CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
July 7, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita D. Scott, City Manager
Submitted By: Betty Donavanik, Director of Development Services SUBJECT: SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 4347 AMENDING THE POMONA CITY CODE BY ADOPTING FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE DESIGNATIONS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51178 RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the following ordinance:
ORDINANCE NO. 4347 – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING POMONA CITY CODE CHAPTER 22 (FIRE PREVENTION) ADOPTING THE FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE DESIGNATIONS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51178, AND AMENDING CHAPTER 74, ARTICLE II, DIVISION 1, SECTION 74-32 (CONSTRUCTION IN FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES) ADOPTING PROVISIONS REGULATING OCCUPIED DWELLINGS AND OCCUPIED STRUCTURES PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51182, AND DETERMINING THE ORDINANCE TO BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The proposed Ordinance No. 4347 (Attachment No. 1) will amend the Pomona City Code to adopt the Fire Hazard Severity Zone designations and regulate construction in the zones as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, in compliance with Government Code Section 51182.
SB1439/GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLICABILITY:
☐ When this box is checked, it indicates the agenda item is subject to the Levine Act SB1439 requirements. Councilmembers are reminded to check their campaign contributions and determine whether they have received a campaign contribution of $500 or more that would require disclosure and/or recusal from discussing or acting on this agenda item. Campaign contributions of $500 or more made 1) by any person or entity who is identified in the agenda report as the applicant or proposer or 2) on behalf of the applicant or participant, including a parent, subsidiary or otherwise related business entity, or 3) by any person who has a financial interest in the agenda item requires a councilmember to comply with SB1439.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact at this time.
PUBLIC NOTICING REQUIREMENTS:
All public noticing was completed in accordance with State law. This includes posting of state mandated information in both the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin as well as the City’s website for the period including April 15, 2025 to May 15, 2025. There were no public comments received regarding this matter.
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
The Fire Hazard Severity Zones were last updated by California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) in 2007. On May 27, 2008, per CALFIRE’s recommendations, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 4104 which amended Pomona City Code Chapter 74 Buildings and Building Regulations and added Section 74-32 Construction in Fire Hazard Severity Zones and adopted CALFIRE’s “Very High Fire Hazard Safety Zone Maps”.
On June 16, 2025, the City Council introduced and gave first reading to Ordinance No. 4347 amending the Pomona City Code to adopt the fire hazard severity zone designations and regulate construction in the zones as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, in compliance with Government Code Section 51182. The City Council staff report from June 16, 2025 is included as Attachment No. 2.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The subject ordinance would be exempt from the requirements to prepare additional environmental documentation per California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Section 15061 (b)(3). This section, also known as the “common sense exemption,” states that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. If the Lead Agency can determine that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Pursuant to this section, the proposed amendment fits within the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. The amendments made by this ordinance do not have the potential to cause a significant effect on the environment because they authorize no new development or use.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES & GOALS:
This item supports the 2021 City Council Priority 3, Goal J, Encourage the development and maintenance of quality housing opportunities for all and City Council Priority 4, Goal L to Hold businesses and residents accountable for property maintenance and compliance with other City codes.
Prepared by:
_____________________________
Vinny Tam, AICP
Principal Planner
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment No. 1 – Ordinance No. 4347 and Exhibit A Fire Hazard Severity Map Attachment No. 2 – City Council Staff Report with Attachments from June 16, 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone Ordinance No. 4347