ORDINANCE NO. ORD-2026-007
ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA TO AMEND CHAPTER 18-46 – 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE CODE ADDING SECTION 18-46.202 – DEFINITIONS, WITH LOCAL AMENDMENT, AND UPDATE THE EXISTING DESIGNATED WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE AREA THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 18-46.202 of the Santa Rosa City Code is hereby added to read as follows:
“18-46.202 Definitions.
California Wildland-Urban Interface Code Section 202 Definition for ‘Wildland-Urban Interface Area’ is amended to read as follows:
Wildland-Urban Interface Area. A geographical area identified by the City of Santa Rosa as a ‘Fire Hazard Severity Zone’ in accordance with the Public Resources Code, Sections 4201 through 4204, and Government Code, Sections 51175 through 51189, or other areas designated by the enforcing agency to be at significant risk from wildfires, as designated on the map titled Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area, dated 03/19/2026 and referenced below.” Section 2. Environmental Determination. The Council finds that the adoption and implementation of this ordinance are exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15307 and 15308, which apply to actions taken by regulatory agencies to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of natural resources and the environment. This ordinance updates the City’s Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area to align with updated State Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps and applies fire safety standards to areas at elevated wildfire risk. These actions are intended to reduce wildfire hazards and protect life and property and will not result in significant adverse environmental effects.
In addition, the ordinance is exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment.
Section 3. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or word of this ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid and/or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. / / /
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Section 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect on the 31st day following its adoption.
This ordinance was introduced by the Council of the City of Santa Rosa on April 21, 2026.
IN COUNCIL DULY PASSED this 2nd day of June, 2026.
AYES: (5) Vice Mayor Okrepkie, Council Members Alvarez, Bañuelos, MacDonald, Rogers NOES: (0)
ABSENT: (1) Council Member Fleming
ABSTAIN: (0)
RECUSE: (1) Mayor Stapp
ATTEST: _________________________ APPROVED: ______________________________ Deputy City Clerk Vice Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________
Chief Assistant City Attorney
Exhibit A – Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area
Ord. No. ORD-2026-007