1 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-002
AN ORDINANCE OF THE SAN MATEO CONSOLIDATED FIRE DEPARTMENT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ADOPTING THE 2025 FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE MAP AS RECOMMENDED BY THE
CALIFORNIA STATE FIRE MARSHAL
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 51178 requires the California State Fire Marshal to identify and recommend areas within the state as moderate, high, or very high fire hazard severity zones based on consistent statewide criteria; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code Section 51179, local agencies are required to adopt the fire hazard severity zone designations within 120 days of receiving the recommendations from the State Fire Marshal; and
WHEREAS, on February 24, 2025, the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department (“SMC Fire”) received the 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) Map from the State Fire Marshal, identifying designated zones within SMC Fire’s jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, information regarding the 2025 FHSZ Map is available on SMC Fire’s public website, at: Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) & Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) – SMC Fire
WHEREAS, SMC Fire has made the proposed FHSZ Map available for public review, provided proper public notice in accordance with Government Code Section 51179(g), and held a public hearing on April 29, 2025, to receive public input; and
WHEREAS, SMC Fire finds that adoption of the map is in the interest of public safety, supports fire prevention and mitigation efforts, and ensures compliance with applicable state law; and
WHEREAS, SMC Fire has not reduced or altered the fire hazard severity designations established by the State Fire Marshal, and this adoption is consistent with the model ordinance requirements by the State Fire Marshal.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SAN MATEO CONSOLIDATED FIRE DEPARTMENT ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Adoption of 2025 FHSV Maps . The 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map a s recommended by the California State Fire Marshal for SMC Fire’s service area is adopted without change. The 2025 map for San Mateo County is attached and incorporated as Exhibit A.
Section 2. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force 30 days
2 after its final passage and adoption at its second reading. After adoption, SCM FIRE shall submit the Ordinance to State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Section 3. Severability. The ordinance shall be liberally constructed to achieve its purpose and preserve its validity. If any provisions or clause of this ordinance or application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this ordinance which can be given effect without the valid provision or application. To this end, the provisions of this ordinance are declared to be servable and are intended to have independent validity.
The foregoing ordinance was introduced and read at a regular meeting of the SMC Fire Board of Directors, held on the 29th day of April 2025, by the following vote:
AYES: Mates, Newsom, Jimenez
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
The foregoing ordinance was adopted at a regular meeting of the SMC Fire Board of Directors held on May 21, 2025 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Julia Mates
Chair, Board of Directors
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Nicole Morales William D. Ross
Clerk of the Board Department General Counsel