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AGENDA ITEM
CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
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Report: Introduction of an Ordinance adopting the 2025 Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps as recommended by the California State Fire Marshal.
1. Introduction of Ordinance.
COUNCIL ACTION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) is legally required to periodically update Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) within Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) across the state. In accordance with California Government Code Sections 51177– 51179, Cal Fire has issued updated FHSZ designations for the City of Glendale’s LRA.
The City has been formally notified that it must adopt, at a minimum, the areas designated by Cal Fire no later than 120 days from March 24, 2025. Under the updated maps, the number of Glendale parcels classified within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) will increase by 7,410, bringing the total to 16,383 parcels.
This expanded designation will impose additional fire safety requirements on affected properties, including enhanced vegetation management (brush clearance), use of fire- resistant building materials, and disclosure obligations during real estate transactions.
The increase in designated parcels will also have a financial impact on the City. While costs are expected to rise due to higher processing fees paid to the City’s billing contractor and the likely need to hire additional fire inspection personnel, these will be offset by increased revenue from inspection fees. Based on current cost and revenue projections, the City anticipates a net annual revenue gain of approximately $5,000.
Item Type: Consent Calendar
Approved forJuly 15, 2025 calendar
2 RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council introduce the Ordinance to designate the Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) within the Local Responsibility Area identified by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) as required by Government Code Section 51178.
ANALYSIS
Assembly Bill 337 (Bates, 1992), enacted in response to the catastrophic Oakland/Berkeley Hills Fire of 1991, requires Cal Fire to evaluate fire hazard severity within the LRA and recommend zoning designations to local agencies where Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) are present (Government Code Section 51175).
The LRA encompasses incorporated cities, urbanized areas, agricultural lands, and portions of the desert where local agencies are responsible for wildfire protection, as defined in California Public Resources Code Section 4125.
The last adoption of FHSZ maps for the LRA occurred in 2007, as required by state law.
These zones are categorized as Moderate, High, or Very High. At that time, only Very High designations applied to the City of Glendale and were formally adopted through Ordinance No. 5609. However, Senate Bill 63 (Stern, 2021) amended Government Code Section 51178 to expand the designations to include High and Moderate zones within LRAs, including Glendale.
While the City may expand upon the zones recommended by the State Fire Marshal per Government Code Section 51179(b), it may not reduce or exclude any designated areas.
The 2025 update includes expanded boundaries for Glendale, increasing the designated FHSZ area from 12,242 acres to 14,968 acres. The number of non-vacant parcels within the Very High zone will grow from 8,973 to 16,383—an 83% increase. These updates were determined through a parcel-level analysis of Cal Fire’s datasets, completed with support from the Public Works Engineering GIS Unit.
Regulatory Impacts:
Upon adoption of the updated FHSZ maps, properties located within the Very High zones will be subject to the vegetation management requirements outlined in Government Code Section 51182. Additionally, all new construction or major remodels—when classified by the Building Official as new construction—must comply with the ignition-resistant building standards of Chapter 7A of the California Building Standards Code.
Similarly, parcels within High Fire Hazard Severity Zones will be subject to Chapter 7A construction requirements for wildfire resilience in cases of new development or major remodels. Furthermore, parcels located in either the Very High or High zones must disclose their hazard status during real estate transactions, in accordance with California Civil Code Section 1102.19 (AB 38, 2019).
3 Next Steps and Compliance:
In compliance with Government Code Section 51179(c), the City must transmit a copy of the adopted ordinance to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection within 30 days of adoption. Additionally, a notice must be posted with the Los Angeles County Recorder, County Assessor, and County Planning Agency, identifying the availability and location of the new FHSZ map as provided by the State Fire Marshal [Government Code Section 51179(g)].
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
All added properties designated in the Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) within the Local Responsibility Areas are considered stakeholders in this program. Information regarding the map updates is posted on the Fire Department website, which has a dedicated link to submit public comments or to ask questions. The Fire Department has also hosted multiple community forums where this program was presented and allowed for residents to engage in question-and-answer sessions. Properties that are affected will receive mailed notification from the Fire Department prior to the inspection cycle scheduled to begin in Spring of 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
The adoption of the new Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps will have significant financial implications for the Fire Department, particularly in terms of staffing and operational costs associated with the expanded Vegetation Management Program. Annual expenses would be expected to increase by approximately $306,000 to cover the fully burdened cost of hiring additional personnel necessary to perform the mandated annual inspections, as well as anticipated increases in processing fees from our billing contractor.
To meet these new requirements, the department is projecting the need to add two full-time Fire Prevention Inspectors. However, with an additional 7,410 parcels now requiring inspection, the City is projected to generate approximately $311,000 in new revenue from inspection fees, based on the existing Citywide Fee Schedule.
This would result in a net positive financial impact of approximately $5,000 annually. As a result, the cost of the additional staffing would be fully offset by the increased revenue generated through the expanded program.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
CEQA does not apply to projects where the lead agency determines "with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment." CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs.) § 15061(b)(3). Here, the action involves adoption of the updated HFSZ Map required by the State, and as a consequence, the new protective measures taken in these areas to mitigate and prevent fires will be enhance public safety and structure protection. There is no possibility that the action may have a significant effect on the environment.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
4 This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative: Adopt the 2025 Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps as recommended by the California State Fire Marshal and add or increase the State Fire Marshal recommended FHSZ in accordance with GC Section 51179(b).
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Jeff Brooks, Interim Fire Chief
Prepared by:
Jovan Diaz, Fire Marshal
Todd Tucker, Deputy Fire Chief
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1: CalFire 2025 Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Glendale Map Exhibit 2: Glendale FHSZ Model Ordinance Cal Fire Letter – Official Transmittal of Fire Hazard Severity Zones