Agenda Item: 6
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: July 8, 2025
SUBJECT: SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE FIRE HAZARD
SEVERITY ZONE MAP OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AND
ISSUED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY
AND FIRE PROTECTION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 51179
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
PRESENTER: Masis Hagobian
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council waive reading of the text and consent to read by title only, as listed on the agenda, and adopt an ordinance entitled: “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE
MAP OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AND ISSUED BY THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51179.”
BACKGROUND
On June 24, 2025, the City Council introduced and passed to a second reading an ordinance adopting the Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps, which were published by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) on March 25, 2025. Pursuant to California Government Code Section 51179, local agencies are required to adopt an ordinance within 120 days from when the FHSZ maps are published, designating the fire zones within its jurisdiction.
Additionally, California Government Code Section 51179 preempts cities, counties, and the public from appealing areas identified in the fire zones or reducing the level of the fire zones published by Cal Fire. The Very-High Fire Zone within the City of Santa Clarita (City) was previously 28,979 acres. This figure accounts for annexations since 2011, which converted FHSZ areas from a State Responsibility Area or unincorporated areas of the County into Local Responsibility Areas within the City’s jurisdictional boundaries. As part of the 2025 FHSZ map update, Cal Fire increased the Very-High Fire Zone in the City by 4,299 acres for a new total of 33,278 acres, representing an approximately 15 percent increase. Cal Fire also added 1,991 acres
in the Moderate Fire Zone and 2,929 acres in the High-Fire Zone within the City. Total acreage of the FHSZ in the City as a result of the 2025 update, accounting for all three zones, is 38,198 acres.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact as a result of this item.
ATTACHMENTS
FHSZ Map Ordinance_2025
Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map