Cupertino City Council
May 19, 2026

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
5:45 PM

CITY OF CUPERTINO
Televised Special Meeting (5:45) and Regular City Council Meeting (6:45)
10350 Torre Avenue, Council Chamber and via Teleconference City Council

KITTY MOORE, MAYOR

LIANG CHAO, VICE MAYOR
J.R. FRUEN, COUNCILMEMBER

SHEILA MOHAN, COUNCILMEMBER
R "RAY" WANG, COUNCILMEMBER

IN PERSON AND TELECONFERENCE MEETING
For more information: (408) 777-3200 | www.cupertino.gov AGENDA
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CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
The Mayor is the presiding officer of the City Council. Any member of the public may speak on any item on the agenda for up to three minutes. All statements and questions must be addressed to the Mayor.

City Council hearings serve as a venue for the discussion of sometimes divergent points of view. Please respect the opinions of others and refrain from cheering or clapping. That may delay the meeting or intimidate other persons wishing to express alternate views. Actions that disrupt the meeting will result in a warning, followed by removal if disruption continues.

Oral public comments will be accepted during the meeting. Comments may be made during “oral communications” for matters not on the agenda, and during the public comment period for each agenda item.

Identifying yourself is voluntary and not required to attend the meeting or provide comments.

FLOWCHART FOR HEARING ITEMS:

Mayor introduces
agenda item
Councilmembers report any site
visits or outside communications.

Speakers submit a Request to Speak
card, and are allowed up to 3 minutes
per individual. Council members may
ask questions of speakers.

Mayor invites members of
the public to speak about
the agenda item
For appeals of approvals, the
applicant may respond to
appellants presentation.

The Mayor may request a motion and
a second after the close of the public
hearing. Council then deliberates and
votes.

Mayor closes the public hearing
Councilmembers ask clarifying
questions.

PUBLIC HEARINGS
The City Council is required by law to
hold public hearings on certain matters
prior to making its decision. Notice to
interested parties is given by legal
advertisement in the local newspaper of
general circulation at least 10 calendar
days preceding the hearing date.

Applications requiring public hearings
include change of zoning, variances, use
permits, and tentative maps.

COUNCIL MEETINGS
The City Council regularly meets the first
and third Tuesdays of each month. These
meetings are held at 6:45 p.m. Closed
sessions, when needed, are normally held
at 6:00 p.m. Closed sessions cover items
such as personnel, litigation, or the sale ,
purchase, or lease of property. The law
requires certain actions taken in closed
session to be reported in open session.

Urgent business, holidays, or election
days may trigger special or adjourned
meetings. These meetings will be noticed
beforehand.

AGENDAS, MINUTES, AND PACKETS

AVAILABLE ON THE WEB
Agendas, minutes, and packets for
current and prior City Council and
Planning Commission meetings are
available at www.cupertino.org, or you
can purchase the items on CD.

CITY COUNCIL DECISION IS FINAL
Prior to seeking judicial review of any
adjudicatory (quasi‐judicial) decision,
interested persons must file a petition for
reconsideration within ten calendar days
of the date the City Clerk mails notice of
the City’s decision. Reconsideration
petitions must comply with the
requirements of Cupertino Municipal
Code §2.08.096. Contact the City Clerk’s
office for more information or go to
www.http://www.cupertino.org/index.as
px?page=125 for a reconsideration
petition form.

Mayor invites
applicant/appellant to
respond to public
comments (2 min)
City Council votes on
the agenda item
Staff reports and makes
recommendation
Applicant or Appellant
makes presentation
(up to 8 min)
Councilmembers ask
questions of staff or
applicant/appellant
Mayor opens the public hearing
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IN-PERSON AND TELECONFERENCE / PUBLIC PARTICIPATION INFORMATION OPTIONS TO OBSERVE:

Members of the public wishing to observe the meeting may do so in one of the following ways:
1) Attend in person at Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Avenue. 2) Tune to Comcast Channel 24 or Channel 26 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 on your TV. 3) Watch a live stream online at www.Cupertino.gov/youtube and www.Cupertino.org/webcast
OPTIONS TO PARTICIPATE AND COMMENT:

Members of the public wishing to address the City Council may do so in the following ways:
1) Appear in person for Open Session in Cupertino Community Hall.

A. During “Oral Communications”, the public may comment on matters not on the agenda, and for agendized matters, the public may comment during the public comment period for each agendized item.

B. Speakers are requested to complete a Speaker Card. While completion of Speaker Cards is voluntary and not required to attend the meeting or provide comments, it is helpful for the purposes of ensuring that all speakers are called upon.

C. Speakers must wait to be called, then proceed to the lectern/podium and speak into the microphone when recognized by the Mayor.

D. Speakers are limited to three (3) minutes each. However, the Mayor may reduce the speaking time depending on the number of people who wish to speak on an item. A speaker representing a group between 2 and 5 members of the public in attendance may have up to 2 minutes per group member to speak, up to 10 minutes maximum.

E. Please note that due to cyber security concerns, speakers are not allowed to connect any personal devices at the lectern/podium. However, speakers that wish to share a document (e.g. presentations, photographs or other documents) during oral comments may do so in one of the following ways:
a) At the overhead projector at the podium, or
b) E-mail the document to [email protected] by 3:00 p.m. and staff will advance the slides/share the documents during your oral comment.

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2) Written Communications as follows:

A. E-mail comments to the City Council for Open Session at [email protected] as follows:
a. E-mail comments must be received by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting in order to be forwarded to the City Council before the meeting.
b. Emailed comments received following agenda publication but prior to, or during, the meeting, will be posted to the City’s website after the meeting. c. These e-mail comments will also be received by each City Councilmember, the City Manager, and the City Clerk’s Office. Comments on non-agenda items sent to any other email address will be included upon the sender's request.

B. Regular mail or hand delivered addressed to the: City Council, City Hall, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014
3) Open Session Teleconference in one of the following ways:

A. Online via Zoom on an electronic device (Audio and Video): Speakers must register in advance by clicking on the link below to access the meeting:
https://cityofcupertino.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gA9keRcqTCyEbbsADfC1DQ a) Registrants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
b) Speakers will be recognized by the name they use for registration. Once recognized, speakers must click ‘unmute’ when prompted to speak.
c) Please read the following instructions about technical compatibility carefully: One can directly download the teleconference (Zoom) software or connect to the meeting in their internet browser. If a browser is used, make sure the most current and up-to-date browser, such as the following, is used: Chrome 30+, Firefox 27+, Microsoft Edge 12+, Safari 7+.

Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers, including Internet Explorer.

B. By Phone (Audio only): No registration is required in advance and speakers may join the meeting as follows:
a) Dial 669-900-6833 and enter WEBINAR ID: 878 1889 9194 b) To “raise hand” to speak: Dial *9; When asked to unmute: Dial *6 c) Speakers will be recognized to speak by the last four digits of their phone number.

C. Via an H.323/SIP room system:

Join from an H.323/SIP room system:

H.323:
144.195.19.161 (US West)
206.247.11.121 (US East)

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Meeting ID: 878 1889 9194
SIP: [email protected]

NOTICE AND CALL FOR A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of the Cupertino City Council is hereby called for Tuesday, May 19, 2026, commencing at 5:45 p.m. in Community Hall, 10350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California 95014 and via teleconference. Said special meeting shall be for the purpose of conducting business on the subject matters listed below under the heading, “Special Meeting."

SPECIAL MEETING
ROLL CALL - 5:45 PM

STUDY SESSION

1. Subject: Update to the Health and Safety Element of the Cupertino General Plan: 2015 - 2040 Community Vision
Recommended Action: Receive the presentation and provide input on the Public Draft of the Health and Safety Element of the Cupertino General Plan: 2015 - 2040 Community Vision.

Staff Report
A - PlaceWorks Memo Rev 4-23-2026
B - Draft Element Appendix E and Appendix H
C - Evacuation_Route_Capacity_Analysis_Oct_2025
D - Public Comments received during public comment period

ADJOURNMENT

REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER - 6:45 PM

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

CLOSED SESSION REPORT

CEREMONIAL ITEMS

1. Subject: Recognition of the Public Works Department (Capital Improvements, Development Services, Transportation, Environmental Programs and Sustainability, Facilities and Fleet, Grounds, Streets and Sidewalks, and Trees and Right-of-Way Divisions) in conjunction with Public Works Week, May 17-23, 2026

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Recommended Action: Recognize the Public Works Department (Capital Improvements, Development Services, Transportation, Environmental Programs and Sustainability, Facilities and Fleet, Grounds, Streets and Sidewalks, and Trees and Right-of-Way Divisions) in conjunction with Public Works Week, May 17-23, 2026 A - Proclamation

2. Subject: Recognition of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month.

Recommended Action: Present proclamations recognizing Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month.

A - Proclamation for Asian American Parents Association ( AAPA) B - Proclamation for Asian Pacific American Public Affairs (APAPA)

POSTPONEMENTS AND ORDERS OF THE DAY

ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the Council on any matter within the jurisdiction of the Council and not on the agenda for discussion. Oral Communications shall be limited to 30 minutes. Additional speakers wishing to comment on non-agenda items may be given time to speak at the end of the agenda, after the City Manager's report. Individual speakers are limited to three (3) minutes. As necessary, the Chair may further limit the time allowed to individual speakers, or reschedule remaining comments to the end of the meeting on a first come first heard basis, with priority given to students. In most cases, State law will prohibit the Council from discussing or making any decisions with respect to a matter not listed on the agenda. A councilmember may, however, briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by speakers. A councilmember may also ask a question for clarification, provide a reference for factual information, request staff to report back concerning a matter, or request that an item be added to a future City Council agenda in response to public comment.

CONSENT CALENDAR (Items 3-17)
Items appearing on the Consent Calendar are considered routine City business and may be approved by one motion. Typical items may include meeting minutes, awards of contracts, the ratification of accounts payable, and second readings of ordinances. Any member of the Council may request to have an item removed from the Consent Calendar based on the rules set forth in the City Council Procedures Manual. Members of the public may provide input on one or more consent calendar items when the Mayor asks for public comments on the Consent Calendar.

3. Subject: Approval of May 5, 2026 City Council meeting minutes.

Recommended Action: Approve the May 5, 2026 City Council meeting minutes.

A - Draft Minutes

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4. Subject: Setting a hearing date of June 16, 2026 to declare brush with potential fire hazard a public nuisance and consider objections to proposed removal through the Cupertino Brush Abatement Program (Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area); declaring properties as having potential fire hazards from brush a public nuisance and authorizing removal.

Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No 26-053 declaring properties as having potential fire hazards from brush a public nuisance; and set a hearing date of June 16, 2026 to declare brush with potential fire hazard a public nuisance and to hear objections to proposed removal
Staff Report
A - Resolution for Brush Abatement
B - Non-Compliant Properties List (Exhibit A in Resolution) C - Defensible Space Inspection Letter Property Owner Letter D - Defensible Space Information Property Owner Letter
E - Notice of Violation
F - 2026 SCC Weed Abatement Rates

5. Subject: Setting a voluntary campaign expenditure limit of $50,000 for the November 3, 2026 City Council election
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 26-054 setting a voluntary campaign expenditure limit of $50,000 for the November 3, 2026 City Council election Staff Report
A - Draft Resolution (and Exhibit A)

6. Subject: Amendment to the 2026 Council Committee Assignments to remove Mayor Kitty Moore as an alternate on the Legislative Review Committee (LRC).

Recommended Action: Ratify amendment to the 2026 Council Committee Assignments to remove Mayor Kitty Moore as an alternate on the LRC.

Staff Report
A - Amended 2026 Council Committee Assignments (redline) B - Amended 2026 Council Committee Assignments (clean)

7. Subject: Ratifying Accounts Payable for the periods ending April 10, 2026, and April 24, 2026
Recommended Action: A. Adopt Resolution No. 26-055 ratifying Accounts Payable for the Period ending April 10, 2026; and
B. Adopt Resolution No. 26-056 ratifying Accounts Payable for the Period ending April 24, 2026
Staff Report
A – Draft Resolution 4.10.26
B – AP Payment Register for the Period Ending 4.10.26
C – Draft Resolution 4.24.26
D – AP Payment Register for the Period Ending 4.24.26

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8. Subject: Second reading and enactment of an ordinance amending Cupertino Municipal Code Sections 1.10, 2.20, 2.24, 2.48, 2.88, 3.12, and 3.38 to reflect organizational changes related to departmental structure and responsibilities.

Recommended Action: A. Conduct second reading and enact Ordinance No. 26-2283:
“AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO AMENDING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTERS 1.10, 2.20, 2.24, 2.48, 2.88, 3.12, AND

3.38.” and;
B. Adopt Resolution No. 26-057 amending the Unrepresented Employees’ Compensation Program and approving the updated job description to reflect the retitling of the Director of Administrative Services position to Director of Finance Staff Report
A – Draft Ordinance No. 26-2283
B – Amendments to the Unrep Employee’s Compensation Program (clean) C – Amendments to the Unrep Employee’s Compensation Program (redline) D – Job Description Director of Finance (clean)
E – Job Description Director of Finance (redline)
F - Draft Resolution

9. Subject: Second reading and enactment of an ordinance to make minor revisions to the Municipal Code amending Chapter 2.04 (Chapter 2.04: City Council-Election and Meetings): Section 2.04.020 Special Meetings; Chapter 3.23 (Public Works Contract and Bidding Procedures): Section 3.23.020 (Definitions) to align with AB 2192; Chapter 5.04 (Business Licenses Generally): Section 5.04.480 (Appeal Procedure); Chapter 5.32 (BINGO): Section 5.32.130 (Total Value of Prizes); Chapter 11.28 (Abandoned, Wrecked, Inoperative Vehicles): Sections 11.28.010 (Definitions) and 11.28.050 (Sale of Merchandise); Chapter 13.04 (Parks): Sections 13.04.130 (Behavior of Persons in Parks) and 13.04.180 (Advertising and Sale Restrictions); and Chapter 16.52 (Prevention of Flood Damage): Sections 16.52.011 (Lands to Which this Chapter Applies) and 16.52.053 (Standards for Manufactured Homes).

Recommended Action: Conduct second reading and enact Ordinance No. 26-2284: "AN

ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO AMENDING MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS 2.040.020, 3.23.020, 5.04.480, 5.32.130, 11.28.010,

11.28.050, 13.04.130, 13.04.180, 16.52.011, AND 16.52.053." Staff Report
A - Draft Ordinance

10. Subject: Receipt of Treasurer's Investment Report for the Quarter Ending March 31, 2026
Recommended Action: Receive the Treasurer's Investment Report for the Quarter Ending March 31, 2026

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Staff Report
A – Chandler Investment Report March 2026
B – Chandler Custodial Statement March 2026_Redacted
C – PARS Pension and OPEB Account Statement March 2026
D – LAIF Account Statement March 2026_Redacted

11. Subject: Annual review and acceptance of the City’s Investment Policy Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 26-058 accepting the City's Investment Policy
Staff Report
A - Cupertino Investment Policy (clean)
B – Cupertino Investment Policy (Redline)
C – Cupertino Investment Policy Statement Review Memo
D – Draft Resolution

12. Subject: Receipt of Single Audit and Agreed Upon Procedures (AUP) Reviews - GANN Limit, Investment Policy, Storm Drain
Recommended Action: Receive the Single Audit and Agreed Upon Procedures (AUP) Reviews - GANN Limit, Investment Policy, Storm Drain
Staff Report
A - City of Cupertino Single Audit Final Report
B - City of Cupertino Investment AUP Final Report
C - City of Cupertino Storm Drain AUP Final Report
D - City of Cupertino GANN Final Report

13. Subject: Authorization of second amendment to agreement 311 with All City Management Services, Inc. to continue crossing guard services, increasing contract by $860,000 ($420,000 for FY 26-27, $440,000 for FY 27-28), for a total not to exceed amount of $2,548,879.04 and extending the agreement term to June 30, 2028.

Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute a Second Amendment to the Agreement 311 with All City Management Services, Inc. (ACMS) to continue to provide Crossing Guard Services, increasing the contract amount by $860,000 ($420,000 for FY 26-27, $440,000 for FY 27-28) for a total not to exceed amount of $2,548,879.04 and extending the agreement term to June 30, 2028 (Attachment A).

Staff report
A - Draft Second Amendment to the Agreement with All City Management Services, Inc.

14. Subject: Approval of Updated Council Grant Policy
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 26-059 approving the updated Council Grant Policy
Staff Report
A – Draft Cupertino City Council Grant Policy Update (clean) B – Draft Cupertino City Council Grant Policy Update (redline)

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15. Subject: Award of contract to Snapology of Los Gatos DBA SV Kids Corp for STEAM Lego Enrichment Programs for a total not-to-exceed amount of $222,000; Authority to Extend for Two Additional Years for Five-Year Total Not to Exceed $370,000.

Recommended Action: 1. Award a three-year contract to Snapology of Los Gatos to provide STEAM Lego Enrichment Programs in the amount not to exceed $74,000 per year, totaling $222,000;

2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract with Snapology of Los Gatos when all conditions have been met; and

3. Authorize the City Manager to extend the contract for up to two additional years, at an annual amount not to exceed $74,000, for a five-year total not-to-exceed $370,000, provided pricing and services remain acceptable.

Staff Report
A - Draft Agreement

16. Subject: Authorization to execute amendment to Greenwood Court Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) loan agreement to extend affordability restrictions by ninety-nine (99) years.

Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment to extend the term of the CDBG loan agreement to the West Valley Community Services (WVCS) for rehabilitation of the low-income rental units at Greenwood Court to preserve affordability restrictions for an additional ninety-nine (99) years.

Staff Report
A - Draft CDBG Loan Amendment for 10311 Greenwood Court B - Greenwood Court CDBG Rehab Loan Agreement
C - Greenwood Court BMR Grant Agreement

17. Subject: Approval of first amendment to the Countywide Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program agreement with the County of Santa Clara (County) to augment funding up to an additional $36,433 to the Countywide HHW Program during Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 using earmarked funds within the Resource Recovery Fund 520, raising the not to exceed amount of the three-year 2024-2027 agreement to $435,676.

Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute a first amendment to the Countywide HHW Collection Program agreement between the City of Cupertino and the County of Santa Clara to augment funding up to an additional $36,433 from fund 520 Resource Recovery with no impact to the General Fund to the Countywide HHW Program during FY 2026/27 for the purpose of attaining or increasing household participation, raising the not to exceed amount of the three-year 2024-2027 agreement to $435,676.

Staff Report
A - Agreement for Countywide AB939 Implementation Fee
B - Agreement for Countywide HHW Collection Program
C - Draft First Amendment for Countywide HHW Collection Program

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PUBLIC HEARINGS
Government Code Section 65103.5 limits the distribution of copyrighted material associated with the review of development projects. Members of the public wishing to view plans that cannot otherwise be distributed under Govt. Code Section 65103.5 may make an appointment with the Planning Division to view them at City Hall by sending an email to [email protected]. Plans will also be made available digitally during the hearing to consider the proposal.

18. Subject: Public Hearing Pursuant to Government Code Section 3502.3 to Receive a Report on City of Cupertino Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Efforts.

Recommended Action: Receive the informational report on City of Cupertino Vacancies, and Recruitment and Retention Efforts Pursuant to Government Code Section 3502.3.

Staff Report
A - Assembly Bill 2561

ACTION CALENDAR

19. Subject: Acceptance of the City Manager’s Third Quarter Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2025-26; Budget Modification increasing appropriations by $526,184 and increasing estimated revenues by $372,500.

Recommended Action: 1. Accept the City Manager’s Third Quarter Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2025-26,

2. Adopt Resolution No. 26-060 approving Budget Modification No. 2526-443, increasing appropriations by $526,184 and increasing estimated revenues by $372,500; and

3. Adopt Resolution No. 26-061 amending the Unrepresented Employees’ Compensation Program to incorporate revised salary schedule.

Staff Report
A - Fiscal Year 2025-26 Third Quarter Financial Report
B - Draft Resolution
C - Description of Budget Transfers as of March 31, 2026 D – Description of Carryovers and Adjustments as of March 31, 2026 E - FY 2025-26 Third Quarter Recommended Adjustments
F – FY 2025-26 Third Quarter Special Projects Update as of March 31, 2026 G - Competitive and Non-Competitive Citywide Grants Tracking H - Capital Improvement Program Project Status
I – Draft Resolution – Unrepresented Employees’ Compensation Program J - Amendments to the Unrep Employees’ Compensation Program (clean) K - Amendments to the Unrep Employees’ Compensation Program (redline)

20. Subject: Annual Review and Acceptance of Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) and Pension Trust Investment Policies

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Recommended Action: A. Adopt Resolution No. 26-062 for the OPEB Trust Investment Policy; and
B. Adopt Resolution No. 26-063 for the Pension Trust Investment Policy Staff Report
A – OPEB Trust Investment Policy (clean)
B – OPEB Trust Investment Policy (redline)
C – Pension Trust Investment Policy (clean)
D – Pension Trust Investment Policy (redline)
E – OPEB Trust Investment Policy Draft Resolution
F - Pension Trust Investment Policy Draft Resolution

21. Subject: Authorization of Below Market Rate (BMR) Housing Administration contract execution
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement with RISE Housing for Below Market Rate (BMR) Administration services and approve allocation for the contract to be budgeted from the General Fund Staff Report
A - Draft Rise Housing 26-29 Contract
B - Policy and Procedures Manual for Administering Deed Restricted Affordable Housing Units C - 2025 RFP BMR Program Administration

ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR

CITY MANAGER REPORT

22. Subject: City Manager Report
A - City Manager's Report

ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - CONTINUED

COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS

23. Subject: Councilmember Reports
A - Councilmember Report, Chao
B - Councilmember Report, Fruen
C - Councilmember Report, Mohan
D - Councilmember Report, Moore

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
The Upcoming Draft Agenda Items Report is a tentative council meeting agenda calendar that lists upcoming City Council meeting dates and tentative agenda items, all of which are subject to change.

24. Subject: Upcoming Draft Agenda Items Report
A - Upcoming Draft Agenda Items Report

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ADJOURNMENT
Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Requirements: Individuals who influence or attempt to influence legislative or administrative action may be required by the City of Cupertino’s lobbying ordinance (Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 2.100) to register and report lobbying activity. Persons whose communications regarding any legislative or administrative are solely limited to appearing at or submitting testimony for any public meeting held by the City are not required to register as lobbyists.

For more information about the lobbying ordinance, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014; telephone (408) 777-3223; email [email protected]; and website: www.cupertino.org/lobbyist.

The City of Cupertino has adopted the provisions of Code of Civil Procedure §1094.6; litigation challenging a final decision of the City Council must be brought within 90 days after a decision is announced unless a shorter time is required by State or Federal law.

Prior to seeking judicial review of any adjudicatory (quasi-judicial) decision, interested persons must file a petition for reconsideration within ten calendar days of the date the City Clerk mails notice of the City’s decision. Reconsideration petitions must comply with the requirements of Cupertino Municipal Code §2.08.096. Contact the City Clerk’s office for more information or go to http://www.cupertino.org/cityclerk for a reconsideration petition form.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), anyone who is planning to attend this meeting who is visually or hearing impaired or has any disability that needs special assistance should call the City Clerk's Office at 408-777-3223, at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting to arrange for assistance. In addition, upon request in advance by a person with a disability, meeting agendas and writings distributed for the meeting that are public records will be made available in the appropriate alternative format.

Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Cupertino City Council after publication of the packet will be made available for public inspection in the City Clerk’s Office located at City Hall, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California 95014, during normal business hours; and in Council packet archives linked from the agenda/minutes page on the City web site.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please be advised that pursuant to Cupertino Municipal Code section

2.08.100 written communications sent to the City Council, Commissioners or staff concerning a matter on the agenda are included as supplemental material to the agendized item. These written communications are accessible to the public through the City website and kept in packet archives. Do not include any personal or private information in written communications to the City that you do not wish to make public, as written communications are considered public records and will be made publicly available on the City website.

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THE CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF

CITY COUNCIL
Cupertino is a General Law city organized under and subject to statutes of the State of California. It is governed by the five‐member City Council with the Mayor as the presiding officer. City Council members are elected at‐large to four‐year, overlapping terms. Each November a mayor and a vice‐mayor are selected by the City Council for a one‐ year term.

The City Council receives advice and assistance from eleven advisory bodies, which are appointed by the Council.

These are the Audit Committee, Bicycle Pedestrian Commission, Fine Arts Commission, Housing Commission, Library Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, Public Safety Commission, Sustainability Commission, Teen Commission, and Technology, Information, and Communications Commission.

Council members also serve on a variety of regional bodies, including:
∙ Association of Bay Area Governments
∙ League of California Cities
∙ Santa Clara County (SCC) Cities Association
∙ SCC Emergency Preparedness Council
∙ SCC Library District
∙ SCC Emergency Preparedness Commission
∙ Santa Clara Valley Water Commission and Water District ∙ SCC Transportation Authoritym
∙ West Valley Mayors and Managers
STAFF
The City Manager and the City Attorney are appointed by the Council. The City Manager is responsible for interpreting and carrying out Council policies and direction, and as the chief administrative officer, the City Manager coordinates the many activities of the city and appoints the professional and technical staff. The City Attorney is the advisor to the City Council as a whole.

TYPES OF COUNCIL ACTIONS

ORDINANCES
Ordinances are the means by which the City enacts its local laws. Unless an urgent situation exists, ordinances will first be presented at a Council meeting as a “first reading." At a subsequent Council meeting, there will be a “second reading and adoption." Ordinances go into effect after a waiting period of thirty days, in most cases, during which time the summary of the ordinance is published in a local newspaper approved for this purpose.

RESOLUTIONS
Resolutions and minute orders are the means by which the City Council formally adopts policies or approves specific actions. These go into effect when adopted.

APPEALS
Any interested person, including a Council member, may appeal a Planning Commission or Director of Community Development decision to the City Council. An appeal must be submitted in writing to the City Clerk within 14 calendar days of the mailing of the notice of the decision.

RECONSIDERATION
Prior to seeking judicial review of any adjudicatory (quasi‐judicial) decision, interested persons must file a petition for reconsideration within ten calendar days of the date the City Clerk mails notice of the City’s decision.

Reconsideration petitions must comply with the requirements of Cupertino Municipal Code §2.08.096. Contact the City Clerk’s office for more information or go to www.http://www.cupertino.org/index.aspx?page=125 for a reconsideration petition form.

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COMMUNICATING WITH COUNCIL
(408) 777‐1389
(408) 777‐3192
(408) 777‐1316
(408) 777-1326
(408) 777‐3138
(408) 777‐3139
All Council members:

Kitty Moore
Liang Chao
J.R. Fruen
Sheila Mohan
R "Ray" Wang
Executive Assistant
City Hall
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
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CITY OF CUPERTINO
Agenda Item
26-15019 Agenda Date: 5/19/2026
Agenda #: 1.

Subject: Update to the Health and Safety Element of the Cupertino General Plan: 2015 - 2040 Community Vision
Receive the presentation and provide input on the Public Draft of the Health and Safety Element of the Cupertino General Plan: 2015 - 2040 Community Vision.

CITY OF CUPERTINO Page 1 of 1 Printed on 5/13/2026
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
TELEPHONE: (408) 777-3308
CUPERTINO.GOV

CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Date: May 19, 2026
Subject
Study Session: Update to the Health and Safety Element of the Cupertino General Plan: 2015 – 2040 Community Vision
Recommended Action
Receive the presentation and provide input on the Public Draft of the Health and Safety Element of the Cupertino General Plan: 2015 – 2040 Community Vision.

Background
The Health and Safety Element is a State-mandated element of the General Plan that addresses the threats posed by natural and human-caused hazards to Cupertino and establishes goals and policies to reduce risk to the community. The current Health and Safety Element was adopted in 2014. Since that time, State law has expanded requirements related to wildfire, flooding, climate change adaptation, and evacuation planning.

The California Government Code Section 65302(g) requires all local jurisdictions to review and, as necessary, update their Safety Element upon each revision of the Housing Element or Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), or at least once every eight years. The City adopted updates to the Housing Element and the Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, including the City-specific LHMP section, in 2024, triggering this update.

Reasons for Recommendation and Available Options
The Public Draft Health and Safety Element ensures compliance with current State law, integrates climate vulnerability findings, incorporates detailed evacuation capacity analysis and mapping, reflects updated wildfire hazard designations, and strengthens policies addressing both new and existing developments across all major hazard categories.

In 2025, City and PlaceWorks staff presented the broad policy areas that the Health and Safety Element Update would cover to the Planning Commission and Public Safety Commission during scheduled study sessions. Commissioners and members of the public provided comments on several policy areas, many of which were incorporated into the public draft.

Details regarding the updates made to the Health and Safety Element are available in the attached memo (see Attachment A) from PlaceWorks. The Draft of the Health and Safety Element, associated appendices (Attachment B) was circulated for public review beginning February 12, 15 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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2026. Policies in the Draft Health and Safety Element were developed based upon the analysis from a background report prepared based on a review of Health and Safety Hazards (labeled “Appendix H” in Attachment B) and a technical study (Attachment C). A public comment period was open until March 13, 2026. A second public comment period was open between April 7, 2026 and May 8, 2026.

Planning Commission Study Session:

On March 9, 2026, the Planning Commission reviewed the Public Draft of the Health and Safety Element. The Commission provided input on several policy areas, including evacuation planning, wildfire risk, emergency preparedness, and climate resilience.

Consensus direction: The Planning Commission recommended that the draft Element be revised to incorporate additional supply-side evacuation strategies from the evacuation study (e.g., early detection system, phased evacuation processes, and traffic management strategies such as contraflow/shoulder lanes) and to strengthen extreme heat-related policies by incorporating findings and strategies from the Draft 2026 update of the California Extreme Heat Action Plan.

Individual Commissioner Comments: The following comments were raised by one or more Commissioners and were discussed with no consensus or direction to staff. Staff comments are included in italics.
▪ Introduction:
o Add emergency management and operations as a pillar in the “Looking Forward” section (page 50).
▪ Evacuation Access:
o Clarify whether the evacuation access requirement means two different exit points from a development or access to two different streets.
o Consider requiring secondary access (ingress/egress) for new development rather than encouraging it (Policy HS-2.14).
o Be clear about the number of residential units at which specific evacuation standards apply.
▪ Communication:
o Expand communication channels for emergency operations to include schools and the senior center.
o Communicate and publish information about who Block Leaders are, as there are concerns that the Block Leader program is underrepresented and under-published. ▪ Flood:
o Add language about maintaining and improving the City’s FEMA Community Rating System (CRS) score, noting that the City has recently improved its rating. ▪ Thresholds:
o Clarify triggers on wildfire safety requirements related to remodels vs. new build/construction (Policy HS-3.4.1). (Such details are typically in implementation documents such as Ordinances)
o Consider establishing clear thresholds on level of development which triggers evacuation route requirements, and more broadly whether clearer thresholds are needed across the Element (Policy HS-2.11). (Such details are typically in implementation documents such as Ordinances)
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▪ Hazardous Materials:
o Consider incorporating federal (EPA) standards for hazardous materials management. (The City is obligated to implement federal, State, and County regulations related to hazardous materials management. These regulations may change and it is not advisable to add these.) ▪ Noise:
o Consider establishing objective noise standards for trucks in residential areas. (While noise standards for trucks may not be practical to implement, noise standards for indoor noise may be considered to ensure that new development implements additional noise attenuation to meet indoor noise standards.)
▪ Response Times:
o Clarify emergency response standards for law enforcement response times (Policy HS4.4). (To the extent that law enforcement response times have been provided by the Sheriff’s Department, they can be incorporated into the policy.)
▪ Climate Resilience:
o Clarify that shading requirements apply only to parking lots and commercial development, not residential development (Policy HS-9.4.2). (Typical single family residential developments do not include parking lots, though multifamily development could have parking areas.)
Public Comments: Public comments were also received on evacuation methodology, fire safety, and environmental standards. Written public comments received are included as Attachment D.

Members of the public provided oral and written comments before, during, and following the Planning Commission’s Study Session on March 9th about the following issues:
▪ Evacuation Routes and Planning:
o Consider designating evacuation routes outside of Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs). (Evacuation routes have been identified by Emergency Management personnel through a separate process and incorporated into the City’s Emergency Operations Plan. This exercise is expected to occur with any future operational updates.) o Consider cumulative development impacts under buildout conditions. o Fire safety in the Monte Vista neighborhood and its relationship to Housing Element site selection.
o Evacuation capacity issues identified by the Evacuation Route Capacity Assessment required by state law.
o Establish clearer, objective standards for evacuation, environmental health (consistent with State and federal standards), and public safety. (Objective standards may be established as part of a future evacuation planning exercise at the Council’s direction.) o Label evacuation maps found on the City’s Evacuation website. (This comment is not related to the Health and Safety Element update. Staff has communicated this comment internally to relevant staff.)
▪ Wildfire:
o Adopt changes to wildfire standards to increase wildfire resilience for new development. (It should be noted that the City has already adopted wildfire standards, in compliance with state law.)
o Incorporate the most recent CAL FIRE FHSZ mapping. (The Draft Health and Safety Element already incorporates the updated map.)
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▪ City Facilities:
o Retrofit existing City facilities to protect against hazardous conditions, especially earthquakes.
▪ Noise:
o Include objective noise standards and a noise contour map in the draft Element. (Objective noise standards at property lines are already adopted in the City’s Community Noise Control Ordinance and do not need to be a part of the City’s General Plan. The City could adopt indoor noise standards for new development, which would require the implementation of additional noise attenuation. A noise contour map is already a part of the City’s General Plan in Appendix D. This will be updated based on updated modeling with adoption of the Health and Safety Element.)
o Include policies related to mitigations for freeway noise. (Policies in the draft address freeway noise mitigation.)
Sustainability Impact
Implementation of the policies in the Health and Safety Element will foster sustainable and resilient development in all areas of the City, including those located in a High and Very High Fire Severity Hazard Zone.

Fiscal Impact
No fiscal impact.

City Work Program (CWP) Item/Description
N/A
Council Goal:

Quality of Life
California Environmental Quality Act
This Study Session does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act.
_____________________________________
Prepared by: Piu Ghosh, Planning Manager
Luke Connolly, Assistant Director of Community Development Reviewed by: Benjamin Fu, Director of City Manager
Floy Andrews, Interim City Attorney
Approved for Submission by: Tina Kapoor, City Manager
Attachments:

A – PlaceWorks Memo re: Health and Safety Element Update B – Public Draft Health and Safety Element and Appendices E and H of General Plan C – Technical Study – 2025 Evacuation Route Capacity Assessment D – Public Comments received during public comment period 18 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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MEMORANDUM
DATE March 2, 2026, revised April 23, 2026
TO Piu Ghosh, Planning Manager
Luke Connolly, Assistant Director of Community Development FROM Tammy L. Seale, PlaceWorks, Principal
Eli Krispi, PlaceWorks, Interim Project Manager
Miles Barker, PlaceWorks, Associate
SUBJECT City of Cupertino Health and Safety Element Update – Study Session Memo Introduction
The Health and Safety Element is a State-mandated element of the General Plan that addresses the threats posed by natural and human-caused hazards to Cupertino and establishes goals and policies to reduce risk to the community. The current Health and Safety Element was adopted in 2014. Since that time, State law has expanded requirements related to wildfire, flooding, climate change adaptation, and evacuation planning.

The California Government Code requires all local jurisdictions to review and, as necessary, update their Safety Element upon each revision of the Housing Element or Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), or at least once every eight years. The City adopted updates to the Housing Element and the Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, including the City’s Annex, in 2024, triggering this update.

The updated Health and Safety Element ensures compliance with current State law, integrates climate vulnerability findings, incorporates detailed evacuation capacity analysis and mapping, reflects updated wildfire hazard designations, and strengthens policies addressing both new and existing development across all major hazard categories. This memorandum summarizes the applicable California Government Code requirements, describes how the updated draft Health and Safety Element (see Attachment 2) satisfies those requirements, highlights key updates in the draft, and outlines next steps prior to formal review and public hearings.

In 2025, City and PlaceWorks staff presented the Health and Safety Element Update to the Planning Commission and Public Safety Commission during scheduled study sessions. Commissioners and members of the public provided comments and direction on several policy areas, including clarification of distinctions between new and existing development standards, evacuation planning and emergency access, wildfire risk reduction and defensible space, emergency preparedness staffing and coordination, and climate resilience strategies. The current draft Health and Safety Element reflects revisions to policies and implementation measures in response to those discussions. 19 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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Regulatory Framework
UPDATES TO SAFETY ELEMENT STATE LAW SINCE 2015
Since adoption of the 2014 Health and Safety Element, amendments to Government Code Section 65302(g) have expanded local requirements related to wildfire, flooding, climate change adaptation, and evacuation planning. In particular, legislation enacted through Senate Bill (SB) 1241 (2012), SB 379 (2015), SB 99, (2019), Assembly Bill (AB) 747 (2019), AB 1409 (2021), and AB 2684 (2024) strengthened requirements for wildfire risk reduction, climate vulnerability assessment, evacuation route analysis, and extreme heat planning. SB 1241 was adopted in 2012, prior to adoption of the 2014 Health and Safety Element; however, guidance for compliance with its requirements has evolved as the State’s fire protection codes and regulations have strengthened. This update ensures compliance with current guidance from CAL FIRE and best practices. The proposed draft Health and Safety Element ensures compliance with current State law requirements and incorporates expanded provisions related to wildfire, flooding, climate adaptation, and evacuation planning. The proposed draft Element addresses the following sections of Government Code Section 65302.

Section 65302(g)(2) – Flood Hazards
The 2014 Health and Safety Element includes limited flood-related policies and background discussion. The updated Element expands the flood hazard section to incorporate updated mapping, current flood risk data, and identification of responsible flood control agencies and coordination mechanisms. It strengthens policies addressing flood risk reduction and incorporates resilience strategies applicable to both existing and future development in flood-prone areas. The revised section also contains policies to reduce potential flood impacts to critical infrastructure and essential facilities, consistent with current statutory requirements.

Section 65302(g)(3) – Fire Hazards (SB 1241, adopted in 2012) The 2014 Health and Safety Element includes general wildfire protection policies but does not reflect updated State mapping or current wildfire risk conditions. The updated Element incorporates the most recent Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) mapping for both Local Responsibility Area (LRA) and State Responsibility Area (SRA) lands and updates the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area framework, replacing prior mapping references in the 2014 Health and Safety Element to ensure consistency with current State designations.

Consistent with the City’s June 2025 adoption of the updated LRA FHSZ map into Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 16.74 (Wildland Urban Interface Fire Area), the draft Element specifies that where a parcel is mapped within multiple FHSZ designations (such as Moderate and High), the parcel is subject to the requirements associated with the highest mapped severity. This approach ensures consistency with the City’s adopted ordinance and supports clear, uniform implementation of wildfire risk reduction measures.

The updated draft Element also provides expanded background information on wildfire conditions, identifies responsible fire protection agencies, and strengthens policies designed to reduce wildfire risk to new development and essential facilities.
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Section 65302(g)(4) – Climate Change Adaptation (SB 379, adopted in 2015) The 2014 Health and Safety Element does not include a formal climate change vulnerability assessment as required under SB 379. The updated draft Element integrates the City’s vulnerability assessment findings and expands discussion of climate-related hazards, including extreme heat. It identifies populations and infrastructure who are most vulnerable to these hazards and incorporates new goals, policies, and implementation measures focused on adaptation and resilience, consistent with current State law.

Section 65302(g)(5) – Evacuation Constraints (SB 99, adopted in 2019) The 2014 Health and Safety Element does not identify residential parcels in hazard-prone areas that lack sufficient emergency access. The updated draft Element addresses this requirement through parcel-level analysis of residential street accessibility to identify parcels located in hazard areas with limited egress routes. This analysis is incorporated into the draft Element and informed development of policies supporting improved emergency access planning and coordination with emergency management agencies to reduce evacuation risk.

Section 65302.15 – Evacuation Routes and Scenarios (AB 747, adopted in 2019; and AB 1409, adopted in 2021)
The 2014 Health and Safety Element does not include evaluation of evacuation route capacity, safety, or viability under multiple hazard scenarios. The proposed draft Element incorporates findings from the 2025 Evacuation Route Capacity Assessment (refer to Attachment 3) and identifies primary evacuation routes and gateways. It evaluates route performance under wildfire, earthquake, and combined hazard scenarios and integrates evacuation considerations into land use and development policies to ensure consistency with statutory requirements.

Section 65302.01 – Extreme Heat (AB 2684, adopted in 2024) Government Code Section 65302.01, enacted through AB 2684, requires that upon the next update of one or more General Plan elements on or after January 1, 2028, a city or county must review and update its Safety Element, as necessary, to address the hazard of extreme heat. The statute authorizes a jurisdiction that has adopted an Extreme Heat Action Plan or other document that fulfills commensurate goals and objectives to use that information to comply with this requirement. If doing so, the jurisdiction must summarize and incorporate that plan into the Safety Element. The statute also allows the use or reference of information contained in the State Extreme Heat Action Plan and the State Hazard Mitigation Plan. After this initial update, the planning agency must review and, if necessary, revise the Safety Element upon each revision of the Housing Element or LHMP, but not less than once every eight years, to identify new information relating to extreme heat hazards that was not available during the previous revision. The proposed draft Element includes policies and actions to mitigate extreme heat.

Summary of Key Updates
The updated draft Health and Safety Element provides revised background information for applicable hazards and associated updated mapping and updated goals, policies, and strategies. The draft element is supported by updated appendices and the City’s 2025 Evacuation Route Capacity Assessment, which evaluates evacuation demand, route capacity, and performance under multiple hazard scenarios. The updated policies and strategies in the draft Health and Safety Element are organized by nine goals:
◼ Goal HS-1: Reduce hazard risks through regional coordination and mitigation planning. 21 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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◼ Goal HS-2: Ensure a high level of emergency preparedness for natural and human-caused disasters. ◼ Goal HS-3: Protect the community from hazards associated with wildland and urban fires. ◼ Goal HS-4: Ensure high levels of community safety with police services that meet the community’s needs.
◼ Goal HS-5: Reduce risks associated with geologic and seismic hazards. ◼ Goal HS-6: Protect people and property from the risks associated with hazardous materials and exposure to electromagnetic fields.
◼ Goal HS-7: Protect people and property from risks associated with floods. ◼ Goal HS-8: Minimize noise impacts on the community and maintain a compatible noise environment for existing and future land use.
◼ Goal HS-9: Increase community resilience to climate change hazards.

The draft element represents a comprehensive update of all sections and hazards. This section describes key updates to each hazard section in response to State requirements.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE
The Emergency Preparedness and Response section has been strengthened to reflect current best practices and recent operational experience. The updated draft Element expands discussion of emergency communications, multilingual alert systems, and coordination with regional and County agencies. It also updates and includes new policies supporting the resilience of critical infrastructure, including energy, telecommunications, water, and transportation systems, and addresses potential impacts associated with Public Safety Power Shutoffs and other service disruptions. In addition, the updated draft Element incorporates policies and strategies designed to improve emergency preparedness and response for vulnerable populations, including individuals with disabilities, seniors, low-income households, and persons experiencing homelessness. These policies support expanded outreach, education, continuity planning, and access to emergency resources during hazard events.

EVACUATION PLANNING AND EMERGENCY ACCESS
To comply with Sections 65302(g)(5) and 65302.15 of the California Government Code, the City worked with Fehr & Peers to prepare the 2025 Evacuation Route Capacity Assessment. The assessment evaluated evacuation demand and route performance under wildfire, earthquake, and combined hazard scenarios.

This study is meant to be a high-level “worst case” study of community-wide evacuation challenges to determine potential constraints and inform General Plan policies to improve the effectiveness of evacuations. It is not intended to be a predictive study of how a particular evacuation case is most likely to occur.

The modeling indicated that certain primary corridors west of SR-85 may experience congestion under peak evacuation conditions. The exact levels of constraint varied by scenario, but parts of Foothill Boulevard, Stevens Creek Boulevard, Rainbow Drive, and McClellan Road generally had the highest levels of constraint.

The analysis also identified the potential for localized bottlenecks during high-demand evacuation events, particularly where roadway geometry, signalized intersections, or merging conditions constrain traffic flow.

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hazard scenarios. The analysis also identified a small percentage of households that may require evacuation assistance due to mobility limitations or lack of access to private vehicles.

The updated Health and Safety Element incorporates these findings by identifying evacuation-constrained areas and including policies that reinforce ingress and egress considerations in development review, support provision of multiple evacuation routes where feasible, and support coordination with emergency management agencies to improve evacuation planning and response.

WILDFIRE HAZARD MAPPING AND RISK REDUCTION
The updated Health and Safety Element incorporates the most recent FHSZ mapping prepared by CAL FIRE and adopted by the City in June 2025 through amendments to Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 16.74 (Wildland Urban Interface Fire Area). Local Responsibility Area FHSZ maps classify properties as Moderate, High, or Very High Fire Hazard Severity based on consistent statewide criteria, including fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and anticipated fire behavior. During the 2025 LRA map adoption process, the City revised parcel-level designations to ensure that only one FHSZ applies to each affected parcel. Where CAL FIRE mapping identified more than one severity zone on a single parcel, the City applied the higher of the mapped designations to ensure clarity and consistency in implementation of fire hazard reduction standards. As part of the Safety Element update, the prior Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area (WUIFA) mapping framework has been replaced by the Local Responsibility Area FHSZ designations adopted in 2025.

Rather than maintaining a separate locally defined overlay, the City now relies on the Local Responsibility Area FHSZ boundaries as the regulatory basis for wildfire-related development standards.

The proposed draft Health and Safety Element revises wildfire-related policies and strategies to align with CAL FIRE’s standard recommendations for existing and new development within High and Very High FHSZs.

These revisions clarify defensible space requirements, ignition-resistant construction standards, vegetation management expectations, and other wildfire risk reduction measures applicable within the FHSZs.

SEISMIC AND GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
The seismic and geologic hazards section has been updated to reflect current mapping, regulatory requirements, and best practices. The revised draft Element updates and refines policies addressing fault rupture, ground shaking, liquefaction, landslide, and slope stability hazards. The section also acknowledges the potential for cascading impacts associated with seismic events, including infrastructure disruption, utility outages, and damage to transportation networks that may affect evacuation routes, emergency access, and delivery of critical services.

HAZARDOUS WASTE AND MATERIALS
The Hazardous Waste and Materials section has been updated to reflect current regulatory oversight and strengthen policies requiring environmental site assessment and mitigation where appropriate. The revised section reinforces coordination with State and regional regulatory agencies and maintains risk reduction measures for development in proximity to known hazardous materials sites.

FLOOD AND INUNDATION HAZARDS
The flood hazard section has been revised to incorporate updated Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Rate Map data and dam failure and inundation mapping. The updated draft Element 23 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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strengthens coordination with flood control agencies and updates and refines policies addressing risk reduction for both existing and future development in flood-prone areas, including protection of critical infrastructure and essential facilities. The revised section also strengthens policies addressing risk to essential facilities in flood-prone areas, consistent with State requirements. Emergency response and continuity considerations associated with flood and dam failure events have also been reinforced.

NOISE
A noise element is a required element of the General Plan, but it is not a required component of a safety element or this comprehensive update. In Cupertino, the noise element is incorporated into the Health and Safety Element. Minor updates have been made to the noise element to ensure consistency with current municipal requirements and requests shared by the Planning Commission and Public Safety Commission during the 2025 study sessions. For example, the proposed revisions to the noise section include new implementation strategies regarding considerations for approval of new noise generating uses, including public and private recreational uses, in or near residential areas and consideration of restrictions for quarry trucks during quiet hours.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND VULNERABILITY INTEGRATION
Consistent with California Government Code Section 65302(g)(4), the updated Health and Safety Element incorporates a comprehensive climate change vulnerability assessment. The assessment identified flooding, extreme heat, and wildfire as the climate change-related hazards posing the greatest risk to Cupertino’s residents and infrastructure.

The 2014 Element did not include a formal climate vulnerability assessment or a focused discussion of extreme heat. The updated Element addresses this gap by establishing a Climate Change Resilience section, within which extreme heat is evaluated as a distinct climate-driven hazard. The Vulnerability Assessment evaluated eight climate-related hazards across 45 population groups and community assets and found that residents are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat, flooding, and human health hazards. The most vulnerable populations include individuals with chronic illness or disabilities, seniors living alone, households in poverty, and persons experiencing homelessness.

The assessment also identified key infrastructure systems as highly vulnerable, including energy and communication infrastructure, the transportation network and public transit services, and water and wastewater systems, which may be disrupted by flooding, extreme heat events, severe storms, or wildfirerelated Public Safety Power Shutoffs.

In response, the updated Element introduces goals, policies, and strategies specifically designed to reduce risks to these populations and assets. In addition, climate considerations are integrated throughout the individual wildfire and flood hazard sections to ensure alignment between vulnerability findings and hazard mitigation strategies. The updated Element also incorporates adaptation strategies that strengthen resilience across multiple hazards, including community resilience centers, green infrastructure and other nature-based solutions, water conservation measures, and strategies that reduce long-term exposure to heat, wildfire, and flood risk.
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CLARIFICATION OF NEW AND EXISTING DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS The updated draft Health and Safety Element establishes a clear distinction within its policies between regulatory standards applicable to new development and redevelopment and risk reduction measures applicable to existing development. Policies addressing new development and subdivisions use mandatory language and require compliance with current Building and Fire Codes, FHSZ standards, fire protection planning requirements, seismic and geologic review processes, and evacuation access standards. These policies also condition approval of new development on adequate emergency access, fire service capacity, and infrastructure improvements proportional to project demand.

In contrast, policies addressing existing development primarily encourage voluntary risk reduction measures, such as enhanced shading, energy-efficient retrofits, and resilience improvements, except in defined circumstances such as substantial site modification or change of use. This structure provides clarity regarding regulatory obligations for new projects while supporting risk reduction in existing neighborhoods without imposing retroactive development standards.

This distinction supports transparent and predictable implementation during development review and aligns policy application with current State-mandated safety requirements.

CONSISTENCY WITH OTHER CITY PLANS
The updated Health and Safety Element aligns with and incorporates relevant findings from the 2024 Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, consistent with AB 2140, as well as the Emergency Operations Plan, the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, and Climate Action Plan 2.0. Updated appendices reflect current technical analyses and hazard mapping.

STATE AGENCY REVIEW
Following incorporation of feedback from the Planning Commission and City Council, the City will transmit the draft Health and Safety Element to CAL FIRE staff for review and a formal hearing by the Board of Forestry, consistent with Government Code requirements applicable to jurisdictions containing Very High FHSZs. CAL FIRE review will occur prior to public hearings and could take up to 90 days.

Pursuant to Government Code Section 65302(g), jurisdictions that contain SRA lands or Very High FHSZs must submit draft Safety Element updates to CAL FIRE for review to ensure that wildfire policies are consistent with State fire hazard mapping, defensible space requirements, ignition-resistant construction standards, evacuation planning requirements, and other wildfire risk reduction provisions. CAL FIRE evaluates whether the Safety Element adequately addresses wildfire hazards and incorporates appropriate policies consistent with State law.

Following review of the Safety Element by CAL FIRE staff, the draft Element is presented to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection for formal review and comments. The Board’s action confirms whether the Safety Element meets applicable statutory wildfire planning requirements.

As required by State law, the City will also consult with the California Geological Survey (CGS) and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). CGS provides technical comments regarding seismic and geologic hazard policies, including provisions addressing earthquake fault zones, liquefaction, landslides, and other geologic risks. The purpose of this review is to ensure that the Safety Element appropriately considers available State hazard mapping and current scientific information related to 25 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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geologic and seismic hazards. Cal OES primarily provides comments regarding hazard mitigation coordination. This review supports alignment between the Safety Element and broader emergency management and hazard mitigation planning efforts.

NEXT STEPS
The project team seeks input from the Planning Commission and City Council prior to initiating formal review by State agencies and public hearings. Following study sessions and State agency review, City staff will bring the updated Health and Safety Element forward for public hearings. Staff expects to present the updated Element to the Planning Commission for consideration of an adoption recommendation to the City Council and to the City Council to consider adoption later this year. 26 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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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 SafetyHazards 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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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 29 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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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 firesuppression 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. 30 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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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/ClimateAction

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 climaterelated 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.
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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, 32 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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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 33 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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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 CuperƟno.

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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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 37 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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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 38 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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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. 39 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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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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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.
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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).

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FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES
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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.
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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 48 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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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 (Assembly Bill 2948), CuperƟno, along with 13 other ciƟes 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 hightransmission 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. 49 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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FIGURE HS-6

POTENTIAL HAZARDOUS SITES
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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. 51 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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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 SargentBerrocal 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 52 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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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 Berrocal Ffaults, and within 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 groundwater 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 VistaShannon
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 High- occupancy buildings (theaters, hotels, max. prob. earthquake on local faults 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)
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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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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
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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. 61 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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FIGURE HS-9

LIQUEFACTION AREASLANDSLIDE

SUSCEPTIBILITY AREAS
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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. 63 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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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. 64 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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FLOOD HAZARD ZONES
FIGURE HS-10

FLOOD HAZARD ZONES
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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 fastmoving 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. 66 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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DAM INUNDATION AREAS
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FIGURE HS-6

FACILITY FAILURE
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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. 70 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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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
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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 72 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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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. 73 CC 05-19-2026 Searchable Packet
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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 shortterm 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 nontransportation- 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.
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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.
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FIGURE HHS-8 12 LAND USE

COMPATIBILITY FOR COMMUNITY

NOISE ENVIRONMENTS
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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 MultiJurisdictional 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 MultiJurisdictional 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
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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,
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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 JoséSanta 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.
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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
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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 HS2.43:

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.
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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 Cityinitiated 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 firstaid 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
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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.
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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 wildfireprone 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.
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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
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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 onsite 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).
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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
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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 cityinitiated public education programs, the government television channel,
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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 fireflows.

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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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 HS3General 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 unreinforced 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
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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 firstaid 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.
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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.
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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 lesshazardous 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.
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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 NONRESIDENTIAL 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
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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.
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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 lowintensity 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
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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.
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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 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.
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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.
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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, ENERGYEFFICIENT, AND ENVIRONMENTALLY

REGENERATIVE FEATURES
Encourage new developments and
existing property owners to
incorporate sustainable, energyefficient, 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.
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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 naturebased 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.
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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
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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 important element in community planning involves knowing the locations of active fault traces. The State of California has produced maps depicting the general locations 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 known 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, other significant local faults, such as the Monta Vista-Shannon and Sargent-Berrocal 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. 108
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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 the 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 formations, 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 bedrock 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 buildings 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 incorporates 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 acceleration 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-source design factor, which is required 109
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APPENDIX E: GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC HAZARDS | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) E-4
for use with 1997 Uniform Building Codecurrent Cupertino Building Code (CBC) and Cupertino Residential Code (CRC) structural design calculations. Figure E21 generally depicts the location of the various faults and hazard zones within the Cupertino planning area.
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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 Effects 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
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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 E1: 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 alignments. 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 which 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 sliding 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 bearing 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. Relatively 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 Hazardsthe City Geotechnical Hazards Map.
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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 shaking conditions. As a result of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, many large pre-existing landslides demonstrated lurching or other signs of movement and partial reactivation 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 preexisting landslides. Steep to precipitous banks adjacent to the floodplain plane of Stevens Creek may be particularly 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 geologic 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 rock over hillsides made steeper by rapid stream erosion, adverse geologic structure, groundwater levels and high rainfall rates. Landslides can be caused by improper grading, excessive irrigation, removal of natural vegetation and altering surface and subsurface drainage.

Figure E-21 on page 5 shows mapped landslide deposits 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 shows that old landslide deposits are far more likely to move again than areas that have not had landslides before. 113
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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 severe shaking during a major earthquake on any of the three faults in Cupertino. The historic account of the 1906 earthquake shows many landslides occurred throughout 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 hillsides 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, acceptable exposure rise, and technical investigations required based on acceptable 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 project is in, and Table E-3 defines the acceptable exposure level based on the development type. These two factors should then be used to determine the required geologic and seismic technical investigations in Table E-5 for a proposed development project. Tables E-2 and E-3 provide supporting information and definitions for this process.

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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 undeundetermined potential for slope instability. (L)– Liquefaction /
Inundation
Area where local geological, geotechnical and groundwater conditions indicate a potential for liqueliquefaction 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-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 VistaShannon
2 miles 2.0-3.0 6.8 2400 years

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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., singlefamily. resid.residential, motels, small commercial/office
buildinldgs.)
Group 7
Very low occupancy buildings Design to resist minor earthquakes (warehouses, 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. & nonstructural. damage Open space and recreation (farm land,
landfills, wildlife areas)

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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 (CBC) and Cupertino Residential Code (CRC), as applicableCalifornia Building Code.

Soils: Soils and foundation investigation 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.
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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
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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
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Appendix H: Health and
Safety Element Background
Report
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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 Protection33

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
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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
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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 postdisaster 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 goal. These policies are carried out by corresponding strategies, which are specific tasks the City will undertake.

1. OVERVIEW
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1.2 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 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 Planning 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 policies, 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 (fiveyear) 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 124
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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 planning 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 Cupertino’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/emergencymanagement/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 areawide 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 plans 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/ourcity/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.
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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 forests. 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) 126
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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 systems 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, nonprofit 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.
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Figure S-1 Critical Facilities
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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 considered 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.
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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. Several 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 climaterelated hazard. The Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment indicates that Cupertino’s populations and assets are most vulnerable to flooding, extreme heat, and wildfire. Overall, residentsin Cupertino tend to be most vulnerable to extreme heat, human health hazards, and flooding, which directly affect health outcomes. The most vulnerable population groupsinclude 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. 130
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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. This expansion can, in turn, interrupt the City’s public transit services, reducing the mobility of transit-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 JoséSanta 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 services 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.
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