DATE: May 27, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map: Introduction of an Ordinance Amending the Hayward Municipal by Adding Article 16 to Chapter 3 of the Hayward Municipal Code Relating to Fire Hazard Severity Zones
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council introduces the attached ordinance (Attachment I I) amending the Hayward Municipal Code (HMC) by adding Article 16 to Chapter 3 of the Hayward Municipal Code relating to Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
SUMMARY
California Government Code § 51179 mandates that local agencies responsible for fire protection within moderate fire hazard severity zones, to designate, by ordinance, the moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones within their jurisdiction. The designation must occur within 120 days of receiving recommendations from the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 51178.
The City of Hayward received the Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map on February 24, 2025. Thus, as the agency responsible for fire protection within a moderate fire hazard severity zone, the City of Hayward is required to adopt this ordinance by no later than June 23, 2025.
BACKGROUND
California has long recognized the need for fire hazard classification. Government Code § 51179(a) outlines the State Fire Marshal’s responsibility to periodically update and provide fire hazard severity zone maps to local agencies. These maps serve as an important resource for local governments for purposes of planning and implementing fire prevention measures. The maps are used for land use planning for future development and new construction.
The Local Responsibility Area (LRA) for the Hayward Fire Department covers the City of Hayward as well as the Fairview Fire Protection District. The last update to the maps occurred
in 2007, when Cal-Fire evaluated the overall State Responsibility area, and then throughout 2008-2011, there were additional reviews to the areas that were deemed “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones”.
Pursuant to Government Code § 51178.5 within 30 days of receiving transmittal from the State Fire Marshal identifying fire hazard severity zones, Hayward was required to make the maps available for public review and comment before. To comply with this requirement, the City of Hayward has taken the following steps:
The fire hazard severity zone maps have been published on our official website for public access, which can be located at the following web address:
https://www.hayward-ca.gov/fire-department .
Public comments are being solicited, and community members are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed designations.
The fire hazard severity zone maps have also been published on the Cal Fire website at the following web address:
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/6a9cb66bb1824cd98756812af41292a0 .
The following figure presents a still image of the interactive fire hazard severity map for the City of Hayward’s LRA:
NEXT STEPS
The City is now requesting that Council introduce and ultimately adopt the fire hazard severity zone maps recommended by the State Fire Marshal, without any additional increased designations.
CEQA
The proposed ordinance adopting the fire hazard severity zones as recommended by the State Fire Marshal is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a ministerial action, required by law.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP
The fire maps provided by Cal Fire will help “Enhance Community Safety and Quality of Life” as a general subcategory, as the Hayward Fire Department uses map data to assist with fire monitoring and suppression efforts.
PUBLIC CONTACT
The public request for feedback was initiated on the City of Hayward website from March 19, 2025, through April 30, 2025. There were 32 responses submitted via the online portal that was prompted through the City of Hayward website. Remarks received noted the concern of fire access roads, impact to homeowner’s insurance rates, and what actions will be taken based on the findings of the maps. All responses have been recorded and provided herein as Attachment III.
NEXT STEPS
If Council introduces the attached ordinance at the May 27, 2025 City Council meeting, we will seek adoption of the ordinance at the June 3, 2025 City Council meeting.
Prepared by: Lauren Dekas, Management Analyst
Recommended by: Eric Vollmer, Fire Chief
Approved by:
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Michael S. Lawson, Acting City Manager