City Council
April 1, 2025
Fullerton Safety Element Update
Background – Safety Element
May 2012 - Fullerton Plan was adopted (including the Safety Element).
May 2020 - City adopted the latest Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Since the original update, California Government Code Section 65302 (g) has been updated five times adding new requirements to Safety Elements. 2024 - City initiated an update to the Safety Element
What is a Safety Element?
Mandatory chapter of the General Plan
Addresses the safety needs of the community
Required Components
Background and Technical Information
Maps of hazards
Goals and policies
Safety Element Implementation actions and programs
Safety Element Update requires frequent update to meet legislative mandate 3 * Required if Disadvantaged Communities are located in the Jurisdiction ** Required in certain locations within California
Safety Element Requirements
Seismically induced surface rupture
Ground Shaking
Ground Failure
Tsunami, Seiche, and Dam Failure
Slope Instability (Mudslides and Landslides)
Subsidence
Liquefaction
Flooding
Wildland and Urban Fires
Evacuation Routes
Military Installations
Peakload Water Supply Requirements
Min. Road Widths & Clearances Around Structures
Govt Code 65302(g)(1) - Protection of the Community From Unreasonable Risks Associated With:
Safety Element Requirements
What is in a Safety Element?
6 Govt Code 65302 (g) (1) - Protection of the Community From Unreasonable Risks Associated With:
Geologic/Seismic Hazards
Seismically Induced Surface Rupture
Ground Shaking
Liquefaction
Ground Failure
Subsidence
What is in a Safety Element?
7 Govt Code 65302 (g) (1) - Protection of the Community From Unreasonable Risks Associated With:
Flooding
Dam Inundation
Sea Level Rise
Tsunami/Seiche
Slope Instability
Mudslides
Landslides
What is in a Safety Element?
8 Wildland and Urban Fires
Evacuation Routes
Peak load Water Supply Requirements
Minimum Road Widths
Clearances Around Structures
Source: Time
Govt Code 65302 (g) (1) - Protection of the Community From Unreasonable Risks Associated With:
Why Update the Safety Element?
9 9
New State Requirements for Safety Elements
SB 1035
Integrates the Housing and Safety Elements
AB 2140
Provides financial benefits to jurisdictions that have integrated the LHMP into the Safety Element SB 1241
Compliance includes oversight by Cal Fire
Relying on:
2020 Fullerton Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Climate Adaptation Vulnerability Assessment (SB 379)
Safety Element Requirements
Wildfire Hazards
(SB 1241)
GOAL 12: Proactively addressing public safety concerns. (Existing Goal) Policy focus:
Vegetation Management/Brush Clearance
Fire Safe Regulations Requirements
Historic fire perimeters
Long term maintenance and operations
Adequate water supply and infrastructure.
Key Policies – P12.4.2, P12.4.3, P12.14
Safety Element Requirements
Evacuation Analysis
(SB 99)
GOAL 13: Responsive to public safety needs. (Existing Goal) Policy focus:
Enhance existing evacuation routes
Require adequate ingress/egress
Reduce or eliminate evacuation constraints/ challenges
Identify single access neighborhoods.
New Policies P13.5.1 through P13.5.7
Safety Element Requirements
Climate Adaptation
(SB 379)
GOAL 26 (a): A community prepared for future climate related impacts. (NEW Goal) Hazards of Concern:
Wildfire
Landslide
Flooding
Vulnerabilities of Concern:
Households in Poverty
Persons Experiencing Homelessness
Chronically Ill Individuals
Safety Element Process
Staff Recommendation
A Resolution of the CITY COUNCIL of the City of Fullerton, California, Amending THE FULLERTON PLAN BY adoptiNG the SAFETY element (APPENDIX I) AND REPLACING GOALS 7, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 24 AND 26 of the fullerton plan AS PER EXHIBITS A AND B