REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
To:Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From:Jason Simpson, City Manager
Prepared by:Traci Williams, Fire Marshal
Date:June 10, 2025
Subject:First Reading of Local Responsibility Area Fire Map Ordinance Recommendation
Introduce by title only and waive further reading of AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY
ZONES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51178.
Background
On March 24, 2025, the California Office of State of Fire Marshall (OSFM) issued the 2025 Recommended Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) maps for Riverside County.
The recent updates to Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in California provide a more precise assessment of wildfire risks using modern climate data and advanced fire modeling. These updates impact the Local Responsibility Area (LRA), influencing fire prevention measures, including defensible space, building codes, and real estate disclosure requirements.
Discussion
Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSs) arose from major destructive fires across California, prompting the recognition of these areas and the identification of strategies to reduce wildfire risk. Government Code Sections 51178-51179 assign responsibility to the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to classify statewide lands into FHSZs as Moderate, High, or Very High. These classifications are determined using factors such as vegetation or fuel loading, terrain, fire weather conditions, historical fire activity, ember production and movement, and wind patterns where wind has been identified as a major cause of wildfire spread. FHSZs are based on the likelihood of a fire occurring in these areas and their expected behavior over a 30- to 50-year period under existing conditions.
Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps Ordinance
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In response to the San Bernardino Panorama Fire in 1980, the State implemented California Public Resource Code 4201-4204, which mandated the creation of FHSZ for the State Responsibility Area (SRA). The SRA identifies the land areas in which the State is required to suppress and prevent all unwanted fires. The first SRA map was published in 1985. FHSZ classifications in the Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs) were established with Assembly Bill (AB) 337 in 1992, following the Alameda County Tunnel Fire in 1991. The LRA map identifies land areas where the local government is responsible for mitigating and preventing wildfires. In 2011, CAL FIRE completed the Very High FHSZ within the LRA map, which encompassed 38 counties and nearly 200 cities. During this time, local governments were able to adopt the LRA maps as recommended or adjust the recommendation to be more or less restrictive.
In 2021, Senate Bill (SB) 63 expanded the scope of the FHSZ classification by mandating the identification of additional zones, including Moderate, High, and Very High FHSZ. In 2022, AB 211, as codified in Government Code section 51179, reinforced these mandates and required local agencies to formally designate, by ordinance, all three classifications within 120 days of receiving the recommendations from the OSFM. The bill also eliminated the local government’s ability to downgrade the hazard levels recommended by the OSFM.
Previously, the FHSZ maps were adopted as part of the Fire Code (City of Lake Elsinore Municipal Code Chapter). However, current legislation requires a separate ordinance to adopt the updated LRA maps. Government Code Section 51178 requires local agencies to engage in a transparent and participatory process to ensure that affected communities have access to updated wildfire hazard information.
Furthermore, local agencies are now required to:
1. Within 30 days of the release of the LRA map, make the information available for public review and comment. The updated LRA map for the City of Lake Elsinore was released on March 24, 2025, and can be viewed on the City’s website: https://www.lake- elsinore.org/DocumentCenter/View/4590/FHSZ_City_LRA_11x17_LakeElsinore?bidId= as well as the OSFM website: https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/community-wildfire- preparedness-and-mitigation/fire-hazard-severity-zone.
2. AB 211 requires a local agency to designate, by ordinance, Moderate and High FHSZ within 120 days of the release of the LRA map and adopt the recommended map.
3. Within 30 days of local ordinance adoption, the City of Lake Elsinore must submit a copy of the Ordinance to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.
It is essential to note that although the public review and comment period is mandated by the State, the City of Lake Elsinore has no authority to modify the designations established by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM).
Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps Ordinance
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Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - Ordinance
Exhibit A - City of Lake Elsinore LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones Fire
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES AS
RECOMMENDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51178 Whereas, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), pursuant to Government Code Section 51178, has developed updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps for areas within Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs); and Whereas, Government Code Sections 51175 through 51189 require local jurisdictions to adopt the FHSZ maps by ordinance, and to enforce the building standards for new structures in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones as established in the California Building Code and California Fire Code; and
Whereas, adoption of the FHSZ map will help the City reduce the risk of wildfire through updated planning and building standards and enable better protection of life, property, and natural resources; and
Whereas, the City of Lake Elsinore desires to adopt the FHSZ map as recommended by CAL FIRE to comply with state law and to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community.
THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are hereby incorporated into these findings by this reference.
Section 2: The City Council hereby finds and determines that the Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Cal. Publ. Res. Code §§21000 et seq. “CEQA”) and the State CEQA Guidelines (14. Cal. Code Regs §§15000 et seq.), specifically pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), and 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, because there is no possibility that it may have a significant effect on the environment, and because it is not a “project” as that term is defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Section 3: Designation of Fire Hazard Severity Zones
The City of Lake Elsinore hereby adopts and designates the Fire Hazard Severity Zones within the City as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and presented in the map titled:
“City of Lake Elsinore Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map,” as maintained and published by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
This map is incorporated herein as “Exhibit A” and shall serve as the official FHSZ designation within the City of Lake Elsinore's Local Responsibility Area.
Ord. No. 2025-
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3 Section 4: Availability of the Map
The official Fire Hazard Severity Zones map is available for public review:
•In the Office of the City Clerk, City of Lake Elsinore, located at 130 South Main Street, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530; and
•Electronically on the City’s official website at: https://www.lake-elsinore.org/ Section 5: Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or its application is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, sections, or applications of the Ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end each phrase, section, sentence, or word is declared to be severable.
Section 6: Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the thirty-first (31st) day after the date of adoption.
Section 7: Certification. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and shall cause a synopsis of the same to be published according to law.
Passed, Approved, and Adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, on this day of 2025.
Brian Tisdale
Mayor
Attest:
Candice Alvarez, MMC
City Clerk
Ord. No. 2025-
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3 STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE )
I, Candice Alvarez, MMC, City Clerk of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, do hereby certify that Ordinance No. 2025-____ was introduced by the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, at the Regular meeting of June 10, 2025 and adopted at the Regular meeting of _________ ___, 2025 and that the same was adopted by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Candice Alvarez, MMC
City Clerk
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 Protection 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
have 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 expected 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
Marshal 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: 1:80,000 at 11" x 17"
0 1 2 3 4 5 6Km
0 1 2 3 4Mi
Very High High Moderate
Very High High Moderate
Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in Local Responsibility Area (LRA), as Identified by the State Fire Marshal
Lake Elsinore
15 74
UNINCORPORATED
ORANGE CO.
UNINCORPORATED
RIVERSIDE CO.
CANYON LAKE
MENIFEE
PERRIS
WILDOMAR
R I V E R S I D E C O .
March 24, 2025
As Identified by the
State Fire Marshal
Local Responsibility Area
Fire Hazard Severity Zones
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE – RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Fire Hazard Severity Zones in State Responsibility
Area (SRA), Effective April 1, 2024
29)
Amendment to Section 3.08.065 of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code Increasing the Amount of the City Manager’s Contract Authority to $50,000 Introduce by title only and waive further reading of AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION
3.08.065 OF THE LAKE ELSINORE MUNICIPAL CODE INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF THE CITY MANAGER’S CONTRACT AUTHORITY TO $50,000.
REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
To:Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From:Jason Simpson, City Manager
Prepared by:David Mann, Acting City Attorney
Date:June 10, 2025
Subject:Amendment to Section 3.08.065 of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code Increasing the Amount of the City Manager’s Contract Authority to $50,000 Recommendation
Introduce by title only and waive further reading of AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 3.08.065 OF THE LAKE ELSINORE MUNICIPAL CODE INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF THE CITY MANAGER’S CONTRACT AUTHORITY TO $50,000.
Background
Section 3.08.065 of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code authorizes the City Manager to enter into contracts for the purchase of supplies or equipment or contracts for personal, professional, consultant and maintenance services where the amount of such contract does not exceed $30,000. This limit was last increased in 2014.
Discussion
The proposed amendment to Section 3.08.065 will increase the City Manager’s contract authority from $30,000 to $50,000.
With the passage of more than 10 years since the last update to Section 3.08.065, the City’s population continues to grow along with the City’s budget as the City strives toward delivering necessary services to the community. Moreover, inflationary increases, particularly in the last five years, have been significant. Accordingly, the proposed increase in the City Manager’s authority aligns well with those metrics.
City Manager’s Contract Authority
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The nearby cities of Temecula and Murrieta have already adjusted the authority granted their City Managers. In 2022, Temecula increased its contract value limitation on the City Manager’s authority to $100,000. Murrieta similarly increased its limit to $75,000 in 2021.
The proposed increase will also lead to modest but material staff-level efficiencies by not necessitating the preparation of City Council staff reports for contracts less than $50,000 along with the concurrent efforts in agendizing and approving such staff reports (noting that all contracts will continue to be reviewed and administered regardless of the amount). In summary, the increase will shorten the City Council’s consent item agenda.
Fiscal Impact
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with this action although some time savings by City staff is expected.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - Ordinance
City Attorney's Office
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 3.08.065 OF THE LAKE ELSINORE MUNICIPAL CODE INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF THE CITY MANAGER’S CONTRACT AUTHORITY TO $50,000
Whereas, the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore desires to revise and expand the authority of the City Manager to authorize and enter into contracts for the purchase of supplies or equipment or contracts for personal, professional, consultant and maintenance services, as established under Section 3.08.065 of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code (LEMC); Whereas, the City Council has considered the recommendation of the City Attorney as well as evidence presented by interested parties with respect to this item.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are hereby incorporated into these findings by this reference.
Section 2: The City Council has reviewed and analyzed the proposed amendment to the LEMC and finds and determines that the ordinance will not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or general welfare of the city; and that it is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of the LEMC.
Section 3: The City Council hereby finds and determines that the proposed amendment to the LEMC is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Cal. Publ. Res. Code §§21000 et seq. “CEQA”) and the State CEQA Guidelines (14. Cal. Code Regs §§15000 et seq.), specifically pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), and 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, because there is no possibility that it may have a significant effect on the environment, and because it is not a “project” as that term is defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Section 4: Section 3.08.065 of Chapter 3.08 of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
The City Manager is authorized to enter into contracts for the purchase of supplies or equipment or contracts for personal, professional, consultant and maintenance services where the amount of such contract does not exceed $50,000.
Section 5: Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or its application is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, sections, or applications of the Ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end each phrase, section, sentence, or word is declared to be severable.
Section 6: Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the thirty-first (31st) day after the date of adoption.
Ord. No. 2025 – _____
Section 7: Certification. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and shall cause a synopsis of the same to be published according to law.
Passed, Approved, and Adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, on this ___ day of ______ 2025.
Brian Tisdale
Mayor
Attest:
Candice Alvarez, MMC
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE )
I, Candice Alvarez, MMC, City Clerk of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, do hereby certify that Ordinance No. 2025-_____ was introduced by the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, at its Regular meeting of June 10, 2025, and adopted at its Regular meeting of ______ ___, 2025, and that the same was adopted by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Candice Alvarez, MMC
City Clerk