Cupertino City Council
July 7, 2026

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

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

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

CONTENTS:

Introduction
ContextOverview
Purpose and Content
Relationship to Other Local Plans
Climate Change Vulnerability
Public Safety Issues
H
S
-
2 4
H
S
-
2 5
Looking Forward
Goals, and Policies, and Strategies
Emergency Preparedness and Response Regional Coordination Emergency Preparedness and Response
Fire 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 AND REGULATIONS
Cupertino General Plan’s Health and Safety Element is one of several plans that address community safety and related topics. Other City plans include the Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (Hazard Mitigation Plan), the Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan, the Cupertino Climate Action Plan, and various local regulations. The Health and Safety Element is consistent with these other plans and integrates them as appropriate to ensure that the City has a unified strategy to address public safety and resilience issues.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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FIGURE HS-1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The General Plan Appendix I provides additional details about the Evacuation Route Capacity Assessment is available for review on the City’s website., including the analysis methods and results.

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FIGURE HS-2

POTENTIAL EVACUATION ROUTES
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FIGURE HS-3

EVACUATION CONSTRAINED

RESIDENTIAL AREAS
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FIRESAFETY 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. The State identifies the Wildland-Urban Interface or WUI as the Moderate, High, and Very High FHSZs in State and Local Responsibility Areas. Development in the Very High FHSZs, and where applicable within Moderate or High FHSZs as determined by local fire code adoption, must comply with additional State and local requirements for building and site design, including the latest provisions of the California Building Code, California Residential Code, and California Fire Code, and the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.

Figure HS-4 shows the FHSZs in and around Cupertino.

In June 2025, the City adopted the Local Responsibility Area FHSZ map into Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 16.74, Wildland Urban Interface Fire Area. During the review and adoption process, the City revised the State’s recommended Local Responsibility Area FHSZ 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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FIGURE HS-4

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 to a risk of firein designated fire hazard severity zones. The Ccity 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 CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

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

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

In order to supplement the County HHW Program and make the collecƟon of HHW more convenient for residents, the City currently provides a door-to-door hazardous waste retrieval service through its solid waste franchise agreement. CuperƟno residents may use the permanent drop-off locaƟon for household hazardous waste in San Jose or visit temporary events that occur throughout the year in neighboring jurisdicƟons.

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

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FIGURE HS-6

POTENTIAL HAZARDOUS SITES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Table HS-2 Maximum Earthquake Magnitudes and Recurrence Intervals

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

Recurrence
Interval of
Max. Prob.

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

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Health and Safety Element AdministraƟve DraŌPublic Review DraŌ | January October 2024March 2025

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

Small water retention structures

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

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

Table HS-4 Technical Investigations Required Bbased on Acceptable Risk

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

FIGURE HS--7

FAULT ZONES
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Health and Safety Element AdministraƟve DraŌPublic Review DraŌ | January October 2024March 2025

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Descriptions of Technical Evaluations:

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

FIGURE HS-7

REGIONAL FAULT LINES
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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.

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FIGURE HS-9

LIQUEFACTION AREASLANDSLIDE

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

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.

In 2025, after completion of a five-year review of the City’s floodplain management and flood risk reduction efforts, the Federal Emergency Management Agency improved the City’s CRS rating, from CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

Health and Safety Element Public HearingReview DraŌ | Juneanuary 2026 Page 37 Class 7 to Class 6. Effective October 2025, property owners in Cupertino’s Special Flood Hazard Areas receive a 20 percent discount on flood insurance premiums, and property owners outside the Special Flood Hazard Areas and within the City limits receive a 10 percent discount due to the improved CRS rating.

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.

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

FIGURE HS-1210

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 fast- moving floodwaters, debris, and sedimentation from the inundation. Failures are rare but not unprecedented; they can be caused by overtopping, foundation defects, piping and seepage failures, or conduit and valve failures. Many dam or pipeline failures are the secondary result of other natural disasters, such as earthquakes, landslides, and extreme storms.

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

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

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

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CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | Juneanuary 2026 Page 41

FIGURE HS-113

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

FIGURE HS-6

FACILITY FAILURE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EXTREME HEAT
According to the California Extreme Heat Action Plan, extreme heat days are defined as temperatures exceeding 98 percent of historical highs, and these events are becoming more frequent and intense due CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | Juneanuary 2026 Page 47 to climate change. Extended periods of extreme heat, known as heat waves, threaten community safety and raise energy costs. An extreme heat day in Cupertino is one where the maximum temperature rises above 93.2 degrees Fahrenheit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Electricity utilities throughout California, including PG&E, have begun to occasionally “de-energize,” or turn off the electricity for power lines that run through areas with an elevated fire risk. Public Safety CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

Power Shutoff (PSPS) events are intended to reduce the risk of power lines sparking or being damaged and starting a wildfire. A Public Safety Power ShutoffPSPS event may occur at any time of the year, particularly during high wind events and dry conditions, and may be limited to specific communities or affect broad swaths of the state. While Public Safety Power ShutoffPSPS events have been smaller and less frequent recently, these events still pose a risk to PG&E customers across Santa Clara County, including Cupertino.

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

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

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

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | Juneanuary 2026 Page 49 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Non-transportation noise varies from stationary equipment (e.g., air conditioning units) to construction activity. Regulation to minimize excessive noise from non- transportation sources includes compliance with the City’s noise standards that limit certain noise-generating activitiesy during evening and early morning, when ambient noise levels tend to be lower. Advancements in technology to muffle sound also reduce noise from construction equipment and stationary equipment such as compressors and generators.

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

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

FIGURE HHS-8 12 LAND USE

COMPATIBILITY FOR COMMUNITY

NOISE ENVIRONMENTS
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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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS
Measures related to emergency access, first responder training and operations, and evacuation and emergency preparedness public education and awareness can help minimize harm and protect community safety.

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CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | Juneanuary 2026 Page 55

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

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

POLICY HS-1.1: REGIONAL

HAZARD RISK REDUCTION

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

STRATEGIES:

HS-1.1.1. Monitoring and
Budgeting.

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

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

HS-1.1.2. Hazard Mitigation
Incorporation.

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

HS-1.1.3. Hazard Mitigation Plan
Amendments and Updates.

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

POLICY HS-1.2: HAZARD

MITIGATION PLAN

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

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

POLICY HS-1.3: PUBLIC AGENCY

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

STRATEGIES:

HS-1.3.1: Multiagency
Emergency Response.

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

HS-1.3.2: Inter-jurisdictional
Coordination.

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

HS-1.3.3: Coordinated Disaster
Response.

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

HS-1.3.4: New Facilities.

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

POLICY HS-1.4: REGIONAL

COORDINATION FOR FIRE

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

POLICY HS-1.5: REGIONAL

COORDINATION FOR FLOOD

CONTROL
Consult with the Santa Clara
Valley Water District as well as
surrounding jurisdictions
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January June 2026 Page 57 regarding regional approaches to
the planning, construction,
operation, and maintenance of
drainage and flood-control
facilities.

POLICY HS-1.6: COORDINATION

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

POLICY HS-1.7: COORDINATION

FOR ADEQUATE WASTEWATER

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

POLICY HS-1.8: 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.

POLICY HS-1.9: PFAS

CONTAMINATION
Coordinate with Valley Water and
the San Francisco Bay Regional
Water Quality Control Board to
monitor groundwater
contamination, including for PFAS.

STRATEGY:

HS-1.9.1. PFAS and
Environmental Review.

Ensure that environmental review
analyzes and discloses all
groundwater contaminants with
established thresholds under
federal and state regulations, as
required by law.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | Juneanuary 2026 Page 58 GOAL HS-2
Ensure a high level of emergency preparedness
for natural and human-caused disasters.

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

POLICY HS-2.1: BUILDING AND FIRE

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

POLICY HS-2.2: 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-2.3: 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-2.3.1: Emergency Operations
Center (EOC).

Review options to provideComplete
functional, resilient, and seismic
upgrades to the EOC facility at City Hall
and Torre Annex to Essential Facility
Standards, or explore alternative
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January June 2026 Page 59 locations for the EOCand include
necessary upgrades in the City’s
budget and adopt a fully funded
Capital Improvement Program and
budget, as applicable, as an urgent
priority.

HS-2.3.2: City Employee Training.

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

POLICY HS-

2.4:

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-2.4.1: 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-2.4.2: 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-2.4.3: 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-2.4.4: 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-2.4.6: 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.

HS-2.4.7: Block Leader Awareness.

Expand support for and awareness of
the Block Leader program, including
ensuring residents are aware of
The City maintains storage
containers, called ARKs,
strategically located
around the City that
contain emergency
response supplies used by
Community Emergency
Response Teams, Medical
Reserve Corps, and
CuperƟno Amateur Radio
Emergency Service.

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

emergency contacts including how to
contact their block leader.

HS-2.4.8: Block Leader
Communication.

Conduct annual outreach to Block
Leaders regarding evacuation
procedures and where to find
information in the event of an
emergency to communicate to their
blocks.

POLICY HS-2.5: 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-2.5.1: 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 demographics of
Cupertinocitizenry.

HS-2.5.2: 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
Ccity-initiated public education
programs, the government television
channel, the Internet, and the
Cupertino Scene 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, poor air quality, 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-2.7.1: 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
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January June 2026 Page 61 supply kit containing first-aid supplies,
food, drinking water, and battery
operated radios and flashlights.

HS-2.7.2: 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-2.7.3: 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-2.7.4: 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.

HS-2.7.5: Critical Needs for
Vulnerable Populations During
Emergencies.

Coordinate with local service
organizations and regional public
sector partners on response for food
and other critical needs access to
vulnerable populations including
home-bound seniors and other
mobility-limited residents living alone.

HS-2.7.6: Overlapping Hazards and
Sensitive Populations.

Identify areas of overlapping hazards
on sensitive populations, as data
becomes available, in future
Vulnerability Assessments and
prioritize capital improvement,
development regulations and other
city projects to increase resilience such
areas.

POLICY HS-2.8: EDUCATIONAL AND

OUTREACH MATERIALS
Support education and expanded
awareness by residents and business
of Distribute relevant educational and
outreach materials to the public to
help residents understand appropriate
fire mitigationhazard preparedness
and response activities, such as
vegetation management and,
defensible space, evacuation routes,
home resilience retrofits, and
emergency evacuation procedures
during a fire hazard.

STRATEGY:

HS-2.8.1: Distribution of Hazard
Preparedness Information.

Distribute relevant community
educational and engagement materials
broadly through in-person and virtual
means, including the school districts,
the Senior Center, City facilities, and
the Cupertino Scene.

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

(e.g., transportation to resilience
centers and supply free N95 masks).

POLICY HS-2.10: 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-2.10.1: 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-2.6: 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.

Continue to Ccoordinate with
emergency responders, the County,
and Caltrans to ensure evacuation
routes are designed and maintained to
remain accessible during emergency
evacuations
and to ensure
changes to
roadways
continue to
maintain
adequate
emergency
ingress and
egress.

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
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
Red Flag Warnings
A red flag warning is issued
by the NaƟonal Weather
Service before and during
fire weather condiƟons.

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

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January June 2026 Page 63 to maximize outbound flow from
evacuation areas.

HS-2.11.4: Dynamic Traffic
Assignment:

Conduct a citywide dynamic traffic
assignment evacuation study, with
each update of the Health and Safety
Element, no less than every 8 years,
modeling time-to-safety conditions
under multiple evacuation scenarios
given current land uses and projected
future buildout. The study shall
evaluate the benefits of different
proposed supply-side and demand-
side policies to improve the
effectiveness of evacuations.

HS-2.11.5: Infrastructure
Prioritization.

Prioritize infrastructure improvements
on roadways that serve as a single
point of ingress and egress for
residential areas, particularly in a High
or Very High fire hazard severity zone
or in an area with a slope of at least
30%.

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. Annually
provide information to members of
the public about evacuation concerns
for all relevant hazards, including
designated evacuation routes and
evacuation plan details, through
multiple formats and in multiple
languages, including via the Cupertino
Scene and other means of
communication.

STRATEGIES:

HS-2.12.1: Evacuation Mapping
Availability.

Ensure easy-to-use evacuation maps,
with identifiable neighborhood names,
major intersections and landmarks, are
prepared and made available digitally.

HS-2.12.2: Evacuation Planning
Coordination.

Coordinate with schools, parks and
open space areas, golf courses, and
other community facilities on
evacuation plans, including staging and
traffic control protocols.

POLICY HS-2.13: INGRESS AND EGRESS

STANDARDS FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT
Require new subdivisions or multiple
unit developments of five or more lots
or units to have at least two ingress
and egress routes that account for
existing and proposed traffic
evacuation volumes at buildout, if they
are located in at least one of these
areas:
• An area with evacuaƟon
constraints, as shown in Figure HS-
3, EvacuaƟon-Constrained
ResidenƟal Areas
• A High or Very High Fire Hazard
Severity Zone, as shown in Figure
HS-4, Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
• An area with a slope of 30% or
more.

Encourage new subdivisions or
multiple unit developments of five or
more lots or units not located in an
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

area identified in this policy to have at
least two ingress and egress routes.

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 inexisting
developments of five or more units in
areas of 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 proposedto provide secondary
means of ingress and egress.

POLICY HS-2.15: SECONDARY INGRESS

AND EGRESS SUPPORT FOR NEW
DEVELOPMENT.

Encourage new subdivisions or
multiple unit developments of five or
more lots or units not located in an
area with evacuation constraints (as
shown in Figure HS-3, Evacuation-
Constrained Residential Areas), a High
or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone,
or an area with a slope of 30% or
more, to have at least two ingress and
egress routes. 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-2.15: EMERGENCY ACCESS
Ensure compliant adequate emergency
access is provided for all new hillside
development.

STRATEGIES:

HS-2.15.1: Roadway Design.

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

HS-2.15.2: 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.

POLICY HS-2.16: EVACUATION ROUTE

ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENT
Require new subdivisions or
developments of five or more lots or
units to prepare, and to submit to the
City for review, an evacuation route
assessment, if they are located in at
least one of these areas:
• An area with evacuaƟon
constraints, as shown in Figure HS-
3, EvacuaƟon-Constrained
ResidenƟal Areas
• A High or Very High Fire Hazard
Severity Zone, as shown in Figure
HS-4, Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
• An area with a slope of 30% or
more.

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

HS-2.16.1: Mitigate Evacuation
Constraints.

Projects that conduct an evacuation
review assessment which determines
that the project would add evacuation
demand shall identify feasible
measures to avoid, reduce, or offset
added evacuation constraints.

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

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

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

POLICY HS-3.1: REGIONAL

COORDINATION
Coordinate wildland fire prevention
efforts with adjacent jurisdictions.

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

POLICY HS-3.1: 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.

STRATEGIES:

HS-3.2.1: Response Time Standards.

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
new development be located where
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January June 2026 Page 67 fire and emergency services have
sufficient capacity to meet project
needs and require that the developer
provide infrastructure or equipment
necessary, proportional to the
project's fire service demand, to
maintain adequate fire protection to
comply with critical response time
standards, proportional to the
project's fire service demand.

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

STRATEGIES:

HS-3.3.1: Development Review for
Adequate Service.

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

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

HS-3.3.2: City Fire Code.

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

POLICY HS-3.4: NEW DEVELOPMENT IN

MODERATE, HIGH AND VERY HIGH FIRE
HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES.

Ensure new developments in
designated Fire Hazard Severity Zones
(see Figure HS-4) comply with the
City’s Municipal Code and applicable
State codes, including the California
Building Code, California Fire Code,
California Wildland-Urban Interface
Code, and California Fire Safe
Regulations, or equivalent standards.

Applications for proposed
development must include a site plan,
planting plan, irrigation plan, plan for
management and long-term
maintenance of defensible space,
water supply source and access, as
required by State or City codes and
regulations. regulations, and policies,
including the 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.

STRATEGYIES:

HS-3.5.1: Review in High and Very
High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

High and Very High Fire Hazard
Severity Zones identified by CAL
FIREthe first , 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
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

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).

Class A roofing assemblies for new
and replacement roofs.

LocaƟon and source of anƟcipated
water supply.

HS-3.4.1: Review in Moderate Fire
Severity Hazard Zones.

In the event, the California Fire,
Wildland Urban Interface, 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 HAZARD

SEVERITY ZONES RISK AREAS
Avoid new subdivisions or residential
development of multiple units in the
High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, except
as required by State law, 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 HAZARD

SEVERITY ZONESRISK 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, except as such developments may
be required by State law.

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, California
Wildland Urban Interface 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.

STRATEGY:

HS-3.7.1: Wildfire Assistance
Program.

Explore establishing a wildfire financial
assistance program to help property
owners enact and maintain wildfire
home hardening and defensible space
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January June 2026 Page 69 features and practices on their
properties.

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:

Risk Analysis
Fire Response Capabilities
Fire Safety Requirements – Defensible
Space, Infrastructure, and Building
Ignition Resistance
Mitigation Measures and Design
Considerations for Non-Conforming
Fuel Modification
Wildfire Education Maintenance and
Limitations
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 applicable State
and local standards.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
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).

HS-3.9.2: Defensible Space.

Require all properties in the Fire
Hazard Severity Zones to establish and
maintain defensible space around
dwellings and inhabited structures, in
accordance with City and State
standards.

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

HS-3.3.1: Roadway Design.

Create an all-weather emergency road
system to serve rural areas. (Moved)
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
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

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. (Moved)
HS-3.9.3: 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-3.10: 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-3.10.1: 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-3.10.2: Access to Gates.

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

POLICY HS-3.5: COMMERCIAL AND

INDUSTRIAL FIRE PROTECTION

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

POLICY HS-3.6: FIRE PREVENTION AND

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Promote fire prevention and
emergency preparedness through city-
initiated public education programs,
the government television channel,
the InternetCity’s website, and the
Cupertino Scene. (Moved)
POLICY HS-3.7: MULTI-STORY BUILDINGS
Ensure that adequate fire protection
is built into the design of multi-story
buildings and require on-site fire
suppression materials and equipment.

POLICY HS-3.11: EXTENSION OF WATER

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

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

POLICY HS-3.13: COORDINATION OF

LONG-TERM WATER SUPPLY
Encourage cooperation between
Coordinate with water utility
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | January June 2026 Page 71 companies providers and the Santa
Clara County Fire Department in order
to keep water supply systems in pace
with growth and firefighting service
needs.

STRATEGIES:

HS-3.13.1: 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: City Roadways Repair and
Maintenance.

Prepare and implement plans to repair
and maintain City-owned roadways as
needed to meet current standards.

HS-3.14.2: Private Roadways Repair
and Maintenance.
and rRequire private property owners
to do the sameprepare and implement
plans to repair and maintain privately-
owned roadways to meet current local
and State standards, 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
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
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

preparation, redevelopment layout
design, fire-resistant landscape
planning, and home hardening
building design and materials.

POLICY HS-3.20: 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 intensity of the existing land
use. (Repeat of Policy HS-3.6)

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

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

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

POLICY HS-4.1: NEIGHBORHOOD

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

POLICY HS-4.2: CRIME PREVENTION

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

STRATEGIES:

HS-4.2.1: Perimeter Roads for Parks.

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

HS-4.2.2: Development Review.

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

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

POLICY HS-4.4: LAW ENFORCEMENT

RESPONSE TIMES
Ensure that law enforcement
emergency response times
consistently meet the standards of the
Santa Clara County Sheriff’s
Department.

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

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
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.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | Juneanuary 2026 Page 75

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

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

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

STRATEGIES:

HS-5.1.1: Geotechnical and
Structural Analysis.

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

HS-5.1.2: Residential Upgrades.

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

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

HS-5.1.3: Geologic Review.

Continue to implement and update
geologic review procedures for
gGeologic rReports required by the
Municipal CodeGeneral Plan Appendix
E through the development review
process.

POLICY HS-5.2: PUBLIC EDUCATION ON

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

STRATEGIES:

HS-5.2.1: Covenant on Seismic Risk.

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

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

HS-5.2.2: Emergency Preparedness.

Publish and promote emergency
preparedness acƟviƟes and drills. Use
the City social media, and the website
to provide safety Ɵps that may include
idenƟfying and correcƟng household
hazards, knowing how and when to turn
off uƟliƟes, helping family members
protect themselves during and aŌer an
earthquake, recommending
neighborhood preparaƟon acƟviƟes,
and advising residents to maintain an
emergency supply kit containing first-
aid supplies, food, drinking water and
baƩery operated radios and flashlights.
(Moved)
HS-5.2.3: Neighborhood Response
Groups.

Encourage parƟcipaƟon in Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT)
training. Train neighborhood groups to
care for themselves during disasters.

AcƟvely assist in neighborhood drills
and safety exercises to increase
parƟcipaƟon and build community
support. (Moved)
HS-5.2.4: Dependent PopulaƟons. As
part of community-wide efforts, acƟvely
cooperate with State agencies that
oversee faciliƟes for persons with
disabiliƟes and those with access and
funcƟonal needs, to ensure that such
faciliƟes conform to all health and
safety requirements, including
emergency planning, training, exercises
and employee educaƟon. (Moved)
HS-5.2.5: Foreign Language Emergency
InformaƟon.

Obtain translated emergency
preparedness materials and make them
available to appropriate foreign
language populaƟons. (Moved)
POLICY HS-5.3: HILLSIDE GRADING
Establish standards and procedures to
limit grading on hillside properties,
particularly those that change natural
flows or flatten existing slopes. Restrict
the extent and timing of hillside
grading operations to April through
October, except as otherwise allowed
by the City. Require performance
bonds during the remaining time to
guarantee the repair of any erosion
damage. Require planting of graded
slopes as soon as practical after
grading is complete.

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

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

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

POLICY HS-6.1: HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

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

POLICY HS-6.2: PROXIMITY OF

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

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

STRATEGIES:

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

Establish and maintain requirements
for environmental site assessment
report review in conjunction with
development. Continue to implement
requirements in the Municipal Code to
ensure environmental site assessment
is completed prior to project approval,
including, but not limited to, projects
proposed on former industrial sites or
others where there is a possibility of
contamination.

HS-6.2.2: Soil Remediation required.

Ensure that conditions of approval are
incorporated to require soil
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

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.

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.

HS-6.2.4: Hazardous Materials
Storage.

Continue to enforce current federal,
State, County, and local standards and
regulations related to hazardous
materials storage.

POLICY HS-6.3: ELECTROMAGNETIC

FIELDS (EMF)RADIOFREQUENCY

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

POLICY HS-6.4: EDUCATIONAL

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

POLICY HS-6.5: HAZARDOUS WASTE

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

STRATEGIES:

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

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

HS-6.5.2: Educational Materials.

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

POLICY HS-6.6: RADIOFREQUENCY

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

CHAPTER 7 c: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | Juneanuary 2026 Page 79

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

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

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

POLICY HS-7.2: EMERGENCY RESPONSE

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

STRATEGIES:

HS-7.2.1: Emergency and Evacuation
Plan.

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

HS-7.2.2: Inter-agency Cooperation.

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

POLICY HS-7.3: EXISTING NON-

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

POLICY HS-7.4: CONSTRUCTION IN

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

flood hazard areas recognized by the
Federal Flood Insurance Administrator.

STRATEGIES:

HS-7.4.1: Dwellings in Flood Plains.

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

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

HS-7.4.2: Description of Flood Zone
Regulation.

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

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

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

HS-7.4.4 Land Uses in Flood Plains.

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

HS-7.4.5 Update Flood Damage
Prevention Ordinance.

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

POLICY HS-7.5: HILLSIDE
GRADINGRestrict the extent and Ɵming
of hillside grading operaƟons to April
through October except as otherwise
allowed by the City. Require
performance bonds during the
remaining Ɵme to guarantee the repair
of any erosion damage. Require
planƟng of graded slopes as soon as
pracƟcal aŌer grading is complete.
(Moved)
POLICY HS-7.5: STABILITY OF EXISTING

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

STRATEGY:

HS-7.5.1: 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-7.6: REDUCE FLOOD RISK
Reduce flood risk by maintaining
effective stormwater drainage
systems, regulating construction, and
updating stormwater infrastructure
design requirements, and retrofitting
storm drainage systems as needed.

CHAPTER 7 c: HEALT H AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | Juneanuary 2026 Page 81

GOAL HS-8
Minimize noise impacts on the community and
maintain a compatible noise environment for
existing and future land use

NOISEOISE
The City seeks to ensure that the community continues to enjoy a high quality of life through reduced noise pollution, effective project design, and noise management operations.

POLICY HS-8.1: LAND USE DECISION

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

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

STRATEGIES:

HS-8.2.1: Commercial Delivery
Areas.

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

HS-8.2.2: Noise Control Techniques.

Require analysis and implementation
of techniques to control the effects of
noise from industrial equipment and
processes for projects near low-
intensity residential uses. Ensure that
new development, including
multifamily residential and non-
residential development, complies
with the applicable interior noise
standards established in the Building
Code, to the satisfaction of the
Building Official. Prior to issuance of
any certificates of occupancy, require
post-construction monitoring or
reporting by an acoustical engineer
certifying that the project meets the
applicable interior noise standards.

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

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
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. Support the use of rubberized
asphalt on freeways and streets that
are not in the City’s jurisdiction but are
within the City’s Sphere of Influence.

Coordinate with appropriate agencies
on projects to implement this
requirement.

STRATEGIES:

HS-8.4.1: Freeway Soundwalls.

Support the evaluation and installation
of freeway soundwalls where needed
to reduce noise impacts on adjacent
neighborhoods. This includes
considering support for: (1) new
soundwalls along freeway segments
where none currently exist; and (2)
evaluating whether existing
soundwalls provide adequate noise
attenuation for nearby residents.

HS-8.4.2: Freeway Soundwall
Sponsorship.

Establish a process for neighborhoods
affected by freeway noise to request
City sponsorship of an application to
the appropriate agency for further
analysis, study, and potential
installation of a soundwall. If studies
by the appropriate agency determine
that freeway soundwall installation is
geometrically infeasible, the agency
should consider alternative noise
buffers, including sound fences,
acoustic panels, vegetation, or other
feasible treatments.

HS-8.4.3: Noise Impact Analysis.

Continue to coordinate with Caltrans
and VTA on freeway projects within or
adjacent to Cupertino, including
interchange projects, to ensure that
required environmental review
evaluates potential noise impacts and
identifies feasible mitigation measures,
as applicable.

POLICY HS-8.5: NEIGHBORHOODS
Review residents’ needs for
convenience and safety and prioritize
them over the convenient movement
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | Juneanuary 2026 Page 83 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-8.7.3: 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 and install signage to
help enforce adopted regulations.

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.

POLICY HS-8.9: NOISE GENERATING

GARDEN EQUIPMENT
Continue to implement and maintain
Municipal Code standards regulating
noise-generating garden equipment,
including lawn mowers, leaf blowers,
and similar equipment.

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

GOAL HS-9
Increase community resilience to climate
change hazards

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

POLICY HS-9.1: EQUITABLY LOCATED

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

STRATEGY:

HS-9.1.1: Evacuation Shelter
Planning and Siting.

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

POLICY HS-9.2: RESILIENCE CENTER

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

POLICY HS-9.3: SUSTAINABLE WATER

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

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | Juneanuary 2026 Page 85 STRATEGY:

HS-9.3.1: Water Conservation.

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

HS-9.3.2: Dual-plumbing Water
Systems.

Adopt an ordinance for installation of
dual-plumbing water systems that
utilize greywater for irrigation at new
residential construction.

HS-9.3.3: Water Conservation
Outreach and Education.

Continue to work with water providers
to support their water conservation
and water efficiency rebate programs
as directed by Environmental
Resources Policy ES-7.9. Additionally,
ensure that information about water
conservation and rebate programs is
targeted to households with low- or
fixed incomes, older adults, persons
with disabilities who have access
needs, historically underserved
communities, and to youth via schools.

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

HS-9.4.1: Heat Action Plan.

Develop a citywide Heat Action Plan,
as an annex to the Emergency
Operations Plan, which would include
the identification of cooling centers to
provide sufficient coverage for the
entire community, in coordination with
emergency service and utility
providers, the minimum hours and
thresholds for cooling center
operations, and transportation options
to cooling centers.

HS-9.4.2: Extreme Heat Vulnerable
Neighborhoods.

Identify neighborhoods most at risk
from extreme heat and prioritize
extreme heat support and resources
for these locations and for
communities recognized as uniquely
vulnerable to extreme heat in the
Vulnerability Assessment.

HS-9.4.3: Extreme Heat Protection
for Outdoor Workers.

Continue to work with labor and
business groups to ensure education
and enforcement of State and federal
standards for extreme heat. Support
industry partnerships to strengthen
extreme heat resilience.

POLICY HS-9.5: EXTREME HEAT
MITIGATION.

Review public projects and new
nonresidential and multi-family
projects for opportunities to reduce
their contribution to the urban heat
island effect through site design,
building materials, landscaping, or
other project features that provide
shading and cooling onsite, and
continue to support City led and
CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040)

community-based efforts to increase
shade and provide cooling city-wide.

STRATEGIES:

HS-9.5.1: 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-9.5.2: Enhanced Shading for New
Nonresidential and Multifamily
Development.

Require new developments to
enhance shading on properties by
planting trees and installing shade
structures and other cooling/shading
features, including active cooling in
high-use public hubs and corridors.

HS-9.5.3: Enhanced Shading for
Existing Nonresidential and
Multifamily Development.

Require the inclusion of vegetation
and shade trees and/or shade
structures in existing non-residential
and multi-family residential parking
lots, to reduce the urban heat island
effect, where one or more of the
following occur:
• A change of use is proposed, or
• More than 25% of the site is being
modified, or
• when A new parking lot is
proposed, or
• An existing parking lot is
substantially retrofitted in
compliance with the Municipal
Code to reduce the urban heat
island effect.

HS-9.5.4: Enhanced Shading for
Existing Parking Lots.

Encourage the inclusion of vegetation
and trees and/or shade structures in
existing parking lots. 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-9.5.5: Artificial Turf.

Assess public and environmental
health impacts and environmental
resource use associated with the
installation and use of synthetic or
artificial turf on City owned or
managed property.

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT | general plan (community vision 2015 - 2040) Health and Safety Element Public Review DraŌ | Juneanuary 2026 Page 87 POLICY HS-9.6: SUSTAINABLE, ENERGY-

EFFICIENT, AND ENVIRONMENTALLY

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

STRATEGIES:

HS-9.6.1:

ElectrificationDecarbonization.

Continue to encourage carbon free
appliances in new and existing
buildings to the extent allowed by
State and federal law. This could
include adopting amendments to the
Building Code to increase energy
efficiency standards beyond the State’s
requirements to the extent feasible by
the law and educating residents and
businesses about health and air quality
benefits of carbon free
appliances.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-9.6.2: 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.

POLICY HS-9.7: 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.

STRATEGIES:

HS-9.7.1: 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-9.7.2: Drought-tolerant Green
Infrastructure in Private projects.

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

POLICY HS-9.8: NATURAL RESOURCES

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

POLICY HS-9.9: 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 HS 9.10: NATURE-BASED
SOLUTIONS.

Where feasible, encourage the use of
nature-based solutions, existing
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.

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

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.

POLICY HS-9.11: RESILIENT URBAN
FOREST
Increase carbon sequestration by
expanding and enhancing the urban
tree canopy and green space,
prioritizing equitable distribution,
climate-resilient design, and long-term
ecosystem health.

STRATEGIES:

HS-9.11.1 Urban Forest Management
Plan.

Develop an Urban Forest Management
Plan (UFMP) that identifies the
framework and strategy for expanding
the tree canopy in Cupertino. Ensure
the sustainability of the urban forest
(including all existing and new trees)
by including tree maintenance and
protection, attention to safety,
resident engagement, and the planting
of native and climate-appropriate
trees.

HS-9.11.2: Tree Replacement
Adopt and maintain regulations to
protect trees, including but not limited
to public trees. Ensure trees protected
are climate appropriate. Ensure any
trees that may be removed to
accommodate new houses are
replaced at a minimum ratio of 2:1.

Consider amending the Protected Tree
Ordinance of the Municipal Code to
require a minimum of two
replacement trees for any tree
removal.

Refer to the Climate Action Plan and
General Plan Environmental Resources
Element for additional strategies in
support of the urban forest and tree
planting, including Strategies ES-2.1.5,
ES-5.1.1, and ES-5.1.2