June 17, 2025
TO: City Council
REQUESTED BY: Dan Olson, Division Chief
APPROVED BY: Robert A. Johnson, City Manager
SUBJECT: Second Reading of Ordinance 25-04, Adopting the CALFIRE Designation of Fire Hazard Severity Zones
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approves and conducts the second reading by title only of Ordinance No. 25-04:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN JACINTO ADOPTING THE
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE
PROTECTION’S DESIGNATION OF FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES
WITHIN THE CITY OF SAN JACINTO
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (“CAL FIRE”) periodically updates fire hazard severity zone maps for State Responsibility Areas (“SRA”) and Local Responsibility Areas (“LRA”) throughout the state.
Pursuant to California Government Code section 51178, the State Fire Marshall is required to identify areas in the state as moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones based on consistent statewide criteria and on the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in those areas. The designation of areas as moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones is based on certain factors such as fuel loading, slope, fire weather, 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. In January 2025, CAL FIRE announced a phased roll-out of the updated LRA fire hazard severity zone maps.
Pursuant to Government Code section 51178.5, local agencies are required to make the State Fire Marshal’s recommended designations, which include, but shall not be limited to, fire hazard severity maps, available for public review and comment within thirty (30) days of their release.
This ensures that community members have an opportunity to engage with and provide feedback on the State Fire Marshal’s fire hazard severity designations. The City received the updated maps on March 24, 2025. On April 21, 2025, the City published the maps on the City’s website at https://www.sanjacintoca.gov, and made printed copies available at City Hall. Public comments were accepted from April 21, 2025, to May 21, 2025.
In accordance with California Government Code section 51179, local agencies must adopt the recommended designation and fire hazard severity maps by local ordinance within 120 days.
This process formalizes the adoption of the maps and allows local agencies to address fire safety measures appropriately. Local agencies may amend the maps to designate areas as more restrictive than the State Fire Marshal's recommendations, but may not reduce the level of designation assigned by the State Fire Marshal. With the adoption of this Ordinance, the City would adopt the designated fire hazard severity zones and maps as released by CAL FIRE, without amendment.
Upon adoption of the Ordinance, the updated map will establish the boundaries used for regulations related to defensible space, compliance with building standards, and hazard disclosure in real estate transactions. Additionally, the map will serve as a valuable tool to increase public awareness regarding emergency planning and preparedness.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
Adoption of Ordinance No. 25-04 is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code § 21080(b)(1) and State CEQA Guidelines § 15268 (ministerial projects) because it is not a "project" as defined herein. Public Resources Code § 21080(b)(1) provides, in pertinent part, that CEQA does not apply to "ministerial projects proposed to be carried out or approved by public agencies." (Public Resources Code Section §21080(b)(1); see also State CEQA Guidelines §15268(a) ["Ministerial projects are exempt from the requirements of CEQA."].) The City is required to designate, by ordinance, moderate, high, and very high hazard severity zones in its jurisdiction after receiving recommendations from CAL FIRE. (Cal. Gov. Code §51179(a).) Here, the adoption of Ordinance No. 25-04 fulfills this requirement by updating its maps with CAL FIRE's mandated fire hazard severity zones.
Further, Ordinance No. 25-04 is not considered a "project" pursuant to CEQA because it does not cause a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. (Pub.
Resources Code § 21065.) Ordinance No. 25-04 is simply an activity relating to administrative activities, such as general policy making, by updating its fire hazard severity zone maps as required by CAL FIRE to use in conjunction with its regulations. (State CEQA Guidelines §15378(b)(2).)
In the alternative, adoption of Ordinance No. 25-04 is exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(2), the common-sense exemption. CEQA exempts those projects for which it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. Again, Ordinance No. 25-04 simply establishes maps for fire hazard severity zones as required by CAL FIRE. There are only to be used in conjunction with regulations and as a tool in regard to emergency planning and preparedness.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No Fiscal Impact.
ATTACHMENTS:
Ordinance No. 25-04 - Fire Hazard Severity Zones