety regulations for each occupancy type as specified in the adopted Fire and Building Codes. The Santa Clara County Fire Department also implements a hazardous brush inspection program for hillside areas within its jurisdictional boundaries, including inspections of hillside properties by fire crews beginning in early April each year.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 – 2040))

FIGURE HS-5

WATER SERVICE
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HAZARDOUS WASTE AND MATERIALS
Hazardous materials are materials that pose a significant risk to public safety, or human and environmental health. Hazardous materials are a part of our everyday life in the form of batteries, light bulbs, and household chemicals such as pesticides, motor oil, cleaners , and paints. They are also used in many commercial and industrial operations. The use, storage , and disposal of hazardous materials, including management of contaminated soils and groundwater, is regulated by fFederal, State, and local laws. A release or spill of bulk hazardous materials could result in fire, explosion, toxic cloud, or direct contamination of water, people, and property. The release or spill could involve a local site or many square miles, depending on its severity.

Santa Clara County Fire Department, County of Santa Clara Office of Emergency Management, and County of Santa Clara Hazardous Materials Compliance Division are responsible for hazardous materials accidents at all locations within the city. The City has adopted a Hazardous Materials Storage Ordinance that regulates the storage of these materials in solid , and liquid and gas forms. . The City’s Regulation of Facilities Where Materials Which Are Or May Become Toxic Gases Are Found Ordinance regulates the storage of hazardous materials in gaseous form. Several State agencies, which have jurisdiction over hazardous materials sites, oversee the monitoring of hazardous materials and waste facilities. Potential and known contamination sites are monitored and documented by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Figure HS-6 identifies potential sites within the city that may contain hazardous materials. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control typically acts as the lead agency for sites involving toxic substances and remediation, while the Regional Water Quality Control Board leads issues concerning water quality. Additionally, the County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health serves as the oversight agency for sites within the city. It is important to note that the City is not the lead agency for cleanup or mitigation of these sites under the California Environmental Quality Act.

A review of hazardous materials sites in Cupertino,1 produced by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control EnviroStor database indicates two active voluntary cleanup sites, a voluntary cleanup site requiring no further action, one certified school cleanup site, and three closed hazardous waste sites, three inactive sites, and five sites referred to local or regional agencies. The two active cleanup sites are Cupertino Village Cleaners at 10989 North Wolfe Road and Delia's Cleaners at 7335 Bollinger Road. Neither site requires action by the City, as the California Department of Toxic Substances Control oversees hazardous waste cleanup efforts at these locations. A review of leaking underground storage tanks in Cupertino, produced by the State Water Resources Control Board,2 indicates 14 open cleanup program sites in the assessment, remediation, and long-term management phases. These sites can be accessed for further details via the following links:

1 The City conducted a review of hazardous materials sites on December 26, 2025. 2 The City conducted a review of leaking underground storage tank sites on December 26, 2025 CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 21  California Department of Toxic Substances Control EnviroStor database:
https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/map/
 State Water Resources Control Board GeoTracker database:
https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/map/
Since 1990, State law has required that hazardous waste be properly disposed of in approved hazardous waste treatment or disposal faciliƟes. To accomplish this, new treatment methods and faciliƟes have been developed and approved to pre-treat hazardous waste before its final disposal.

Under authority of the 1986 “Tanner” Bill (A ssembly Bill 2948), CuperƟno, along with 13 other ci Ɵes in Santa Clara County, joined the County to develop a comprehensive and coordinated planning approach to hazardous waste disposal. In 1990, a countywide Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program was created to provide residents with accessible opƟons for safely disposing of hazardous materials, such as paints, baƩeries, and chemicals, thereby reducing environmental and public health risks..

In order to supplement the County HHW Program and make the collecƟon of HHW more convenient for residents, the City currently provides a door-to-door hazardous waste retrieval service through its solid waste franchise agreement.

ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
Electromagnetic fields (s) are a physical field produced by electrically charged objects, such has high- transmission power lines. The potential health effects of the very low- frequency electromagnetic fieldsEMFs surrounding power lines and electrical devices are the subject of on-going research and a significant amount of public debate. The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has issued some cautionary advisories but stresses that the data is currently too limited to draw solid good conclusions. Currently, electromagnetic fields from transmission lines, electrical and wireless facilities, and appliances are heavily regulated through Ffederal and State requirements.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 – 2040))

FIGURE HS-6

POTENTIAL HAZARDOUS SITES

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Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 23

GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDSSEISMIC AND GEOLOGIC HAZARDS Seismic and geologic hazards are risks caused by the movement of different parts of the earth’s crust or surface. Seismic hazards include earthquakes and hazardous events caused by them. Geologic hazards are other hazards involving land movements that are not linked to seismic activity and can inflict harm to people or property.

SEISMIC HAZARDS
Seismic activity occurs along boundaries in the earth’s crust, called faults. Pressure along the faults builds over time and is ultimately released, resulting in ground shaking commonly referred to as an earthquake. Earthquakes can also trigger other hazards, including surface rupture (cracks in the ground surface), liquefaction (causing loose soil to lose its strength), landslides, and subsidence (sinking of the ground surface).

Earthquakes
While Cupertino is at risk from many natural and human-caused hazards, the event with the greatest potential for loss of life or property and economic damage is an earthquake. This risk is true for most of the San Francisco Bay Area region, which has several active faults. Earthquake risk is very high in Santa Clara County, including the City of Cupertino, due to the presence of three major active faults3 in the region, the Hayward Fault, Calaveras Fault, and San Andreas Fault. All of these faults have the potential for major earthquakes. General Plan Appendix E provides additional detail about seismic hazards, magnitude and occurrence, acceptable exposure rise, and technical investigations required based on acceptable risk.

Earthquakes are likely to continue to occur on an occasional basis. Most are expected to cause no substantive damage and may not even be felt by most people. Major earthquakes are rare but have occurred and remain a possibility in the region. The Hayward Fault is emerging as a significant hazard throughout the Bay Area due to its heightened likelihood of activity and its intersection with densely populated areas and critical infrastructure. In a worst-case scenario, a rupture on the Hayward Fault could extend through the Calaveras Fault to its junction with the San Andreas Fault. According to the Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast, there is a 14.3 percent probability of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake occurring along the Hayward Fault by 2044. For the Calaveras Fault, the probability is 7.4 percent, while the San Andreas Fault has a 6.4 percent chance of experiencing a similar event in the same timeframe. Although infrequent, a major earthquake along any of the nearby faults could result in substantial casualties and damage, although the greatest risk in Cupertino is from the San Andreas Fault due to its proximity and high potential to cause a severe earthquake. A major earthquake along any of these faults could damage or destroy transportation infrastructure, such as Interstate 280, State Route 85, or bridges, limiting access in and out of the community.

3 Active faults are defined by their current movement and deformation and their potential to cause earthquakes or other types of ground deformation in the future.

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Cupertino is located in the seismically active San Francisco Bay region, which has several active seismic faults. The San Andreas Ffault, one of the longest and most active faults in the world, is located west of Cupertino. Two additional faults closely associated with the San Andreas Ffault include the Sargent- Berrocal and Monta Vista-Shannon Ffault systems that also crossintersect the western portion of the city. There are no Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones in the city; the nearest Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone is along the San Andreas Fault, west of the city. Figure HS-7 shows the location of regional faults and Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones, which outlines the areas at risk for potential surface fault rupture.

Movement on the San Andreas Ffault is predominantly right-lateral strike-slip, where the earth ruptures in a horizontal fashion, with the opposite sides of the fault moving to the right with respect to each other. Movement on the Sargent-Berrocal and Monta Vista-Shannon Ffaults is more variable in style.

Both of theseBoth faults are characterized by “thrust” faulting, where a significant amount of vertical “up-down” (so called dip-slip) displacement occurs on an inclined plane, and one side of the fault is elevated (i.e., thrust over) the other side.

Primary geologic hazards in Cupertino are related to landslides and seismic impacts. Seismically induced ground shaking, surface fault rupture, and various forms of earthquake-triggered ground failure are anticipated within the city during large earthquakes. These geologic hazards present potential impacts to property and public safety. Tables HS-1 through HS-4 briefly explain seismic hazards, magnitude and occurrence, acceptable exposure rise, and technical investigations required based on acceptable risk. Figure HS-5 identifies the areas in Cupertino susceptible to the greatest risk. Also see Technical Appendix E for additional information on geologic and seismic hazards and risks.

Following the 1983 Coalinga and 1994 Northridge earthquakes, scientists became increasingly aware of earthquakes generated by faults not previously observed at the earth’s surface. These types of faults are called “blind faults,” and represent a type of thrust fault that does not rupture completely to the surface. It is possible that one or more “blind faults” are present in the Monta Vista-Shannon fault system.

Other Seismic Hazards
In addition to the direct physical damage that can result from the motion of an earthquake, damage can result from liquefaction. Soils susceptible to liquefaction are typically found in low-lying,, current, or former, floodplains. Portions of the city near the floodplains of Permanente Creek, Stevens Creek, Regnart Creek, and Calabazas Creek are likely to face liquefaction during an earthquake. Figure HS-8 shows the areas facing an elevated liquefaction risk in Cupertino, based on geological, geotechnical, and groundwater conditions.

Earthquake-induced landslides pose a significant risk due to the presence of landslide-prone areas in western Cupertino and proximity of earthquake faults. Ground shaking from seismic activity can cause rocks, debris, and hillside soils to loosen and fall downslope, harming facilities and infrastructure in its path. Sinkholes, which are depressions or holes in the ground that form when the surface collapses into CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 25 an underground space, are also a hazard in Cupertino. Sinkholes can occur suddenly and can be very dangerous if they form underneath buildings, roads, or other structures.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

Faults within the Cupertino planning area are characterized by (A) Horizontal and (B) Vertical displace- ments.

FIGURE HS-5

GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS
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Table HS-1 Explanations of Geologic and Seismic
Hazards
Zone Description
(F) – Fault Rupture
7Regional Fault Lines,Area of potential surface fault rupture hazard within 300 feet east and 600 feet west of the Monta Vista and Be rrocal Ffaults, and with in 600 feet of the San Andreas Ffault.
(S) – Slope
Instability
As shown on Figure HS-9, Landslide Susceptibility Areas, or the California Geological Survey, aAreas includes all recognized landslide deposits, and steep walls of Stevens Creek canyon, with a moderate to high landslide potential under static or seismic conditions.

Area also reflects the mapped zone of potential earthquake-induced landsliding prepared by the California Geological Survey (2002).
(H) – Hillside
Area contains moderate to steep slope conditions not included in the above categories, with an undetermined potential for slope instability. This area falls under the Residential Hillside Development (RHS) overlay zone, which regulates single-family residential development to preserve the natural hillside setting. Compliance with the RHS ordinance, including required geotechnical and arborist reports, is necessary for development approval.
(L) – Liquefaction /
Inundation
As shown on Figure HS-8, Liquefaction Areas, or the U.S. Geological Survey, Area areas where local geological, geotechnical, and grou ndwater conditions indicate a potential for liquefaction under seismic conditions. Much of this area also has the potential for periodic flood inundation. The Liquefaction/Inundation Zone is stippled where covered by an overlaying Fault Zone.
(V) – Valley Area includes all relatively level valley floor terrain not included in the above categories with relatively low levels of geologic hazard risk.

Table HS-2 Maximum Earthquake Magnitudes and Recurrence Intervals

Causative
Faults
Distance from
De Anza/SCB
Intersection
Maximum
Historic
Moment
Magnitude
Maximum
Probable
Moment
Magnitude
Est.

Recurrence
Interval of
Max. Prob.

Earthquake
San Andreas
System
San Andreas 5.5 miles 7.9 7.9 220 years
Hayward (South) 10 miles 7.0 7.0 236 years
Calveras (Central) 14 miles 6.3 7.0 374 years
Sargent-Berrocal
System
Sargent-Berrocal 3.5 miles 3.7-5.0 6.8 330 years
Monta Vista-
Shannon
2 miles 2.0-3.0 6.8 2,400 years

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Table HS-3 Acceptable Exposure to Risk Related to Various Land Uses Acceptable
Exposure to
Risk
Land Use Group Extra Project Cost to Reduce
Risk to Acceptable Level
Extremely
Low
Group 1
Vulnerable structures (nuclear reactors, large
dams, plants manufacturing/ storing
hazardous materials)
As required for maximum attainable safety
Group 2
Vital public utilities (electrical transmission
interties/substations, regional water
pipelines, treatment plants, gas mains)
Design as needed to remain functional
after max. prob. earthquake on local faults
Group 3
Communication/transportation (airports,
telephones, bridges, freeways, evac. routes)

Small water retention structures

Emergency Centers (hospitals, fire/ police
stations, post-earthquake aide stations,
schools, City Hall and Service Center, De Anza
College)
5% to 25% of project cost
Design as needed to remain functional
after max. prob earthquake on local faults
Group 4
Involuntary occupancy facilities (schools,
prisons, convalescent and nursing homes) Design as needed to remain functional after max. prob. earthquake on local faults High- occupancy buildings (theaters, hotels, large office/apartment bldgs.)
Moderately
Low Group 5
Public utilities (electrical feeder routes, water
supply turnout lines, sewage lines) 5% to 25% of project cost Facilities important to local economy
Design to minimize injury, loss of life during
maximum probable earthquake on local
faults; need not design to remain functional
Ordinary Risk
Level
Group 6
Minor transportation
(arterials and parkways)
2% of project cost; to 10% project cost in
extreme cases Low-moderate occupancy buildings
(small apartment bldgs., single-fam. resid.,
motels, small commercial/office
bldgs.)
Group 7
Very low occupancy buildings Design to resist minor earthquakes (warehouses, farm structures) without
damage; resist moderate earthquakes
without structural damage, with some
nonstructural damage; resist major
earthquake (maximum probability on local
faults without collapse, allowing some
structural and non-structural damage)
Open space and recreation (farmland, landfills,
wildlife areas)

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

Table HS-4 Technical Investigations Required Bbased on Acceptable Risk

Land Use Activity
Hazard Map Symbol
FSH
LV
Evaluation Required
Evaluation Required
Groups 1 to 4
UBC
UBC
Soils
Soils
Geology
Seismic Hazard
Seismic Hazard
Groups 5 to 7
UBC
UBC
Soils
Geology

FIGURE HS--7

FAULT ZONES
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CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 31 Descriptions of Technical Evaluations:

UBC Current, adopted version of the California Building Code Soils Soils and foundation investigation to determine ability of local soil condiƟons to support structures
Geology Determine subsidence potential, faulting hazard, slope stability (sSee Geologic Map for addiƟonal detail)
Seismic Hazard Detailed Soils/Structural evaluation to certify adequacy of normal UBC earthquake regulations or to recommend more stringent measures

FIGURE HS-7

REGIONAL FAULT LINES
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 – 2040))

FIGURE HS-8

LIQUEFACTION AREAS

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GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
Geologic hazards in Cupertino include landslides and erosion. Landslides and rock falls may occur in sloped areas, especially areas with steep slopes, and usually in areas of loose and fragmented soil.

Landslides, rockfalls, and debris flows occur continuously on all slopes; some processes act very slowly, and others occur very suddenly, often with disastrous results. Landslides are often triggered by other natural hazards, such as earthquakes, heavy rain, floods, or wildfires, so landslide frequencies are often related to the frequency of these other hazards. Landslides have occurred on hillsides throughout the city and generally occur in winter during high rainfall years. Due to the hilly terrain, the southwestern portion of the city is in a very high landslide susceptibility class, as shown on Figure HS-9. Appendix E, Geologic and Seismic Hazards, further describes these landslide susceptibility areas, noting that they include all recognized landslide deposits and steep walls of Stevens Creek canyon, which have a moderate to high landslide potential under static or seismic conditions.

Climate change is expected to result in more precipitation extremes, including more frequent periods of heavy rainfall, which could cause an increase in the number of landslides or make landslides larger than normal. Increased wildfire frequency can also destabilize hillsides due to loss of vegetation and changed soil composition, which can contribute to greater runoff and erosion. Climate change will also cause more frequent and extreme droughts, which dries out soil. Accordingly, when precipitation occurs, the soil cannot absorb as much water, which creates higher levels of runoff, potentially leading to landslides and mudflows. The combination of a generally drier climate in the future, which will increase the chance of drought and wildfires, and the occasional extreme downpour, is, therefore, likely to cause more mudslides and landslides.

Cupertino is also susceptible to hazards related to erosion, or the geological process in which earthen materials are worn away and transported by natural forces such as water or wind, causing the soil to deteriorate. Eroded topsoil can be transported into streams and other waterways. Water erosion is the removal of soil by water and transportation of the eroded materials away from the point of removal.

The impact of soil erosion on water quality becomes significant, particularly as soil surface runoff increases. Highly erosive soil can damage roads, bridges, buildings, and other structures by causing foundational instability, erosion around supports, washouts during heavy rains, and increased maintenance costs. The shifting or loss of soil over time can undermine the structural integrity of these infrastructures, leading to potential failures and safety hazards.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

FIGURE HS-9

LIQUEFACTION AREASLANDSLIDE

SUSCEPTIBILITY AREAS
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Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 35

FLOOD AND INUNDATION HAZARDS
Flooding is the rising and overflowing of water onto normally dry land. Floods are one of the most frequent natural hazards impacting Santa Clara County and among the costliest natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss nationwide, causing substantial damage to structures, landscapes, and utilities, as well as life-safety issues. Floods are surface hydrological hazards that can have a significant, and sometimes, long-lasting effect on a community. Floods can originate from various sources, including heavy rainstorms, landslides, and/or dam failure. Sediment deposits also increase flood risks because they clog the drainage system and may induce upstream flooding. Rain-related floods are the most common type of floods in Cupertino, and usually occur during periods of extended heavy rainfall.

The watersheds in the Santa Cruz Mountain Range feed into four major streambeds that traverse the Ccity: Permanente Creek, Stevens Creek, Regnart Creek, and Calabazas Creek (Figure HS-7). Stevens Creek and its streamside are among the natural elements that have the most influence on Cupertino’s character. These creeks collect surface runoff and channel it to the Baydrain into channels leading to the San Francisco Bay. During heavy rainfall, these creeks create a potential flooding risk in the city as water levels may exceed the top of the creekbank. Historically, Cupertino has been at risk of flooding primarily during the winter and spring when stream systems swell with heavy rain. Occasionally, flash flooding from short-duration, high-intensity precipitation (often during atmospheric river events) may occur. In urban areas, flash flooding is an increasingly serious problem due to removal of vegetation and replacement of groundcover with impermeable surfaces such as roads, driveways, and parking lots.

Other hazards connected with flooding and stormwater runoff include erosion, degradation of water quality, and loss of environmental resources.

Areas at an elevated risk of flooding are divided into 100- and 500-year flood zones. A 100-year flood zone has a 1-percent chance of experiencing a major flood in any given year, and a 500-year flood zone has a 0.2-percent chance of flooding in any given year. The 100-year floodplain in Cupertino is primarily along Permanente Creek, Stevens Creek, Regnart Creek, and Calabazas Creek. A majority of the city is within the 500-year floodplain. Figure HS-10 shows the 100- and 500-year flood zones in and around Cupertino.

The City participates in the Community Rating System (CRS) program, which is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed minimum National Flood Insurance ProgramNFIP requirements. Flood insurance premium rates for property owners within the city may be discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from community actions meeting the three goals of the CCommunity Rating System, which are to: (1) reduce flood damage to insurable property; (2) strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the National Flood Insurance ProgramNFIP; and (3) encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

The City and the Santa Clara Valley Water District are actively involved in programs to minimize the risk of flooding. The City developed an approach to land use for the non-urbanized flood plain of Stevens Creek south of Stevens Creek Boulevard in the Land Use Element. This ensures the preservation of the 100-year flood plain and the protection of the riparian corridor along this portion of Stevens Creek. The City and the Water District also developed a flood management program for the flood plain of Stevens Creek between Interstate 280 and Stevens Creek Boulevard while preserving the natural environment of Stevens Creek. Structural improvements, while not preferred, may be necessary, to protect properties from a 100-year flood event.

Although heavy precipitation events are a regular feature in California, atmospheric rivers, which are narrow corridors of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere and capable of transporting large amounts of water vapor that condenses and falls as intense precipitation, have caused major flooding in recent years. In winter and spring of 2023, a series of atmospheric rivers impacted the Bay Area, resulting in significant rainfall and widespread flooding across the San Francisco Bay Area.

While climate change may not change average precipitation levels significantly, scientists expect that it will cause more years with extreme precipitation events. This means that more years are likely to see intense storm systems that drop substantial volumes of precipitation over a short period and cause flooding. Because of this, floods are expected to happen more often in Cupertino, and climate change may expand the parts of the city that are considered prone to flooding.

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FIGURE HS-1210

FLOOD HAZARD ZONES

FIGURE HS-10

FLOOD HAZARD ZONES
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

DAM AND PIPELINE FAILURE
A dam failure is an uncontrolled release of water from a reservoir through a dam because of structural failures or deficiencies. Pipeline failures are a similar uncontrolled release from a water pipeline or aqueduct. The primary danger from dam or pipeline failure is the high-velocity flooding downstream of the dam and the limited warning times that can be given for evacuation.

Dam or pipeline failures can range from minor to catastrophic, potentially harming human life and property downstream from the failure. In addition, ecosystems and habitats can be destroyed by fast- moving floodwaters, debris, and sedimentation from the inundation. Failures are rare but not unprecedented; they can be caused by overtopping, foundation defects, piping and seepage failures, or conduit and valve failures. Many dam or pipeline failures are the secondary result of other natural disasters, such as earthquakes, landslides, and extreme storms.

The largest body of water within the area is the Stevens Creek Reservoir. Stevens Creek Reservoir Dam meets current dam safety standards and the probability of its failure is minimal. The Stevens Creek Reservoir, owned by the Santa Clara Valley Water District, is outside of city limits, immediately to the southwest, as shown in Figure HS-11. In the event of a dam failure at the Stevens Creek Reservoir, land surrounding Stevens Creek would flood, including residential areas adjacent to Stevens Creek and a portion of Interstate 280.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District has a comprehensive Dam Safety Program, which includes proactive inspection of upgrades and improving its dams and water supply structures as needed and in consultation with regulatory agencies. Engineers monitor dams using instruments, monthly visual inspections, and periodic dam safety reviews to prevent loss of life, personal injury, and property damage from the failure of dams. The safety of each dam is re-evaluated with advances in geotechnical, structural, and earthquake engineering and for evidence of seepage or ongoing ground movement.

The potential for a dam failure in Cupertino is likely to remain a risk in future years, although the probability of such events is expected to remain very low.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 39

FIGURE HS-113

DAM INUNDATION AREAS
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

FIGURE HS-6

FACILITY FAILURE
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | March 2025 Page 41

FIGURE HS-7
100-YEAR FLOOD
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CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE
Climate change is the long-term shift in average weather patterns globally, characterized by significant alterations in temperature and precipitation patterns over extended periods. As global temperatures continue to rise, communities experience more frequent and intense natural hazards, including heatwaves, storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires. These events often occur simultaneously, creating cascading effects that can amplify impacts to Cupertino. Climate change hazards affecting Cupertino include poor air quality, drought, extreme heat, flooding, human health hazards, landslides, severe weather, and wildfire. When multiple climate hazards occur simultaneously, such as droughts amplifying wildfire risk, or extreme heat exacerbating water shortages, the impacts on the Cupertino community, infrastructure, and natural systems can be particularly severe. These changes will continue to affect the frequency, intensity, and distribution of hazards throughout the city in the coming decades.

AIR QUALITY
Air quality refers to the condition of the air within our surroundings, particularly regarding its cleanliness and the presence of pollutants. Air quality is determined by the composition of gases and particles in the atmosphere, and it is a critical aspect of environmental health. Air pollution comes from both mobile sources (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes) and stationary sources (e.g., agricultural and industrial uses). Cupertino is highly susceptible to poor air quality due to major highways and quarry activity adjacent to the city. Wind patterns and geographical features move air pollution from other areas, such as the San Joaquin Valley, and trap pollution in the Santa Clara Valley. From 2015 to 2019, Cupertino experienced 31 days where ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels exceeded State standards.

Because of Cupertino’s proximity to major highways, quarry activity, and Santa Clara Valley’s geographical features, air quality will continue to be a concern.

Increasing statewide fire frequency can create recurring air quality degradation events, leading to respiratory health effects. Wildfire smoke consists of a mix of gases and fine particulate matter from burning vegetation and materials. The pollutant of most concern from wildfire smoke is PM2.5, which is damaging to human health because of its ability to deeply penetrate lung tissue and affect the heart and circulatory system. Although wildfire smoke presents a health risk to everyone, sensitive groups, such as children (particularly younger children), older adults, people with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular disease, and low-resourced persons. may experience more severe acute and chronic symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke.

In many regions of the United States, climate-driven changes in weather conditions, including temperature and precipitation, are expected to increase ground-level ozone and particulate matter, such as windblown dust from droughts or smoke from wildfires. Increased frequency of wildfires will release greater amounts of particulate matter and other pollutants into the air and drier conditions increase airborne dust. Possible changes in wind patterns may also trap a greater amount of air pollutants in the Santa Clara Valley, increasing exposure to air pollution.

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DROUGHT
A drought is an extended period when precipitation levels are well below normal. Drought may affect domestic water supply, energy production, public health, and wildlife, or contribute to wildfire. Like most of California and the western United States, Cupertino chronically experiences drought cycles.

The U.S. Drought Monitor recognizes a five-point scale for drought events:
 D0 (abnormally dry)
 D1 (moderate drought)
 D2 (severe drought)
 D3 (extreme drought)
 D4 (exceptional drought)
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the most intensive drought in recent years occurred during most of 2014, when all of Santa Clara County was classified as “extreme” drought. More recently, in 2022, from January through the end of the year, the county was also classified as being in “severe” drought. As of July 2024, Santa Clara County, including Cupertino, was not classified as drought. During severe drought conditions, water shortages are common, and water restrictions may be imposed to meet essential community needs. The Santa Clara Valley Water District’s 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan contains actions to implement and enforce regulations and restrictions for managing a water shortage when it declares a water shortage emergency under the authority of the California Water Code.

Cupertino’s water supply comes from local and imported water. Local rainfall and runoff flow into reservoirs for storage and blend with imported water. Approximately 50 percent of Santa Clara County’s water supply comes from hundreds of miles away – first as snow or rain in the Sierra Nevada range of northern and eastern California, then as water in rivers that flow into the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta or directly to water conveyance systems. Imported water is brought into the county through the complex infrastructure of the State Water Project, the federal Central Valley Project, and San Francisco’s Hetch-Hetchy system.

Although droughts are a regular feature of California’s climate, scientists expect climate change will lead to more frequent and intense droughts statewide. Reduced winter precipitation levels and warmer temperatures have greatly decreased the size of the Sierra Nevada snowpack (the volume of accumulated snow), making less fresh water available for communities throughout California, including the imported water supply for Cupertino. A continued decline in the Sierra Nevada snowpack volume is expected, which may lead to lower volumes of available imported water.

EXTREME HEAT
According to the California Extreme Heat Action Plan, extreme heat days are defined as temperatures exceeding 98 percent of historical highs, and these events are becoming more frequent and intense due CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

to climate change. Extended periods of extreme heat, known as heat waves, threaten community safety and raise energy costs. An extreme heat day in Cupertino is one where the maximum temperature rises above 93.2 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes extreme heat as a substantial public health concern. Seniors, persons with chronic illnesses and/or disabilities, persons experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers, low-resourced people of color, immigrant/linguistically isolated communities, and households in poverty are the most vulnerable to extreme heat.

According to the U.S. Census, approximately 66 percent of all housing in the city was built prior to 1980, some of which are unlikely to have air conditioning and may lack effective insulation to regulate indoor temperatures. During extreme heat days, temperatures in poorly insulated homes may reach unhealthy temperatures. Therefore, people living in these homes, especially vulnerable populations, are at higher risk for heat-related illnesses from extreme heat events.

Very high temperatures can also harm plants and animals that are not well adapted to these events, including natural ecosystems. Extreme heat can increase water temperature in lakes, streams, creeks, and other water bodies, especially during drought conditions when water levels are lower.

The warmer temperatures brought on by climate change are likely to cause an increase in extreme heat events locally. Depending on the location and emissions levels, the state Cal-Adapt database indicates the number of extreme heat days is expected to rise from a historical annual average of 5 to 14 days by the middle of the century (2035 to 2064), and an average of 24 days by the end of the century (2070 to 2099).

SEVERE WEATHER
Severe weather is generally any destructive weather event, but it usually occurs in Cupertino as localized storms that bring heavy rain, hail, thunderstorms, and strong winds. Severe weather is usually caused by intense storm systems, although types of strong winds can occur without a storm. Severe weather often produces high winds and lightning that can damage structures and cause power outages. Lightning from these storms can ignite wildfires and structure fires that can cause damage to buildings and endanger people.

A relatively common weather pattern that brings southwest winds and heavy rain to California is often referred to as an atmospheric river. High winds, often accompanying severe storms, can cause significant property damage, threaten public safety, and have adverse economic impacts, including business closures and widespread power loss. These winds may occur as part of a seasonal climate pattern or in relation to other severe weather events, such as thunderstorms.

Electricity utilities throughout California, including PG&E, have begun to occasionally “de-energize,” or turn off the electricity for power lines that run through areas with an elevated fire risk. Public Safety CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 45 Power Shutoff (PSPS) events are intended to reduce the risk of power lines sparking or being damaged and starting a wildfire. A Public Safety Power Shutoff event may occur at any time of the year, particularly during high wind events and dry conditions, and may be limited to specific communities or affect broad swaths of the state. While Public Safety Power Shutoff events have been smaller and less frequent recently, these events still pose a risk to PG&E customers across Santa Clara County, including Cupertino.

Climate change is expected to cause an increase in intense rainfall and strong storm systems, such as atmospheric rivers. This increase means that Cupertino could see more intense weather resulting from these storms in the coming years and decades, although such an increase may not affect all forms of severe weather. Heavy rainfall can increase the frequency and severity of other hazards, including flooding and landslides.

HUMAN HEALTH HAZARDS
Human health hazards are bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other organisms that can cause diseases and illness in people. Some of these diseases may cause only mild inconvenience, but others are potentially life-threatening. These diseases are often carried by animals, such as mice and rats, ticks, and mosquitoes. Warmer temperatures and high precipitation levels can lead to increased populations of these disease-carrying animals, creating a greater risk of disease and increased rates of infection.

Populations most vulnerable to human health hazards are those who spend a disproportionate amount of time outdoors (such as outdoor workers or persons experiencing homelessness), those with fragile immune systems or existing illnesses (which may include persons with chronic illnesses and seniors), and those who may live in sub-standard housing or not have access to health insurance and medical care (households in poverty, low-resourced people of color, immigrant/linguistically isolated communities, and cost-burdened/low-income/overcrowded households). While many vector-carrying organisms thrive in warm and wet environments, regional climate trends toward hotter and drier conditions may reduce some vector populations, such as mosquitoes, in certain areas. However, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, including periods of heavy rainfall and flooding, can still create episodic conditions conducive to vector breeding, particularly during cooler seasons. As a result, the overall risk of human health hazards may still increase, especially for already vulnerable populations.

NOISE
The noise environment is an accumulation of many different sources, ranging from human voices to major noise sources, such as freeway traffic. The degree to which noise becomes an annoyance depends on a variety of factors, including noise level, duration, time of day, background sounds, and surrounding land uses, including proximity to more sensitive populations.

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COMMUNITY NOISE FUNDAMENTALS
The three elements of community noise are noise level, noise spectrum, and variation in noise level with time. Noise level is measured in decibels (dB) . Noise is composed of various frequencies within a noise spectrum that defines the character of the noise. Since human hearing is more sensitive to the higher speech frequencies, the A-weighted frequency network is applied, in accordance with national and international standards, to adjust the measured noise level to more closely relate to human perception of loudness.

Noise environments have different characteristics that vary with duration and time of day; for instance, a freeway may emit a fairly constant noise level for long periods while an airport may emit many short- term high- level noise events punctuated by extended periods of quiet. To provide a standard measure for community noise exposure that takes into account the time-varying characteristics, the State of California adopted the Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) as the standard metric. The CNEL is a 24-hour energy average metric that penalizes evening and nighttime noise, and provides a uniform measure for time-varying noise environments.

NOISE ENVIRONMENT
The noise environment can generally be divided into two categories: transportation-related and non- transportation- related noise. Traffic noise is the greatest contributor to noise pollution in Cupertino and one of the most difficult to control through local efforts. Two major freeways (Interstate 280 and Highway State Route 85) and four major corridors (Stevens Creek Boulevard, De Anza Boulevard, Homestead Road, and Foothill Boulevard) cross Cupertino. These roadways are ustilized not only by local residents and employees, but also by commuters to destinations beyond Cupertino. Heavy-duty trucking operations to and from the Hanson PermanenteHeidelberg Cement Plant and Stevens Creek Quarry located in the western foothills near Stevens Creek Boulevard and Foothill Boulevard are also a significant transportation-related noise contributors.

Cupertino receives some aircraft noise from facilities within the region, including San Jose International Airport, Moffett Federal Airfield, and Palo Alto Airport; however, the Cupertino city limit does not fall within the identified noise contours of any of these airports. One railroad line passes through the Monta Vista neighborhood and connects with the Hanson PermanenteHeidelberg Cement Plant. This freight railway operates at very low frequencies, with approximately three train trips in each direction per week, usually during the daytime or early evening.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 47 Non-transportation noise varies from stationary equipment (e.g., air conditioning units) to construction activity. Regulation to minimize excessive noise from non- transportation sources includes compliance with the City’s noise standards that limit certain noise-generating activitiesy during evening and early morning, when ambient noise levels tend to be lower. Advancements in technology to muffle sound also reduce noise from construction equipment and stationary equipment such as compressors and generators.

LAND USE COMPATIBILITY
The Cupertino Municipal Code, Title 10, outlines the maximum noise levels on receiving properties based upon land use types (Figure HHS-812). Land use decisions and the development review process play a large role in minimizing noise impacts on sensitive land uses. Noise compatibility may be achieved by not avoiding the locationg of conflicting land uses adjacent to one another and incorporating buffers and noise control techniques, including increased building setbacks, installation and maintenance of landscaping, building transitions, site design, and building construction techniques. Selection of the appropriate noise control techniques will variesy depending on the level of noise that needs to be reduced as well as the location of the and intended noise-generating land use and the character of its surrounding uses.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

FIGURE HHS-8 12 LAND USE

COMPATIBILITY FOR COMMUNITY

NOISE ENVIRONMENTS
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CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

LOOKING FORWARD
As Cupertino’s resident and employee population grows, the City must identify ways to ensure public safety and support the community’s high quality of life. Innovative site design and construction techniques are needed to reduce noise in developments near major corridors and where uses are mixed to ensure compatibility. Fire protection and public safety should be enhanced in a manner that provides a high quality of service while continuing to be fiscally responsible. The following are ways the City will address key challenges and opportunities facing Cupertino:

NOISE.

As State, regional, and local policies encourage mixed-use development near corridors, the City should look to ways to reduce noise impacts on residences near and in such developments through site design, landscaping, and construction techniques. Additionally, the City should review locations and site design for sensitive uses, including schools, childcare facilities, and hospitals to ensure that they are not negatively impacted by noise.

PROJECT DESIGN AND OPERATIONS.

Measures such as project and building design, emergency access, operations, and maintenance of property, can help developments promote public safety and fire safety. Such measures will also allow the providers to maintain a high service level, while accommodating future growth.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.

The City and service providers should enhance community participation through new and existing programs such as neighborhood watch, emergency preparedness, and school programs.

SHARED RESOURCES.

The City can enhance emergency, fire safety, and public safety services by coordinating programs with service providers and neighboring cities through shared services, mutual aid, and agreements.

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GOALS, POLICIES, AND STRATEGIES
GOAL HS-1
Reduce hazard risks through regional
coordination and mitigation planning

REGIONAL COORDINATION
The City seeks to coordinate its local requirements and emergency planning efforts with Ffederal, State, and regional resources to ensure a consistent, integrated, and efficient approach to emergency planning.

POLICY HS-1.1: REGIONAL HAZARD

RISK REDUCTION PLANNING
Coordinate with Santa Clara
County and local agencies to
implement the Multi-
Jurisdictional Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan for Santa Clara
County.

STRATEGIES:

HS-1.1.1. Monitoring and
Budgeting.

Monitor and evaluate the success
of the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard
Mitigation Plan, including local
strategies provided in the
Cupertino Annex (Section 11).

Working with Santa Clara County,
ensure that strategies are
prioritized and implemented
through the Capital Improvement
Program and provide adequate
budget for on-going programs and
department operations.

HS-1.1.2. Hazard Mitigation
Incorporation.

Ensure that mitigation actions
identified in the Multi-
Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation
Plan are being incorporated into
upcoming City-sponsored
projects, where appropriate.

HS-1.1.3. Hazard Mitigation Plan
Amendments and Updates.

Support Santa Clara County in its
role as the lead agency that
prepares and updates the Local
Hazard Mitigation Plan.

POLICY HS-1.2: HAZARD

MITIGATION PLAN

INCORPORATION
Incorporate the Santa Clara
County Multi-Jurisdictional
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

Hazard Mitigation Plan and the
City of Cupertino Annex, as
approved by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency,
into this Health and Safety
Element by reference, as
permitted by California
Government Code Section
65302.6.

POLICY HS-1.3: PUBLIC AGENCY

COOPERATION
Continue to cooperate with other
public agencies to ensure
adequate medical and other
emergency services, including
assessing and projecting future
emergency service needs and
maintaining clear communication
protocols among jurisdictions and
regional agencies to support
unified decision-making, real-time
information sharing, and
coordinated emergency response.

STRATEGies:

HS-1.3.1: Multiagency
Emergency Response.

Coordinate with local and State
emergency management agencies
using the Standardized Emergency
Management System (SEMS) and
National Incident Management
System (NIMS) to facilitate
multiagency emergency response.

HS-1.3.2: Inter-jurisdictional
Coordination.

Maintain inter-jurisdictional
cooperation and coordination,
including mutual aid agreements
with fire protection and
suppression agencies in Santa
Clara County.

HS-1.3.3: Coordinated Disaster
Response.

Continue to maintain agreements
with other local, State, and
federal agencies to ensure
coordinated emergency and
disaster response.

HS-1.3.4: New Facilities.

Coordinate with Santa Clara
County Fire Department and
Santa Clara County Sheriff's
Department through capital
improvement planning to
establish fire and sheriff stations
to serve Cupertino. New additions
to public safety infrastructure will
be determined by evaluating
increased localized demand and
proposed growth. Evaluate
whether a combined facility is
possible to reduce infrastructure
costs and/or improve operational
efficiency, when a need is
determined.

POLICY HS-1.4: REGIONAL

COORDINATION FOR FIRE

PREVENTION
Coordinate wildland fire
prevention efforts with adjacent
jurisdictions. Work with the
County and the Midpeninsula
Open Space District to implement
measures to reduce fire hazards,
continuing efforts in fuel
management, and considering the
use of “green” fire break uses for
open space lands.

POLICY HS-1.5: REGIONAL

COORDINATION FOR FLOOD

CONTROL
Consult with the Santa Clara
Valley Water District as well as
surrounding jurisdictions
regarding regional approaches to
the planning, construction,
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 53 operation, and maintenance of
drainage and flood-control
facilities.

POLICY HS-1.6: COORDINATION

FOR ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY
Coordinate with California Water
Service and San José Water on
effective management of water
infrastructure systems.

POLICY HS-1.7: COORDINATION

FOR ADEQUATE WASTEWATER

CAPACITY
Coordinate with the Cupertino
Sanitary District and San José-
Santa Clara Regional Wastewater
Facility to ensure wastewater
infrastructure is effectively serving
existing customers and has
adequate capacity to provide for
new demands on the
infrastructure system.

POLICY HS-1.28: SEA LEVEL RISE

PROTECTION
Ensure all areas in Cupertino are
adequately protected for from
the anticipated effects of sea level
rise.

STRATEGIES:

HS-1.28.1. Monitor Rising Sea
Level.

Regularly coordinate with
regional, Sstate, and federal
agencies on rising sea levels in
the San Francisco Bay and major
tributaries to determine if
additional adaptation strategies
should be implemented to
address flooding hazards. This
includes monitoring for updates
to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency’s FEMA
flood map updates to identify
areas in the city susceptible to
sea level rise, addressing changes
to sState and regional sea and bay
level rise estimates, and
coordinating with adjacent
municipalities on flood control
improvements as appropriate.

HS-1.28.2. Flood Insurance Rate
Maps.

Provide to the public, as available,
up-to-date Flood Insurance Rate
Maps (FIRM) that identify rising
sea levels and changing flood
conditions.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 54 GOAL HS-2
Ensure a high level of emergency preparedness
for natural and human-caused disasters.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
The City seeks to focus on planning and education to prepare and enlist the community in the management of disasters and emergencies.

POLICY HS-2.1: BUILDING AND FIRE

CODE COMPLIANCE
Ensure that all new development and
redevelopment complies with the
most current version of the California
Building Code, California Fire Code,
local ordinances, and local fire
department standards to ensure
improved public safety.

POLICY HS-2.21: PROMOTE EMERGENCY

PREPAREDNESS
Distribute multi-hazard emergency
preparedness information for all
threats identified in the emergency
planCity’s Emergency Operations Plan.

Information will be provided through
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR),
First Aid and Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT) training,
lectures and seminars on emergency
preparedness, publication of monthly
safety articles in the Cupertino Scene,
posting of information on the City’s
Emergency Preparedness website, and
coordination of video and printed
information at the library. Efforts will
be made to provide information in
multiple formats to accommodate
persons of all abilities.

POLICY HS-2.32: EMERGENCY

OPERATIONS AND TRAINING
Ensure ongoing training of identified
City staff are trained on their
functions/ responsibilities in the
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
and in disaster preparedness, first aid,
and CPR, as applicable.

STRATEGIES:

HS-2.32.1: Emergency Operations
Center (EOC).

Review options to provide functional,
resilient, and seismic upgrades to the
EOC facility at City Hall or explore
alternative, resilient locations for the
EOC, and include necessary upgrades
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 55 in the City’s budget and Capital
Improvement Program, as applicable.

HS-2.32.2: City Employee Training.

Conduct regular emergency training
exercises and participate in regional
training
exercises to
ensure that
employees are
adequately
trained in
emergency
response and
recovery
operations.

POLICY HS-

2.43:

VOLUNTEER
GROUPS
Continue to
encourage the ongoing use of
volunteer groups, such as Cupertino
Emergency Response Team (CERT), to
augment the City’s emergency
services, and clearly define
responsibilities during a local
emergency.

STRATEGIES:

HS-2.43.1: Cupertino Citizens Corps.

Continue to support the Cupertino
Amateur Radio Emergency Services
(CARES), Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT), and Medical
Reserve Corps (MRC) programs to
ensure the development of
neighborhood- based emergency
preparedness throughout the cCity.

Encourage ongoing cooperation with
CERTs in other cities.

HS-2.43.2: Community Groups.

Continue pre-disaster agreements with
appropriate community groups to
provide specified post-disaster
assistance, through the Emergency
Services Coordinator Manager and
with the advice of the City Attorney.

HS-2.43.3: American Red Cross.

Continue to implement the American
Red Cross agreements under the
direction of the Director of Emergency
ServicesEmergency Services Division
during a disaster.

HS-2.43.4: Emergency Shelter
Providers.

Continue the agreements with
designated emergency shelter sites to
provide space for emergency supply
containers.

HS-2.4.5: Community Areas for
Refuge and Keep-safes (ARKs).

Maintain and expand the availability of
City ARKs through Block Leadership
and volunteer efforts to adopt an ARK.

HS-2.43.65: Amateur Radio
Operators. Continue to support
training and cooperation between the
City and Cupertino Amateur Radio
Emergency Service (CARES) to prepare
for emergency communications needs.

POLICY HS-2.54: EMERGENCY PUBLIC

INFORMATION
Maintain Cupertino’s Alert, Warning,
and Notification (AWN) Program an
Emergency Public Information
program to be used during emergency
situations.

STRATEGIES:

HS-2.54.1: Communication Methods.

Use the local Cupertino TV channel,
Cupertino Radio 1670 AM, AlertSCC,
the City’s website, CityInternet social
media accounts, and other
communication methods to transmit
information to the public in multiple
formats and languages appropriate to
The City maintains storage
containers, called ARKs,
strategically located
around the City that
contain emergency
response supplies used by
Community Emergency
Response Teams, Medical
Reserve Corps, and
CuperƟno Amateur Radio
Emergency Service.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

the demographics of
Cupertinocitizenry.

HS-2.54.2: Public Information
Office. Activate the Public Joint
Information System in coordination
with the Sheriff and the Fire
Department to provide accurate
information to the public as needed.

POLICY HS-2.6: FIRE PREVENTION AND

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Promote fire prevention and
emergency preparedness through City-
initiated public education programs,
the City Channel, the City’s website,
the Cupertino Scene, and other social
media platforms.

POLICY HS-2.7: HAZARD PREPAREDNESS
Ensure that members of the
community are adequately prepared
for potential hazard scenarios,
including geologic and seismic hazards,
wildfire hazards, flooding hazards,
extreme heat, and hazardous materials
releases. Leverage the Neighborhood
Block Program to advertise and
incorporate its members into training
efforts to expand outreach and
engagement.

STRATEGIES:

HS-5.2.22.7.1: Emergency
Preparedness. Publish and promote
emergency preparedness tips,
activities, and drills for the community.

Use the City social media accounts and
the website to provide safety tips and
actively assist in neighborhood drills
and safety exercises to increase
participation and build community
support. that may include identifying
and correcting household hazards,
knowing how and when to turn off
utilities, helping family members
protect themselves during and after an
earthquake, recommending
neighborhood preparation activities,
and advising residents to maintain an
emergency supply kit containing first-
aid supplies, food, drinking water, and
battery operated radios and
flashlights.

HS-5.2.32.7.2: Neighborhood
Response Groups.

Encourage participation in
Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT) training by neighborhood
groups and community-based
organizations. Train neighborhood
groups to care for themselves during
disasters. Activity assist in
neighborhood drills and safety
exercises to increase participation and
build community support.

HS-5.2.42.7.3: DependentVulnerable
Populations.

As part of community-wide efforts,
actively cooperate with State agencies
that oversee facilities for persons with
disabilities and those with access and
functional needs to ensure that such
the facilities conform to all health and
safety requirements, including
emergency planning, training,
response exercises, and employee
education.

HS-5.2.52.7.4: Foreign Language
Multilingual Emergency Information.

Obtain translated Prepare emergency
preparedness materials in English,
Spanish, and other languages
commonly spoken in the community
and make them available distribute to
appropriate foreign language
populations.

POLICY HS-2.8: EDUCATIONAL AND

OUTREACH MATERIALS
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 57 Distribute relevant educational and
outreach materials to the public to
help residents understand appropriate
fire mitigation activities, such as
vegetation management, defensible
space, evacuation routes, and
emergency evacuation procedures
during a fire hazard.

POLICY HS-2.9: POOR AIR QUALITY

EVENT ASSISTANCE
Work with local agencies and
community-based organizations to
provide resources to help residents
respond to poor air quality events
(e.g., transportation to resilience
centers and supply free N95 masks).

POLICY HS-2.105: DISASTER MEDICAL

RESPONSE
Continue to coordinate with the
appropriate County agencies and local
emergency
medical clinics
to ensure
preparedness
and provide
disaster
medical
response.

Coordinate
with the CERT
members
throughout
the City to
ensure that
they are
prepared to provide emergency
support and first aid at the
neighborhood level.

STRATEGY:

HS-2.105.1: Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with
Emergency Medical Clinics.

Work with Santa Clara County to
develop an MOU with local emergency
clinics to provide services in the event
of an emergency. The County’s role
and involvement in emergencies
should be considered in development
of the MOU.

POLICY HS-2.16: MILITARY FACILITIES

AND READINESS
Consider the impact of development
on neighboring military facilities, and
maintain military airspace to ensure
military readiness.

POLICY HS-2.11: EVACUATION ROUTES
Ensure that evacuation routes into and
out of the city have adequate capacity,
safety, and viability in the event of an
emergency. Ensure evacuation route
designations are reviewed and
updated, as needed.

STRATEGies:

HS-2.11.1: Evacuation Route
Coordination.

Coordinate with emergency
responders, the County, and Caltrans
to ensure evacuation routes are
designed and maintained to remain
accessible during emergency
evacuations.

HS-2.11.2: High-Hazard Day Parking
Management.

In coordination with the Santa Clara
County Sheriff’s Office and Santa Clara
County Fire Department, update the
Emergency Operations Plan to
establish a master list of streets with
parking restrictions on designated
evacuation corridors during Red Flag
Red Flag Warnings
A red flag warning is issued
by the NaƟonal Weather
Service before and during
fire weather condiƟons.

These condiƟons include
strong winds, low
humidity, and warm
temperatures, increasing
the risk of wildfires starƟng
and spreading quickly.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

Warnings and other high-hazard days
to preserve lane width, sight distance,
and emergency access.

HS-2.11.3: Managed Traffic Control
During Evacuations.

Coordinate with the Santa Clara
County Fire Department, Santa Clara
County Sheriff’s Office, and Caltrans to
implement managed traffic control
measures during evacuations,
including turn restrictions, signal
timing adjustments, lane conversions,
and route or ramp closures as needed
to maximize outbound flow from
evacuation areas.

POLICY HS-2.12: EVACUATION

AWARENESS
Ensure the public is aware of
evacuation zones, evacuation routes,
and how to access emergency alerts
and evacuation orders. Provide
information to members of the public
about evacuation concerns, including
designated evacuation routes and
evacuation plan details, through
multiple formats and in multiple
languages.

POLICY HS-2.13: INGRESS AND
EGRESS
Require new subdivisions or multiple
unit developments of five more lots or
units to have at least two ingress and
egress routes that account for existing
and proposed traffic evacuation
volumes at buildout.

POLICY HS-2.14: SECONDARY INGRESS

AND EGRESS FOR EXISTING
DEVELOPMENT.

Encourage secondary means of ingress
and egress in areas with evacuation
constraints, as shown in Figure HS-3,
Evacuation-Constrained Residential
Areas, and slopes of less than 30%
when new subdivisions of five lots or
more or developments with five units
or more are proposed.

POLICY HS-2.15: SECONDARY INGRESS
AND EGRESS FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT.

Require secondary means of ingress
and egress in areas with evacuation
constraints and slopes of 30% or
greater when new subdivisions of five
lots or more or developments with five
units or more are proposed.

POLICY HS-2.16: EMERGENCY ACCESS
Ensure compliant emergency access is
provided for all new hillside
development.

STRATEGIES:

HS-2.16.1: Roadway Design.

Create an all-weather emergency road
system to serve hillside and wildfire-
prone areas.

HS-2.16.2: Hillside Access Routes.

Require new hillside development to
have frequent grade breaks in access
routes, which must comply with
applicable fire access and egress
standards, to ensure a timely response
from fire personnel.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

Goal HS-3
Protect the community from hazards
associated with wildland and urban fires

FIRE SAFETY
The City seeks to provide direction to the Santa Clara County Fire Department (SCCFD) on ways to better protect the community from natural and human-made caused fire disasters, and to implement local policies to improve building and site design.

POLICY HS-3.1: REGIONAL

COORDINATION
Coordinate wildland fire prevention
efforts with adjacent jurisdictions.

Encourage the County and the
Midpeninsula Open Space District to
implement measures to reduce fire
hazards, including putting into effect
the fire reduction policies of the
County Public Safety Element,
continuing efforts in fuel management,
and considering the use of “green” fire
break uses for open space lands.

POLICY HS-3.21: EARLY PROJECT
REVIEW
Involve the Santa Clara County Fire
Department in the early design stage
of all development projects requiring
public review to ensure Fire
Department input and modifications as
needed.

POLICY HS-3.2: FIRE RESPONSE TIMES
Ensure Santa Clara County Fire
Department maintains required
response time standards for
emergency response in Cupertino.

STRATEGY:

HS-3.2.1: Response Times.

Work with Santa Clara County Fire
Department to establish citywide
response time standards, accounting
for time for call, turnout time, travel
time, and on scene time for both fire
and emergency medical response.

POLICY HS-3.3: ADEQUATE FIRE

PROTECTION
In coordination with the Santa Clara
County Fire Department, require that
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

new development be located where
fire and emergency services have
sufficient capacity to meet project
needs and require that the developer
provide infrastructure or equipment
necessary, proportional to the
project's fire service demand, to
maintain adequate fire protection to
comply with critical response time
standards, proportional to the
project's fire service demand.

Increased population density and new
building types will impact fire life
safety, capacity of water supply, traffic
flow, and will contribute to greater
demand on public safety resources.

STRATEGIES:

HS-3.3.1: Development Review for
Adequate Service.

Review development projects, in
coordination with the Santa Clara
County Fire Department, to evaluate
fire response times and ensure
adequate service to new development.

Evaluation should consider both on-
site and off-site conditions that may
affect emergency response, including
roadway width, access to water supply,
and visibility of street signage. When
development projects do not meet fire
response times, require that project
applicants provide infrastructure,
equipment, or improvements
necessary to ensure adequate fire
protection and compliance with critical
response time standards.

HS-3.3.2: City Fire Code.

To the extent feasible, conduct
periodic fire safety inspections to
ensure compliance with adopted
codes.

POLICY HS-3.4: NEW DEVELOPMENT IN

MODERATE, HIGH AND VERY HIGH FIRE
HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES.

Require review by the Community
Development Department and Santa
Clara County Fire Department of
proposed construction projects and
conceptual landscaping plans in the
designated Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

STRATEGIES:

HS-3.4.1: Review in High and Very
High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

High and Very High Fire Hazard
Severity Zones identified by CAL FIRE
prior to the issuance of the first
permit, whether ministerial or
discretionary, (see Figure HS-4, Fire
Hazard Severity Zones). Plans for
proposed development in such areas
shall include, at a minimum:
 Site plan, planƟng plan, planƟng
paleƩe, and irrigaƟon plan with
designs to reduce the risk of fire
hazards and with consideraƟon to
site condiƟons, including slope,
structures, and adjacencies.
 Development and maintenance of
defensible space.
 More than one point of ingress and
egress to improve evacuaƟon,
emergency response, and fire
equipment access and adequate
water infrastructure for water
supply and fire flow that meets or
exceeds the standards in the
California State Minimum Fire Safe
RegulaƟons (commencing with
SecƟon 1270, SRA Fire Safe
RegulaƟons); and Subchapter 3,
ArƟcle 3, commencing with SecƟon
1299.01, Fire Hazard ReducƟon
Around Buildings and Structures
RegulaƟons).

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 61  Class A roofing assemblies for new
and replacement roofs.
 LocaƟon and source of anƟcipated
water supply.

HS-3.4.2: Review in Moderate Fire
Severity Hazard Zones.

In the event, the California Fire and
/Building Codes require the
implementation of different building
standards in the Moderate Fire
Severity Hazard Zones, ensure these
are included in all permit plans prior to
issuance of the first permits whether
ministerial and discretionary.

POLICY HS-3.5: RESIDENTIAL

DEVELOPMENT IN HIGH FIRE RISK
AREAS
Avoid new subdivisions or residential
development of multiple units in High
Fire Hazard Severity Zone in order to
protect public safety, reduce wildfire
risks, and enhance emergency
response capabilities.

POLICY HS-3.6: LAND USE AND ZONING

CHANGES IN VERY HIGH FIRE RISK
AREAS
Prohibit additional developments of
multiple units and/or subdivisions in
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone on
properties with primary access from
private roads and slopes greater than
30% that would increase residential
density or intensity of the existing land
use.

POLICY 3.7: FIRE-RESISTANT
MATERIALS.

Ensure improvements and new
structures within a High or Very High
Fire Hazard Severity Zone comply with
California Building Code Chapter 7A,
California Fire Code, and California Fire
Safe Regulations, or equivalent
standards, to ensure fire-resistant roof
coverings and exterior building
materials. The Chief Building Official
shall enforce these standards in
alignment with Health and Safety Code
Section 13143.4, making necessary
findings as required.

POLICY 3.8: FIRE PROTECTION PLANS.

Require fire protection plans for all
new development projects in the High
and Very High Fire Hazard Severity
Zone, including plans for long-term,
comprehensive, fuel reduction and
management. The main components
of a fire protection plan shall be
consistent with California Fire Code,
Chapter 49, and include:

1. Risk Analysis

2. Fire Response CapabiliƟes

3. Fire Safety Requirements –
Defensible Space, Infrastructure,
and Building IgniƟon Resistance

4. MiƟgaƟon Measures and Design
ConsideraƟons for Non-Conforming
Fuel ModificaƟon

5. Wildfire EducaƟon Maintenance
and LimitaƟons
POLICY HS-3.9: ACCESS FOR FIRE AND

EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT
Require proposed development to
provide adequate access for fire and
emergency vehicles and equipment
that meets or exceeds the California
State Fire Safe Regulation standards.

These standards are found in two parts
of the California Fire Safe Regulations
(California Code of Regulations, Title
14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7):

Subchapter 2, Articles 1-5
(commencing with Section 1270, SRA
Fire Safe Regulations); and Subchapter
3, Article 3 (commencing with Section
1299.01, Fire Hazard Reduction
Around Buildings and Structures
Regulations). Developments must also
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

comply with the applicable provisions
of the California Fire Code (California
Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9) to
ensure fire safety measures, including
emergency access, fire protection
systems, and defensible space
requirements, align with statewide fire
prevention standards.

STRATEGIES:

HS-3.9.1: Fire Hazards Response
Support
Support measures that help
firefighting crews and emergency
response teams respond to fire
hazards or work under low-visibility
conditions, such as high-visibility
signage for streets and building
addresses that meet or exceed the
standards in the California Fire Safe
Regulations (Title 14 of the California
Code of Regulations, Division 1.5,
Chapter 7, Articles 2 and 3, Sections
1273 and 1274).

POLICY HS-3.3: EMERGENCY ACCESS
Ensure adequate emergency access is
provided for all new hillside
development.

STRATEGIES:

HS-3.3.1: Roadway Design.

Create an all-weather emergency road
system to serve rural areas.

HS-3.3.2: Dead-End Street Access.

Allow public use of private roadways
during an emergency for hillside
subdivisions that have dead-end public
streets longer than 1,000 feet or find a
secondary means of access.

HS-3.3.3: Hillside Access Routes.

Require new hillside development to
have frequent grade breaks in access
routes to ensure a timely response
from fire personnel. HS-3.37.24:

Hillside Road Upgrades. Require new
hillside development to upgrade
existing access roads to meet State
Minimum Fire Safe Regulations,
California Fire Code, and City
Municipal Code standards.

POLICY HS-3. 410: PRIVATE

RESIDENTIAL ELECTRONIC SECURITY
GATES
Discourage the use of private
residential electronic security gates
and selectively permit them only if
they do notthat act as a barrier to
emergency personnel.

STRATEGIES:

HS-3.410.1: Location.

Strongly discourage electric gates in
high fire and very high fire hazard
zones. Allow electric gates only in
locations permitted by the Municipal
Code. Require a fence exception for
electric security gates in certain areas
areas as outlined in the Municipal
Code.

HS-3.410.2: Access to Gates.

Where electronic security gates are
allowed, require the installation of an
approved key switch to be
accessedenable vehicle access by the
Fire DistrictDepartment.

POLICY HS-3.5: COMMERCIAL AND

INDUSTRIAL FIRE PROTECTION

GUIDELINES
Coordinate with the Fire Department
to develop new guidelines for fire
protection for commercial and
industrial land uses.

POLICY HS-3.6: FIRE PREVENTION AND

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Promote fire prevention and
emergency preparedness through city-
initiated public education programs,
the government television channel,
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 63 the InternetCity’s website, and the
Cupertino Scene.

POLICY HS-3.7: MULTI-STORY BUILDINGS
Ensure that adequate fire protection
is built into the design of multi-story
buildings and require on-site fire
suppression materials and equipment.

POLICY HS-3.11: EXTENSION OF WATER

SERVICE
Encourage the water companies to
extend water service into the hillside
and canyon areas and encourage
cooperation between water utility
companies and the Fire Department in
order to keep water systems in pace
with growth and firefighting service
needs. Require new subdivisions and
development within High and Very
High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to
obtain a water service extension letter,
to include fire flow capacity, from
water service providers prior to
receiving development permit
approval to ensure adequate water
services for both fire protection and
daily use.

POLICY HS-3.12: LONG-TERM WATER
SUPPLY
Ensure long-term water supply for fire
suppression and maintaining fire-
flows.

POLICY HS-3.13: COORDINATION OF

LONG-TERM WATER SUPPLY
Coordinate with water utility providers
and the Santa Clara County Fire
Department to keep water supply
systems in pace with growth and
firefighting service needs.

STRATEGIES:

HS-3.12.1: Adequate Water Service.

Identify and improve areas lacking
adequate water service for firefighting,
including capacity for peak load under
a reasonable worst-case wildland fire
scenario determined by the Santa
Clara County Fire Department.

HS-3.13.2: Sufficient Water Flow.

Work with San Jose Water, California
Water Service, and Santa Clara County
Fire Department to ensure that fire
hydrants are adequately distributed
throughout Cupertino and have
sufficient water flow.

POLICY HS-3.14: FIRE SAFE ROADWAYS
Require existing public and private
roadways in Fire Hazard Severity Zones
to comply with current fire safety
regulations for new subdivisions and
development.

STRATEGY
HS-3.14.1: Roadways Repair and
Maintenance.

Prepare and implement plans to repair
and maintain City-owned roadways as
needed to meet current standards and
require private property owners to do
the same and given the absence of
other site constraints. At time of
development review, ensure
maintenance agreements are recorded
running with the land to ensure that
street maintenance is the shared
responsibilities of the owners. These
standards include road standards for
evacuation and emergency vehicle
access, vegetation clearance, and
other requirements of the California
Fire Safe Regulations, Title 14 of the
California Code of Regulations, Division

1.5, Chapter 7): specifically,
Subchapter 2, Articles 1-5
(commencing with Section 1270, SRA
Fire Safe Regulations); and Subchapter
3, Article 3 (commencing with Section
1299.01, Fire Hazard Reduction
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

Around Buildings and Structures
Regulations).

POLICY HS-3.15: ROADSIDE

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
Collaborate with Santa Clara County
Fire Department to provide roadside
fuel reduction, defensible space, and
vegetation management, particularly
along evacuation routes.

POLICY HS-3.16: FIRE-RESISTANT

LANDSCAPING
Promote the use of fire-resistant
landscaping in public and private
developments. In High and Very High
Fire Severity Zones, fire- resistant
landscaping shall be required.

POLICY HS-3.17: FUEL BREAKS AND

EMERGENCY ACCESS ROUTES
Coordinate with CAL FIRE and Santa
Clara County Fire Department to
maintain existing fuel breaks and
emergency access routes for effective
fire suppression.

POLICY HS-3.18: RECOVERY AND
REDEVELOPMENT AFTER A LARGE FIRE.

Develop and update programs as
needed that ensure recovery and
redevelopment after a large fire and
that reduce future vulnerabilities to
fire hazard risks through site
preparation, redevelopment layout
design, fire-resistant landscape
planning, and home hardening
building design and materials.

POLICY HS-3.179: LAND USE AND

ZONING CHANGES IN VERY HIGH FIRE

RISK AREAS
Prohibit additional developments of
multiple units and/or subdivisions in
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone on
properties with primary access from
private roads and slopes greater than
30% that would increase residential
density or intensity of the existing land
use.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 65

Goal HS-4
Ensure high levels of community safety with
police services that meet the community’s
needs

PUBLIC SAFETYPOLICE SERVICES
The City seeks to support public safety through improved police services and better site design.

POLICY HS-4.1: NEIGHBORHOOD

AWARENESS PROGRAMS
Continue to support the
Neighborhood Watch Program, Block
Leader Program, and other similar
programs intended to help
neighborhoods prevent crime through
social interaction.

POLICY HS-4.2: CRIME PREVENTION

THROUGH BUILDING AND SITE DESIGN
Consider appropriate design
techniques to reduce crime and
vandalism when designing public
spaces and reviewing development
proposals.

STRATEGIES:

HS-4.2.1: Perimeter Roads for Parks.

Encircle neighborhood parks with a
public road to provide visual
accessibility whenever possible.

HS-4.2.2: Development Review.

Continue to request County Sheriff
review and comment on new
development applicationsto ensure
new development provides for
appropriate security and public safety
measures.

POLICY HS-4.3: FISCAL IMPACTS
Recognize Require that new
development accounts for fiscal
impacts to the County Sheriff, Santa
Clara County Fire, and City of
Cupertino when approving various
land use mixes.

POLICY HS-4.4: RESPONSE TIMES
Ensure that fire and emergency
response Ɵmes consistently meet the
standards of the Santa Clara County Fire
Department. Santa Clara County Fire
Department aims for the first unit to
arrive to 90 percent of all emergent
structural fires and emergency medical
service incidents within seven minutes
and forty seconds. For the purpose of
this standard, response Ɵmes are
measured from when the call locaƟon is
verified by the dispatcher, to the arrival
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

of the first unit at the scene of the
incident. For all other emergent
incidents, the benchmark is for the first
unit to arrive to 90 percent of emergent
incidents within eight minutes and forty
seconds.

STRATEGY:

HS-4.4.1: Response Time Review.

Include requirements to conduct
regular reviews of response time data
for police service to identify trends,
patterns, and areas for improvement
in contracts for Sheriff services.

Conduct regular reviews of response
time data for fire services to identify
trends, patterns, and areas for
improvement for Fire District services.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 67

GOAL HS-5
Reduce risks associated with geologic and seismic
hazards

GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS
POLICY HS-5.1: SEISMIC AND GEOLOGIC

REVIEW PROCESS
Evaluate new development proposals
and subdivisions within mapped
potential seismic and geologic hazard
zones using a formal seismic/geologic
review process. Use Table HS-
3General Plan Appendix E of this
Element to determine the level of
review required.

STRATEGIES:

HS-5.1.1: Geotechnical and
Structural Analysis.

Require any site with a slope exceeding
10 percent to reference the Landslide
Hazard Potential Zone maps of the
State of California for all required
geotechnical and structural analysis.

HS-5.1.2: Residential Upgrades.

Require that any residential facility,
that is being increased more than 50
percent assessed value or physical size,
conform to all provisions of the current
building and residential codes
throughout the entire structure.

Owners of residential buildings with
known structural defects, such as un-
reinforced garage openings, “soft first
story” construction, unbolted
foundations, or inadequate sheer walls
are encouraged to take steps to
remedy the problem and bring their
buildings up to the current building
and residential codes.

HS-5.1.3: Geologic Review. Continue
to implement, and update and
maintain geologic review procedures
for gGeologic rReports required by the
Municipal CodeGeneral Plan Appendix
E through the development review
process.

POLICY HS-5.2: PUBLIC EDUCATION ON

SEISMIC SAFETY
Reinforce the existing public education
programs to help residents minimize
hazards resulting from earthquakes.

STRATEGIES:

HS-5.2.1: Covenant on Seismic Risk.

Require developers to record a
covenant to disclose risks to tell future
residents in high-riskall fault zones
areas about the risk and inform them
that more information is in City Hall
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

records. This requirement is in
addition to the State requirement that
information on the geological report is
recorded on the face of subdivision
maps.

HS-5.2.2: Emergency Preparedness.

Publish and promote emergency
preparedness activities and drills. Use
the City social media, and the website
to provide safety tips that may include
identifying and correcting household
hazards, knowing how and when to
turn off utilities, helping family
members protect themselves during
and after an earthquake,
recommending
neighborhood preparation activities,
and advising residents to maintain an
emergency supply kit containing first-
aid supplies, food, drinking water and
battery operated radios and
flashlights.

HS-5.2.3: Neighborhood Response
Groups.

Encourage participation in
Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT) training. Train
neighborhood groups to care for
themselves during disasters. Actively
assist in neighborhood drills and safety
exercises to increase participation and
build community support.

HS-5.2.4: Dependent Populations. As
part of community-wide efforts,
actively cooperate with State agencies
that oversee facilities for persons with
disabilities and those with access and
functional needs, to ensure that such
facilities conform to all health and
safety requirements, including
emergency planning, training,
exercises and employee education.

HS-5.2.5: Foreign Language
Emergency Information.

Obtain translated emergency
preparedness materials and make
them available to appropriate foreign
language populations.

POLICY HS-7.55.3: HILLSIDE GRADING
Establish standards and procedures to
limit grading on hillside properties,
particularly those that change natural
flows or flatten existing slopes. Restrict
the extent and timing of hillside
grading operations to April through
October, except as otherwise allowed
by the City. Require performance
bonds during the remaining time to
guarantee the repair of any erosion
damage. Require planting of graded
slopes as soon as practical after
grading is complete.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 69

GOAL HS-6
Protect people and property from the risks
associated with hazardous materials and
exposure to electromagnetic fields

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
The City is committed to protecting its citizens from hazardous materials through improved disposal practices, better site design, and more public education.

POLICY HS-6.1: HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

STORAGE AND DISPOSAL
Require the proper storage and
disposal of hazardous materials to
prevent leakage, potential explosions,
fire, or the release of harmful fumes as
required by the Santa Clara County
Fire Department and/or the Santa
Clary County Department of
Environmental Health. Maintain
information channels to the residential
and business communities about the
illegality and danger of dumping
hazardous material and waste in the
storm drain system or in creeks.

POLICY HS-6.2: PROXIMITY OF

RESIDENTS TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Assess future residents’ exposure to
hazardous materials when new
residential development or sensitive
populations are proposed in existing
industrial and manufacturing areas.

Do not allow residential development
or sensitive populations (such as
childcare uses or elder care) or
sensitive populations if such hazardous
conditions cannot be mitigated to an
acceptable level of risk.

STRATEGIES:

HS-6.2.1: Environmental Site
Assessment (ESA) required.

Continue to implement requirements
in the Municipal Code to ensure
environmental site assessment is
completed prior to project approval.

HS-6.2.2: Soil Remediation required.

Ensure that conditions of approval are
incorporated to require soil
remediation with the appropriate
regulatory agency with any ministerial
or discretionary project approvals.

Continue to implement the
requirement that soil remediation be
conducted prior to issuance of any
permits involving ground/soil
disturbing activity.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

HS-6.2.3: Other Hazardous Materials
Review required.

If there is sufficient evidence about the
presence or storage of hazardous
materials in properties within 500 feet
of property on which new residential
or uses for sensitive populations are
proposed, review by the authority
controlling the presence of the
hazardous materials is required to
ensure that any requirements from
that authority are included in any
approvals, whether ministerial or
discretionary.

POLICY HS-6.3: ELECTROMAGNETIC

FIELDS (EMF)RADIOFREQUENCY

STUDIES
Continue to require radiofrequency
studies for wireless developments
during Ensure that projects meet
Federal and State standards for EMF
emissions through the development
review process to confirm that
projects meet federal and State
standards.

POLICY HS-6.4: EDUCATIONAL

PROGRAMS
Continue to encourage residents and
businesses to use non- and less-
hazardous products, especially less
toxic pest control products, to slow the
generation of new and reduce
hazardous waste requiring disposal
through the county-wide program.

POLICY HS-6.5: HAZARDOUS WASTE

DISPOSALS
Continue to support and facilitate , for
residences and businesses, a
convenient opportunity to properly
dispose of hazardous waste for
residences and businesses.

STRATEGIES:

HS-6.5.1: Partner on Hazardous
Waste Collection and Disposal.

Continue to explore efficient,
economical, and convenient ways to
offer Household Hazardous Waste and
electronic waste collection for
residents in partnership with the sSolid
wWaste contractor or the County.

HS-6.5.2: Educational Materials.

Publish educational materials about
the Household Hazardous Waste
program in the Cupertino Scene, City
website, and brochures that are
distributed throughout the
community.

POLICY HS-6.6: RADIOFREQUENCY

AWARENESS AND TRANSPARENCY
Continue to address public concerns
about radiofrequency exposure and
promote science-based awareness by
educating residents, ensuring
regulatory compliance, and fostering
transparency through effective
community outreach and
communication led by the Technology,
Information, and Communications
Commission (TICC) as needed.

CHAPTER 7 c: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 71

GOAL HS-7
Protect people and property from risks
associated with floods

FLOODING
The City seeks to ensure community protection from floods through the design of projects, municipal operations, and public education.

POLICY HS-7.1: EVACUATION MAP
Prepare and update
periodicallyMaintain an evacuation
map for the flood hazard areas in
Cupertino on and distribute it to the
general publicthe City’s website.

POLICY HS-7.2: EMERGENCY RESPONSE

TO DAM FAILURE
Ensure that Cupertino is prepared to
respond to a potential dam failure.

STRATEGIES:

HS-7.2.1: Emergency and Evacuation
Plan.

Coordinate with the Santa Clara Valley
Water District to mMaintain and
update the Stevens Creek Dam Failure
Plana Stevens Creek Dam Failure Plan,
including an alert, warning, and
notification systems and appropriate
signage.

HS-7.2.2: Inter-agency Cooperation.

Continue to coordinate dam-related
evacuation plans and alert/notification
systems with the City of Sunnyvale,
the Santa Clara Valley Water District,
and Santa Clara County to ensure that
traffic management between the
agencies facilitates life safety. Also
Wwork with other neighboring cities
to enhance communication and
coordination during a dam-related
emergency.

POLICY HS-7.3: EXISTING NON-

RESIDENTIAL USES IN THE FLOOD PLAIN
Allow commercial and recreational
uses that are now exclusively within
the flood plain to remain in their
present use or to be used for
agriculture or open space, provided
the use it does no’t conflict with
Ffederal, State, and or regional
requirements.

POLICY HS-7.4: CONSTRUCTION IN

FLOOD PLAINS
Continue to implement land use,
zoning, and building and residential
code regulations limiting new
construction in the already urbanized
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

flood hazard areas recognized by the
Federal Flood Insurance Administrator.

STRATEGIES:

HS-7.4.1: Dwellings in Flood Plains.

Discourage Prohibit new residential
development or subdivisions in
regulated flood plainsthe 100-year
floodplain or regulatory floodway
which increases the density or
intensity of the existing land use.

Regulate all types of redevelopment
in natural flood plains to prevent
increased density. This includes
discouraging fill materials and
obstructions that may increase flood
potential or modify the natural
riparian corridors.

HS-7.4.2: Description of Flood Zone
Regulation.

Continue to maintain and update a
map of potential flood hazard areas
and a description of flood zone
regulations on the City’s website.

HS-7.4.3: National Flood Insurance
Program Community Rating System.

Continue to participate in the National
Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
Community Rating System (CRS).

HS-7.4.4 Land Uses in Flood Plains.

Encourage the development of
compatible open space/recreational
uses in regulatory floodways and the
100-year floodplain that are consistent
with the provisions of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency for
floodway uses.

HS-7.4.5 Update Flood Damage
Prevention Ordinance.

Review and update Municipal Code
Section 16.52, Prevention of Flood
Damage, to maintain compliance with
the National Flood Insurance Program
and ensure development standards
consider changes to the flood plain
due to climate change. POLICY HS-7.5:

HILLSIDE GRADING
Restrict the extent and timing of
hillside grading operations to April
through October except as otherwise
allowed by the City. Require
performance bonds during the
remaining time to guarantee the repair
of any erosion damage. Require
planting of graded slopes as soon as
practical after grading is complete.

POLICY HS-7.65: STABILITY OF

EXISTING WATER STORAGE FACILITIES
Assure Ensure the structural integrity
of water storage facilities.

STRATEGY:

HS-7.65.1: Coordination with other
Agencies.

Work closely with the San Jose Water
Company and owners of other water
storage facilities to develop and
implement a program to monitor the
stability of all existing water storage
facilities and related improvements,
such as distribution lines, connections,
and other system- components.

POLICY HS-7.7: REDUCE FLOOD RISK
Reduce flood risk by maintaining
effective stormwater drainage
systems, regulating construction, and
updating stormwater infrastructure
design requirements, and retrofitting
storm drainage systems as needed.

CHAPTER 7 c: HEALT H AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 73

GOAL HS-8
Minimize noise impacts on the community and
maintain a compatible noise environment for
existing and future land use
NOISE
The City seeks to ensure that the community continues to enjoy a high quality of life through reduced noise pollution, effective project design, and noise management operations.

POLICY HS-8.1: LAND USE DECISION

EVALUATION
Use the Land Use Compatibility for
Community Noise Environments chart,
the Future Noise Contour Map (see
Figure D-1 in Appendix D), and the
City Municipal Code to evaluate land
use decisions.

POLICY HS-8.2: BUILDING AND SITE
DESIGN
Minimize noise impacts through
appropriate building and site design.

STRATEGIES:

HS-8.2.1: Commercial Delivery Areas.

Locate delivery areas for new
commercial and industrial
developments away from existing or
planned homes.

HS-8.2.2: Noise Control Techniques.

Require analysis and implementation
of techniques to control the effects of
noise from industrial equipment and
processes for projects near low-
intensity residential uses. Ensure that
indoor and outdoor noise levels
established in the Municipal Code are
implemented during the review and
approval of construction permits.

HS-8.2.3: Sound Wall Requirements.

Exercise discretion in requiring sound
walls to be sure that all other
measures of noise control have been
explored before permitting or
installation of a sound wall, and, if the
installation is permitted, ensurethat
the sound wall blends with the
neighborhoodis architecturally
enhanced with veneer or other
decorative cladding, maintained at the
expense of the sponsors of the sound
wall or, if a landscape screen is
permitted, that the landscaping is
continuously maintained and replaced
as necessary to ensure a green screen,
maintained at the expense of the
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

sponsors of the sound wall. Sound
walls should be designed and
landscaped to fit into the
environment.

POLICY HS-8.3: CONSTRUCTION AND

MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES
Regulate construction and
maintenance activities. Establish and
enforce reasonable allowable periods
of the day, during weekdays,
weekends, and holidays for
construction activities. Require
construction contractors to use the
best available technology to minimize
excessive noise and vibration from
construction equipment such as pile
drivers, jack hammers, and vibratory
rollers. Implement the noise
requirements of the Municipal Code in
Titles 10 and 17.

POLICY HS-8.4: FREEWAY DESIGN AND

NEIGHBORHOOD NOISE
Ensure that roads and development
along Highway State Route 85 and
Interstate 280 are designed and
improved in a way that minimizes
neighborhood noise, including the
installation of rubberized asphalt
paving.

POLICY HS-8.5: NEIGHBORHOODS
Review residents’ needs for
convenience and safety and prioritize
them over the convenient movement
of commute or through traffic, where
practical.

POLICY HS-8.6: TRAFFIC- CALMING

SOLUTIONS TO STREET NOISE
Evaluate solutions to discourage
through traffic in neighborhoods
through enhanced paving and
modified street design.

STRATEGY:

HS-8.6.1: Local Improvement.

Modify street design to minimize noise
impact to neighbors.

POLICY HS-8.7: REDUCTION OF NOISE

FROM TRUCKING OPERATIONS
Conduct interagency coordination with
Santa Clara CountyWork to carry out
noise mitigation measures to diminish
noise along Foothill and Stevens Creek
Boulevards from the quarry and
cement plant trucking operations.

These measures include regulation of
truck speed, the volume of truck
activity, and trucking activity hours to
avoid late evening and early morning.

Alternatives to truck transport,
specifically rail, are strongly
encouraged when feasible.

STRATEGIES:

HS-8.7.1: Restrictions in the County’s
Use Permit.

Coordinate with the County to restrict
the number of trucks, their speed, and
noise levels along Foothill and Stevens
Creek Boulevards, to the extent
allowed in the Use Permit. Ensure that
restrictions are monitored and
enforced by the County.

HS-8.7.2: Road Improvements to
Reduce Truck Impacts.

Consider road improvements such as
medians, landscaping, noise
attenuating asphalt, and other
methods to reduce quarry truck
impacts.

HS-8.7.2: Street Signage.

Consider whether restrictions on the
movement of quarry related trucks
between certain quiet hours on
thoroughfares, such as Stevens Creek
Boulevard and Foothill Boulevard can
be implemented.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 75 POLICY HS-8.8: NOISE GENERATING
USES
Prior to approving noise generating
uses, including public or private
recreational uses, within or adjacent
to established residential areas, ensure
the proposed noise generating use
includes adequate noise mitigation
measures, including, but not limited
to, posted rules and regulations which
limit hours of operation, to meet the
City’s adopted noise standards.

CHAPTER 7 c: HEALT H AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

GOAL HS-9
Increase community resilience to climate
change hazards

CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE
The City seeks to ensure that the community adapts to the impacts of climate change through sustainable practices, innovative design techniques, public outreach and education, and agency collaboration.

POLICY HS-9.1: EQUITABLY LOCATED

RESILIENCE CENTERS
Establish one or more community
resilience centers in Cupertino. Ensure
that resilience centers are not in areas
at risk from hazard impacts to the
extent possible, are equitably located,
offer refuge from extreme heat and
extreme weather events as well as
poor air quality and disasters, and are
equipped with renewable energy
generation and backup power
supplies. Such facilities should be in
easily accessible locations and
available to all community members.

STRATEGY:

HS-9.1.1: Evacuation Shelter
Planning and Siting.

Update the Emergency Operations
Plan to identify and maintain a
network of temporary evacuation
shelters and community refuge sites
outside the Fire Hazard Severity Zones
to reduce travel demand on primary
evacuation corridors.

POLICY HS-9.2: RESILIENCE CENTER

TRANSIT SERVICES
Work with transit, dial-a-ride, and
paratransit service providers to
provide transit services to and from
community resilience centers for
seniors, people with disabilities, and
residents with access and functional
needs.

POLICY HS-9.3: SUSTAINABLE WATER

SUPPLIES
Maintain a sustainable, long-term
water supply to meet community
needs with consideration of the effects
of more frequent and severe drought
events. Work with water providers to
implement extensive water
conservation measures and ensure
sustainable water supplies, including
for fire suppression needs.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January 2026 Page 77 STRATEGY:

HS-9.3.1: Water Conservation.

Promote water conservation measures
in all public and private development,
in landscaping and potable water use.

POLICY HS-9.4: EXTREME HEAT
Recognize extreme heat as a
significant hazard in Cupertino,
integrating extreme heat into
emergency preparedness and
response procedures.

STRATEGIES
HS-9.4.1: Shading and Heat-Mitigating
Materials.

Coordinate with the Santa Clara Valley
Transportation Authority to increase
shading and heat-mitigating materials
on pedestrian walkways and at transit
stops, including the planting and
maintenance of trees for shade.

HS-9.4.2: Enhanced Shading.

Work with existing property owners
and new developments to enhance
shading on properties by promoting
the installation of shade structures and
features. As part of this effort,
encourage the inclusion of vegetation
and trees and/or shade structures in
existing parking lots. Require the
inclusion of vegetation and shade
trees and/or shade structures in
existing parking lots where a change of
use is proposed or more than 25% of
the site is being modified or when a
new parking lot is proposed in
compliance with the Municipal Code
to reduce the urban heat island effect.

HS-9.4.3: Heat Action Plan.

Develop a citywide Heat Action Plan,
which would include the identification
of cooling centers, in coordination with
emergency service and utility
providers.

POLICY HS-9.5: SUSTAINABLE, ENERGY-

EFFICIENT, AND ENVIRONMENTALLY

REGENERATIVE FEATURES
Encourage new developments and
existing property owners to
incorporate sustainable, energy-
efficient, and environmentally
regenerative features into their
facilities, landscapes, and structures to
reduce energy demands and improve
on-site resilience. Support financing
efforts to increase community access
to these features.

HS-9.5.1: Electrification.

Continue to discourage the installation
of natural gas appliances and utilities
in new installations or replacement
projects. To the extent allowed by
state law, require the installation of all
electric appliances and utilities.

HS-9.3.2: Permeable Pavement.

Require permeable pavement (not
installed on any impervious materials)
in areas used for surface parking
and/or driveways, such as driveways in
single family homes and in at least
25% of open parking spaces in other
types of projects.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

POLICY HS-9.6: DROUGHT-TOLERANT

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
Promote the use of drought-tolerant
green infrastructure, including
landscaped areas, as part of cooling
strategies in public and private spaces.

HS-9.6.1: Drought-tolerant Green
Infrastructure in Public Projects.

Identify opportunities for and install
green infrastructure in conjunction
with street improvement projects and
other capital improvement projects.

HS-9.6.2: Drought-tolerant Green
Infrastructure in Private projects.

Identify opportunities for and
encourage the installation of green
infrastructure in conjunction with
private development.

POLICY HS-9.7: NATURAL RESOURCES

AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Encourage public and private projects
to use natural resources and nature-
based solutions to absorb the impacts
of climate-related hazards and
associated natural hazards, as feasible.

POLICY HS-9.8: SEVERE WEATHER

RESILIENCY
Increase the resiliency of City-owned
structures to severe weather events,
including high wind events, and
support homeowners and business
owners to increase the resilience of
their buildings and properties through
retrofits, weatherization, and other
improvements.

POLICY 9.9: NATURE-BASED
SOLUTIONS.

Where feasible, encourage the use of
nature-based solutions, existing
natural features, and/or ecosystem
processes, or the restoration thereof,
when considering alternatives for the
conservation, preservation, or
sustainable management of open
space. This may include, but is not
limited to, aquatic or terrestrial
vegetated open space, systems and
practices that use or mimic natural
processes, and other engineered
systems, to provide clean water,
conserve ecosystem values and
functions, and provide a wide array of
benefits to people and wildlife.

Environmentally
regeneraƟve features refer
to design or operaƟonal
features of buildings,
infrastructure, and systems
that help to restore, renew,
or regenerate the natural
environment. Examples
include green roofs and
living walls, permeable
pavement, on-site
renewable energy
generaƟon, rainwater
harvesƟng and reuse, or
use of low-impact materials
and construcƟon
techniques.

CONTENTS:

E-2 Fault Rupture
E-3 Ground Shaking
E-5 Seismic Ground Deformation
E-5 Liquification
E-6 Seismically Induces Landslide
E-6 Landslide Hazard
E-7 Development Review
Appendix E:

Geologic and
Seismic Hazards

APPENDIX E: GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) E-2

The following definitions provide a more comprehensive discussion of the hazards that are described in the main body of the text of Chapter 7: Health and Safety Element.

FAULT RUPTURE
Surface fault rupture is the breaking of the ground along a fault trace usually during a large magnitude earthquake. Although the risk of damage associated with surface fault rupture is high, it can be avoided by not placing structures

across active fault traces. Thus, an im portant element in community planning involves knowing the locations of active fault traces. The State of California has produced maps depicting the general lo cations of known active fault traces.

These maps, referred to in the past as the Alquist-Priolo Special Studies Zones Maps and more recently as Earthquake Fault Maps, provide location information about the most widely kn own active faults. Such as the San Andreas fault. However, the scale and resolution of these maps are not sufficient to accurately identify the location of faults with respect to individual properties and building sites. In addition, othe r significant local faults, such as the Monta Vista-Shannon and Sargent-Berr ocal faults, are not covered by the State maps. The City has updated its Geologic and Seismic Hazards map (Figure E-1) Geology Map and Geologic Hazards Map to reflect the most recent data concerning local fault trace alignments. Within the City Fault RuptureRegional Fault Zones “Zone F”, as illustrated on Figure HS-5E-1:

Geologic and Seismic Hazards, property owners must retain professional geologic consultants to determine whether or not specific fault traces impact proposed building sites for habitable or critical structures.

APPENDIX E: GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) E-3

GROUND SHAKING
Buildings and other structures located in seismically active regions such as the San Francisco Bay area are exposed to the hazard of severe ground shaking during earthquakes. Ground shaking is th e vibration caused by rupture of a fault segment during an earthquake, and it can be felt over a wide area when the magnitude of the earthquake is very strong. The shaking intensity also isis also stronger in the area close to the earthquake epicenter and weaker in areas further away from the earthquake. In addition, the level of ground shaking
is influenced by underlying rock format ions, soil conditions and the depth to groundwater. A widely used shaking intensity scale is the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (Table E-1), which describes the amount of damage occurring at any geographical location in response to seismic shaking.

The intensity of an earthquake ground shaking is related to the size or magnitude of the earthquake. Each magnitude represents 10 times the amount of ground motion and approximately 31 times the amount of energy as the next lower numeral. Thus, an earthquake of magnitude 8 releases about 1,000 times more energy (31 x 31) than a magnitude 6 earthquake. A large-magnitude earthquake on nearby faults could cause considerable local damage, depending on the distance from the epicenter and characteristics of the ground. In general, structures on less well-consolidated be drock and soil will experience greater shaking intensities than structures situated on hard rock.

The City of Cupertino adopted the current California Code of Regulations, Title 24, or Buildings and Standards Code, with certain amendments, which applies to new and existing buildin gs and structures in the city. The 1997 Title 16 Buildings and Construction of the City’s Municipal Code includes Chapter 16.04 Building Code, which incorporates the current California Building Code, Volumes 1 and 2 and specified appendices, and Chapter

16.06 Residential Code, which incorporat es the California Residential Code with specified appendices. The City ’s Building Code and Residential CodeUniform Building Code (UBC) incorporates new seismic design parameters that take into accountconsider various types of faults, soil profile types and near-source accelera tion factors. The majority of the Ccity located west of Highway 85 is located within 2 kilometers of known seismic sources (per California Division of Mines and Geology Near-Source Zones Map E-19).

Proposed new development located within two kilometers of a known seismic source receives the most stringent near-s ource design factor, which is required APPENDIX E: GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) E-4

for use with 1997 Uniform Building Code current Cupertino Building Code (CBC) and Cupertino Residential Code (CRC) structural design calculations. Figure E- 21 generally depicts the location of the various faults and hazard zones within the Cupertino planning area.

APPENDIX E: GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) E-5

Table E-1 General Comparison Between Earthquake
Magnitude and the Earthquake Ef fects Due to Ground Shaking Earthquake Category Richter Magnitude Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (After Huser, 1970) Damage to Structure Minor 2.00 I Detected only by sensitive instruments No Damage II Felt by few persons at rest, esp. on upper floors;
delicate suspended

3.00 III Felt noticeably indoors, but not always
recognized as an earthquake; standing cars
rock slightly, vibration like passing trucks

IV Felt indoors by many, outdoors by a few; at night
some awaken; dishes,
windows, doors disturbed;

4.00 V Felt by most people; some breakage of dishes,
windows and plaster; disturbance to tall objects Architectural Damage VI Felt by all; many are frightened and run
outdoors; Falling plaster and chimneys;
damage small

5.00 5.3
VII Everybody runs outdoors. Damage to buildings
varies depending on quality of construction;
noticed by driver of cars

Moderate 6.00 VIII Chimneys fall; sand and mud ejected; drivers of cars disturbed Structural Damage

6.9 IX Building shifted off foundations, cracked,
thrown out plumb; ground cracked,
underground pipes broken; serious damage
to reservoirs/embankments

Major 7.00 X Most masonry and frame structures destroyed; ground cracked; rails bent slightly; landslides

7.7 XI Few structures remain standing; bridges
destroyed; fissures in ground; pipes broken;
land slides; rails bent

Great

8.00 XII Damage total; waves seen on ground surface;
lines of sight and level distorted; objects
thrown into the air; large rock masses

displaced

Total Destruction
APPENDIX E: GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) E-6

SEISMIC GROUND DEFORMATION
Ground located in relatively close proximity to active fault traces may experience some level of ground deformation beyond the primary surface fault rupture zones. The distribution of this anticipated deformation is illustrated on Figure E-
1: Geologic and Seismic Hazards, “Zone F”. by the updated City Geologic Hazard Map – “Zone D” . Ground deformation away from the primary rupture zones may include broad bowing or warping of the surface, ground cracking and secondary ground fissuring. The general magnitudes of such deformation could be up to several inches, whereas ground impacted by primary surface fault rupture could experience offsets of several feet.

Adjacent to local thrust faults (Berrocal and Monta Vista faults), relatively broad zones of ground deformation should be anticipated immediately west of the mapped fault trace alignmen ts. These zones of deformation are anticipated to result from seismic displacement at depth along inclined fault planes descending to the west. The potential for such ground deformation should be considered during the design of new structures near active fault traces , as shown by Regional Fault Zones on Figure E-1: Geologic and Seismic Hazards .

LIQUEFACTION
Soil liquefaction is the phenomenon in wh ich certain water-saturated soils lose their strength and flow as a fluid when subjected to intense shaking. With loss of soil strength, lateral spreading or slid ing of soil toward a stream embankment can occur. Liquefaction can also result in the formation of sand boils, which represent conduits of pressure release from within the liquefied layer (at depth) to the ground surface. Liquefaction can also lead to local settlement of the ground surface and a reduction of bear ing support for building foundations.

The
potential exists for tilting or collapse of structures due to liquefaction of underlying earth materials.

Currently identified lands subject to a moderate or higher level of risk for liquefaction are essentially coincident with areas of potential flood inundation adjacent to local creek channels. Rela tively deep, unconsolidated granular soil materials potentially prone to liquefaction may occur in these areas. The combined liquefaction and flood inundation hazard high liquefaction susceptibility areas and flood hazard zones areis depicted by Hazard “Zone I” on Figure E-1: Geologic and Seismic Hazards the City Geotechnical Hazards Map.

APPENDIX E: GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) E-7

SEISMICALLY INDUCED LANDSLIDING
Reactivation of existing landslides or generation of new slope failures (as discussed in the following section on landslides) may be initiated under intense seismic ground shakin g conditions. As a result of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, many large pre-existing la ndslides demonstrated lurching or other signs of movement and partial reac tivation within the local Santa Cruz Mountains to the southwest of the City. Intense seismic ground shaking from a nearby earthquake could trigger new slope failures or movement of pre- existing landslides. Steep to precip itous banks adjacent to the flood plain plane of Stevens Creek may be pa rticularly susceptible to seismically induced land sliding.

These areas, and other mapped landslideshigh landslide susceptibility areas within the City, are included within “Zone L” on Figure E-1: Geologic and Seismic Hazardsthe City Geotechnical Hazard Map.

LANDSLIDE HAZARDS
Landslides present the greatest geolog ic hazards to the foothills and low mountains in the planning area. The sliding of a slope is the normal geologic process that widens valleys and flattens slopes. The rate ranges from rapid rock fails to very slow soil and bedrock creep . Landslides are caused by inter-related natural factors, such as weak soil and ro ck over hillsides made steeper by rapid stream erosion, adverse geologic structure, groundwater levels and high rainfall rates. Landslides can be caused by im proper grading, excessive irrigation, removal of natural vegetation and altering surface and subsurface drainage.

Figure E-21 on page 5 shows mapped landslide depo sits within Cupertino.

Geologic mapping in the hillsides shows that landslide deposits cover as much as 20 to 30 percent of the hillsides in the planning area. Landslides range from small, shallow deposits made up of soil and weak bedrock materials to large, deep landslides involving a large amount of bedrock.

Extensive geologic characterization and engineering analyses are necessary to determine the long-term stability of a landslide deposit. Old deposits are the most difficult to judge. Experience sh ows that old landslide deposits are far more likely to move again than area s that have not had landslides before.

APPENDIX E: GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) E-8

Areas in these old landslides that are next to steep, new stream channels are more likely to have new landslides than areas further from the new channels.

This would be especially true with seve re shaking during a major earthquake on any of the three faults in Cupertino. The historic account of the 1906 earthquake shows many landslides occurred througho ut the Santa Cruz Mountains. Some of these were catastrophic, causing loss of life, personal injury , and severe damage to buildings.

Landslides are expected along the high, steep embankments that bound the Stevens Creek floodplain plane, confined to local sites along the stream channel alignment extending from the front the hi llsides across the valley floor. This hazard can be reduced significantly by restrictive building at the base and top of the embankments.

DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
These geologic and seismic hazards present risks to property and public safety.

Tables E-2 through E-5 briefly explain geologic and seismic hazards in Cupertino, magnitude and occurrence, acceptab le exposure rise, and technical investigations required based on acceptab le risk. Figure E-1 identifies the areas in Cupertino susceptible to the greatest risk.

During the development review process, Figure E-1 identifies which seismic or geologic hazard zone a proposed proj ect is in, and Table E-3 defines the acceptable exposure level based on th e development type. These two factors should then be used to determine the required geologic and seismic technical investigations in Table E-5 for a propos ed development project. Tables E-2 and E-3 provide supporting information a nd definitions for this process.

APPENDIX E: GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) E-9

Table HS-1E-2 Explanations of Geologic and Seismic
Hazards
Hazard Zone Description

(F)– Fault Rupture Area of potential surface fault rupture hazard within 300 feet east and 600 feet west of the Monta Vista and Berrocal faults, and within 600 feet of the San Andreas fault.

(S)– Slope Instability

Area includes all recognized landslide deposits, and steep walls of Stevens Creek canyon, with a moderate to high landslide potential under static or seismic conditions. Area also reflects the mapped zone of potential earthquake-induced landsliding prepared by the California Geological Survey (2002).

(H)– Hillside Area contains moderate to steep slope conditions not included in the above categories, with an unde- undetermined potential for slope instability.

(L)– Liquefaction /
Inundation

Area where local geological, geotechnical and gr oundwater conditions indicate a potential for lique- liquefaction under seismic conditions. Much of this ar ea also has the potential for periodic flood inundation. The Liquefaction/Inundation Zone is stippl ed where covered by an overlaying Fault Zone.

(V)– Valley Area includes all relatively level valley floor terrain not included in the above categories with relatively low levels of geologic hazard risk.

Table HS-2E-3 Maximum Earthquake Magnitudes and Recurrence Intervals

Causative Faults
Distance from
De Anza/SCB
Intersection
Maximum
Historic Moment
Magnitude
Maximum
Probable Moment
Magnitude
Est. Recurrence
Interval of Max.

Prob. Earthquake
San Andreas
System
San Andreas 5.5 miles 7.9 7.9 220 years
Hayward (South) 10 miles 7.0 7.0 236 years
Calveras (Central) 14 miles 6.3 7.0 374 years
Sargent-Berrocal
System
Sargent-Berrocal 3.5 miles 3.7-5.0 6.8 330 years
Monta Vista-
Shannon
2 miles 2.0-3.0 6.8 2400 years

APPENDIX E: GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) E-10

Table HS-3E-4 Acceptable Exposure to Risk Related to Various Land Uses
Acceptable
Exposure to
Risk
Land Use Group Extra Project Cost to Reduce
Risk to Acceptable Level

Extremely
Low

Group 1
Vulnerable structures (nuclear reactors,
large dams, plants manufacturing/ storing
hazardous materials)

As required for maximum attainable safety

Group 2
Vital public utilities (electrical
transmission interties/substations,
regional water pipelines, treatment
plants, gas mains)

Design as needed to remain functional after max. prob. earthquake on local faults

Group 3
Communication/transportation (airports,
telephones, bridges, freeways,
evacuation. routes)

5% to 25% of project cost
Small water retention structures
Emergency Centers (hospitals, fire/
police stations, post-earthquake aideaid
stations, schools, City Hall and Service
Center, De Anza College)
Design as needed to remain functional after
max. prob earthquake on local faults

Group 4
Involuntary occupancy facilities (schools,
prisons, convalescent and nursing homes)

Design as needed to remain functional after
max. prob. earthquake on local faults High occupancy buildings (theaters, hotels, large office/apartment
bldgs.buildings)

Moderately
Low

Group 5
Public utilities (electrical feeder routes,
water supply turnout lines, sewage lines) 5% to 25% of project cost

Facilities important to local economy
Design to minimize injury, loss of life during
maximum probable earthquake on local faults;
need not design to remain functional

Ordinary Risk
Level

Group 6
Minor transportation
(arterials and parkways)

2% of project cost; to 10% project cost in
extreme cases
Low-moderate occupancy buildings
(small apartment bldgsbuildings., single-
family. resid.residential, motels, small
commercial/office
buildinldgs.)

Group 7
Very low occupancy buildings Design to resist minor earthquakes (ware- houses, farm structures) without/o damage;
resist mod. Earthquakes w/owithout
structural. damage,withdamage, with some
nonstructstructural. damage; resist major
earth- quake (max. prob. on local faults w/o
collapse, allowing some structural. & non-
structural. damage

Open space and recreation (farm land,
landfills, wildlife areas)

APPENDIX E: GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) E-11

Table HS-4E-5
Technical Investigations Required based on Acceptable Risk

Land Use Activity
Hazard Map Symbol
Hazard Zone F, S, H Hazard Zone L, V
Evaluation Required Evaluation Required

Groups 1 to 4

UBCCBC/CRC UBCCBC/CRC
Soils Soils
Geology Seismic Hazard
Seismic Hazard

Groups 5 to 7

UBCCBC/CRC UBCCBC/CRC
Soils
Geology

Descriptions of Technical Evaluations:

CUBC/CRC: Current, adopted version of the current Cupertino Building Code (C BC) and Cupertino Residential Code (CRC), as applicableCalifornia Building Code .

Soils: Soils and foundation inve stigation to determine abilitythe ability of local soil conditions to support structures .

Geology: Determine subsidence potential, faulting hazard, slope stability (See Geologic and Seismic Hazard Map for additional detail).

Seismic Hazard: Detailed Soils/Structural evaluation to certify adequacy of normal CBC/CRCUBC earthquake regulations or to recommend more stringent measures .

APPENDIX E: GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) E-12

FIGURE E-1

F
F
H/S
H/S
H/S
L
L
L
L
L

APPENDIX E: GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) E-13

FIGURE E- 21

Los Altos
Sunnyvale

Santa Clar

San Jose

Saratoga
Legend
Qal – Valley Floor Alluvium
QTsc – Santa Clara Formation
Tus, Tm,vq – Tertiary
Sedimentary Rocks
KJr – Franciscan Assemblage
Landslides (Schematic)
Fault
Urban Service Area Boundary
Sphere of Influence
Boundary Agreement Line

Qal

QTsc
Qal
KJr
Qal
QTsc
Tus,
Tm
QTsc
KJr
Qal
QTsc
Tvq
KJr
Tvq

BUBB ROAD

STELLING RD
De ANZA BLVD

BLANEY AVE

WOLFE RD
AVE

Appendix H: Health and
Safety Element Background
Report

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page i

1. Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Purpose and Content .................................................................................. 1

1.2 Relationship to Other Local Plans ................................................................ 2

1.2.1 General Plan Elements .................................................................................................. 2

1.2.2 Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan ..................................... 2

1.2.3 Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan ............................................... 3

1.2.4 City of Cupertino Climate Action Plan............................................................................ 3

1.3 Community Profile ..................................................................................... 4

1.4 Climate Change Vulnerability ...................................................................... 7

1.4.1 Vulnerability Assessment Results .................................................................................. 8

2. Public Safety Issues ........................................................................................................................ 10

2.1 Emergency Preparation and Response ....................................................... 10

2.1.1 Local Emergency Response ......................................................................................... 10

2.1.2 Alert, Warning, and Notification ................................................................................. 12

2.1.3 Emergency Evacuation ................................................................................................ 13

2.2 Flood and Inundation Hazards ................................................................... 16

2.2.1 Dam and Pipeline Failure ............................................................................................ 18

2.2.2 Past Occurrences ........................................................................................................ 21

2.2.3 Potential Changes to Flood Risk in Future Years .......................................................... 21

2.3 Seismic and Geologic Hazards ................................................................... 22

2.3.1 Seismic Hazards .......................................................................................................... 22

2.3.2 Geologic Hazards ........................................................................................................ 26

2.3.3 Past Occurrences ........................................................................................................ 26

2.3.4 Potential Changes to Geologic and Seismic Risk in Future Years .................................. 29

2.4 Fire Hazards ............................................................................................ 29

2.4.1 Wildfires……….. ........................................................................................................... 30

2.4.2 Fire Hazard Severity Zone ........................................................................................... 30

2.4.3 Structural Fires ........................................................................................................... 30

2.4.4 Fire Protection 33

2.4.5 Past Occurrences ........................................................................................................ 34

2.4.6 Potential Changes to Fire Risk in Future Years ............................................................. 35

2.5 Hazardous Waste and Materials ................................................................ 35

2.5.1 Potential Changes to Hazardous Materials in Future Years .......................................... 37

2.6 Climate Change Resilience ........................................................................ 37

2.6.1 Air Quality…….. ........................................................................................................... 37

2.6.2 Drought…………. ........................................................................................................... 38

2.6.3 Extreme Heat….. ......................................................................................................... 40

2.6.4 Severe Weather .......................................................................................................... 42

2.6.5 Human Health Hazards ............................................................................................... 45

3. Vulnerability Assessment Results ................................................................................................... 46

3.1 Overview 46

3.2 Items Included in the Cupertino Vulnerability Assessment .......................... 47

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page ii Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025

3.2.1 Populations…… ........................................................................................................... 47

3.2.2 Infrastructure…. .......................................................................................................... 47

3.2.3 Buildings……….. ........................................................................................................... 48

3.2.4 Economic Drivers ........................................................................................................ 49

3.2.5 Ecosystems and Natural Resources ............................................................................. 49

3.2.6 Key Services….. ........................................................................................................... 49

3.3 Vulnerability Assessment Results .............................................................. 50 End notes .............................................................................................................................................. 53

Figure S-1 Critical Facilities ............................................................................................................ 6 Figure S-2 Potential Evacuation Routes ....................................................................................... 14 Figure S-3 Evacuation-Constrained Residential Parcels ................................................................ 15 Figure S-4 Flood Hazard Zones .................................................................................................... 17 Figure S-5 Dam Inundation Areas ................................................................................................ 20 Figure S-6 Regional Fault Lines .................................................................................................... 25 Figure S-7 Liquefaction Areas ...................................................................................................... 27 Figure S-8 Landslide Susceptibility Areas ..................................................................................... 28 Figure S-9 Fire Hazard Severity Zones .......................................................................................... 32 Figure S-10 California Adaptation Planning Guide Vulnerability Assessment Process ..................... 46

Table S-1. Vulnerability Assessment Results ................................................................................ 51

LIST OF FIGURES

O LIST OF TABLES

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page 1

1.1 PURPOSE AND CONTENT
The Cupertino Health and Safety Element is a State -mandated General Plan element that must identify potential natural and human -caused hazards that could affect the City of Cupertino ’s (City’s) residents, businesses, and services. The Health and Safety Element establishes a framework that anticipates these hazards and prepares the community to minimize exposure to these risks.

The Health and Safety Element conveys the City’s goals, policies, and strategies to minimize the hazards to safety in and around Cupertino. It identifies the natural and human-caused hazards that affect existing and future development, describes present and expected future conditions, and sets policies and standards for improved public safety. This document includes efforts to minimize physical harm to the buildings and infrastructure in and around Cupertino to reduce damage to local economic systems, community services, and ecosystems.

The Safety Element serves the following functions:
 Develops a framework by which safety considerations are introduced into the land use planning process.
 Facilitates identifying and mitigating hazards for new development, thus strengthening existing codes, project review, and permitting processes.
 Presents policies directed at identifying and reducing hazards in existing development.  Strengthens earthquake, flood, dam inundation, and wildfire preparedness planning and post - disaster reconstruction policies.
 Identifies how natural and climate-related hazards are likely to increase in frequency and intensity in the future and provides policies to increase community resilience through preparedness and adaptation.

Section 65302(g) of the California Government Code requires that the Health and Safety Element contains background information and policies to address multiple natural hazards, analyze the vulnerabilities from climate change, contain policies to improve climate change resilience and assess residential areas with evacuation constraints. The public safety issues in Cupertino include the following:
 Emergency preparedness and response
 Flood and inundation hazards
 Seismic and geologic hazards
 Fire hazards
 Hazardous waste and materials
 Drought
 Extreme heat
 Severe weather
The Health and Safety Element includes a discussion for each hazards and identifies goals and policies .

The policies in the Health and Safety Element guide the actions of City staff, developers, and policy makers necessary to achieve the goa l. These policies are carried out by corresponding strategies, which are specific tasks the City will undertake.

1. OVERVIEW

1.2 REL ATIONSHIP TO OTHER LOCAL PLANS
Cupertino General Plan’s Health and Safety Element is one of several plans that address community safety and related topics. Other plans include the Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP), the Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), and the Cupertino Climate Action Plan (CAP), and various local regulations. The General Plan Health and Safety Element should be consistent with these other plans to minimize conflicts between documents and ensure that the City has a unified strategy to address public safety and resilience issues. The Health and Safety Element incorporates information, technical analyses, and policies from these other documents where appropriate to help support this consistency.

1.2.1 General Plan Elements
The 2014 Cupertino General Plan , also known as the Community Vision 2015- 2040, includes two introductory chapters ( Introduction and P lanning Areas) and seven “ element” chapters addressing different community issues:
 Land Use and Community Character
 Housing
 Mobility
 Environmental Resources and
Sustainability
 Health and Safety
 Infrastructure
 Recreation, Parks, and Community
Services
The Health and Safety Element provides policy direction and designs safety improvements that complement the intent and policies of other General Plan elements. Crucial relationships exist between the Health and Safety Element and the other General Plan elements. How land uses are determined in areas prone to natural hazards, what regulations limit development in these areas, and how hazards are mitigated for existing development, are all among issues that tie the elements together. For instance, the Recreation, Parks, and Community Services Element must consider how hazards will affect the park and recreation infrastructure and facilities in Cupertino, but also recognizes that parks can provide strategies to reduce flood risks throughout the city. The Housing Element is also closely tied to the Health and Safety Element. Future potential development in the city must be protected from hazards and able to adapt to climate change hazards to ensure homes and the people living in them remain safe. Health and Safety Element p olicies, especially those concerning evacuation routes and critical facilities, must also be consistent with those of the Mobility Element. Interstate (I-) 280 and State Route (SR-) 85 are Cupertino’s primary evacuation routes, supported by routes designated as arterials in the City’s Mobility Element. This Health and Safety Element is consistent with the other elements of the Cupertino General Plan.

1.2.2 Santa Clara County Multi -Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan In collaboration with the City and other local agencies and special districts, Santa Clara County prepared the 2023 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan ( MJHMP) in accordance with the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) hazard mitigation assistance guidance. Santa Clara County’s MJHMP is a plan that assesses hazard vulnerabilities from natural and human-caused hazards, including risk to people and facilities, and identifies short-term (five- year) mitigation actions to reduce or eliminate hazard risks in Santa Clara County, including in incorporated communities. The MJHMP includes a dedicated annex for the City of Cupertino, which discusses Cupertino’s characteristics and history, development trends, hazard mitigation capabilities, integration with other hazard mitigation planning efforts, and vulnerabilities of specific facilities and infrastructure. The mitigation actions in the MJHMP include both short-term and long-term strategies and

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page 3 involve planning, policy changes, programs, projects, and other activities. These mitigation actions are identified based on assessments of hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks and the participation of a wide range of stakeholders and the public in the plan ning process. Local governments are required to develop a hazard mitigation plan as a condition for receiving certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance.

The MJHMP and Health and Safety Element address similar issues, but the Health and Safety Element provides a higher -level, long-term framework and set of policies that pertain to the safety of the city, while the MJHMP focuses on more specific mitigation, often short-term actions, to enable jurisdictions to better protect lives, property, and natural systems. The MJHMP , as its name implies, focuses on mitigation-related actions, while the Health and Safety Element also includes policies related to emergency response, recovery, and preparation activities. The current MJHMP, including Cuper tino’s annex, as certified by FEMA , is incorporated into this Health and Safety Element by reference, as permitted by California Government Code Section 65302.6. It is available online at:
https://www.cupertino.org/our-city/departments/public-safety-programs/emergency- management/plans-4523.

1.2.3 Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan In collaboration with the CWPP Core Team , made up of representatives of Santa Clara County organizations, the Santa Clara County Fire Department prepared and published the 2023 Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The Santa Clara County CWPP is the result of an area- wide planning effort. It provides a snapshot of current wildfire protection challenges and capabilities, identifies and prioritizes areas for hazardous fuel reduction, and recommends types and methods of vegetation management that may help protect the affiliated communities from wildfire losses. The goal of the plan is to reduce hazards through increased information and education about wildfires, hazardous fuels reduction, actions to reduce structure ignitability, and other recommendations to assist emergency preparedness and fire -suppression efforts. Most notably, it is intended to help facilitate a coordinated effort between the various stakeholders. The Santa Clara County CWPP complements local agreements and existing p lans for wildfire protection to coordinate efforts in determining appropriate fire management actions. The fire protection agencies in Santa Clara County are predominately responsible for implementing the CWPP. The CWPP is available online at: https://www.cupertino.org/our- city/departments/public-safety-programs/emergency-management/plans-4523.

1.2.4 City of Cupertino Climate Action Plan
In January 2015, the Cupertino City Council adopted the City’s first Climate Action Plan (CAP) to address climate change challenges. The City met its 2020 greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal of 15 percent below 2010 levels two years ahead of schedule, even with population and economic growth. Since the City met their 2020 targets, the City Council authorized the creation of CAP 2.0, which was adopted by the City Council on August 16, 2022. Cupertino’s goal is to reduce the City’s GHG emissions to net zero by the year 2040. The City is following the goals and development path of the Paris Climate Agreement and supports regional, State, and national policies that help reduce global emissions.

The CAP describes a series of measures and actions that will aid the municipal operations and the City in reducing GHG emissions and meet community goals. Guiding principles are key to achieving the vision for the CAP. These principles include equity, innovation, urgency and flexibility, and resilience and adaptation.

The CAP includes topics such as energy, transportation, waste, water, biodiversity, and natural systems , as well as an adaptation chapter that is intended to help residents prepare for extreme weather events and the impacts of a changing climate. Each topic has several measures broken into actions that reflect a holistic approach to achieving the goal given that they consider structural changes, funding sources, equity, education, studies, etc.

CAP 2.0 is viewed as a strategic framework that will be re -evaluated regularly. If the City’s 2025 GHG emissions reductions are on track to reach the 2030 conclusion targets, it is anticipated that no additional CAP measure adjustments would be necessary. If the City has not made sufficient progress on GHG emissions-reduction goals by 2025, a CAP update may be required at that time to maintain status as a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)-qualified GHG emissions-reduction plan. Such a CAP update could require additional actions, such as shifting incentive programs to mandatory requirements. If there has been sufficient progress towards meeting GHG emissions targets, the next CAP update will be completed by 2030. The CAP is available online at: https://engagecupertino.org/climate-action.

1.3 COMMUNITY PROFILE
The City of Cupertino is situated on the western edge of Silicon Valley against the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains in the northwestern portion of Santa Clara County. Cupertino's land use pattern is largely built on a conventional suburban model, which is heavily influenced by the topography of the area.

Cupertino's hillsides are an irreplaceable resource shared by the entire Santa Clara Valley. They provide important habitat for plants and wildlife; watershed capacity to prevent flooding in downstream areas; a wide vegetative belt tha cleanses the air of pollutants; creates recreational opportunities for residents; and a natural environment that provides a contrast to the built environment. Several streams run through Cupertino, including Permanente Creek, Stevens Creek, San Tomas Aquino Creek, Regnart Creek, Prospect Creek, and Saratoga Creek. I-280, SR-85, and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks bisect the city . The city is bordered by San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Sunnyvale, and Los Altos.

Cupertino has a Mediterranean climate, with winter rain and warm to hot, dry summers. Winter rains fall from about November to March. On average , annual high temperatures in Cupertino range from 58 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) in January to 81°F in August. Low temperatures range from 41°F in January to 57°F in August.
1 The city receives an average of approximately 23.7 inches of rainfall annually.2 Most rain falls during the winter months , with rare occurrences of summer storms. Cupertino ranges from the urban environment in the flatlands to semi-rural and rural environment in the western foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Ecosystems within the city include riparian habitat, grasslands, brushlands, and foothill woodlands and f orests. Cupertino' s rural plant and animal resources are located in the relatively undeveloped western foothills and mountains, near the Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve and along Stevens Creek. Each ecosystem of vegetation provides food and shelter to support a variety of wildlife.

Cupertino is home to approximately 60,381 residents or 20,963 households and supports about 28,415 jobs.
3 The City of Cupertino is a community with a high quality of life, a renowned school system, and a robust high-technology economy as Apple Inc. is the largest employer in the city. De Anza College, one of the largest single-campus community colleges in the country, is another major employer and magnet for attracting local and international students. In 2020, the median age of all people in Cupertino was approximately 40.3 The largest ethnic groups in Cupertino are Asian, Asian Pacific Islander (Non-Hispanic) (67.7 percent); White (Non -Hispanic) (25.2 percent); Hispanic or Latinx (3.3 percent); other races or multiple races (Non-Hispanic) (3.0 percent), and American Indian or Alaskan Native (Non -Hispanic) (0.8 percent).4
Fire fighting and emergency medical services are provided to the City by the Santa Clara County Fire Department (SCCFD). Mutual aid agreements with the neighboring jurisdictions augment SCCFD' s fire response capabilities. The City contracts with the Santa Clara County Sheriff' s Office, West Valley Division, for law enforcement services.

Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) is the primary wholesale water supplier for Cupertino . Water is provided to residents and businesses by the California Water Service (North of Stevens Creek Boulevard)

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page 5 and San Jose Water (South of Stevens Creek Boulevard ). Groundwater and local surface water is the SCVWD’s original source of water supply. The treated water is sold to local water retailers such as San Jose Water Company, who use their own distribution system s to serve customers in Cupertino.

Approximately 50 percent of SCVWD’s water supply is imported. Groundwater (approximately 40 percent of supply) is pumped from over 100 wells in the Santa Clara Groundwater Basin. Imported surface water (approximately 50 percent of supply) is provided by the SCVWD, the wholesale supplier , via the State Water Project, federal Central Valley Project, and San Francisco’s Hetch Hetchy system . Local mountain surface water (approximately 10 percent of supply) is collected from San Jose Water's watershed in the Santa Cruz Mountains . Wastewater services are provided by the Cupertino Sanitary District. San Jose Water receives its water supplies from three main sources including groundwater, imported surface water, and local surface water.

Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) is the primary electricity provider for Cupertino. SVCE is a public, non - profit agency that provides clean electricity to 270,000 residential and business customers across 13 Silicon Valley communities, including Cupertino. While SVCE generates the electricity, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) is responsible for delivering it via PG&E’s existing power lines and infrastructure.Most of Cupertino is served by the Cupertino Union School District. Cupertino Union School District serves approximately 18,000 students in 19 elementary schools, one K through eighth-grade school, and five middle schools throughout Cupertino and parts of five other cities . The northeast area of Cupertino is served by the Santa Clara Unified School District’s Laurelwood Elementary School, which has approximately 700 students; Peterson Middle School, which has approximately 900 students; and Wilcox High School , which has approximately 1,900 students . The Fremont Union High School District serves nearly 11,000 students, covering 42 square miles and encompassing Cupertino plus portions of five other cities.

Cupertino currently has approximately 165 acres of City -owned public parks and open space areas. The City' s park system is supplemented by a network of over 220 acres of local and regional interconnected trails that stretch from local open space preserves to the San Francisco Bay. In addition, there are many acres of open space preserves surrounding the city that are operated and maintained by regional agencies and districts, including over 40 acres of open space negotiated through public access agreements .As shown in Figure S-1, Cupertino’s primary transportation access is from I -280, which connects Cupertino to I-880 and San Jose to the east, as well as SR-85, which connects Cupertino to Highway 101 to the north and SR-17 to the south. Cupertino is served by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority , which provides local bus transit options.

Figure S-1 Critical Facilities

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page 7

1.4 CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERABILITY
Changes to the global climate system are expected to affect future occurrences of natural hazards in and around Cupertino.

Many hazards are projected to become more frequent and
intense in coming years and decades, and in some cases, these trends have already begun. Key climate change considerations that affect Cupertino include increasing temperatures and changes in precipitation. Overall, precipitation levels are expected to increase slightly, with more years of extreme precipitation events and droughts that last longer and are more intense. According to California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, Cupertino can expect to experience various
changes from climate-related hazard events.
5  Wildfire risk in Cupertino is and will continue to be a concern for the community. Climate change is expected
to lead to an increase in wildfires in the surrounding
area and across Santa Clara County due to hotter and drier conditions. Dry conditions are anticipated earlier in the year, leaving most of the region in moderate to extreme drought conditions prior to summer. These continued dry conditions with above -normal temperatures through spring will leave fuel moisture levels lower than normal, increasing the potential for wildfire activity. Across the region, more frequent and intense wildfires may also create poor air quality for Cupertino. As the climate changes, warmer temperatures will create more pollutants, such as ozone, wildfire smoke, dust, and pollen, contributing to poor air quality.  Warmer temperatures are projected to cause an increase in extreme heat events. The number of extreme heat days, defined in Cupertino as a day when the high temperature is at least 93.2°F, is expected to rise from a historical annual average of 5 to 14 days by the middle of the century (2035 to 2064), and an average of 24 days by the end of the century (2070 to 2099). In addition to the increases in extreme heat events, Cupertino is expected to see an increase in the average daily high temperatures. The number of warm nights, defined in Cupertino as a day in April through October when the minimum temperature is above 60.5°F, is expected to rise from a historical annual average of 5 to 33 nights by the middle of the century (2035 to 2064), and to an average of 89 nights by the end of the century (2070 to 2099).
 Both droughts and floods are expected to become more frequent as rainfall is expected to occur in fewer, more intense storms due to climate change. Although Cupertino is likely to experience minimal change in overall annual rainfall levels from climate change, the region is also expected to see an increase in the number of extreme rainfall events. As a result, floods are expected to occur more often in Cupertino, primarily along Stevens Creek, and climate change may expand the parts of the city that are con sidered prone to flood. Climate change is also expected to increase the frequency and severity of droughts that cause soil to dry out and condense. When rainfall does return, dry ground means more water runs off the surface rather than being absorbed into the ground, which can lead to flooding downstream and result in debris flows along slopes and hillsides.
 Severe weather events, such as strong atmospheric river events 1 and high winds, may become more frequent and intense due to climate change. Climate change is expected to cause an increase

1 Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow regions in the atmosphere that transport water vapor carried away

What is vulnerability?
Vulnerability is the degree to which
natural, built, and human systems
are susceptible to harm from
exposure to stresses associated with
environmental and social change
and from the absence of a capacity
to adapt.

Source: California Governor’s Office of
Emergency Services. 2020. California
Adaptation Planning Guide.
https://www.caloes.ca.gov/climate.

in heavy rainfall, which may also contribute to an increased risk of landslides in the hills around Cupertino. In Cupertino, the most severe weather consists of atmospheric rivers, high winds , or thunderstorms. The types of dangers posed by severe weather vary widely , including injuries or deaths, damage to buildings and structures, fallen trees, roads blocked by debris, and fires sparked by lightning.
 Climate change can increase infection rates from various diseases because many of the animals that carry diseases are more active during warmer weather . S everal diseases linked to climate change that can harm the health of Cupertino community members, such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Lyme disease, and West Nile virus . Many of these diseases are carried by animals, such as mice and rats, ticks, and mosquitos, which are usually seen as pests even if they do not cause infections. Warmer temperatures earlier in the spring and later in the winter can cause these animals to be active for extended periods, increasing the time these diseases can be transmitted.

1.4.1 Vulnerability Assessment Results
Under California law, the Health and Safety Element is required to include a vulnerability assessment that looks at how people, buildings, infrastructure, and other key community assets may be affected by climate change. In the past few years, the City prepared a vulnerability assessment and supporting documents that were used to inform the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for this Safety Element update.

The City conducted the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment in the fall of 2023 to analyze Cupertino’s susceptibility to climate -related hazards. Cupertino ’s vulnerability assessment, prepared in accordance with the most recent available guidance in the California Adaptation Planning Guide, assesses how eight different climate-related hazards (air quality and smoke, drought, extreme heat, flooding, human health hazards, landslides, severe storms, and wildfire) may affect 45 different population groups and community assets. Each population or asset received a score of low, medium, or high vulnerability for each climate- related hazard. The Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment indicates that Cupertino’s populations and assets are most vulnerable to flooding, extreme heat, and wildfire. Overall, residents in Cupertino tend to be most vulnerable to extreme heat , human health hazards, and flooding, which directly affect health outcomes. The most vulnerable population groups include persons with chronic illness and/or disabilities, seniors living alone, households in poverty, and persons experiencing homelessness.

Citywide energy delivery and communication infrastructure and services are vulnerable to multiple hazards, including severe storms, such as high winds that can trigger Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) or scheduled power outage events, extreme heat that reduces the capacity and strains the systems, and landslides that damage the systems, ultimately disrupting energy and communication services. Extreme heat can lead to power outages by causing mechanical failure of grid equipment, heat damage to power lines, and by creating a high demand for electricity to power air conditioners, all of which place stress on the network. There may be a higher demand for communication services during severe storms, potentially putting stress on the network and increasing the risk of service interruptions. This higher demand is likely to lead to greater service disruptions.

from the tropics. These columns of vapor move with the weather, carrying large amounts of water vapor and strong winds. When the atmospheric rivers make landfall, they often release this water vapor in the form of rain or snow, often causing heavy rains that can lead to flooding and mudslide events.

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page 9 PSPS events , or interruptions in energy service , can create vulnerabilities for Cupertino community members. A loss of electricity can cause a loss of refrigeration for food and medical supplies, limit cooking, cause loss of cooling (particularly dangerous during extreme heat events), lighting, and limited or no access to the Internet or other information systems. Many businesses are forced to close during a power outage, causing economic hardships and depriving community members of important services, such as grocery stores, gas stations, and banks/ATMs. Power outages may also be harmful to people who depend on electrically powered medical devices. For those who work from and participate in online school activities, a power outage means a loss of access to an internet connection and other essential tools needed to carry out work -related tasks. With the increasing reliance on virtual meetings and online classes, power outages can disrupt these activities.

Flood hazards are expected to expand parts of the city currently considered prone to flooding. As a result, transportation infrastructure within and adjacent to the 100 -year floodplain will likely experience more frequent inundation from floodwaters in future years. Th is expansion can, in turn, interrupt the City’s public transit services, reducing the mobility of trans it-dependent community members. Increases in damaging flood events will cause greater property damage, public health and safety concerns, displacement, and loss of life.

Climate change could affect the transportation network and associated economic activity within Cupertino by creating strain on transportation infrastructure, impacting travel behavior, goods movement, and supply chain business continuity. Transportation infrastructure, such as roadways and bridge supports , are all potentially at increased risk due to severe storms, floods, and higher temperatures. When parts of the transportation infrastructure network fail, typical travel routes for both passenger travel and goods movement may be affected, including I-280, SR-85, and other major roadways.

Regional disruption of these local transportation roadways due to hazards such as flooding, landslides, or wildfire could significantly impact the transportation of goods and services provided in the city, the economic vitality of the community, and the livelihood of many businesses.

Water and wastewater services are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Drought conditions may cause stress on Cupertino’s water suppliers and reduce the overall water supply available. In some cases, water storage infrastructure may not provide adequate storage to provide water during drought periods.

Water and wastewater services can be disrupted by flooding associated with sea level rise if the San José- Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility is not functioning properly. Failure of the treatment plant could cause sewer systems to backup and potentially contaminate streams and water systems with raw sewage.

Saltwater intrusion into the Santa Clara Valley groundwater basin can also reduce water supply availability. Moreover, water and wastewater lines in the city could be damaged by landslides. Regionally, the State Water Project, federal Central Valley Project, and San Francisco’s Hetch -Hetchy systems could also be damaged and disruption from landslides has the potential to severely impair water ser vices provided by SCVWD. Wildfires in the greater region could impact the reservoir water sources, such as the San Luis Reservoir. Water quality can be degraded due to ash content or fire retardants that make their way into surface water storage. This may reduce the overall quantity of water that Cal Water and San Jose Water Company must supply.

The Health and Safety Element includes goals, policies, and strategies to increase community resilience and help lower vulnerability, particularly for the populations and assets that received a score of high in the Vulnerability Assessment. A description of the Vulnerability Assessment process, items included, and a list of the results can be found at the end of this Background Report in Section 3, Vulnerability Assessment Results.

This section outlines the existing and likely future hazardous conditions and other public safety issues in Cupertino and policy responses to these issues. The public safety issues in Cupertino that are covered in the following sections include:
 Section 2.1: Emergency Preparation and Response
 Section 2.2: Flood and Inundation Hazards
 Section 2.3: Seismic and Geologic Hazards
 Section 2.4: Fire Hazards
 Section 2.5: Hazardous Waste and Materials
 Section 2.6: Climate C hange Resilience (air quality, drought, extreme heat, severe weather, and human health hazards)
This section provides details pertaining to probable locations each hazard or issue is likely to occur (per availability of data), past notable events in and around Cupertino, agencies responsible for providing protection from these public safety issues, and other background information required by California Government Code Section 65302(g)(4). The results of the Vulnerability Assessment are integrated into the discussion of hazards and public safety issues.

Of particular concern to Cupertino , as in many other communities, is the possibility of cascading and compounding hazard events. These are instances where one hazard event triggers one or more others, which may occur over a very short timeframe (minutes or hours) or weeks or months apart. These linked events are often the most damaging because of the wider range of impacts. When cascading and compounding events occur closely together, emergency response operations must be flexible enough to respond to rapidly changing conditions and have access to sufficient resources to meet community needs.

Examples of cascading and compounding events include a heavy rainstorm that causes flooding and mudslides, or extreme and high winds that lead to wildfires.

2.1 EMERGENCY PREPARATION AND RESPONSE

2.1.1 Local Emergency Response
The City of Cupertino’s Office of Emergency Management , Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, and Santa Clara County Fire Department conduct emergency preparedness activities in Cupertino. Additionally, the American Red Cross and Santa Clara Collaborating Agencies’ Disaster Relief Effort (CADRE) collaborate on emergency preparedness training and exercising.

City of Cupertino’s Office of Emergency Management
The City of Cupertino’s Office of Emergency Management works to mitigate risks, to prepare, respond, and recover from emergencies impacting the city. The Office of Emergency Management works with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and Santa Clara County Fire Department conduct emergency response activities in Cupertino and to support emergency preparedness training, including day-today management of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Academy in coordination with the Fire Department.

Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office
Local police services are provided by contract with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office . Law enforcement services include police patrols, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, accident investigation, and tactical teams. The City ’s commitment to public safety encompasses two broad areas

2. PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page 11 of responsibilities: (1) provid ing public safety services and the planning necessary for the prevention of crime; and (2) planning for a safe environment in which the public is not exposed to unnecessary risks to life and property.

Santa Clara County Fire Department
The Santa Clara County Fire Department provides fire prevention and proection services to Cupertino. The Santa Clara County Fire Department is a full -service department that provides similar services to seven other West Valley cities and adjacent county areas. The Fire Department has 339 budgeted staff positions, including sworn and civilian personnel. Daily emergency response staffing consists of 66 firefighters and officers on 24-hour shifts operating out of 15 fire stations, with 31 front-line fire apparatus and 3 battalion chief command vehicles. Mutual-aid agreements with the neighboring jurisdictions augment Santa Clara County Fire Department ’s fire response capabilities. The Santa Clara County Fire Department provides first response Advanced Life Support paramedic level services to Cupertino. The Department maintains a Santa Clara County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Multi-Casualty Incident supply trailer for large-scale emergency medical incidents and is a participant in Master Mutual Aid in the event of major disasters.

Santa Clara County EMS has a contract with a third party ambulance transport provider for the ground transport of all patients. In the event of a wildf ire or an emergency, the Santa Clara County Fire Department can issue evacuation warnings or evacuation orders for impacted areas.

The Santa Clara County Fire Department also conducts fire prevention inspections and educational programs, including the CERT Academy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and first aid certification.

The CERT Academy educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. In the event of a disaster or public safety emergency, CERT volunteers will be able to assist their family and neighbors when first responders are not immediately available to help. The
Santa Clara County Emergency Medical Services Agency
The County’s EMS regulates the Exclusive Operating Area and currently contracts Global Medical Response which is a private provider that provides emergency medical transport.

Standardized Emergency Management System
The County of Santa Clara is required to use a Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) to be eligible for funding of their response -related personnel costs under State disaster assistance programs.
6 State law establishes SEMS to standardize the response to emergencies involving multiple jurisdictions. SEMS is intended to be flexible and adaptable to the needs of all emergency responders in California. It requires emergency response agencies to use basic principles and components of emergency management, including the Incident Command System, multiagency or interagency coordination, the operational area concept, and established mutual-aid systems.

Emergency Plans
The State of California requires all S tate, regional, and local agencies, including PG&E and SCVWD , to maintain their own emergency plans relating to the infrastructure that they install and maintain. In the event of an emergency, the City would rely on these agencies to implement their emergency plans, with the City supporting as needed. When an incident occurs anywhere in Cupertino , the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and/or the Santa Clara County Fire Department is typically the first to arrive at the scene, where they secure the area and then determine which other agencies need to be involved.

2.1.2 Alert , Warning , and Notification
The City of Cupertino’s Alert, Warning, and Notification (AWN) Program provides critical alert and warning to the public while supporting information sharing among City departments and partner agencies before, during, and after an emergency. Effective dissemination of information, including alerts and warnings, are critical emergency management tools to help prevent hazards from becoming disasters. The AWN Program serves as a supplemental tool designed to help the City’s departments effectively coordinate information sharing and provide alerts and warnings to the public for the entire cycle of an incident.

The AWN Program provides the framework for alert, warning, and notifications before, during, and after any emergency or situation. In a community -wide emergency, alerts, warnings, and notifications play a critical role in keeping people out of harm’s way and providing info on the status and resolution of the situation. To reach as many people as possible with crucial information, the City’s emergency alert, warning, and notification plan includes several information methods: the Emergency Alert and Warning System (AlertSCC), Cupertino.org, the City Channel (TV), Radio Cupertino, and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. The City also uses volunteers to disseminate public information about extreme weather events through an outreach program called Raising Awareness of Community Hazards, or REACH.

The REACH program is used to share public information ahead of a threat when there is time to act.

Cupertino uses AlertSCC to notify anyone who lives or works within Cupertino that is impacted by, or is in danger of being impacted by, an emergency. AlertSCC is the County’s official emergency alert and notification system. AlertSCC can provide information and instructions in a variety of emergency situations, which may include flooding, wildfire, earthquake , subsequent evacuations, public safety incidents, including crimes, that immediately affect someone’s neighborhood, and post -disaster information about shelters, transportation, or supplies. Depending on the urgency, severity, and certainty of the threat, some combination of the following alerting devices may be activated to registered users with as much notice as possible:
 Cupertino’s Emergency Radio Station (Radio Cupertino 1670 AM).  Cupertino’s Emergency Notification TV Channel (Channel 26 on Comcast Cable or Channel 99 on AT&T).
 Integrated Public Alert and Warning System , including Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and Emergency Alert System (EAS)
 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radios  Twitter, NextDoor, Instagram, and Facebook
 Raising Emergency Awareness of Community Hazards (REACH) Program Alerts are distributed through AlertSCC via voice or text messages to cell phones, home phones, personal digital assistants, laptops, desktop computers, and TTY/TDD devices for the hearing impaired.

Cupertino has access to other State and national systems, including the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), Emergency Alert Systems (EAS) , and the Emergency Digital Information System (EDIS). EAS is a national public warning system commonly used by S tate and local authorities to deliver important emergency information, such as weather and AMBER alerts, to affected communities. EAS participants include radio and television broadcasters , cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers. FEMA, the Federal Communications System, and the NOAA’s National Weather Service work collaboratively to maintain the EAS and Wireless Emergency Alerts, which are the two main components of the national public warning system and enable authorities at all levels of government to send urgent emergency information to the public. EDIS is a wireless emergency and disaster information service operated by Cal OES and is an enhancement to the EAS. These systems are available in multiple languages.

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page 13

2.1.3 Emergency Evacuation
With advanced warning, evacuation can effectively reduce injury and loss of life during a catastrophic event. Primary emergency access and evacuation routes include I -280, which intersects the city from northwest to east along the northern portion of the city ; SR-85, which intersects the city from north to southeast through the central portion of the city, and other local roadways that connect to these primary evacuation routes . All evacuation routes in Cupertino face a potential disruption from flooding or earthquake, which may block roadways, damage the roadway surface, or collapse bridges and overpasses.

In the event of widespread disruption to local evacuation routes, remaining evacuation routes may become congested, slowing down evacuation of the community or specific neighborhoods. This issue may be compounded since evacuation routes for Cupertino will also likely serve as evacuation routes for surrounding communities, and so potential disruptions may have regional effects.

In preparation for wildfires and other disasters, the City leverages evacuation planning data through the Genasys platform, formerly known as Zonehaven. The City of Cupertino worked with public safety partner agencies to identify and plan for evacuation from 34 contiguous evacuation zones within the city . Maps of each zone are available through the City website. In the event of a wildfire or an emergency, the City and public safety partners ( Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and Santa Clara County Fire Department ) can issue evacuation warnings or evacuation orders for impacted areas. Evacuation orders and warnings will be sent to residents using the AlertSCC platform.

The City’s website has an interactive hazard awareness map tool that shows residents and visitors the location and status of all evacuation zones in Cupertino. The map shows zones that are under warnings and orders for all types of hazards . The map is intended to inform members of the public before an emergency. Figure S -2 shows the potential evacuation routes throughout the cit y, although the recommended evacuation routes in any given situation will depend on the specifics of the emergency.

The City Annex to the Santa Clara County Multi -Jurisdcitional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) and the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) address evacuation routes’ capacity, safety, and viability .

Addressing evacuation considerations this way meets updated evacuation planning requirements reflected in Gov. Code § 65302.15.

Figure S-3 shows residential parcels with evacuation constraints . All of these parcels are at l east a half mile from a major roadway and have access to only one emergency evacuation route. The lack of multiple emergency access points limits roadway access for these properties, which may create difficulties if there is a need to evacuate.

Figure S-2 Potential Evacuation Routes

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page 15 Figure S-3 Evacuation-Constrained Residential Parcels

2.2 FLOOD AND INUNDATION HAZARDS
Flooding is the rising and overflowing of water onto normally dry land. Floods are one of the most frequent natural hazards impacting Santa Clara County and among the costliest natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss nationwide, causing substantial damage to structures, landscapes, and utilities, as well as life-safety issues. Flooding can be extremely dangerous; even six inches of moving water can knock a person over. Floodwaters can transport large objects downstream, damaging or re moving stationary structures, such as dam spillways. Ground saturation can result in instability, collapse, or other damage that breaks utility lines and interrupts services. Objects can also be buried or destroyed through sediment deposition from heavy flooding. Standing water can cause damage to roads, foundations, and electrical circuits, as well as spread vector- borne illnesses. Other problems connected with flooding and stormwater runoff include erosion, degradation of water quality, and losses of environmental resources.

Floods are usually caused by large amounts of stormwater, either from a period of very intense rainfall or a long period of steady rain. Historically, Cupertino has been at risk of flooding primarily during the winter and spring when stream systems swell with heavy rain. This type of flood results from prolonged, heavy rainfall and typically occurs due to high peak flows of moderate duration and a large volume of runoff.

Flooding is more severe when prior rainfall has saturated the ground. The watersheds in the Santa Cruz Mountains feed into four major streambeds that traverse the city , Permanente Creek, Stevens Creek, Regnart Creek, and Calabazas Creek. These creeks collect surface runoff and drain into channels leading to the San Francisco Bay. During heavy rainfall, these creeks create a potential flooding risk in the city as water levels may exceed the top of the creekbank.

Occasionally, flash flooding from short -duration, high -intensity precipitation events (often during atmospheric river events) may occur. Atmospheric rivers are a relatively common weather pattern that brings southwest winds and heavy rain to California. At mospheric rivers are long, narrow regions in the atmosphere that transport water vapor carried away from the tropics. These columns of vapor move with the weather, carrying large amounts of water vapor and strong winds. When the atmospheric rivers make landfall, they often release this water vapor in the form of rain or snow, often causing heavy rains that can lead to flooding and mudslide events. Flash floods can occur even during a drought. Such events can tear out trees, undermine buildings and bridges, and scour creek channels. In urban areas, flash flooding is an increasingly serious problem due to removing vegetation and replac ing groundcover with impermeable surfaces such as roads, driveways, and parking lots. The greatest risk from flash floods is occurrence with little to no warning.

Areas at an elevated risk of flooding are divided into 100- and 500-year flood zones. A 100-year flood zone has a 1-percent chance of experiencing a major flood in any given year , and a 500-year flood zone has a

0.2-percent chance of flooding in any given year. The 100- year floodplain in Cupertino is primarily along Permanente Creek, Stevens Creek, Regnart Creek, and Calabazas Creek. A majority of the city is within the 500-year floodplain. Figure S-4 shows the 100- and 500-year flood zones in and around Cupertino.

The City of Cupertino and SCVWD are actively involved in programs to minimize the risk of flooding. The City developed an approach to land use for the non -urbanized floodplain of Stevens Creek south of Stevens Creek Boulevard that ensures the preservation of the 100-year floodplain and the protection of the riparian corridor along this portion of Stevens Creek. Furthermore, the City and SCVWD developed a flood management program for the floodplain of Stevens Creek between I -280 and Stevens Creek Boulevard, while preserving the natural environment of Stevens Creek.

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page 17 Figure S-4 Flood Hazard Zones

Agencies responsible for flood control in Cupertino include the Unites States Army Corps of Engineers, SCVWD, Federal Insurance Administration, and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).  United States Army Corps of Engineers identifies the need for and constructs major flood-control facilities. It also develops flood and dam inundation maps and reports.  SCVWD supplies water for Santa Clara County and owns the Stevens Creek Reservoir . While this reservoir was constructed in 1935 for water conservation , it does provide incidental flood protection by containing runoff early in the rainfall season, serves recreational needs, and benefits the environment by storing water to maintain flow in the creeks. SCVWD routinely inspects and monitors the condition of Stevens Creek Reservoir and provides an annual surveillance report to DWR’s Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD).
 FEMA manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), providing insurance to the public in communities that participate in the program. FEMA is the primary federal government agency contact during natural disasters and publishes the Flood Insurance Rate Maps, which identify the extent of flood potential in flood -prone communities based on a 100 -year flood (or base flood) event.
 The City of Cupertino is a member of FEMA ’s NFIP. The City of Cupertino’s Public Works Department is responsible for administering the NFIP and providing flood protection and insurance information to Cupertino residents and businesses.  Federal Insurance Administration is the primary agency that delineates potential flood hazard areas and floodways through the Flood Insurance Rate Maps and the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map. Flood insurance is required by all homeowners who have federally subsidized loans.
 DWR is responsible for managing and protecting California’s water. DWR works with other agencies to benefit the state’s people, and to protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments. DWR also works to prevent and respond to floods, drough ts, and catastrophic events that would threaten public safety, water resources and management systems, the environment, and property. DWR is responsible for inspecting the Stevens Creek Reservoir on an annual basis to ensure it is safely operating.

Floodplains can change over time; the floodplain and watercourse of a stream can also be affected by human activities, such as land development and replacing permeable surfaces with hardscapes, the construction of bridges or culverts, or the creation of levees or other impoundment structures that control the flow in the watercourse.

2.2.1 Dam and Pipeline Failure
A dam failure is an uncontrolled release of water from a reservoir through a dam because of structural failures or deficiencies in the dam, usually associated with intense rainfall or prolonged flooding. Water pipeline or aqueduct failures can create a similar sudden flood. Dam and pipeline failures can range from minor to catastrophic , potentially harm ing human life and property downstream from the failure. In addition, ecosystems and habitats can be destroyed by fast -moving floodwaters, debris, and sedimentation from inundation. Although dam and pipeline failures are very rare, these events are not unprecedented. There are four major causes of failures:
 Overtopping: These failures occur when a reservoir fills too high with water, especially in times of heavy rainfall, leaving water to rush over the top of the dam. Other causes of this type of failure include settling of the crest of the dam or spillway blockage.  Foundation defects: These failures occur as a result of settling in the foundation of the dam, instability of slopes surrounding the dam, uplift pressures, and seepage around the foundation.

All these failures result in structural instability and potential dam failure.

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page 19  Piping and seepage failures: These failures occur as a result of internal erosion caused by seepage and erosion along hydraulic structures, such as the spillways of a dam, or failures in the walls of a water pipeline. Animal burrows and cracks in the dam structure may also cause erosion.  Conduit and valve failure: These failures occur as a result of problems with valves and conduits in a dam or pipeline’s systems.

Many dam and pipeline failures are also the secondary result of other natural disasters, such as earthquakes, landslides, and extreme storms . Other causes include equipment malfunction, structural damage, and sabotage. Dams are constructed with safety features known as “spillways” that allow water to overtop the dam if the reservoir fills too quickly. Spillway overflow events, often referred to as “design failures”, result in increased discharges downstream and increased flooding potential. In a dam failure scenario, the greatest threat to life and property typically occurs in those areas immediately below the dam since flood depths and discharges generally decrease as the flood wave moves downstream. The primary danger associated with dam failure is the high -velocity flooding downstream of the dam and limited warning times for evacuation.

SCVWD has a comprehensive Dam Safety Program, which includes proactive inspection of upgrades and improving its dams and water supply structures as needed and in consultation with regulatory agencies.

Engineers monitor dams using instruments, monthly visual inspections, and periodic dam safety reviews to prevent loss of life, personal injury, and property damage from the failure of dams. The safety of each dam is re-evaluated with advances in geotechnical, structural, and earthquake engineering and if there is evidence of seepage or ongoing ground movement.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as required by federal law, review s and approve s comprehensive emergency action plans (EAPs) for each of these dams. The EAP minimizes the threat to public safety and the response time to an impending or actual sudden release of water from project dams.

The EAP is also designed to provide emergency noti fication when floodwater releases may present the potential for major flooding. The EAP is used primarily to notify partner agencies; however, it may also be used to notify the public in unique situations.

The Stevens Creek Reservoir, owned by SCVWD, is outside of city limits, immediately to the southwest, as shown in Figure S-5. In the event of a dam failure at the Stevens Creek Reservoir, land surrounding Stevens Creek would flood, including residential areas adjacent to Stevens Creek and a portion of I-280.

As mandated by the National Dam Inspection Act, the United States Army Corps of Engineers has the authority and responsibility for conducting inspections of all dams. The purpose of these inspections is to check the structural integrity of the dam and associated appurtenant structures, ensuring the protection of human life and property. The National Dam Inspection Act requires all states to establish dam safety programs and sets minimum standards for dam design, construction, maintenance, and inspection. Th e California Dam Safety Program is responsible for implementing the National Dam Inspection Act in California and ensuring that all non -federal dams in the state comply with federal safety standards. The program also works to promote dam safety awareness, provides technical assistance to dam owners and operators, and conducts regular inspections and evaluations of California’s dams.

DWR’s DSOD oversees the California Dam Safety Program which regulates approximately 1,250 dams in California. DSOD inspects dams on an annual basis to ensure they are safe and performing as intended. DSOD also conducts independent reviews of applications for dam construction, removal, alteration, or repair; has inspection oversight over dam construction projects ; and periodically reviews the stability of dams and their critical related structures , considering improved design approaches and requirements. DSOD works closely with dam owners to identify and correct issues on an ongoing basis.

Figure S-5 Dam Inundation Areas

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page 21

2.2.2 Past Occurrences
Floods are a regular feature in California and cause the second-greatest number of disaster declarations in the state. Cupertino has had several flooding events, including the following:7  A series of storms from December 17, 2005, to January 12, 2006, caused extensive flooding throughout Northern California. Widespread county flooding occurred after two to four inches of rain fell on the area in about 24 hours.
 In 2015, a strong winter storm impacted California following nearly a month and a half of no rain and the driest January on record. The storm brought heavy rain, gusty winds, and damage to trees and power lines along with some minor flooding of urban areas . Rainfall amounts were heaviest in the mountains with 5 to 10 inches or more occurring. Several small mudslides in Santa Clara County were reported with the largest occurring in the Santa Cruz Mountains, north of Boulder Creek on Highway 9. Multiple offramps from I-280 reported flooding.  In 2019, an atmospheric river with an associated cold front moved through the region from February 12 to February 15 bringing widespread flooding and debris flows. Multiple mainstem rivers flooded, prompting evacuations from local officials. Strong wind gusts caused downed trees, power outages, and structural damage.
 In Winter and Spring of 2023, a series of atmospheric rivers impacted the Bay Area, resulting in significant rainfall and widespread flooding across the San Francisco Bay Area.

2.2.3 Potential Changes to Flood Risk in Future Years
Likelihood of Future Occurrence
Historically, extended heavy rains have resulted in floodwaters that exceed normal high-water boundaries and cause damage in Cupertino . Flooding has occurred within the 100 - and 500-year floodplains and localized in other areas throughout the city. As land uses and climate conditions shift, and improvements are made to flood-control channels, the size of these flood zones is likely to c hange. The potential for a dam failure event in Cupertino is likely to remain a risk in future years, although the odds of such events are expected to remain very low.

Climate Change and Flooding
Floods are among the most damaging natural hazards in Santa Clara County, and climate change is expected to make flood events worse. Although climate change may not change average precipitation levels significantly, scientists expect that it will cause more years of extreme precipitation events. This means that more years are likely to see particularly intense storm systems that drop enough rainfall over a short period to cause flooding. Because of this, floods are expected to occur more often in Cupertino , and climate change may expand the parts of the city that are considered prone to flood. Climate change is also likely to increase the frequency and severity of droughts that cause soil to dry out and become hard. When precipitation does return, more water runs off the surface than is absorbed into the ground, which can increase flooding downstream.

While the risk and associated short - and long-term impacts of climate change are uncertain, experts in this field tend to agree that the most significant impacts include those resulting from increased heat and rainfall events that cause increased frequency and magnitude of flooding. Increases in damaging flood events will cause greater property damage, public health and safety concerns, displacement, and loss of life. Displacement of residents can include both temporary and long-term displacement, an increase in insurance rates, or restriction of insurance coverage in vulnerable areas.

2.3 SEISMIC AND GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
Seismic and geologic hazards are risks caused by the movement of different parts of the e arth’s crust or surface. Seismic hazards include earthquakes and hazardous events caused by them. Geologic hazards are other hazards involving land movements that are not linked to seismic activity and can inflict harm to people or property. Additional information about seismic and geologic hazards is Cupertino, including development review coordination is in General Plan Appendix E, Geologic and Seismic Hazards.

2.3.1 Seismic Hazards
Seismic activity occurs along boundaries in the earth’s crust, called faults. Pressure along the faults builds over time and is ultimately released, resulting in ground shaking commonly referred to as an earthquake.

Earthquakes can also trigger other hazards, including surface rupture (cracks in the ground surface), liquefaction (causing loose soil to lose its strength), landslides, and subsidence (sinking of the ground surface). Earthquakes and other seismic hazards often damage or destroy property and pub lic infrastructure, including utility lines, and falling objects or structures pose a risk of injury or death.

Earthquakes
While Cupertino is at risk from many natural and human- caused hazards, the event with the greatest potential for loss of life or property and economic damage is an earthquake. This risk is true for most of the San Francisco Bay Area region since damaging earthquakes affect widespread areas and trigger many secondary effects that can overwhelm the ability of local jurisdictions to respond. Earthquakes in the Bay Area result from strain en ergy constantly accumulating across the region because of the motion of the Pacific Plate, relative to the North American Plate.

Earthquake risk is very high in Santa Clara County, including the City of Cupertino, due to the presence of three major active faults
2 in the region, the Hayward Fault, Calaveras Fault, and San Andreas Fault. Both the San Andreas and the Hayward Faults have the potential for experiencing major to great events.

The San Andreas fault, one of the longest and most active faults in the world is located west of Cupertino.

Two additional faults closely associated with the San Andreas F ault include the Sargent -Berrocal and Monta Vista-Shannon fault systems that intersect the western portion of the city.

The following three major faults are considered active faults within the region:
 Calaveras Fault: The Calaveras Fault is a major branch of the San Andreas Fault, to the east of the Hayward Fault. It extends 76 miles from the San Andreas Fault near Hollister to Danville at its northern end. The Calaveras Fault is one of the most geologically active and complex faults in the Bay Area.
8 According to the 2023 Santa Clara County MJHMP, the probability of experiencing a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake along the Calaveras Fault in the next 30 years (beginning from 2023) is 7.4 percent.
9 The Calaveras Fault is approximately 14 miles to the east of the city.  San Andreas Fault: The San Andreas Fault extends 810 miles from the East Pacific rise in the Gulf of California through the Mendocino fracture zone off the shore of northern California. The fault is estimated to be 28 million years old. The probability of experiencing a Magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake along the San Andreas Fault within the next 30 years (beginning from 2023) is 6.4 percent.
9 The San Andreas Fault is approximately 5.5 miles to the west of the city.  Hayward Fault: The Hayward Fault runs parallel to and east of the San Andreas Fault. It extends from San José about 74 miles northward along the base of the East Bay Hills to San Pablo Bay. The

2 Active faults are defined by their current movement and deformation and their potential to cause earthquakes or other types of ground deformation in the future.

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page 23 Hayward Fault is increasingly becoming a hazard priority throughout the Bay Area because of its increased chance for activity and its intersection with highly populated areas and critical infrastructure. According to the Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast, Volume 3, released in March 2015, the probability of experiencing a Magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake along the Hayward Fault in the next 30 years (starting from 2014) is 14.3 percent. 10 An earthquake
of this magnitude has regional implications for the entire Bay Area, as the Hayward Fault crosses transportation and resource infrastructure, including multiple highways, regional gas and water pipelines, electrical transmission lines, and the Hetch-Hetchy Aqueduct. Disruption of the Hetch- Hetchy system has the potential to severely impair water service to Santa Clara County. The Hayward Fault is approximately 10 miles to the east of the city.

Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones are California Geological Survey-designated zones in California that are subject to special regulations for development and construction in the presence of certain active faults. These faults have surface traces, or a line on the e arth’s surface , defining a fault. During an earthquake, the ground's surface can move along these traces, damaging buildings or other structures built on top of them. However, no Alquist -Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones are in the city. The neare st Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone is along the San Andreas Fault, west of the city. Figure S-6 shows the location of regional faults and Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones.

Other Seismic Hazards
In addition to the direct physical damage that can result from the motion of an earthquake, damage can result from liquefaction. Liquefaction occurs primarily in saturated, loose, fine - to medium-grained soils in areas where the groundwater table is within approximately 50 feet of the surface. Shaking causes the soils to lose strength and behave as a liquid. Excess water pressure is vented upward through fissures and soil cracks and can result in a water- soil slurry flowing onto the ground surface. This subsurface process can lead to near -surface or surface ground failure that can result in property damage and structural failure. Groundwater that is less than 10 feet to the surface can cause the highest liquefaction susceptibility, with lower groundwater levels causing lower liquefaction risks.

Soils susceptible to liquefaction are typically found in low -lying, current, or former floodplains. Portions of the city near the floodplains of Permanente Creek, Stevens Creek, Regnart Creek, and Calabazas Creek are likely to face liquefaction during an e arthquake. Figure S -7 shows the areas facing an elevated liquefaction risk in Cupertino.

Site-specific geotechnical studies are the only practical and reliable way of determining the specific liquefaction potential of a site. However, a determination of general risk potential can be provided based on soil type and depth of groundwater. In most cases, proper design and construction of subgrade soils and building foundations provides a mechanism to mitigate the risk of seismic hazards to an acceptable level in conformance with the California Code of R egulations and the Ci ty’s Municipal Code. Identifying areas having a liquefaction potential is only intended as notification to seek further site -specific information and analysis of this potential hazard as part of future site development. It should not be solely relied on, without site-specific information and analysis, for design or decision-making purposes.

Earthquake-induced landslides pose a significant risk due to the presence of landslide -prone areas in western Cupertino and proximity of earthquake faults. Ground shaking from seismic activity can cause rocks, debris, and hillside soils to loosen and fall downslope, harming facilities and infrastructure in its path. Sinkholes, which are depressions or holes in the ground t hat form when the surface collapses into an underground space,
are also a hazard in Cupertino. They can be formed by natural processes, such as earthquakes or subsidence, which is when the ground surface sinks as a result of underlying soil or rock

being compressed, compacted, or eroded. Sinkholes can occur suddenly and can be very dangerous if they form underneath buildings, roads, or other structures.

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page 25 Figure S-6 Regional Fault Lines

2.3.2 Geologic Hazards
Geologic hazards, such as landslides and erosion, depend on the geologic composition of the area.

Landslides and rock falls may occur in sloped areas, especially areas with steep slopes, and usually in loose and fragmented soil areas. Slope stability depends on many factors and interrelationships, including rock type, pore water pressure, slope steepness, and natural or human -made undercutting. Landslides, rockfalls, and debris flows occur continuously on all slopes; some processes act very slowly, while others occur very suddenly, often with disastrous results.

Landslides are often triggered by other natural hazards, such as heavy rain, floods, or wildfires, so landslide frequency is often related to the frequency of these other hazards. In Santa Clara County, landslides typically occur during and after severe heavy rainfall, so the risk of landslides often rises during and after sequential severe storms that saturate steep, loose soils. Landslides and mudslides are a common occurrence and have caused damage to homes, public facilities, roads, parks, and sewer lines.

Due to the hilly terrain, the western portion of the city is within a very high landslide susceptibility class.

Landslides present the greatest geologic hazards in the city and generally occur in winter during high precipitation years. Landslides range from small, shallow deposits of soil and weak bedrock materials to large, deep landslides involving a large amount of bedrock. Landslides are also likely along the steep embankments that bound the Stevens Creek floodplain. Figure S-8 illustrates areas in Cupertino that are most susceptible to landslides.

Cupertino is also susceptible to hazards related to erosion, or the geological process in which earthen materials are worn away and transported by natural forces, such as water or wind, causing the soil to deteriorate. Eroded topsoil can be transported into streams and other waterways. Highly erosive soils can damage roads, bridges, buildings, and other structures. Sinkholes can also be formed by the erosion of soil or sediment by water flowing through the ground. This hazard can happen in areas with sandy or porous soils or in areas with a high-water table. Sinkholes can pose a hazard to infrastructure and human safety. They can cause damage to buildings, roads, and other structures and pose a risk to people and animals if they are not properly identified and managed.

2.3.3 Past Occurrences
Cupertino is in a region of high seismicity with numerous local faults nearby. While major earthquakes are rare in Cupertino, minor earthquakes occur more often. The San Andreas Fault, the fastest-slipping fault along the Pacific and North American Plate boundary, has caused earthquakes of magnitude 7.8 and 7.9 in the past, including the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. In 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake, which also originated along the San Andreas Fault, produced a magnitude 6.9 earthquake. 11 The earthquake caused
extensive damage and created a seven -county major disaster area, including Santa Clara County.

Landslides have occurred on hillsides throughout the city and generally occur in winter during high rainfall years.

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page SE-27 Figure S-7 Liquefaction Areas

Figure S-8 Landslide Susceptibility Areas

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page SE-29

2.3.4 Potential Changes to Geologic and Seismic Risk in Future Years Likelihood of Future Occurrence
Seismic Risk
Earthquakes are likely to continue to occur on an occasional basis. Most are expected to cause no substantive damage and may not even be felt by most people. Major earthquakes are rare but a possibility in the region. A major earthquake along any of the nearby faults could result in substantial casualties and damage, although the greatest risk in Cupertino is from the San Andreas Fault due to its proximity and high potential to cause a severe earthquake. A major earthquake on the Hayward Fault could damage or destroy transportation infrastructure, such as I- 280, SR-85, or bridges, limiting access in and out of the community.

Based on historical data and the location of Cupertino relative to active and potentially active faults, the city will likely experience a significantly damaging earthquake. If serious shaking occurs, newer construction is generally more earthquake-resistant than older construction because of improved building codes.

Geologic Risk
Geologic risks, such as landslides, are common occurrences in Cupertino . With significant rainfall, additional failures are likely in the community’s landslide hazard areas, and minor to moderate landslides will likely continue to impact the area when heavy precipitation occurs, as they have in the past.

Climate Change and Geologic and Seismic Hazards
While climate change is unlikely to increase earthquake frequency or strength, the threats from seismic and geologic hazards are expected to continue. Climate change may result in precipitation extremes (i.e., wetter rainfall periods and drier dry periods). While total average annual rainfall may not change significantly, rainfall may be concentrated in more intense precipitation events. Heavy rainfall could cause an increase in the number of landslides or make landslides larger than normal. Increased wildf ire frequency can destabilize hillsides due to loss of vegetation and change soil composition, contributing to greater runoff and erosion. The combination of a generally drier climate in the future, which will increase the chance of drought, wildfires, and the occasional extreme downpour, is likely to cause more mudslides and landslides. Impacts from these conditions would compound landslide potential for the most susceptible locations.

2.4 FIRE HAZARDS
Fire hazards include both wildfires and urban fires. The combination of complex terrain, climate, vegetation and development patterns contribute to an elevated risk of wildfire. The Community Wildfire Protection Plan 2023 (CWPP) describes how each of these variables contributes to fire risk, and describes how fire risk varies throughout the city. Historically, the fire season extended from early summer through late fall of each year during the hotter, dryer months , although it is increasingly a hazard that can occur year-round. Fire conditions arise from a combination of high temperatures, low moisture content in the air and plant matter, an accumulation of vegetation, and high winds.

Three types of fires are of concern to Cupertino : (1) wildfires, (2) wildland -urban interface fires, and (3) structural fires.

2.4.1 Wildfires
Wildfires occur on mountains, hillsides, and grasslands. Fuel, weather, and topography are primary factors that affect how wildland fires spread. In and around Cupertino , grassland and woodland habitat provide highly flammable fuel that is conducive to wildfires. These plant species are capable of regeneration after a fire, making periodic wildfires a natural part of the ecology of these areas. The climate of Cupertino and the surrounding area keeps the grass dry and more readily combustible during fire season.

Wildfire potential for Santa Clara County is typically greatest in the months of August, September, and October, when dry vegetation coexists with hot, dry winds.. During these times, controlling a fire becomes far more difficult. Areas adjacent to the city that are susceptible to wildfires are also of concern as these conditions could exacerbate vulnerabilities within the city. Grassland fires are easily ignited, particularly in dry seasons. These fires are relatively easily controlled if they can be reach ed by fire equipment, although after a fire, the burned slopes are highly subject to erosion and gullying. While brushlands are naturally adapted to frequent light fires, fire suppression in recent decades has resulted in heavy fuel accumulation on the ground. Wildland fires, particularly near the end of the dry season, tend to burn fast and very hot, threatening homes and leading to serious destruction of vegetative cover. In woodland and forested areas, a wildland fire can generate a destructive crown fire, which is a fire that burns materials at the top of trees, spreading from treetop to treetop. They can be very intense and difficult to contain.

Because areas of the city with natural vegetation are extremely flammable during late summer and fall, wildfire is a serious hazard in undeveloped hillside areas in the western portion of the city, as well as open space areas adjacent to the city. These areas include State Responsibility Area (SRA) lands west of the city, such as the Rancho San Antonio Open Space, Picchette Ranch Open Space, Stevens Creek County Park, Saratoga Creek County Park, Sanborn County Park, Fremont Older Open Space, as well as Local Responsibility Area (LRA) lands in the hillsides of Saratoga.

2.4.2 Fire Hazard Severity Zone
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection ( CAL FIRE ) establishes Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs) , designating each as moderate, high, or very high severity. Incorporated areas such as Cupertino are considered local responsibility areas (LRAs), within which CAL FIRE only designates V ery High FHSZs. In 2009, CAL FIRE designated approximately three acres of the city as in the Very High FHSZ.

Figure S-9 shows the FHSZs in and around Cupertino. Areas adjacent to the city that are susceptible t o wildfires are also of concern, as these conditions could exacerbate vulnerabilities within the city.

A combination of factors, including weather, topography, and vegetation, creates a higher risk of wildfire hazards, particularly in the Very High FHSZ. CAL FIRE periodically reviews and revises the FHSZ boundaries based on updated modeling and scientific information. Individuals should consult the most recent mapping available from CAL FIRE’s Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP) at https://frap.fire.ca.gov/. Future updates to the Health and Safety Element will incorporate new mapping data as it becomes available.

2.4.3 Structural Fires
Cupertino is also at risk from structural fires. These fires occur in built -up environments, destroying buildings and other human -made structures. Structural fires are often due to faulty wiring , mechanical equipment, or combustible construction materials. The absence of fire alarms and fire sprinkler systems often exacerbates the damage associated with a structural fire . Structural fires are largely caused by human accidents, although deliberate fires (arson) may cause some events. Older buildings lacking modern fire safety features may face greater risk of fire damage . To minimize fire damage and loss, the

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page SE-31 City’s Fire Code , based on California Code of Regulation Title 24 , sets standards for building and construction. It requires adequate water supply for firefighting, fire-retardant construction, and minimum street widths, among other things.

Figure S-9 Fire Hazard Severity Zones

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page SE-33

2.4.4 Fire Protection
As described in Section 1.2 .3, the Santa Clara County Fire Department provides fire protection in Cupertino. The Santa Clara County Fire Department operates three fire stations in Cupertino:
 Cupertino Fire Station at 20215 Stevens Creek Boulevard  Monta Vista Fire Station at 22620 Stevens Creek Boulevard  Seven Springs Fire Station at 21000 Seven Springs Parkway The Santa Clara County Fire Department operates an additional twelve fire stations that are slated to provide service throughout the District during a significant event. As development continues in Cupertino, the City and Santa Clara County Fire Department will continue to monitor the changing fire protection needs in the community.

Santa Clara County Fire Department
The Fire Prevention Division provides a comprehensive fire/life safety plan review for land development, new building construction, interior remodel projects, fire suppression, and fire alarm systems. In addition, periodic construction inspections are performed to ensure that completed projects conform to State and local fire safety regulations.

For existing commercial buildings, the Fire Prevention Division provides an annual inspection program that is delivered through both the Prevention Division and fire station personnel. Annual inspections are conducted to ensure reasonable compliance with the general and specific fire safety regulations for each occupancy type as specified in the adopted Fire and Building Codes.

The Santa Clara County Fire Department manages and implements a hazardous brush abatement program for hillside areas within its jurisdictional boundaries. In January of each year, homeowners are reminded that they must remove native brush and vegetation from around their homes to create defensible space.

The brush abatement program entails inspections of hillside properties by fire crews beginning in early April each year. The costs associated with the abatement work are then placed on the property tax bill for that parcel.

Santa Clara County lists the Montebello Road/Stevens Canyon area as the fourth -highest risk in the county. This area is adjacent to the city limits, near the southwestern border of Cupertino. Stevens Creek Quarry Road connecting to the southern point of Stevens Canyon has been improved to acceptable standards for a fire access road. A fire trail extends from Skyline Boulevard on Charcoal Road to Stevens Canyon. The City requires that all emergency roads be constructed with an all -weather surface. It also requires a private emergency access connection between public streets within Lindy Canyon and Regnart Canyon areas. Presently, no water systems are serving the Montebello Road and upper Stevens Canyon area, except for Stevens Creek itself. Because there is no water service to these areas, the County requires homes to provide individual water tanks and fire sprinkler systems.

Santa Clara Valley Water District
Santa Clara Valley Wate District’s (SCVWD) Project F4: Vegetation Management for Access and Fire Safety supports SCVWD’s ongoing vegetation management activities that reduce fire risk by maintaining creekside lands. These activities also ensure access to maintenance and emergency personnel and equipment. The project includes vegetation management activities , such as weed abatement, goat grazing, herbicide application , and pruning to provide access and reduce fire risk. Before conducting

maintenance, SCVWD’s personnel perform biological preconstruction surveys to minimize environmental impacts.

Santa Clara County Firesafe Council
The Santa Clara County Firesafe Council (SCCFSC) is a nonprofit, grassroots organization providing education and project assistance for homeowners and landowners in communities vulnerable to wildfire.

In addition to partnering directly with CAL FIRE, Santa Clara County Fire, and regional fire districts, SCCFSC works with public agencies, other nonprofits, businesses, and private landowners to design and implement protective measures, such as developing shaded fuel breaks, to increase wildfire survivability.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company
PG&E’s 2023–2025 Wildfire Mitigation Plan outlines its program to reduce wildfires. Key strategies in this plan include:
 Undergrounding utility lines: PG&E has a program to underground 10,000 circuit miles of distribution lines in areas of high fire threats, eliminating the ignition risk for these power lines.  Increased safety settings: Configuring electrical equipment on power lines to automatically shut off power if an object comes into contact with a distribution line.  Vegetation management: Continuing vegetation management activities.  Enhanced inspections: Providing more frequent and detailed inspections of power lines.

PG&E is undergrounding power lines in areas with the greatest impact on reducing wildfire risk and outages for their customers.

2.4.5 Past Occurrences
There is limited information on historic fires in the Cupertino area. However, there is no recorded history of wildfires within the city. 12 The closest known wildfire was the Stevens Fire which occurred on August 30, 2007. This wildfire burned 151 acres in the dry brush -covered hills near Stevens Creek Canyon southwest of Cupertino. The fire burned for three days and was contained on September 2, 2007. This fire was the result of a downed power line, and no injuries or deaths were reported.

The 2020 fire season was the largest wildfire season recorded in California’s modern history. It was also the most devastating in recent Santa Clara County history. In eastern Santa Clara County, the SCU Lighting Complex fires burned 396,624 acres spanning from Calaveras Reservoir to the north, to nearly San Luis Reservoir to the south. The SCU Lighting Complex destroyed 222 structures and cause widespread smoke impacts across the region. Near the western border of Santa Clara County and closer to Cupertino , the CZU Lightning Complex fire, started as a series of lightning fires on August 16, 2020, burned across western Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties until September 22, 2020. These fires resulted in a total 86,509 acres burned, with 1,450 structures lost, and one fatality. While th is fire was outside of Santa Clara County, it caused severe smoke impacts for Cupertino and surrounding communities.

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page SE-35

2.4.6 Potential Changes to Fire Risk in Future Years
Likelihood of Future Occurrence
As noted previously, the risk of wildfires in Santa Clara County is highest in late summer and fall. Extreme weather conditions during periods of low humidity, low fuel moisture, and high winds contribute to the severity of any potential wildfires. Fires occurring during these times typically burn hot and fast and are difficult to control unless initial suppression occurs immediately. Wildfire for Cupertino is a concern given its Very High FHSZ designations, and proximity to surrounding LRA and SRA lands wi th wildfire risk .

Moreover, the community consists of, and is surrounded by, undeveloped hillsides to the west, which makes these areas a high risk for wildfire. Wildfire s will continue to be a high -risk hazard for personal safety and property damage in Cupertino, and smoke impacts from local and regional wildfires will likely continue to be problematic. The likelihood of structural fires occurring in the city is low since these fires are usually the result of human accidents or mechanical issues in buildin gs. New developments are required to incorporate fire protection measures under the Fire Code, including enhanced requirements for structures in the Very High FHSZ.

Climate Change and Wildfire
Changing climate conditions are expected to increase the fire risk in and around Cupertino . Warmer temperatures brought on by climate change can exacerbate drought conditions. Droughts can kill or dry out plants, creating more fuel for wildfires. Warmer temperatures are also expected to increase the number of pest outbreaks, such as the bark beetle, creating more dead trees and increasing the fuel load.

Hot, dry spells may also increase disease and insect infestations, resulting in higher fuel loads. Increased winds will result in more erratic fire behavior, making fires harder to contain. Warmer temperatures are also expected to occur later in the year, extending the wildfire season, which is likely to begin earlier in the year and extend later than it has historically.

2.5 HAZARDOUS WASTE AND MATERIALS
Hazardous materials are materials that pose a significant risk to public safety , or human and environmental health. These include toxic chemicals, flammable or corrosive materials, petroleum products, and unstable or dangerously reactive materials. They can be released through human error, malfunctioning or broken equipment, or as an indirect consequence of other emergencies (e.g., if a flood damages a hazardous material storage tank). Hazardous materials can also be released accidentally during transportation because of vehicle accidents.

The release or spill of bulk hazardous materials could result in fire, explosion, toxic cloud, or direct contamination of water, people, and property. The effects may involve a local site or many square miles.

Health problems may be immediate, such as corrosive effects on the skin and lungs, or gradual, such as the development of cancer from a carcinogen. Property damage could range from immediate destruction by explosion to permanent contamination by a persistent hazardous material. Most hazardous materials in the region are transported on truck routes along major roadways, such as I- 280 and SR-85 that pass through Cupertino. The most vulnerable areas along this route are considered the on -/off-ramps and interchanges. Since 1970, one reported roadway hazardous materials incident occurred in Cupertino. 13 The City adopted a Hazardous Materials Storage Ordinance that regulates the storage of hazardous materials in solid and liquid form. Since 1990, State law has required that hazardous waste be properly disposed of in approved hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities. To accomplish this, new treatment methods and facilities have been developed and approved to pre-treat hazardous waste before its final disposal. Under the 1986 Tanner Bill (AB 2948) authority , Cupertino, along with 13 other cities,

joined the County to develop a comprehensive and coordinated planning approach to hazardous waste disposal. In 1990, a countywide Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program was created. To supplement the County’s HHW Program and make the collection of HHW more convenient for residents, the City currently provides a door -to-door hazardous waste retrieval service through its solid waste franchise agreement.

Hazardous materials and waste within Cupertino are managed by the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA), a local administrative agency within the County of Santa Clara Hazardous Materials Compliance Division. The CUPA consolidates, coordinates, and makes consistent the regulatory activities of several hazardous materials and hazardous waste programs, including Hazardous Materials Management, California Accidental Release Prevention, Hazardous Waste Management, Underground Storage Tanks, Aboveground Storage Tanks, and Emergency Response. The Santa Clara County Fire Department Fire Prevention Division provides hazardous materials inspection, services for building construction, annual building inspection, and hazardous materials regulation.

Several State agencies monitor hazardous materials/waste facilities. Potential and known contamination sites are monitored and documented by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). A review of the leaking underground storage tank (LUST) list
3 produced by the RWQCB and the DTSC EnviroStor database 14 indicates two active voluntary cleanup sites, one closed voluntary cleanup site, one certified school cleanup site, and three closed non-operating sites. The two active cleanup sites include the following:
 Cupertino Village Cleaners at 10989 North Wolfe Road
 Delia's Cleaners at 7335 Bollinger Road
If a hazardous material spill poses an imminent public health threat, the City will support local regulating agencies in notifying the public. The transport of hazardous materials/wastes and explosives through the city is regulated by the California Department of Transportation ( Caltrans). I-280 and SR-85 are open to vehicles carrying hazardous materials/wastes. Transporters of hazardous wastes are required to be certified by the United States Department of Transportation , and manifests are required to track the hazardous waste during transport. The danger of hazardous materials/waste spills during transport does exist and will potentially increase as transportation of these materials increases on I-280 and SR-85. Santa Clara County Fire Department , County of Santa Clara Office of Emergency Management , and County of Santa Clara Hazardous Materials Compliance Division are responsible for hazardous materials accidents at all locations within the city.

3 A review of LUST sites occurred on December 6, 2023.

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page SE-37

2.5.1 Potential Changes to Hazardous Materials in Future Years Likelihood of Future Occurrence
Given that there has been one hazardous materials incident in transport through the city in the past 5 3 years and land use activities that would require hazardous materials are not likely to increase in the future, it is unlikely that a hazardous materials incident will occur in Cupertino on a frequent basis. Moreover, according to Caltrans, most incidents are related to releases of fluids from the transporting vehicles themselves and not the cargo, thus the likelihood of a significant hazardous materials r elease within the city is more limited and difficult to predict.

Climate Change and Hazardous Materials
Climate change is unlikely to substantially affect hazardous materials transportation incidents. However, increases in the frequency and intensity of climate hazards, such as floods, landslides, and severe storms, may create a greater risk of hazardous materials releases during these events. The two active cleanup sites mentioned are both within the 500-year floodplain and are at risk of hazardous materials releases.

2.6 CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE

2.6.1 Air Quality
Air quality is determined by the composition of gases and particles in the atmosphere, and it is a critical aspect of environmental health. Air pollution comes from both mobile sources (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes) and stationary sources (e.g., agricultural and industrial uses). The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has the responsibility to create strategies and monitor the targets set by State and federal standards for the Bay Area. Due to air quality planning efforts, regional air quality has im proved significantly over the past several decades, even though the population, traffic, and industrialization have increased.

Cupertino is highly susceptible to poor air quality due to major highways and quarry activity adjacent to the city. Wind patterns and geographical features move air pollution from other areas , such as the San Joaquin Valley, and trap pollution in the Santa Clara Valley. From 2015 to 2019, Cupertino experienced 31 days where ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels exceeded State standards.15 Poor air quality poses significant health risks and can contribute to respiratory conditions such as asthma, increase the risks of heart attacks and stroke, and has been linked to various cancers. Children and youth, seniors, those with pre -existing condit ions, pregnant women, and outdoor workers are especially vulnerable to health impacts from poor air quality and makeup over 41 percent of Cupertino’s population.

Poor air quality can also limit outdoor recreational opportunities. Poor air quality costs the Bay Area about $32 billion annually in premature deaths, medical events, decreased activity, and cancer. 16 As reflected in
the Vulnerability Assessment, outdoor recreation and key community services , such as public transit access, are highly vulnerable. Outdoor recreation can be curtailed due to poor air quality conditions from lower-level ozone, particulate matter, or wildfire smoke. Residents and visitors may not travel to parks or surrounding recreational areas if poor air quality creates negative health outcomes. Transit riders may be deterred from using public transit during days with poor air quality or high smoke days during wildfires, which could reduce the fares collected from transit riders.

Wildfire Smoke
Increasing statewide fire frequency can create recurring air quality degradation events , leading to respiratory health effects. Wildfire smoke consists of a mix of gases and fine particulate matter from burning vegetation and materials. The pollutant of most concern from wildfire smoke is P M2.5, which is damaging to human health due to its ability to deeply penetrate lung tissue and affect the heart and circulatory system. Although wildfire smoke presents a health risk to everyone, sensitive groups may experience more severe acute and chronic symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke , such as children (particularly younger children), older adults, people with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular disease, and low-resourced persons.

Potential Changes to Air Quality in Future Years
Likelihood of Future Occurrence
Poor air quality tends to occur annually and is likely to continue. Due to Cupertino’s proximity to major highways, quarry activity, and Santa Clara Valley’s geographical features, air quality will continue to be a concern.

Climate Change and Air Quality
Climate change will worsen air pollution. 17 Ozone and PM 2.5 form when other pollutants react in the atmosphere, and warmer temperatures speed up these reactions. Warmer temperatures also lengthen the growing seasons of plants and trees , increasing allergen production. In many regions of the United States, climate -driven changes in weather conditions, including temperature and precipitation, are expected to increase ground-level ozone and particulate matter (such as windblown dust from droughts or smoke from wildfires). These changes worsen existing air pollution. More wildfires will release particulate matter and other pollutants into the air. Drier conditions increase dust. Possible changes in wind patterns may also trap air pollutants in the Santa Clara Valley, increasing exposure.

2.6.2 Drought
A drought is an extended period when precipitation levels are well below normal. Drought may affect domestic water supply, energy production, public health, and wildlife; or contribute to wildfire. Like most of California and the western United States, Cupertino chronically experiences drought cycles. Drought impacts the city’s water supply, which may in severe instances make less water available for people, businesses, and natural systems.

Local ecosystems that are not well adapted to drought conditions can be more easily harmed by it. During drought events, the flow of water in creeks and streams is reduced, creating more slow -moving or standing water. This can concentrate sediment and toxins in the low water levels, causing harm to plants and animals. As reflected in the Vulnerability Assessment, riparian habitat is highly vulnerable to the impacts of drought. Drought conditions can cause smaller streams to run dry, subsequently harming the plants and animal habitat within the ecosystem. Trees may not have adequate water during drought periods, which can lead to pests and diseases destroying important habitat. Droughts can also indirectly lead to more wildfires, stressing plants and making them more susceptible to pests and diseases.

The U.S. Drought Monitor recognizes a five -point scale for drought events: D0 (abnormally dry), D1 (moderate drought), D2 (severe drought), D3 (extreme drought), and D4 (exceptional drought). According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the most intensive drought in recent years occurred during most of 2014, when all of Santa Clara County was classified as “extreme” drought. More recently, in 2022, from January

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page SE-39 through the end of the year, the county was also classified as being in “severe” drought. As of November 2023, Santa Clara County, including Cupertino , was not classified as drought. During severe drought conditions, water shortages are common , and water restrictions may be imposed to meet essential community needs. SCVWD’s 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan contains actions to implement and enforce regulations and restrictions for managing a water shortage when it declares a water shortage emergency under the authority of the California Water Code.

Cupertino’s water supply comes from local and imported water. Local rainfall and runoff flow into reservoirs for storage and blend with imported water. The water is released into creeks and ponds to augment natural percolation and maintain groundwater levels. Some local surface water is processed at the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant. The treated water is sold to Cupertino’s two local water suppliers:
the California Water Company and the San Jose Water Company. Both local retailers purchase their water supply from SCVWD, which receives water from the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant and wells fed by groundwater.

SCVWD, the groundwater management agency in Santa Clara County, manages groundwater recharge through percolation ponds and in -stream recharge of creeks. The McClellan Pond recharge facility in Cupertino and the Stevens Creek Reservoir, outside the city on its southwest boundary, also contribute to Cupertino’s water supply. Private well owners, farmers, and water retailers use water pumped from the groundwater aquifer through wells.

The Rinconada Water Treatment Plant is the second largest of SCVWD 's water treatment plants. The Rinconada Water Treatment Plant draws water from the South Bay Aqueduct and the San Luis Reservoir.

The San Luis Reservoir is a key component of the federal Central Valley Project , while the South Bay Aqueduct is a key component of the State Water Project system. T he Sacramento -San Joaquin Delta pumps into the Delta-Mendota Canal and then into the San Luis Reservoir. SCVWD is one of many users that draw water from this reservoir.

Approximately 50 percent of Santa Clara County’s water supply comes from hundreds of miles away – first as snow or rain in the Sierra Nevada range of northern and eastern California, then as water in rivers that flow into the Sacramento -San Joaquin River Delta or directly to water conveyance systems. Imported water is brought into the county through the complex infrastructure of the State Water Project, the federal Central Valley Project, and San Francisco’s Hetch-Hetchy system. As reflected in the Vulnerability Assessment, water and wastewater services are highly vulnerable to the impacts of drought . Drought conditions may cause stress on Cupertino’s water suppliers and reduce the overall water supply available.

In some cases, w ater storage infrastructure, such as the San Luis Reservoir, may not provide adequate storage to provide water during drought periods.

Potential Changes to Drought in Future Years
Likelihood of Future Occurrence
Drought differs from many other natural hazards in that it is not a distinct event and usually has a slow onset. Drought can severely impact a region physically and economically , affecting different sectors in different ways and with varying intensities. Adequate water is the most critical issue for commercial and domestic use. As the population in the city continues to grow, so will the water demand . However, the water supply is currently considered adequate to meet projected water needs through the year 2045. As demonstrated in the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan, SCVWD shows sufficient capacity to

accommodate the demand through 2045 through a diversified and resilient portfolio that includes recycled water and conservation programs.

Based on historical information, drought in California, including Santa Clara County, is cyclical, driven by weather patterns. Drought has occurred in the past and will occur in the future. Periods of actual drought with adverse impacts can vary in duration, and the period between droughts is often extended. Although an area may be under an extended dry period, determining when it becomes a drought is based on comparing observed precipitation with what is normal (climatologic), comparing soil moisture and c rop conditions with what is normal (agricultural), or by looking at how much water is contained in snow, the level or flow rate of moving water, water in reservoirs, or groundwater levels (hydrologic). However, how individuals recognize drought depends on how it affects them.

Climate Change and Drought
Although droughts are a regular feature of California’s climate, scientists expect climate change will lead to more frequent and intense droughts statewide. Overall, precipitation levels are expected to stay similar to historic levels in Cupertino, potentially increasing by the end of the century. However, there are likely to be more years with extreme levels of rainfall , both high and low, because of climate change. This is expected to cause more frequent and intense droughts , compared to historical norms, which cause soil to dry out and become hard. When precipitation does return, more water runs off the surface than is absorbed into the ground, which can lead to flooding downstream. Higher air temperatures are expected to increase evaporation, causing more water loss from lakes and reservoirs, exacerbating drought conditions.

Reduced winter precipitation levels and warmer temperatures have greatly decreased the size of the Sierra Nevada snowpack (the volume of accumulated snow), making less fresh water available for communities throughout California, including the imported water supply for Cupertino . A continued decline in the Sierra Nevada snowpack volume is expected, which may lead to lower volumes of available imported water. Depending on the location and emissions levels, the state Cal -Adapt database indicates the snowpack (i.e., snow water equivalent) for the Tahoe-Sierra Integrated Regional Water Management Region in the spring is expected to decline from a historical average of 16.1 inches to an average of 7.8 inches (a 52 percent decrease) by the middle of the century (2035 to 2064), and an average of 2.9 inches (an 82 percent decrease) by the end of the century (2070 to 2099). 18 If heat-trapping emissions continue unabated, more precipitation will fall as rain instead of snow, and the snow that does fall will melt earlier in the year, reducing the Sierra Nevada spring snowpack by as much as 70 to 90 percent. 18 The loss of snowpack would pose challenges to water managers and hamper hydropower generation.

2.6.3 Extreme Heat
While there is no universal definition of extreme heat, California guidance documents define extreme heat as temperatures hotter than 98 percent of the historical high temperatures for the area, as measured between April and October of 1961 to 1990. Days that reach this level are called extreme heat days. In Cupertino, the extreme heat threshold is 93.2°F. A heat wave is an event with five extreme heat days in a row.

Health impacts are the primary concern with these hazards, though economic and service impacts are also an issue. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes extreme heat as a substantial public health concern. Historically, NOAA data indicates that about 175 Americans succumb

Appendix H: Health and Safety Element Background Report | March 2025 Page SE-41 to the hazards of summer heat, although this number has increased in recent years.19 From 2004 to 2018, studies by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicate that there is an average of 702 deaths annually that are directly or indirectly linked to extreme heat.20 In 2019, Santa Clara County reported an extreme heat event from June 9th to the 11th. The combination of high pressure and offshore solid flow resulted in an early season heat wave across the Bay Area.

Multiple daily records were broken across the region due to the heat. Three fatalities were reported during the heat event; one person died as a direct result of heat-related illness, while two others drowned while attempting to cool down during the heat wave.

In 2021, Santa Clara County reported an extreme heat event from July 9th to the 11th. Daytime highs rose above 100°F. Overnight lows remained warm, particularly across higher elevations w ith temperatures between 70°F and 80°F in the early mornings. There were no reported fatalities as a result of this heat event.

Extreme heat events are dangerous because people exposed to extreme heat can suffer several heat- related illnesses, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and (most severely) heat stroke. As reflected in the Vulnerability Assessment, seniors , persons with chronic illnesses and/or disabilities, persons experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers, low- resourced people of color, immigrant/linguistically isolated communities, and households in poverty are the most vulnerable to extreme heat. Nursing homes and adult care facilities are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures if power outages occur, and air conditioning or heating is not available. In addition, households in poverty may be at increased risk of extreme heat if the installation or use of air conditioning and heating is not affordable. Outdoor workers in construction or landscaping are also much more exposed to the elements than most people, so they are more susceptible to extreme heat conditions and the potential illnesses associated with very high temperatures. Moreover, extreme heat may be highly damaging to outdoor recreational activities, such as running, bicycling, and hiking. Intense physical exertion is more dangerous during very high temperatures, as people must regularly stay hydrated and not overexert themselves to avoid heat-related illnesses.

Most homes in Cupertino are older and were constructed over 40 years ago. Given that approximately 66 percent of all housing in the city was built prior to 1980, 21 some of these homes are unlikely to have air
conditioning and may lack effective insulation to regulate indoor temperatures. During extreme heat days, temperatures in poorly insulated homes may reach unhealthy temperatures. Therefore, people living in these homes, especially vulnerable populations, are at higher risk for heat-related illnesses from extreme heat events.

Streets and sidewalks are also well -shaded throughout many parts of the city. Trees and vegetation in urban forests are most useful as an extreme heat reduction strategy when planted in strategic locations around buildings or to shade pavement in parking lots and streets. Trees and vegetation help to lower surface and air temperatures by providing shade and evapotranspiration. Evapotranspiration, alone or in combination with shading, can help reduce peak summer temperatures by 2°F to 9°F. 22, 23
Very high temperatures can harm plants and animals that are not well adapted to these events, including natural ecosystems. Extreme heat can increase water temperature in lakes, streams, creeks, and other water bodies, especially during drought conditions when water levels are lower. In some cases, water temperatures may exceed comfortable levels for several plants and animals, causing ecological harm.