Agenda Item A.7
CPMS CONSENT CALENDAR
Meeting Date: June 17, 2025
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
SUBMITTED BY: Peter Imhof, Planning and Environmental Review Director JoAnne Plummer, Neighborhood Services Director
PREPARED BY: Anne Wells, Advance Planning Manager
Stephanie Spieler, Building Official
Jason Levy, Emergency Services Coordinator
SUBJECT: Second Reading of an Ordinance to Add Chapter 15.22 to Title 15 of the Goleta Municipal Code to Adopt the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map and Regulations and Determination that the Ordinance is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
RECOMMENDATION:
Conduct second reading ( by title only) and waive further readin g of Ordinance 25 -_ entitled, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Adding Chapter 15.22 Goleta Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map to Title 15 of the Goleta Municipal Code, Designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones Within the City of Goleta in Accordance with Government Code Section 51179 and Determination that the Ordinance is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act."
BACKGROUND:
Senate Bill 63 (Stern, 2021) introduced new legislative requirements mandating the adoption of three Fire Hazard Severity Zone classifications —Moderate, High, and Very High—within Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs). Prior to this legislation, only Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones were required for adoption in LRAs. In response to this change, the Office of the State Fire Marshal (C al Fire) developed updated Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps that utilize the same modeling data as the State Responsibility Area maps. These maps now incorporate all three-fire hazard classification schema (Moderate, High, and Very High) within LRA areas. The updated maps expand LRA fire hazard severity zones in two significant ways: (1) incorporating designations for additional area as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and (2) adding two new categories —Moderate and High Fire Hazard Severity Zones —that were not previously included in LRA designations.
1 Meeting Date: June 17, 2025
The Goleta Municipal Code (Chapter 15 .01) adopts the California Building Code, including Chapter 7A. The California Building Code (CBC) Chapter 7A establishes construction standards to mitigate the risk of embers from wind -driven wildfires igniting buildings. CBC Chapter 7A Section 701A.3.1.(2) specifies that land designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Sev erity Zone by cities and other local agencies must adhere to the standards outlined in Chapter 7A of the building code, which enforces stricter requirements for the design and construction of new structures in these zones.
In addition to compliance with CBC 7A, areas designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones are subject to the requirements outlined in California Government Code 51182. This regulation mandates a 100 -foot defensible space clearance around structures. However, this requirement applies only within the property owner’s perimeter.
Pursuant to Section 13146 of the Health and Safety Code, the Fire Chief of Santa Barbara County enforces within its jurisdiction, including the City of Goleta, the building standards and other regulations of t he State Fire Marshal. These new building standards (Chapter 7A) in the California Building Code automatically apply to any City parcels that have been designated in the maps put forth by the State Fire Marshal. The City does currently not have to amend its local building code but must adopt an ordinance adopting the fire map.
DISCUSSION:
On May 20, 2025, the City Council unanimously introduced the staff recommendation and conducted the first reading of an Ordinance to amend Title 15, provided as Attachment 1.
The City Council must conduct a second reading of the Ordinance prior to the Ordinance going into effect. The City Council has the opportunity to conduct the second reading and adopt the Ordinance, which would then be effective on the thirty-first day after adoption.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the adoption of this ordinance. The proposed action implements state -mandated requirements and adopts Cal Fire’s March 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone map for the City’s Local Responsibility area.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council is required by Government Code section 51179 to adopt the proposed ordinance designating the fire severity zones identified by the State Fire Mashal.
LEGAL REVIEW BY: Isaac Rosen, City Attorney
APPROVED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
2 Meeting Date: June 17, 2025
ATTACHMENT:
1. Ordinance 25-_ entitled, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Adding Chapter 15.22 Goleta Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map to Title 15 of the Goleta Municipal Code, Designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones Within the City of Goleta in Accordance with Government Code Section 51179 and Determination that the Ordinance is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act”
2. California Environmental Quality Act Notice of Exemption 3 ATTACHMENT 1
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Adding Chapter 15.22 Goleta Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map to Title 15 of the Goleta Municipal Code, Designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones Within the City of Goleta in Accordance with Government Code Section 51179 and Determination that the Ordinance is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
4 Ordinance No.25-XX Building Code Amendments for Fire Hazard Severity Zones ORDINANCE NO. 25-__
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GOLETA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 15.22 GOLETA FIRE
HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE MAP TO TITLE 15 OF THE GOLETA
MUNICIPAL CODE, DESIGNAT ING FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY
ZONES WITHIN THE CITY OF GOLETA IN ACCORDANCE WITH
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51179 AND DETERMINATION
THAT THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
WHEREAS, the Legislature has de clared in Government Code section 51175, subdivision (a), that: fires are extremely costly, not only to property owners and residents, but also to local agencies; fires pose a serious threat to preservation of public peace, health and safety; it is necessa ry for cities, counties, special districts, state agencies and federal agencies to work together to bring raging fires under control; and preventative measures are needed to ensure preservation of the public peace, health and safety; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature has declared in Government Code section 51175, subdivision (b), that prevention of fires is not a municipal affair, but instead is a matter of statewide concern; and
WHEREAS, Government Code section 51175 et seq. authorizes the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (“CAL FIRE”) to recommend Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the City of Goleta (“City”); and WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code section 51179, on March 10, 2025, the State Fire Marshal has published maps depicting areas designated as Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, has recommended that local agencies adopt these zones through local ordinance and Government Code section 51179, subdivision (a) requires the City to designate by ordinance Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in its jurisdiction within 120 days after receiving recommendations from CAL FIRE; and WHEREAS, on April 9 , 2025, the City of Goleta made the information, including the CAL FIRE map specific to the City of Gole ta, available for public review and comment on the City’s website in compliance with Government Code section 51178.5; and
WHEREAS, on May 20, 2025, the City Council held a duly noticed public meeting and introduced the Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Ordinance have occurred.
5 Ordinance No.25-XX Building Code Amendments for Fire Hazard Severity Zones
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GOLETA
DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Recitals. The recitals above are true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference and adopted as findings by the City Council.
SECTION 2. CEQA. Based on the whole record before it, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(2) of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines, the City Council finds that this Ordinance will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and therefore is not subject to the CEQA. Additionally, the Ordinance does not authorize construction, and in fact imposes greater restrictions on certain development in order to protect the public health, safety and general welfare, and therefore pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) the activity is not a “project” as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
SECTION 3. Designation of Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The City hereby designates the Fire Hazard Severity Zones as recom mended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Government Code section 51178. The map, entitled “City of Goleta Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map,” dated March 10, 2025 , is hereby adopted, approved, and provided in Exhibit “A,” attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 4. Amendment. Chapter 15.22, entitled “ Local Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map ,” of Title 1 5 of the Goleta Municipal Code, entitled “ Buildings and Construction,” is added to read:
Chapter 15.22. GOLETA FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE MAP
Sec. 15.22.010. Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map
The City of Goleta hereby designates the Fire Hazard Severity Zones as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Government Code Section 51178 as identified in the map entitled “City of Goleta Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map,” adopted in Section 3 of City of Goleta Ord. No. 2025-___.
This map is available to the public on the City’s website, and available to the public and on file with the City Clerk’s Office.
6 Ordinance No.25-XX Building Code Amendments for Fire Hazard Severity Zones SECTION 5. Submittal to State and Posting. The City Clerk shall submit a copy of this Ordinance to the Department of Housing and Community Development and the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection within 30 days after adoption and take any necessary actions to post all notices required under Government Code section 51179.
SECTION 6. Savings Clause . Neither the adoption of this Ordinance nor the repeal of any other ordinance of this City shall in any manner affect the prosecution for violations of ordinances, which violations were committed prior to the effective date hereof, nor be construed as a waiver of any penalty or the penal prov isions applicable to any violation thereof.
SECTION 7. Severability . If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is, for any reason, held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance and each section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions thereof be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 8. Effective Date . This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force and operation thirty (30) days after its final passage and adoption.
SECTION 9. City Clerk’s Certification . The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and cause the same to be posted at the duly designated posting places within the City and published once within fifteen (15) days after passage and adoption as required by law; or, in the alternative, the City Clerk may cause to be published a summary of this Ordinance and post a certified copy of the text of this Ordinance in the Office of the City Clerk five (5) days prior to the date of adoption of this Ordinance, and, within fifteen (15) days after adoption, the City Clerk shall cause to be published the aforementioned summary and shall post a certified copy of this Ordinance, together with the vote for and against the same, in the Office of the City Clerk. 7 Ordinance No.25-XX Building Code Amendments for Fire Hazard Severity Zones INTRODUCED ON the ___ day of ________, 2025.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this ________day of ______ 2025. _________________________
PAULA PEROTTE
MAYOR
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
__________________________ _________________________
DEBORAH S. LOPEZ ISAAC ROSEN
CITY CLERK CITY ATTORNEY
8 Ordinance No.25-XX Building Code Amendments for Fire Hazard Severity Zones
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA ) ss.
CITY OF GOLETA )
I, DEBORAH S. LOPEZ , City Clerk of the City of Goleta, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 25-__ was introduced on _______, and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, held on the _______, by the following roll-call vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
(SEAL)
_________________________
DEBORAH S. LOPEZ
CITY CLERK
9 City and County boundaries as of 10/22/24 (CA Board of Equalization) CAL FIRE State Responsibility Areas (SRA25_1)
CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZSRA23_3, FHSZLRA_25_1) Data Sources:
Daniel Berlant, State Fire Marshal, CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Joe Tyler, Director/Fire Chief, CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Wade Crowfoot, Secretary for Natural Resources, CA Natural Resources Agency Gavin Newsom, Governor, State of CaliforniaThe State of California and the Department of Forestry and Fire Pr
otection make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy of data or maps. Neither the State nor the Department shall be liable under any circumstances for any direct, special, incidental, or consequential damages with respect to any claim by any user or third party on account of, or arising from, the use of data or maps. and other relevant factors including areas where winds
ha
ve been identified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as a major cause of wildfire spread.
statewide criteria and based on the severity of fire hazard that is e
xpected to prevail in those areas. Moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones shall be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, Government Code section 51178 requires the State Fire
Mar
shal to identify areas in the state as moderate, high,
and very high fire hazard severity zones based on consistent Waterbody
Federal Responsibility
Area (FRA)Unzoned LRA
Incorporated City
Projection: NAD 83 California Teale Albers
Scale: 1:45,000 at 1
1" x 17"
0 1 2 3Km
0 1 2Mi
Very High High Moderate
Very High High Moderate
Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in Local Responsibility Area (LRA), as Identified b
y the State Fire Marshal
Goleta
101
2171
UNINCORPORATED
SANTA BARBARA CO.
SANTA BARBARA
S A N T A B A R B A R A C O .
March 10, 2025
As Identified by the
S
tate Fire Marshal
Local Responsibility Area
Fire Hazard Se
verity Zones
CITY OF GOLETA – SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
Fire Hazard Severity Zones in State Responsibility
Area (SRA), Ef
fective April 1, 2024
10 ATTACHMENT 2
California Environmental Quality Act Notice of Exemption 11 NOTICE OF EXEMPTION (NOE)
1 To: Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation From: City of Goleta Via https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/ 130 Cremona Drive, Suite B Goleta, CA 93117
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
County of Santa Barbara
105 E. Anapamu Street, Room 407
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Subject: Filing of Notice of Exemption
Project Title: Ordinance to Designate the State Fire Marshal’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map in the City of Goleta
Project Applicant: City of Goleta
Project Location (Address and APN): Citywide
Description of Nature, Purpose and Beneficiaries of Project: To comply with California Government Code 51179, the adoption of the staff-recommended ordinance incorporates the Office of the State Fire Marshal's Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map. This results in the following effects: (1) New structures within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone as identified in Cal Fire’s LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map of March 2025 must adhere to CBC Chapter 7A; and (2) All existing and new structures in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone are required to create a 100-foot defensible space perimeter from a structure.
Name of Public Agency Approving the Project: City of Goleta Name of Person or Agency Carrying Out the Project: City of Goleta Exempt Status: (check one)
Ministerial (§15268)
Declared Emergency (§15269 (a))
Emergency Project (§15269 (b) (c))
Categorical Exemption: (Insert Type(s) and Section Number(s)) Statutory Exemption: Public Resources Code, §21083.3; CEQA Guidelines, §15183) Other: CEQA Guidelines, §15060(c)(3); §15378(a); §15378(b)(5); §15061(b)(3) Reason(s) why the project is exempt:
Based on the whole record before it, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(2) of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines, the Ordinance will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and therefore is not subject to the CEQA. Additionally, the Ordina nce does not authorize construction, and in fact imposes greater restrictions on certain development in order to protect the public health, safety and general welfare, and therefore pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) the activity is not a “pro ject” as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
12 NOTICE OF EXEMPTION (NOE)
2 City of Goleta Contact Person:
Peter Imhof Director, Planning & Environmental Review Date 13