AGENDA REPORT
DATE:
TO:
FROM: Fermin Preciado, Director of Development Services/City Engineer ` Benjamin J. Matlock, Deputy Director of Community Development/City Planner`7- Item No. 20
July 28, 2025
Honorable Mayor and City Council
SUBJECT: Adoption of Updated Fire Hazard Severity Maps
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council conduct a public hearing and:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-20, adopting the Safety Element Update to the General Plan, which incorporates the updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps from the state, while authorizing and directing the Interim City Manager and City Planner to make any technical or clerical revisions of clarifications to the Safety Element as may be required by State Board of Forestry; and
2. Adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 459-U, An Urgency Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Yucaipa, California, Adopting the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map for Local Responsibility Areas and associated Building Code Standards; and
3. Approve the Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 459, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Yucaipa, California, Adopting the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map for Local Responsibility Areas and associated Building Code Standards; and
4. Direct the City Clerk to place Ordinance No. 459 on the consent calendar of the next regular meeting of the City Council for Second Reading and Adoption; and
5. Determine that the update to the Safety Element is within the scope of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared pursuant to the provisions of Section 15168 of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 and the CEQA Guidelines, as amended, for the City's General Plan and is further exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), of the CEQA Guidelines; and
6. Direct staff to file a Notice of Determination.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
On March 24, 2025, the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), a program of CAL FIRE, released the first comprehensive update to the Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps since 2007. The 2025 release applies current fire -science modeling —incorporating topography, prevailing fire -weather, fuel loads, ember transport and historical fire perimeters to classify parcels based on fire severity as Moderate, High, or Very High hazard.
California Government Code § 51179 requires the City to "designate, by ordinance, moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones in its jurisdiction within 120 days of receiving recommendations from the State Fire Marshal..." The statute further prohibits a city from removing areas or reducing the area of a CAL FIRE -recommended hazard classification. The City may add parcels to the Very High Fire Severity Zone if adding the parcel is supported by substantial evidence in the record.
Failure to adopt the map would leave the City in statutory non-compliance, potentially affecting eligibility for state wildfire -mitigation grants and complicating enforcement of the California Building Code standards.
The City's current Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) boundary is now 15 years old, which is identified by the Fire Safety Overlay boundary in the City's Safety Element of the General Plan, and no longer reflects present-day fuel conditions or ember -casting dynamics. The new maps reflect adjustments that align with CAL FIRE's statewide trend of migrating more acreage into higher hazard bands as climate -driven fire behavior intensifies. The adoption of the updated maps would result in the following:
Building Standards. Once the City designates the updated VHFHSZ, all new buildings and qualifying remodels within that zone must comply with Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) building codes and defensible -space & vegetation management.
Grant Eligibility. Alignment with the OSFM map positions the City favorably for upcoming grant opportunities such as CAL FIRE Fire -Prevention and FEMA BRIC grant cycles, both of which score applications on current hazard mapping consistency.
Map Adoption and Implementation:
To address the new Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps from the state, several key changes need to occur and are identified below:
General Plan Amendment:
The Safety Element is one of the seven mandatory elements of the General Plan. The City recently completed an update to the Safety Element to meet recent requirements from Senate Bill (SB) 1035 SB 1241, SB 379, and SB 99, and was adopted by the City Council on July 22, 2024. However, the state released the updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps after its adoption, which amended the
locations of High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and introduced a new Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
The City incorporates the Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Figure S-3 of the Safety Element, and designates the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone as FR-1 and the High Fire Hazard Severity Zone as FR-2. To meet the new map requirements, an update is proposed that would modify Figure S-3 to the updated statewide maps, and a new FR-3 designation has been created to correspond to the new Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Area. Associated text within the Safety Element has also been updated to ensure that all necessary references are correct, and Figure S-5 also overlays the hazard boundaries for reference. It should be noted that the City's proposed map matches the version developed by the state, and does not include any additional properties into the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
Additional changes to the Safety Element include the reference of the El Dorado Fire as a recent significant fire in the area, and to support the document formatting that occurred with the added text for the FR-3 designation, two new photographs from the El Dorado Fire were also added. As a requirement, these proposed changes are in the process of being reviewed by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. As such, authorization is requested to make any changes necessary to achieve approval by the Board.
Municipal Code Amendment (Ordinance No. 459):
The City of Yucaipa has historically implemented the Fire Hazard Severity Zones and their corresponding fire standards through its Safety Element, the Fire Safety Overlay standards in the Development Code, and in the Fire Code Section of Title 15 of the Municipal Code. Ordinance No. 459 would formally adopt the updated maps and include a proposed FR-3 designation that would then correspond to the Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone. It should be noted that matching changes are also proposed to the Development Code (Ordnance No. 450) that will be presented to Council following a recommendation from the Planning Commission.
Urgency Ordinance (Ordinance No. 459-U):
Due to the statutory deadline established by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) for the adoption of the updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map for Local Responsibility Areas, the City was unable to meet the required timelines for standard ordinance adoption under regular noticing procedures. As a result, an urgency ordinance is necessary to ensure timely compliance with state law and to avoid any potential regulatory or legal gaps. In parallel, a regular version of the ordinance is also being introduced to provide continuity and reinforce the urgency measure through the standard legislative process, consistent with best practices and transparency in governance. Pursuant to state law, an urgency ordinance must be adopted by a 4/5ths vote.
Public Outreach. Staff has posted the interactive map on the City website, created a webpage ( https://yucaipa.gov/fire-hazard-severity-zones/) regarding the updated maps and what they mean, and also posted a video podcast with the Fire Chief with additional information on the update ( https://youtu.be/9Gn3wWx140w) .
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The proposed Safety Element and Ordinances do not directly result in the development of any parcel of land. An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was certified by the City Council on April 11, 2016, for the City's comprehensive General Plan update. No changes to the environment have occurred since the preparation of the original 2016 EIR that would require preparation of a subsequent EIR pursuant to Section 15162 of the CEQA Guidelines. It can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment as the update incorporates the required Fire Hazard Severity Maps update that was developed through CAL FIRE and makes all necessary adjustments to ensure that they are implemented correctly. Instead, the revised Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map would trigger more stringent Fire Department Conditions of Approval for new development, which would increase emergency access and climate resiliency.
Therefore, the adoption and actions proposed with the Safety Element update would not result in new significant impacts that were not originally analyzed in the 2016 General Plan EIR.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This recommendation does not result in a fiscal impact.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2025-20
2. Safety Element Update
3. Ordinance No. 459
4. Ordinance No. 459-U
Approved by:
ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-20
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YUCAIPA,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AN UPDATE TO THE YUCAIPA GENERAL
PLAN SAFETY ELEMENT
WHEREAS, the City of Yucaipa ("City") has undertaken a comprehensive review of the City's General Plan and prepared a revised long-range vision for the City, referred to as the "Yucaipa General Plan 2016 Update" (also referred to herein as the "General Plan Update"); and WHEREAS, after notice issued pursuant to the requirements of the Yucaipa Municipal Code, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on April 11, 2016, and ultimately approved the comprehensive General Plan; and
WHEREAS, as provided in Government Code Section 65350 et. seq. and Public Resources Code, the update to the City's Public Safety Element, which is the City's official title given to the Safety Element, to ensure conformance with state law constitutes a General Plan Amendment ("Project" & Case No. PLN-PDE-25-0001); and
WHEREAS, the City of Yucaipa Public Safety Element incorporates the Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps developed from the State Fire Marshal's office, which released new maps on March 24, 2025, and State law requires local agencies to adopt these map updates by July of 2025; and
WHEREAS, the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is reviewing the Public Safety Element changes to update the map references relative to the last update that was approved at their meeting of April 9, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the project proponent is the City of Yucaipa, located at 34272 Yucaipa Boulevard, Yucaipa, CA 92399; and
WHEREAS, attached hereto, marked as Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by this reference, is a proposed amendment to the General Plan of the City of Yucaipa consisting of a revised Public Safety Element; and
WHEREAS, the update is included as part of the City's General Plan Amendment for the first quarter of 2025; and
WHEREAS, after notice issued pursuant to the provisions of the Yucaipa Municipal Code, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on June 18, 2025, at which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard and present evidence regarding the Public Safety Element Update, as set forth in the Planning Commission Agenda Report of that date; and WHEREAS, following consideration of the entire record before it at the public hearing and upon due consideration of the proposed General Plan Update, the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council adopt environmental findings pursuant to the California
Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") (Public Resources Code § 21000 et seq.), and recommended that the City Council approve the Public Safety Element Update; and WHEREAS, on July 11, 2025, a notice of a City Council public hearing on the Public Safety Element Update was published in the Yucaipa News Mirror; and WHEREAS, after notice issued pursuant to the requirements of the Yucaipa Municipal Code, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on July 28, 2025, at which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard and present evidence; and WHEREAS, the Public Safety Element has been environmentally reviewed pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Sections 21000, et seq.) ("CEQA"), the State CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Sections 15000, et seq.), and the City's Local CEQA Guidelines, and that no additional environmental review is required from the certified General Plan Environmental Impact Report. It can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment as the update incorporates the required Fire Hazard Severity Maps update that was developed through CAL FIRE and makes all necessary adjustments to ensure that they are implemented correctly.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YUCAIPA HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Sectionl. The information set forth in the Recitals above is true and accurate in all respects.
Section 2. Based on the record of proceedings, the City Council hereby finds as follows.
Section 3.
A. The State of California requires every municipality to periodically update the Public Safety Element following the adoption of an update to the Housing Element of its General Plan.
B. The City's Public Safety Element incorporates the state's Fire Hazard Severity Map as part of Figure S-3, Fire Hazard Overlay.
C. The state of California has recently released new Fire Hazard Severity Maps that must be adopted by all local agencies, and among their changes, includes a new "Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone."
D. The Safety Element and its references to the Fire Hazard Overlays shall be consistent with the state's Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and the update makes all necessary changes to ensure that references are made.
The City Council hereby finds that the 2016 General Plan Environmental Impact Report and all subsequent amendments had been prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, as amended, and the Guidelines promulgated thereunder, and, this Council has reviewed and considered the information and finds that no changes to the environment have occurred since the preparation of the original EIR that would require preparation of subsequent EIR pursuant to Section 15162 of the CEQA Guidelines.
Section 4.
Section 5.
Section 6.
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 65351, during preparation of an amendment to the General Plan, the planning agency shall provide opportunities for the involvement of citizens, public agencies, civic, educational, and other community groups, through public hearings and other means the City deems appropriate. Such public involvement included public study sessions before the Planning Commission and City Council prior to and upon completion of the draft Housing Element. In advance of each hearing, notices of public hearing were published in the local newspaper, and posted at the City's official posting places.
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 65300.5, general plan policies must be internally consistent, and the City Council finds that the General Plan will continue to be internally consistent upon the adoption of General Plan Amendment No/ PLN-PDE-25-0001.
Based on the findings as contained in the Agenda Report, the City Council hereby approves General Plan Amendment No. PLN-PDE-25-0001and adopts Public Safety Element, in accordance with the Planning Commission recommendation as set forth in the Planning Commission Agenda Report dated June 18, 2025.
Section 7. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED on this 28th day of July, 2025.
Jon Thorp, Mayor
ATTEST:
Ana V. Sauseda, MMC
Director of General Services/City Clerk
ATTACHMENT 2
INTRODUCTION
Protecting the public's health, safety, and welfare is a fundamental goal of any municipality, and this goal is a central part of Yucaipa's mission.
Yucaipa is committed to protecting its residents from natural and human -caused hazards due to geology, flooding, wildfires, severe weather, air pollution, and climate change. This Public Safety Element is designed to address the community's safety, health, and welfare as they relate to these hazards.
Yucaipans cherish the hills, landforms, and creeks in their community.
When coupled with a built environment of homes, buildings, and infrastructure systems, however, these features are also the source of hazards. Earthquake faults that flank the hills can trigger landslides. The streams and rivers that created the "benches" and canyons over time can overflow channels and lead to flooding. The grasslands covering the hills present a risk of wildland fires. Even severe weather can present safety hazards.
In light of these concerns, this Public Safety Element is intended to: 1) recognize the local hazards associated with Yucaipa's natural environment (geology, landforms, waterways, and weather), and 2) identify methods to manage these risks and protect people, property, infrastructure, and structures from harm. As the policies and actions are implemented over the next 20 years, the City of Yucaipa will be increasingly less impacted by disasters, and in the process, become more self-reliant, sustainable, and prosperous.
Public Safety
Updated 2025
In This Element:
+ Geology and Seismic Safety
+ Flood Safety
+ Fire Safety
+ Emergency Preparedness
+ Severe Weather
+ Noise Hazards
+ Air Quality and Climate Change
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-1
7. PUBLIC SAFETY 2024 UPDATE
General Plan vision themes in
this element include:
An attractive, peaceful, and safe
community
Health, safety, and well- being of
our residents
7-2 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
Purpose and Scope
The Public Safety Element is a state -mandated general plan element that is intended to identify and protect the community from risks due to natural and human -caused hazards. The element addresses the following hazards with associated goals and policies:
+ Natural Hazards. Natural hazards include a range of seismic and geologic hazards, flooding hazards, wildland and urban fire hazards, and severe weather, most of which are caused by inclement weather or natural events.
+ Human -Caused Hazards. These include air pollution, climate change, and noise hazards that are caused by human activities.
Other transportation -related and public safety hazards are addressed in other elements of the general plan.
+ Emergency Preparedness. Emergency preparedness refers to the range of procedures, methods, and protocols the City of Yucaipa uses to prepare for emergencies and disasters, respond to them, and recover from them.
Related Plans
Yucaipa's Public Safety Element is implemented by various plans for protecting the community. Some of these plans are provided by the City of Yucaipa; others are provided by other organizations. + Drainage and Flooding. The City's Master Plan of Drainage (MPD) provides an assessment of drainage and infrastructure needs and a plan for the maintenance and construction of detention basins to protect from flooding hazards.
+ Fire Service Planning. The Yucaipa Fire Department, through a contract with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), prepares a fire services plan to provide fire protection and emergency medical services to the city.
+ Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). Yucaipa's LHMP identifies hazards and establishes a plan to prepare for emergencies and disasters and mitigate potential impacts, developed in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and FEMA's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan guidance. The LHMP identifies and profiles hazards, analyzes the people and facilities at risk, and provides mitigation actions to reduce or eliminate hazard risk. These mitigation actions include short and long-term strategies, with planning, policy changes, programs, projects, and other activities. The link to the plan is https://yucaipa.gov/disaster-preparedness/
+ Emergency Operations Plan. The City's Emergency Operations Plan provides a comprehensive organizational and procedural guide for preparing for, responding to, and recovering from natural disasters or human -caused emergencies.
The next sections provide context for each topic, followed by goals, policies, and programs to achieve the General Plan vision.
GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC SAFETY
The City's location in the Yucaipa Plain, and the Crafton and Yucaipa Hills, coupled with the many streams that flow through the community, has contributed to its naturally undulating terrain. The natural forces (flooding, earthquakes, winds, etc.) responsible for Yucaipa's unique terrain also have the potential to damage structures, roads, and utility systems as well as threaten people.
Geologic Hazards
The City rests primarily on alluvium deposited by the Yucaipa Creek and its tributaries. Older deposits consisting of alluvial fan conglomerate and other decomposed, clay -rich alluvia cover Central Yucaipa and Dunlap Acres. Younger alluvial deposits cover the river wash areas and Dunlap Acres west of Oak Glen Road. Parts of west Yucaipa are on Reservoir Canyon Hill, which is composed of crystalline rocks and older alluvium. Crafton Hills and Yucaipa Hills are composed of crystalline and metamorphic rock.
Yucaipa's geologic setting can, under certain circumstances, present hazardous conditions. These hazards are most frequently triggered by seismic or flood events.
+ Unstable Soils. Yucaipa's clay soils and young, relatively low - compacted soils can shrink or swell depending on moisture content. This occurs particularly during flood or earthquake.
Structures on these soils may experience shifting, cracking, and breaking damage as soils shrink, subside, or expand. Unstable soils are primarily adjacent to the drainage courses.
+ Slope Instability. Slope failures occur most often along steep canyons, hillsides, and channels and can be triggered by flooding and earthquakes. Although Yucaipa has a low to moderate potential, landslides have occurred in Crafton Hills and in northern Yucaipa. These areas are also subject to a higher risk of mud/debris flow due to the topography.
+ Ground Subsidence. Ground subsidence involves the settling of ground surface due to extraction of oil, gas, or groundwater.
Although Yucaipa does not have extraction fields, the Yucaipa Basin is in overdraft and thus has a low to moderate potential for ground subsidence throughout the community. Isolated cases of ground subsidence have occurred in the past.
+ Soil Corrosiveness. Many studies in Yucaipa have documented the presence of corrosive soils, which are those with a low pH.
Corrosive soils can be responsible for premature eroding of buried metal pipes and concrete foundations. In terms of location, Yucaipa's soils can be corrosive on its adjacent hillsides, in Central Yucaipa, and portions of Dunlap Acres.
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
Excessive rainfall after a fire can lead to
slope instability and mud/debris flows.
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 7-3 44I,
7. PUBLIC SAFETY 2024 UPDATE
7-4 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
Seismic Hazards
Yucaipa is in a seismically active region. The San Andreas Fault and San Jacinto Fault Zone accommodate up to 80% of the slip rate between the North American and Pacific plates. The San Bernardino segment of the San Andreas transects the northern portion of the community along the base of Yucaipa Ridge. The San Andreas is the dominant fault in southern California and is capable of producing an 8.0 magnitude (M) earthquake, which is also capable of threatening property and lives.
Yucaipa has surface traces of active faults capable of producing damaging earthquakes. The Chicken Hill Fault runs through west Yucaipa and parallels Oak Glen Road south of Yucaipa Boulevard. The Crafton Hills Fault runs along the southeast front of the Crafton Hills of Yucaipa. Northern Yucaipa is also transected by a series of fault lines, designated Alquist-Priolo Zones (AP zones). Among others, recent earthquakes include:
+ 2008 Chino Hills earthquake (M5.5)
+ 2005 Yucaipa earthquake (M4.9)
+ 2003 Big Bear earthquake (M5.4)
+ 2003 Yucaipa earthquake (M5.2)
+ 2001 Yucaipa earthquake (M5.1)
+ 1998 Crafton Hills earthquake (M4.5)
+ 1994 Highland earthquake (M5.0)
Seismic hazards depend on the fault, soil types, and water table.
Geologic hazards in Yucaipa include:
+ Ground Shaking. Yucaipa is subject to severe ground shaking due to fault ruptures along many of its active faults. The most intense shaking that could damage structures is expected from the San Andreas Fault, which passes along northern Yucaipa. Additional shaking could also occur adjacent to or near the many active faults and trace faults crossing the community.
+ Liquefaction. Yucaipa is generally susceptible to liquefaction, which is the loss of the strength or cohesion of soil. This can occur on young, loose, unconsolidated sediments. Whereas much of the City has liquefaction concerns, the only area at high risk of liquefaction is near Mill Creek Canyon, where groundwater levels are within 50 feet of the surface.
+ Seismically Induced Settlement. Much of Yucaipa is underlain by young, unconsolidated alluvial deposits and artificial fill that may be susceptible to seismically induced settlement. Sparse information is available on historical occurrences. This hazardous condition is most likely to occur in the Dunlap Acres planning area, portions of the North Bench, and along creeks.
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
Protecting Our Community
Protecting Yucaipa from the threat of geologic hazards is achieved through the identification of hazards, mitigation of structures at risk, enforcement of building codes and development standards, and public education and emergency preparedness.
Hazard Identification
The City of Yucaipa has established a Geologic Hazard Overlay District in the Municipal Code for designated areas within the community where active faults, liquefaction, subsidence, and mudflows may present a threat to structures, property, and people. Figure S-1, Geologic Hazard Overlay District, designates the general location of potential geologic and seismic hazards in Yucaipa.
Geotechnical Study
For building and structures proposed within the Geologic Hazards Overlay District or other areas required by the City Building Official, a geotechnical hazard study is required as part of the application. The geotechnical study must document the potential for geologic and seismic hazards in accordance with local regulations and state law.
Seismic hazard mitigation measures identified by the geotechnical study, overlay district, or City Building Official must be incorporated into the project design prior to approval.
Structures at Risk
Advances in engineering techniques and building codes have reduced the threat of seismic -related collapse in new buildings. However, buildings built before modern seismic standards are at risk — unreinforced masonry, precast concrete tilt -up walls, soft -stories, and nonductile concrete frames. Of particular concern are Yucaipa's 42 mobile home parks. Critical infrastructure (gas, water, electric lines, and aboveground water storage reservoirs) can also be damaged during an earthquake. The City is pursuing programs to upgrade facilities, infrastructure, and housing units.
Building Codes and Development Standards
Proposed projects in the Geologic Hazards Overlay District must adhere to California building codes and state law. These codes provide minimum standards to protect property and public safety by regulating the design and construction of excavations, foundations, building frames, retaining walls, and other features to mitigate the effects of earthquakes. State law provides additional seismic safety standards for schools, hospitals, infrastructure, and critical facilities. Seismic hazard mitigation measures are included.
Adherence to the following goal and policies will help mitigate potential harm from Yucaipa's geologic and seismic hazards.
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-5
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
7-6 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
2024 UPDATE
GOAL S-1: GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC SAFETY
Adequate protection of public health and safety; property; and economic, social, and service functions from seismic and geologic hazards.
Policies
S-1.1 Geologic Hazard Identification. Maintain and
continuously update the City's geologic and seismic
hazards map in concert with updates from the California Geologic Survey and local surveys.
S-1.2 Geotechnical Analysis. In areas within the City's Geologic and Seismic Hazards Overlay District or as required by the Building Official, require development proposals to
include a geotechnical hazard analysis.
S-1.3 Alquist-Priolo Act. Enforce development requirements, such as seismic study analyses, project siting, and project design features for proposed developments near active
faults pursuant to the Alquist-Priolo Act.
S-1.4 Building Codes. Require adherence to the latest California Building Codes and regulations in the Geologic and
Seismic Hazards Overlay District; update local codes
periodically for the latest advances.
S-1.5 City Critical Infrastructure and Facilities. Locate, design, maintain, and upgrade critical infrastructure and facilities (police, medical facilities, fire, roads, reservoirs, etc.) to required seismic safety standards.
S-1.6 Other Critical Infrastructure and Facilities. Encourage Caltrans, CAL FIRE, schools, utility companies, and other relevant agencies to comply with seismic safety standards for critical infrastructure and facilities.
S-1.7 Retrofitting Buildings. Encourage owners of potentially hazardous buildings (e.g., mobile homes) to assess seismic vulnerability and conduct seismic retrofitting as necessary to improve resistance to earthquakes.
S-1.8 Natural Topography. Limit grading for future
developments to the minimum amount needed to
preserve Yucaipa's natural topography, preserve
vegetation, and maintain soil and slope stability.
S-1.9 Public Education and Preparedness. Compile and
distribute earthquake preparedness information to
Yucaipa residents and business owners; conduct periodic inspections and preparedness events.
7. PUBLIC SAFETY 7-7
Figure S-1 b
GEOLOGIC HAZARD
OVERLAY DISTRICT
EJ City limits
Yucaipa Sphere of Influence
Earthquake Wizard
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Mauls! Priolo Fault Zone
Liquefaction Susceptibility
Most Susceproble
Landslide Susceptibility
Generally Suscepiihie
Most Susceptible
NoI
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GENERAL PLAN
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7. PUBLIC SAFETY
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7-8 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
FLOOD SAFETY
Floods are natural and recurrent events that generally do not pose a hazard in an undeveloped area; it is only when floods interact with the built environment —typically, structures built in the floodplain, where they obstruct floodwaters —that they become hazardous to property, structures, and people.
Natural Setting
Yucaipa is bisected by several waterways. Wilson Creek runs in a southwesterly direction and Wildwood Creek runs to the southeast.
Drainage occurs through many small, fluctuating creeks —Yucaipa Creek, Oak Glen Creek, Chicken Springs Wash, Spoor Creek, and Gateway Wash. Wilson and Wildwood creeks and their tributaries converge in Live Oak Canyon, west of Interstate 10, and then flow to the San Timoteo River.
Yucaipa has generally warm to dry weather and averages only 20 inches of rainfall annually. Therefore, most of the creeks are dry during most of the year, except along their upper reaches, which may have small, sustained year-round flow. However, Yucaipa is also subject to intense local storms. Floodwaters from the upper reaches of the mountains converge in Yucaipa's waterways, creating the potential for flooding and safety hazards.
During the late 1960s, Yucaipa storms caused widespread damage to roads, homes, utilities, and property. Since then, the City has completed multimillion -dollar projects to protect the community from flooding.
Although channel improvements have significantly reduced the occurrence and severity of flooding, storms continue to cause local flooding. Recent flooding events include:
+ 2011 January Flash Flood/Mudslides
+ 2010 January Flash Flood/Mudslides
+ 2005 August Flash Flood
+ 2002 November Flash Flood
+ 1999 August Flash Flood
+ 1995 January Storm
+ 1993 February Storm
+ 1992 Winter Storms
To prevent and control flooding, Yucaipa and the San Bernardino County Flood Control District manage a network of channels, detention basins, and other flood control infrastructure. More than 28 miles of drainage infrastructure, a dozen detention basins, and natural streams divert floodwaters and recharge groundwater. Additional facilities and flood protection infrastructure are planned. Figure 5-2a, Drainage and Recharge Facilities, shows areas capable of accommodating floodwaters and groundwater recharge.
The 2010 flash floods damaged roadways
and homes in Yucaipa.
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-9
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
2024 UPDATE
y..
The 2010 storms flooded low water
crossings and created safety hazards.
7-10 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
Flood Hazards
Because of Yucaipa's steep terrain and seasonal storm events, the community is subject to a wide range of flooding hazards. The predominant flooding hazards are riverine flooding, mudflows, dam inundation, and urban flooding. These flooding hazards are described below and mapped on subsequent pages.
Riverine Floods
Riverine flooding is the most prevalent flood hazard in Yucaipa and the source for the most devastating floods in the city. Yucaipa has many fluctuating waterways —Yucaipa Creek, Oak Glen Creek, Wildwood Creek, Chicken Springs Wash, and Spoor Creek. Although generally dry, these creeks can quickly accumulate water during storm events, as intense rainfall at higher elevations in the Yucaipa Ridge or Crafton Hills converges downstream in Yucaipa. These floods can overflow channels or adjacent floodways, quickly creating hazardous conditions for residents and motorists.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is responsible for identifying flood hazards for communities across the nation. FEMA prepares maps that delineate Special Flood Hazard Areas -a 100-year and 500-year flood event. A 100-year flood is a flood event that has a 1% probability of occurring in any given year; a 500-year flood has 0.2% probability of occurring in any given year. The California Department of Water Resources also has identified areas prone to a 100-year flood using approximate assessment procedures, without specific depths and other flood hazard data. These maps are not FEMA regulatory floodplain maps.
Mudflow/Debris Flow
A mud/debris flow refers to a moving mass of loose mud, sand, soil, rock, water, and air that travels down a slope under the influence of gravity. A mud/debris flow can also flow down a stream, ravine, canyon, arroyo, or gulch. These flows develop when water rapidly accumulates in the ground during heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt, changing loose earth into a flowing river of mud. Mud/debris flows can travel miles from the source, growing as they pick up trees, boulders, cars, and other materials.
Generally, areas most susceptible to mud/debris flow include steep slopes, landforms subject to erosion, and river channels. In areas burned by forest and brush fires, a lower threshold of rainfall may trigger mud/debris flows. In the past few decades, Yucaipa has experienced many smaller mud/debris flows and landslides along the Crafton Hills, northern Yucaipa, the Yucaipa Hills, and Oak Glen area that have damaged structures and roads. Planning for these situations is an essential post -fire recovery operation.
Figure S-2b, Floodplain Safety Overlay District, shows Yucaipa's potential safety hazards of riverine flooding and dam inundation.
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7. PUBLIC SAFETY 7-11
Figure S-2a
DRAINAGE AND
RECHARGE FACILITIES
—i City Limits
Yucaipa Sphere of Influence
_ Existing Drainage Basin
Proposed Drainage Basin
Open Space/Pork Groundwater Recharge AEens
❑ Reservoir
Drainage Channel
!Mimi Drainage Channel
♦ Palenlinl Groundwater Recharge Facility
aoie: where sueans/Wats oelcp with the diwrade shawls,
the facilities haste hear Ehcnnelized.
��►� YUCA1 PA
=r GENERAL PLAN
11.d1.1—Z....1—,,,
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7. PURLIC SAFETY
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7-12 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
REDLANDS
MILL [KEEN PD
HIGHLAND
DATE AVE
CEDAR A 4
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7. PUBLIC SAFETY 17-13
Figure S-2b
FLOODPLAIN SAFETY
OVERLAY DISTRICT
L7 City Limits
Yucaipa Sphere of Influence
Inundation Areas
Reservoir
Yutoipa Res. Dom Inundation (1976)
f . Crofton Hills Dom Inundation (2010)
, V Seven Oaks Dam Inundolion
Stream/River
Overlay Designation
Floodplain Review Area 1 (100 Year Flood Area)
Floodplain Review Area 2 (500 Year Flood Area)
] Limits of Study
DWR Awareness Flood Areas
Rates
I. Flaadpl000 Ferran Idea I (FP Ili FPl shall innede all areas sut3en to 100-year land as deleted by she Federal Flood Insurance Regulation and the redmol Emergency Management AgerroliEAU)
2. Floodplain Rarew Area 2 (CCP2): FP2 shall include all crews bets.
Gmis of the IOU -year flood and rtben so a 542-year Road. and senora alms suk(oor ID IEn.Secr flooding with cn overage depth of ks than one foes or whine the cmniburinp drainage areas are kss ikon one squaw Rik, cr areae plowed by levees ham She base Road.
3. OWR Awareness Flood Areas- The Dope/mem of Warn Resources has rdemilied areas far ;annual lay -yam !loading rMr may morns f Aes armies m arlr s ro as -Ass the Yak of flooding lea regu!asvy pn5aus and land use planning.
4. Oalnearicn of FE/4111.d :mos IODDIAS to change in 0ccmdonee with Went regutc ssos and local flood cancel prryees.
0 YUCAI PA
GENERAL PLAN
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7 PUBLIC SAFETY
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7-14 I CRY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
Dam Inundation
Yucaipa has four open reservoirs. Built in 1978, three reservoirs are located in Yucaipa Regional Park and serve recreational purposes. These dams are owned and operated by the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. The fourth reservoir is located in Crafton Hills, above the Yucaipa Regional Park. Originally built in 2001, the Crafton Hills Dam was improved in 2013, and the reservoir was tripled in size in 2014. An intertie along Mills Creek diverts water from the State Water Project to fill the expanded Crafton Reservoir.
Dam inundation refers to flooding when water retention structures and dams fail during an earthquake or other emergency. In the event of an earthquake or other catastrophic event, these reservoirs present a remote risk of failure or breach. In that event, floodwaters would extend southward along Oak Glen Road, potentially affecting 50 homes in Chapman Heights. To mitigate this hazard, dams are required to pass safety standards and annual inspections by the California Department of Water Resources.
The City of Yucaipa has additional closed reservoirs (either above or below grade) that are owned, operated, and maintained by the Yucaipa Valley Water District, Western Heights Water Company, and South Mesa Water Company. During a significant natural disaster, these reservoirs could fail and lead to localized inundation, although to a significantly lesser degree than dams. Water districts are required to ensure that closed reservoirs are built, maintained, and retrofitted in accordance with state safety standards.
Urban Flooding
Urban flooding refers to the built environment of the city. Although Yucaipa's flood control and drainage infrastructure direct the majority of floodwaters, flooding during intense storms is inevitable due to the volume of water draining from the mountains. Moving debris can quickly overwhelm or impede well -designed channels and basins, spilling onto streets and property. Typically, storm drains are designed for normal rainfall and provide protection from a normal storm event.
However, when larger storms occur or storm drains are blocked, flooding may occur.
Several areas in Yucaipa are more susceptible to urban flooding. In particular, Dunlap Acres and areas below the confluence at Yucaipa Creek and Wildwood Creek are subject to flooding. Areas where roads decline below grade (low water crossings) or where limited infrastructure is in place are also susceptible to flooding. The City continues to invest in flood control projects (detention basins, storm drains, streets, and sidewalks, etc.) to reduce flood risks. However, due to Yucaipa's unique topography and built environment, urban flooding remains a concern in Yucaipa.
Yucaipa continues to prioritize flood
control projects to reduce potential
flooding hazards. The $6.1 million
Oak Glen Creek Basin Project, $7.2
million Wildwood Creek Basin
Project, and other projects have
significantly reduced flooding
hazards in Dunlap Acres and other
areas of the community.
Completion of the Oak Glen Creek Basins
resulted in lifting floodplain restrictions for
most properties in Dunlap Acres.
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-15
2024 UPDATE
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
7-16 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
Protecting Our Community
Yucaipa protects the community from flooding hazards through the identification of hazards, enforcement of building codes and development standards, implementation of a master plan of drainage and capital improvements, and participation in mutual aid agreements, described below.
Hazard Identification
Yucaipa's Municipal Code has a Floodplain Safety Overlay District that corresponds to FEMA 100-year and 500-year floodplains. These are included on these flood zone boundaries. The Floodplain Safety Overlay District Map identifies areas within Yucaipa needing additional protection from flooding hazards. Floodplain Review Area 1 (FP 1) includes areas subject to a 100-year flood. Floodplain Review Area 1 (FP2) includes all areas between limits of the 100-year flood and subject to a 500-year flood.
Building Codes and Development Standards
Proposed development projects within the Floodplain Safety Overlay District must be designed to meet applicable California building codes and required amendments. Additional mitigation measures for flood hazards may be required, including structure anchoring, construction materials and methods, utility standards, and others as required by the Floodplain Safety Overlay District. Projects must also comply with requirements of the National Flood Insurance Protection Floodplain Management program.
Master Plan of Drainage
The City continuously works on flood control projects to remove properties from delineated floodplains/ floodways and works with FEMA to make map revisions in accordance with federal law. Yucaipa's Master Plan of Drainage (MPD) and the City' capital improvement program outlines planned improvements to flood control
infrastructure— including detention basins, desilting basins, flood channel stabilization, and improvements to drainage facilities and infrastructure needed to provide protection from flooding events. MPD projects are consistent with the Hazard Mitigation Plan and Yucaipa's annual Capital Improvement Program.
Mutual Aid Agreements
Yucaipa maintains mutual aid agreements that provide for voluntary cooperative efforts and provision of services from other agencies when local capabilities are exceeded during an emergency. Yucaipa has mutual aid agreements with adjacent jurisdictions, San Bernardino County Flood Control District, Yucaipa Valley Water District, the State of California, federal agencies, Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District, and American Red Cross, etc. The California Emergency Management Agency also provides coordination and funding to local disaster areas.
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
GOAL S-2: FLOOD SAFETY
A community well versed in flood control hazards and
protected from or minimally disrupted by flooding and
inundation hazards.
Policies
S-2.1 Flood Hazard Identification. Maintain and continuously update the City's floodplain safety hazards map in concert with FEMA map amendments and improvements to local
drainage facilities.
S-2.2 Floodplain Development. Promote the dedication of land within the 100-year floodplain and adjacent areas for
park, multi -purpose trails, recreational uses, open spaces, and habitat conservation/mitigation.
S-2.3 Land Use Regulations. Prohibit development of new essential and critical facilities and lifeline services in the 100-year floodplain. Prohibit facilities that use, store, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials from
developing in the Floodplain Safety Overlay District.
5-2.4 Building Codes. Require adherence to the latest building, site, and design codes in the California Building Code, FEMA flood control guidelines, and Floodplain Safety
Overlay District to avoid or minimize the risk of flooding hazards in the community.
5-2.5 Special Flood Hazard Areas. Support policies, procedures, and recommendations of the National Flood Insurance
Program for SFHAs with respect to zoning, subdivision,
building codes, and overlays.
5-2.6 Flood Control Facilities. Prioritize and fund maintenance and construction of improvements to drainage facilities and roadways identified in the City's Master Plan of
Drainage and Hazard Mitigation Plan.
5-2.7. Stormwater Runoff. Require new developments that add substantial amounts of impervious surfaces to integrate low impact development best management practices to
reduce stormwater runoff.
S-2.8 Interagency Coordination. Establish and maintain
cooperative working relationships among public agencies with responsibility for flood protection, including San Bernardino County Flood Control District, County Public Works, and other entities.
5-2.9 Public Education and Preparedness. Compile and
distribute flooding prevention information to Yucaipa
residents and business owners; conduct periodic
inspections and preparedness events.
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-17
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
2024 UPDATE
7-18 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
FIRE SAFETY
Yucaipa is subject to a range of urban fire hazards due to its built environment —its buildings, roads, and adjacency to other cities.
Yucaipa's dry weather conditions, topography, high winds, and vegetation also place the city at a very high risk of wildfire. Left uncontrolled, fires have the potential to damage or destroy structures, roadways, and utility systems and disrupt the economy.
Fire Hazard Setting
Yucaipa's fire hazard responsibilities include response to urban fires, wildland fires, and emergency medical response.
Urban Fire
Yucaipa's built environment has a medium to low fire hazard.
Developed areas include some apartments, offices, mercantile, and industrial occupancies not normally requiring extensive rescue. Lower - hazard occupancies include a one-, two- or three-family dwellings, scattered small business, and industrial occupancies. Each year, Yucaipa averages 350 fires, including 100 vegetation fires, 100 structure fires, 75 vehicle fires, and 75 miscellaneous fires. Most urban fires can be extinguished within a few hours.
Yucaipa's fire service responsibilities extend beyond firefighting suppression to include a range of paramedic and lifeline services.
Approximately 70% of CAL FIRE calls (more than 7,000 calls annually) are for medical services. The Fire Department also responds to about 500 traffic collisions each year. Because of Yucaipa's demographics and the nature of fire service calls, the provision of licensed paramedics trained in advanced life support during emergencies has become increasingly important.
Yucaipa Fire maintains aid agreements with surrounding agencies to provide assistance during and after a fire emergency. Automatic aid agreements are in place with the City of Redlands Fire Department and Riverside County Fire Department. Yucaipa Fire maintains mutual aid agreements with the US Forest Service for wildland areas north and east of Yucaipa. Mutual and automatic aid agreements are also in place with the San Bernardino County Fire Department. Yucaipa Fire also maintains a cooperative agreement with the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
The Insurance Service Office (ISO) is a leading source of information about property casualty insurance risk for local government. ISO helps establish fire insurance premiums for residential and commercial properties based in part on a city's fire protection. ISO rankings are based on four criteria: a community's emergency communications, fire department equipment and operations, and water supply. ISO rates each community's fire suppression system on a 10-point scale, with one (1) being the highest ranking that can be achieved. Yucaipa maintains a Class 3 ISO rating.
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
w_ •
. ' :•.
Wildland Fire
Wildland fire is a critical concern in Yucaipa. Expansive open areas are susceptible to destructive wildland fires, which can be exacerbated by dry weather and Santa Ana winds. The National Fire Plan designates Yucaipa as a "community at risk" of high wildland fire hazard (CAL FIRE 2014). Vegetation fuel types in the City include annual grasses and a variety of brush with low fuel moisture that are highly susceptible to and capable of carrying fire.
Since 2000, the City of Yucaipa has experienced many wildland fires due to natural causes, human error, and arson. Over the past decade, all of the notable fires have occurred in hillsides surrounding Yucaipa.
According to CAL FIRE, USFS, and USGS, notable fires include:
+ 2020 El Dorado Fire Burned 22,744 acres
+ 2015 Mill 2 Fire burned 35 acres
+ 2013 Mentone/Yucaipa Fire burned 534 acres
+ 2011 Mill Fire burned 100 acres
+ 2009 Pendleton Fire burned 860 acres
+ 2009 Oak Glen Fire burned 1,015 acres
+ 2009 Crafton Hills Fire burned 350 acres
+ 2007 Yucaipa Ridge Fire burned 280 acres
+ 2007 Jefferson Fire burned 125 acres
Responsibility for wildland fire prevention and suppression includes the city, state, and federal government. The federal government has the primary responsibility in Wildwood Canyon, Yucaipa Hills, and National Forest. These "federal responsibility areas" (FRA) total 8% of the acreage within the City and sphere of influence. Areas where the State of California has primary responsibility (called "State Responsibility Areas" or "SRA") comprise 17%, primarily in the Crafton Hills and El Dorado Ranch Park. Local responsibility areas comprise most of the developed areas in Yucaipa.
According to CAL FIRE, half of the City of Yucaipa is designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHZS) based on fuels, terrain, and weather. These lands are characterized by fire -prone land cover — primarily valley grasslands, mixed chaparral, and shrub communities.
Significant residential growth is planned over the buildout of Yucaipa; however, approximately 5,200 units will be located in a VHFHZS. Of those total units, only a fraction is permitted within SRA lands ("200 units) or within FRA lands (-150 units), which are protected by CAL FIRE and the US Forest Service, respectively.
The City of Yucaipa designated fire -prone areas with a fire safety overlay district, which incorporates the most current version of the state's map of Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Figure S-3, Fire Safety Overlay District, designates these areas as FR-1 (Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones) and FR-2, which are lands vulnerable to fire due to proximity to FR-1 areas. FR-3 areas correspond to Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-19
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
2024 UPDATE
7-20 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
Protecting Our Community
CAL FIRE provides fire service protection for Yucaipa in accordance with its Unit Fire Plan and service contract covering the entire city and surrounding State Responsibility Area. The following section describes CAL FIRE services, City requirements for adequate infrastructure, and municipal code requirements for land uses citywide and in the fire service overlay districts.
Fire Stations
CAL FIRE provides fire suppression and paramedic services for Yucaipa services from three permanent local stations and one reserve station in Oak Glen (volunteer staffed). Table 1 shows Yucaipa's fire stations locations, equipment, and staffing.
Table 5-1 Fire Services
Station and
Location
Cal -Fire Station
Fire Station No. 1
11416 Bryant
Crafton Station
Fire Station No. 2
32664 Yucaipa
Wildwood Station
Fire Station No. 3
34259 Wildwood
Oak Glen Station
(Volunteer)
11877 Oak Glen
Equipment
• 1 Front Line Type I Fire Engine
•2 Front Line Type III Fire Engines
• Fire Station Heliopad
• Utility (Quick Response Rescue)
• 1 Front Line Type I Fire Engine
• 1 Reserve Type I Fire Engine
• 1 Type II Fire Engine
• 1 Front Line Type I Fire Engine
• 1 Reserve Type I Fire Engine
• 1 Utility (Pick up)
• 1 Type III Fire Engine
• 1 Type IV Fire Engine
• 1 Type II Water Tender
Daily Staffing
Each Type I engine is
ALS municipally staffed
with minimum 3-
person crew—incl. 1
captain, 1 engineer,
and 1 firefighter. (one
paramedic -qualified).
Each Type III engine is
minimum staffed with
3-person crew, incl. 1
captain or engineer
and 2 firefighters.
Varied staffing depends
on available reserve
(volunteer) firefighters
Yucaipa has opted for the CAL FIRE staffing of 3-person crews, plus an assigned Fire Captain at all times on each engine. Through agreements with cooperating fire departments and assigned Yucaipa fire engines, CAL FIRE makes available a total of 4 to 5 fire engines plus a chief officer on a standard structure fire response depending on the reported type of structure, for a total complement of 13 to 16 personnel. Staff arriving at an incident is paramedic qualified and can provide advanced life support services.
Yucaipa Fire strives to meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for responding to fire and other emergencies. NFPA recommends that first responders arrive at the fire scene in five minutes or less at least 90% of the time. Response time is measured from the time of the 911 call to arrival at the scene. Yucaipa Fire currently averages about five minutes to all parts of the city, including the Wildwood Canyon and Oak Glen areas.
Over the past several years, Yucaipa Fire has seen an increase in the number of medical aid calls, which have impacted resource deployment
and "high time on task" efforts that result in a corresponding increase to response times. As a result, the City has identified a need for a dedicated medical squad that can result in better resource deployment.
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-21
7. PUBLIC SAFETY 2024 UPDATE
7-22 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
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HIGHLAND
The City's Fire Safety Review Areas correspond to the most current Fire Hazard Severity Zones, as mapped by CAL FIRE.
FR-1, which refers to areas designated in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ), are wildland areas or areas of transition from wildland areas and therefore are at higher risk from fires. FR-2 corresponds to areas designated as High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and FR-3 corresponds to Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The City has adopted modified fire protection standards in its Development Code and Municipal Code for new development within its Fire Safety Review Areas.
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Yucaipa Ridge
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CEDAR AVE Yucaip
AVENUE E
AVENUE H
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Figure S-3
FIRE SAFETY
OVERLAY
City Limits
Yucaipa Sphere of Influence
Fire Stations
Fire Hazard Severity Zones
MI FR-1 (Very High)
FR-2 (High)
FR-3 (Moderate)
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7. PUBLIC SAFETY
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7-24 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
Water Supply
Adequate and reliable water supplies are essential to suppress fires.
Yucaipa adheres to fire infrastructure and flow requirements in accordance with the California Fire Code (2013), National Fire Protection Association standards, and local standards. Table S-2 shows the City's fire flow standards for new development projects.
Table 5-2 Fire Flow Standards for New Development
Type of Development
Detached Single Family Residential
Duration Fire
Flow (gpm) (hours) Hydrants
1,500 2 2
Attached Multifamily Residential
3,000 2 3
Light Commercial/Industrial (incl. schools)
3,000 3 3
Heavy Commercial/Industrial
5,000 4 4
Source: Yucaipa Valley Water District, 2015
Note: The City requires new projects in undersupplied areas to provide fire sprinkler systems and adequately sized on -site reservoirs to provide fire flow requirements Yucaipa's water system (water lines, tanks, pump stations, etc.) is sized to handle the highest demand on the system. This is calculated assuming a worst -case scenario for the fire hydrant farthest from the connection to the distribution system, at the highest elevation, assuming the supply reservoir is half full. Water pipes are sized to allow a maximum daily flow plus fire flow that provides a residual pressure of 20 psi (pounds per square inch) and maximum velocity of 10 fps (feet per second) system wide.
Yucaipa's water system provides adequate water supply, although some areas may comply with lower standards in effect at that time. CAL FIRE maintains fire pre -plans (included in each assigned fire engine) that address water shortages, building types/construction types, water sources, and other features of the area in question. When a response is initiated in these areas, the Incident Commander can request additional water resources (e.g., water tenders, mutual aid, aerial support, etc.) as needed.
Water supplies can be interrupted or curtailed due to drought, fire, earthquake (which damage facilities and infrastructure), or power failure. In case of emergency, YVWD maintains backup generators for critical infrastructure to avoid supply interruptions. YVWD can maintain or supplement water supplies through interties with adjacent water companies or standby production wells. Critical facilities are compliant with state seismic safety standards.
In cases of extended -attack fires or wildland fires, CAL FIRE uses a triage of strategies. CAL FIRE maintains emergency land use agreements with the County and Yucaipa Valley Water District to draw water from Yucaipa Reservoir, Crafton Hills Reservoir, and Yucaipa Regional Park.
Water tenders are used to transport water to a fire when hydrants or other supplies are not near the fire. Cooperative agreements with other agencies are also employed.
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-25
2024 UPDATE
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
The City is currently developing a map that
identifies residential developments in hazard
areas that do not currently have at least two
emergency evacuation routes identified.
7-26 1 CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
Fire Access Standards
Yucaipa's has adopted the California Fire Code (CFC) with amendments to address local fire hazard concerns. Specific requirements for fire access include:
+ Roadway Design. Access roads and public and private streets shall not exceed a 12% grade, be capable of supporting 75,000 pounds, and built with all-weather driving capabilities
+ Subdivision Access. Subdivisions must have two points of vehicular ingress and egress from streets, one of which may be used for emergency purposes only.
+ Road widths. Roads shall be at least 24 feet wide citywide and allow for 2-way traffic and 26 feet in FR1 areas; emergency vehicle access only is required to have a 20-foot minimum.
+ Bridge Design. Per the California Fire Code, access bridges meet nationally recognized design standards, including a capability of supporting 75,000 pounds.
+ Project Perimeter. Projects must provide adequate vehicular access for firefighting vehicles to the perimeter of a project that is adjacent to a fuel modified area or fire hazard area.
Vegetation Management
The Yucaipa Municipal Code incorporated the latest 2013 CFC and appendices, and amended it to address vegetation management. New structures in areas containing combustible vegetation must secure a fuel modification plan approved by the Fire Official. The plan must address water supply, access, building ignition and fire resistance, fire protection systems and equipment, defensible space, and vegetation management consistent with the CFC's "Requirements for Wildland- Urban Interface Fire Areas."
In accordance with the California Public Resources Code, properties upon or adjoining hazardous fire areas must maintain a 100-foot defensible space around structures, with most intensive fuel management within the first 30 feet around the structure. Electrical transmission lines must have at least 10-foot clearances. To facilitate emergency access and evacuation, 10-foot clearances are required along each side of portions of highways and private streets that are improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicles.
Additional vegetation management strategies are employed in state and federal responsibility areas. The United States Forest Service, CAL FIRE, and San Bernardino National Forest maintain a system of fuelbreaks to protect Yucaipa from wildfires. Fuelbreaks are listed in the Oak Glen/Banning Hazardous Fuel Reduction Project and the Inyo- Mono-San Bernardino Unit Fire plans. Fuelbreaks are located below Yucaipa Ridge, the interface of Yucaipa Hills and Oak Glen, Crafton Hills, and Wildwood Canyon.
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
Building, Development, and Signage Regulations
Yucaipa has adopted the latest edition of the California Fire Code, with all appendices, and amended it to address local concerns. The Fire Marshall reviews plans for structures and buildings citywide, including fire -prone areas. Checklists are used to address fire code requirements, including but not limited to: street and building signage, water supply, water infrastructure, sprinkler requirements, building requirements (sprinklers, smoke detectors, roofing, etc.), access roads, and vegetation management among others.
The City enforces uniform building address and street sign letters.
Street sign letters must be at least 4" in height and 3/8" in width. As required by the Fire Code, addresses for single-family structures shall be 4" in height, 3/8" in width, on contrasting backgrounds, and plainly visible and legible from an access roadway or the street. Commercial and multi -family projects shall have numbers of 8" in height and 1/2"in width, and on contrasting background. Industrial address letters must be 12" in height and1" in width.
Hazardous Materials
Yucaipa Fire is responsible for inspecting facilities that handle hazardous materials, generate or treat hazardous waste, and/or operate an underground storage tank. Yucaipa Fire also responds to situations where local traffic accidents lead to a spillage of hazardous materials. Additional governmental agencies help protect Yucaipans from hazardous waste and materials. As the certified unified public agency (CUPA), the County of San Bernardino Fire Department implements the hazardous waste and materials standards for Yucaipa.
This program covers seven areas.
+ Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) Program
+ Area Plans for Hazardous Materials Emergencies
+ California Accidental Release Prevention (CalARP) Program + Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans and Inventories + Hazardous Material Management Plan (HMMP)
+ Hazardous Waste Generator Program
+ Onsite Waste Treatment Program
+ Underground Storage Tank Program
While Yucaipa does not have large hazardous waste generators or facilities typical for cities, other facilities present key fire hazards.
Southern California Gas Company operates a high-pressure gas transmission and distribution pipeline that extends along Interstate 10 and then northward along the western portion of the city and the southernmost section of the community north of the 1-10. If this high- pressure gas distribution line ruptured during an earthquake, the released gas could result in a significant fire.
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-27
7. PUBLIC SAFETY 2024 UPDATE
7-28 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL S-3: FIRE SAFETY
A community that implements proactive fire hazard
abatement strategies and, as a result, is minimally
impacted by wildland and urban fires.
Policies
S-3.1 Fire Hazard Identification. Maintain and continuously update the City's fire hazard overlay map for changes in fire hazard severity overlay district consistent with
changes in hazard designations by CAL FIRE.
S-3.2 Fire Service Levels. Provide appropriate staffing levels, equipment, facilities, and training to maintain an
Insurance Service Office Rating of 3; continue to strive to meet the latest industry standards in fire safety.
5-3.3 Fire Department Resources. Provide periodic
assessments of existing Fire Department resource
utilization and community growth trends to inform
planned equipment purchases to best ensure that it will meet future emergency service needs.
S-3.4 Fire Department Funding. Use a variety of funding sources, such as facilities districts, to fund and sustain needed resources. As part of such resources, ensure land use planning allows for the full use of new equipment
(such as encouraging projects that would directly need
and benefit from an aerial ladder truck) to provide an
appropriate return on investment. Require dedicated
public safety funding sources with new projects.
Additional funding shall be required for projects that
require specialized equipment, such as an aerial ladder truck.
S-3.5 Fire Codes. Require adherence to applicable fire codes for buildings and structures, fire access, and other standards in accordance with Fire Hazard Overlay Districts, California Fire Code, and municipal codes; encourage retrofit of
nonconforming land uses.
5-3.6 Fuel Modification. Require adherence to fuel
modification and defensible space requirements to
reduce wildfire hazards; work with CAL FIRE to coordinate fuelbreaks in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Require new projects to provide a funding mechanism for provide the long term maintenance of clearances.
S-3.7 Permit Approvals. Ensure compliance with the
Subdivision Map Act requirements for structural fire
protection and suppression services, subdivision
requirements for on/off-site improvements, ingress and
egress, street standards, and other concerns.
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
S-3.8 Adequate Water Supply and Redundancy. Work with
public and private water distribution and supply facilities to ensure adequate water capacity and system
redundancy to supply emergency firefighting needs.
S-3.9 Critical Facilities and Structures. Locate, design, maintain, and upgrade critical facilities, structures, and
infrastructure (police stations, roads, utilities, reservoirs, residential development, etc.) to minimize exposure to
fire hazards.
5-3.10 Public Education. Educate the community about fire prevention and suppression; work with other agencies
and private interests to educate private landowners on
fire -safe measures to achieve a low risk condition.
S-3.11 Post -fire Treatment. Work with CAL FIRE, USFS, USGS, and applicable nongovernmental agencies to create a plan to address post -fire recovery activities and projects that allow burned areas to fully recover and minimize
repetitive losses and further damage.
5-3.12 Comprehensive Public Safety. Proactively work with local emergency services providers (such as ambulance services and CONFIRE) to maintain Fire Department resource
availability to effectively respond to fire service calls. 5-3.13 Upgrades to Infrastructure. By 2025, the City will identify existing areas that have inadequate fire department
access and evacuation routes, including residential
neighborhoods that do not have two access routes
available. Provide updates and programs to minimize risks to those neighborhoods.
S-3.14 Fire Hazard Reduction. Develop an annual program that provides for fire hazard reduction projects, including
community fuel breaks and private road and public road
clearance. Encourage the development of "NFPA Firewise
USA" Communities in areas of Very High Fire Hazard
Severity Zone for resident involvement.
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-29
7. PUBLIC SAFETY 2024 UPDATE
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7-30 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Management of emergencies and disasters consists of: 1) event preparedness; 2) response during or soon after the event; (3) post - event recovery; and 4) hazard mitigation. To accomplish these phases requires quick, dynamic, and effective response from multiple entities.
This requires preparation by public agencies, neighborhoods, businesses, and families.
Planning For Disasters
Yucaipa Fire Department, Police Department, and the public safety management within the City Manager's office coordinate emergency preparedness planning, response, and recovery efforts. These include:
Preparedness
Yucaipa adheres to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) for emergency preparedness. NIMS is a systematic approach for government, nongovernmental organizations, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and the private sector to work together to manage threats and hazards. The NIMS provides a comprehensive and standardized incident management system for agencies that are involved in emergency management and/or incident response. The City of Yucaipa is NIMS-compliant as articulated in its Emergency Operation Plan and therefore eligible for federal preparedness grants and award.
Response Phase
Yucaipa follows the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) to structure its response phase of emergency management.
Adopted by California, SEMS unifies all elements of emergency management into a single integrated and standardized system. SEMS incorporates an incident command system, field -level emergency response system, multi/inter-agency coordination, mutual aid, and operational area concept. Yucaipa is SEMS-compliant and therefore eligible for reimbursement of response -related costs under state disaster assistance programs.
Recovery/Prevention
Yucaipa coordinates and manages recovery/prevention activities following emergencies/disasters through the City Manager and the Emergency Services Coordinator. City staff may also assist in facilitating and leading the recovery process. For declared emergencies, City staff complete a detailed damage/safety assessment that is forwarded to County OES for inclusion in the County's IDE report. After -Action Reports will identify corrective actions and make recommendations for correcting problems noted in the response/recovery effort, or during exercises and training.
The City's Emergency Operations Plan and Hazard Mitigation Plan provide additional information on these and other topics.
Community events like "Are You Ready
Yucaipa?" draw more than 1,000
residents and businesses each year.
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-31
7. PUBLIC SAFETY 2024 UPDATE
7-32 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
Protection and Preservation of Public Facilities, Critical Infrastructure, and Lifeline Services
Disaster planning and recovery depend on a reliable network of public facilities, critical infrastructure, and lifeline services. Public facilities include police and fire stations, schools, community centers, and emergency operations and communication centers. Critical infrastructure includes generators, water and sewer lines, utilities, transportation routes, etc. Lifeline services critical to health and safety include water, sewer, energy, waste disposal, communications, and others. Figure 5-4, Critical Facilities and Infrastructure, identifies critical facilities and infrastructure.
Emergency preparedness extends beyond construction activities to planning in system redundancies so that a single event (e.g., power failure or road failure) does not prevent the provision of essential services, such as paramedics, water supply, or other service. California law mandates that buildings, bridges, and infrastructure be built in accordance with state and federal building standards to protect from flooding, earthquakes, fire, and other disasters. The City periodically upgrades facilities in accordance with the above.
Evacuation Routes
With its location in the foothills and near wildlands, Yucaipa is subject to natural hazards. These include 100-year floodplains, active faults and geological hazards, Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, and other natural hazards. During an emergency, evacuation routes are needed to move people to safe locations and move equipment to affected hazard areas. Yucaipa has three levels of evacuation routes, depending on the emergency.
+ Local Routes. Eight arterials (Bryant, Oak Glen, Yucaipa, 14th Street, Wildwood Canyon, County Line, Calimesa Boulevard, and Mesa Grande) are designated as evacuation routes.
+ Regional Routes. The San Bernardino County General Plan has designated Oak Glen Road as the primary regional evacuation routes for the Oak Glen Mountain community.
+ Federal and State Routes. Interstate 10 is the primary federal evacuation route while Highway 38 is the primary state -designated evacuation route from the mountain communities.
The precise evacuation route to use during an emergency depends on many factors, including the type of natural disaster, location of incident, weather conditions, road conditions, and traffic volume. Figure 5-5, Evacuation Routes in Yucaipa, identifies the local, regional, and state/federal evacuation routes in the city.
7. PUBLIC SAFETY 1 7-33
Figure S-4
CRITICAL FACILITIES
AND INFRASTRUCTURE
iI City limits
Yucaipa Sphere of Influence
Critical Facilities
Reseivair
▪ School
• Fire Station
Library
♦ City HalVEmergenny Operations Center (FOC)
• Police Dept/Alternative EOC
• Yucaipa Transit Station
* Yucaipa Community Center
* Public Works Yard/Records Censer
* Scherer Community Center
• Yucaipa Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Yucaipa Valley Water District
+ Major Bridge
Existing Drainage Basin
Proposed Drainage Basin
Major Roads
YUCAIPA
GENERAL PLAN
3,f "r"rT-�I ®PLACEWORKS
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7. PUBLIC SAFETY
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7-34 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
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7. PUBLIC SAFETY 1 7-35
Figure S-5
EVACUATION ROUTES
r City Limits
Yucaipa Sphere al Influence
Evacuation Routes
-- local Evacuation Route
— — — Regional Evacuation Route
Stale Hwy Evacuation Route
Interstate Evacuation Route
Hazard Designation
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Floodplain Review Area 1 (100 Year Flood Area)
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YU CA I PA
GENERAL PLAN
PLACEW'ORKS
7. PUBLICSAFFT'
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7-36 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
GOAL S-4: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
A comprehensive preparedness program that anticipates
the potential for disasters, maintains continuity of life- support functions, and uses community -based disaster
response planning.
Policies
5-4.1 Hazard Planning. Update the City's hazard mitigation and emergency operations plan on a timely basis; coordinate with relevant agencies responsible for updating water,
fire, or other hazard mitigation plans.
S-4.2 Training. Require training of City emergency response personnel through coursework, emergency operations
plan orientation, disaster service training, emergency
operations center training, and other topics.
S-4.3 Public Education. Promote education and events that reinforce the responsibility and capability of residents, business owners, and City staff to plan for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters; implement and
support local CERT programs.
S-4.4 Interagency Support. Sustain mutual aid and automatic aid agreements through the California Disaster and Civil Defense Master Mutual Aid Agreement, and with adjacent
service providers (fire, flooding, earthquake, emergency medical, etc.).
5-4.5 Communications. Maintain communication protocols and systems for coordinating emergency service providers,
public agencies, business, schools, utilities, and other affected parties to respond in an effective manner to
emergencies and disasters.
S-4.6 Critical Facilities and Lifeline Services. Coordinate with service providers to ensure that essential facilities, lifeline services, and infrastructure (water, sewer,
communication, power, roads, etc.) are capable of
responding following a disaster.
5-4.7 Emergency Access and Evacuation. Maintain, update, and improve, as needed, emergency access, protocols, and
evacuation routes for residents, business, equine and
large animals; regularly exercise evacuation protocol and procedures to assess their effectiveness and correct
deficiencies.
S-4.8 Disaster Recovery. Work with emergency service
providers to implement post -disaster recovery plans to return public services to a state of normalcy, address
ongoing hazard -specific mitigations, and assist community members in recovering from disasters.
Aerial fire support during the El Dorado
fire showcases the interagency support
to address large-scale disaster events.
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-37
7. PUBLIC SAFETY 2024 UPDATE
7-38 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
5-4.9 Public Safety Funding. Require dedicated public safety funding sources, such as a Community Facilities District, for Police, Fire, and Paramedic services as part of new projects.
Funding is a critical element to ensure that resources are available and can be tailored to meet the needs of the community.
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
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CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-39
7. PUBLIC SAFETY 2024 UPDATE
SEVERE WEATHER
Typically, communities focus public safety programs on addressing community -wide hazards such as earthquakes, fire, flooding, and other hazards that have a widespread impact and cost. However, severe weather conditions can also cause substantial damage to property and infrastructure and result in injuries and loss of life. Yucaipa recognizes that the frequency of severe weather in the community makes it a public safety concern for residents.
Weather Hazards
According to the City's Hazard Mitigation Plan, Yucaipa is generally susceptible to high winds, extreme heat, torrential rain and lightning, and occasional snow or freezes.
High Winds
Yucaipa's location at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains makes it susceptible to straight-line winds that can exceed 100 miles per hour, knocking down trees and power lines and disrupting utility service.
From October through February, Yucaipa also experiences warm and dry Santa Ana winds that descend from the high desert and can reach speeds of 100 miles per hour. The most significant hazard from high winds is an increased wildfire danger, but winds can down trees and power lines, damage property, and create hazards for aircraft. Every year, Yucaipa experiences numerous high wind events.
Extreme Heat
Yucaipa is known for exceptionally dry and hot weather, particularly during summer when maximum temperatures often exceed 100 degrees. Extreme heat becomes a broader health hazard when it either affects residents (due to the potential for heat -related illness) or results in electric power outages. Periodic extreme heat events in San Bernardino County influence the ability of utilities to provide electric service. Although formal stage alerts causing service interruption have not occurred frequently in several years, load warnings and voluntary reductions have occurred.
Rainfall and Freezing Weather
Due to elevation and topography, Yucaipa experiences more intense storms than other cities. Thunderstorms from July through September can create lightning strikes, erratic high winds, and torrential rains.
Yucaipa's elevation also results in seasonal freezing weather and one to four inches of snow each year. Normal rainfall and snow events rarely lead to significant safety hazards. However, freezing conditions can lead to slippery roads and a higher risk of automobile accidents. Freezing weather, when coupled with power outages, can also leave residents unable to heat homes.
7-40 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
Protecting Our Community
The lead agency responsible for addressing severe weather events and the impacts on the Yucaipa community is incident specific. Utility companies are responsible for service disruption from downed power lines or heat events. The fire department is responsible for wind -driven fires and provides sandbags to protect against rainfall and mudslides.
The public works department is responsible for clearing downed trees that block streets. The police department would direct traffic in cases of downed or malfunctioning signals.
GOAL 5-5: SEVERE WEATHER
Minimize the impacts of severe weather conditions on
residents, businesses, and visitors.
Policies
S-5.1 Wind Protective Features. Promote the installation of protective wind barriers on homes and buildings, such as vegetation walls, glass panel windscreens, roof clips,
hedges, or rows of trees.
S-5.2 Public Trees and Vegetation. Maintain trees and
vegetation in public rights -of -way and close to critical facilities (e.g., police, fire, hospital facilities) and utility lines to lessen tree failure and property damage risks.
S-5.3 Signage. Require all signage and moving structures susceptible to high wind damage to be tied down
appropriately, or brought down or covered when high
wind alerts are in effect.
S-5.4 Roadway Closures. Close down non -essential roadways and redirect traffic onto other routes during
thunderstorms, torrential rain, or snow/freezing
conditions where warranted to protect the public.
S-5.5 Cooling Centers. Designate public buildings or specific private buildings with air conditioning as public cooling shelters; extend hours at air-conditioned sites during
periods of extreme heat and power outage.
S-5.6 Storms. Continue to provide access to flood protection resources and services (signage, sandbags, etc.) as feasible at designated public facilities during and after extreme weather events.
S-5.7 Public Education. Educate the community about the importance of regular tree maintenance near structures
and power lines to minimize risk of downed trees,
branches, and power lines during windstorms.
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 1 7-41
7. PUBLIC SAFETY 2024 UPDATE
Interstate 10 is the primary source of noise
and vibration in southwest Yucaipa.
7-42 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
NOISE AND VIBRATION
Noise is defined as unwanted sound. From the rumbling of trucks on the roadways to the whine of leaf blowers on a quiet morning, noise and vibration can interrupt our conversations, thoughts, and leisure. Many excessive sources of noise (e.g., freeways) are also often accompanied by vibration. Noise and vibration sensitivity varies throughout the day or evening, at different locations, and among receptors. Despite these variations, most people agree that noise and vibration adversely affect health and well-being.
Unlike most cities in southern California, Yucaipa is far from many urban noise sources —airports, railroads, and heavy industry. Yet Yucaipa's noise and vibration environment still varies throughout the community.
While the North Bench and Wildwood Canyon have more localized noise sources, commercial centers or business districts experience higher levels of noise from business, roads, and traffic. Interstate 10 is the largest source of noise and vibration, the contours of which extend for some distance from the freeway.
Measuring Noise and Vibration
Noise is a complex subject and can be measured in different ways. Noise is measured by an A -weighted sound pressure level, or dBA, which accounts for sound pressure level, the pitch of sound, and the way the human ear responds to both pressure and pitch. CNEL is the average sound level over a 24-hour period, with a penalty of 5 dB added from 7 pm to 10 pm and a penalty of 10 dB added for the hours of 10 pm to 7 am. Details on noise fundamentals are found in the noise study conducted for the General Plan update.
Vibration is an oscillatory motion through a solid medium in which the motion's amplitude can be described in terms of displacement, velocity, or acceleration. Vibration is normally associated with activities such as railroads or vibration -intensive stationary sources, but can also be associated with construction equipment such as jackhammers, pile drivers, and hydraulic hammers. Heavy trucks can also generate significant levels of ground borne vibrations. Potholes, pavement joints, and uneven pavement surfaces can increase the vibration from passing vehicles.
Noise and vibration levels do not affect all land uses or people equally.
Certain land uses are more sensitive to levels of noise and vibration. For example, residential, school, health care facilities, and open space/recreation areas (where quiet environments are necessary for enjoyment, health, and safety) are more sensitive to noise. Generally, commercial and industrial uses are not considered noise- and vibration - sensitive uses unless the interior level of noise and vibration exceeds state or federal occupational standards.
Land Use Planning and Compatibility
Yucaipa is responsible for protecting residents and visitors from unacceptable noise and vibration. Table 5-3 shows that the City requires specific land uses to achieve an interior noise level of 45-50 dBA and exterior noise level of 60-65 dBA depending on land use. When non -transportation sources are the primary noise source, the City also uses hourly standards. These standards are intended to ensure that land uses within Yucaipa are compatible and do not detract from quality of life due to unacceptable levels of noise.
Table 5-3 Land Use —Noise Compatibility Standards
Category
Residential
Land Uses
Single and Multi -family Duplex
Ldn (or CNEL), dB
45 Mobile Home
45 Hotel, Motel, Lodging
45 60*
60*
60*
Commercial
Commercial Retail, Bank, Restaurant
50 Office Building, R&D, Offices
45 65
Amphitheater, Auditorium, Theater
45 Institutional Hospital, School, Church, Library 45 65 Open Space Park and Recreational Areas - 65
Note: *An exterior noise level up to 65 dBA will be allowed, provided exterior noise levels are substantially mitigated through the reasonable use of best available noise reduction technology and interior noise does not exceed 45 dBA with windows and doors closed.
Under the municipal code, no ground vibration is allowed which can be felt without the aid of instruments at or beyond the lot line, or which produces a particle velocity greater than or equal to two -tenths (0.2) inch per second measured at or beyond the lot line. Construction activities are generally exempt during working days.
Future Noise Levels
Yucaipa's predominant source of noise levels is transportation related.
Based on noise measurements, projected noise levels were identified and calculated at buildout of the general plan and then compared with City standards to determine the most noise -impacted areas. Areas having an average day -night sound level (Ldn) of 60 dBA (if residential) or 65 dBA or greater (less sensitive uses) were identified. Figure S-6, Noise Hazard Overlay District, shows the greatest future sources of noise will be roadways:
+ Sand Canyon
+ Yucaipa Boulevard
+ Avenue E
+ Live Oak Canyon
+ Oak Glen Road
+ Portions of 14th Street
+ Colorado Road
+ County Line Road
+ Calimesa Boulevard
+ Bryant Street
+ Portions of 5`h Street
+ Interstate 10
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-43
7. PUBLIC SAFETY 2024 UPDATE
Protecting Our Community
The state and federal government regulate sources of noise from transportation sources or the workplace. Therefore, the City works to control noise through the following programs and policies.
Noise Insulation Standards
Yucaipa enforces State of California Noise Insulation Standards (California Administrative Code, Title 24) and Chapter 35 of the Uniform Building Code. These regulations specify that acoustical studies must be prepared for all new multiple -family projects, condominiums, hotels, and motels proposed for areas within the 60 CNEL contour. In accordance with noise insulation standards, project applicants must demonstrate that building design features can reduce interior noise levels to 45 CNEL or better.
Noise Ordinance and Vibration Standards
The municipal code gives the City authority to regulate noise at its source (except transportation sources), protect noise -sensitive land uses, and regulate the level of vibration. The municipal code also specifies permitted periods for construction and grading activities to exceed specified noise thresholds, vibration thresholds, and exemptions where applicable. Construction activities typically have some level of exemption during working hours. These standards are also applicable to nontransportation sources of noise and vibration and periodic nuisances within the community.
Noise Overlay District
Yucaipa applies a noise hazard overlay district to areas where the Lan is 65 dBA CNEL or greater. For new projects, the 60-dBA CNEL contour represents areas in which proposed noise sensitive land use should be evaluated. Projects should strive to meet the 60-dBA CNEL noise standard. An exterior noise level of up to 65 dBA CNEL will be allowed for new projects, provided exterior noise levels have been substantially mitigated through the reasonable application of the best available noise reduction technology and interior noise exposure does not exceed 45 dBA with windows and doors closed.
Land Use Planning
To ensure land use compatibility, City programs focus on reducing noise and vibration levels by shielding the receiver, thus interrupting the path of noise and vibration. This is achieved by three means: 1) proactive land use planning that separates potentially incompatible uses; 2) building design and site planning; and 3) reducing noise and vibration from the freeway and roadways through appropriate barriers (e.g., walls, landscaping, berms, and other appropriate techniques). Sounds walls should be the last resort after all other practical design -related noise and vibration reduction measures have been undertaken. 7-44 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
54444 Ciiy of 54nirm, 7014
2/3/2016
7. PUBLIC SAFETY I 7-45
Figure S-6
NOISE HAZARD
OVERLAY DISTRICT
FT] city [hulls
Yucaipa Sphere of Influence
Overlay Designation
60 dBA future noise level
65+ dBA fulure noise level
YUCAI PA
GENERAL PLAN
rruLJm
1 ISCO Zat 1X CYo
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
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7-46 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL S-6: NOISE AND VIBRATION SAFETY
Appropriate community noise and vibration levels that
balance the need for peaceful environments for sensitive land uses with the needs of local businesses and regional land uses.
Policies
S-6.1 Noise Assessment. Assess the compatibility of proposed land uses with the noise environment when preparing,
revising, or reviewing applications for development
projects or land use changes.
5-6.2 Acoustical Studies. Require acoustical studies for proposed projects within areas that exceed 60 dBA;
discourage siting of new noise -sensitive uses in areas exceeding 65 dBA without appropriate mitigation.
5-6.3 Noise Insulation and Vibration Standards. Require new projects to comply with noise insulation and vibration
reduction standards in local, regional, state, and federal regulations, as applicable.
5-6.4 Noise Nuisance Standards. Regulate the control of residential noise nuisances —such as parties, barking dogs, other animals, and limited agricultural operations —
through the City's municipal code.
S-6.5 Development Patterns. Locate new development in areas where noise levels are appropriate for the use. Limit
development of noise -producing uses adjacent to noise - sensitive receptors and require that noise -producing land uses have adequate mitigation.
5-6.6 Land Use -Noise Compatibility. Require mitigation of exterior and interior noise to the levels in Table S-1.
Encourage the use of building design, site planning,
landscaping, and other features to reduce noise levels.
S-6.7 Vibration Reduction. Minimize vibration impacts from construction sites, roadways, and other sources with a
combination of setbacks, structural design features, and operational regulations as appropriate.
S-6.8 Street Improvements to Reduce Noise. Employ noise mitigation practices and materials when designing or
improving streets; emphasize use of natural buffers or
setbacks between roads and noise -sensitive areas.
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 7-47
7. PUBLIC SAFETY 2024 UPDATE
7-48 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
AIR QUALITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Recent years have seen increasing awareness of how human activities affect the environment. Industrial activities, transportation, and other activities primarily using fossil fuels are known to release pollutants, carbon dioxide, and other gases into the atmosphere. The cumulative effect of these activities has been twofold: air pollution and a global "greenhouse" effect.
Air Quality
Air pollution has long been a health concern in Southern California.
Smog is the term used to describe air pollutants, including ground -level ozone (smog's main ingredient), particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide. When released to the air, these gases react with each other in sunlight to produce smog. Ocean breezes then sweep the smog inland, where warmer air traps the smog close to the ground where people live and breathe.
San Bernardino County has long experienced poor air quality. Just 25 years ago, 60% of all days in San Bernardino County had unhealthful air quality in 1990. Since then, stringent regulations implemented by the South Coast Air Quality Management District and technological advances have led to significant improvements in air quality. In 2015, only 30% of the days each year in San Bernardino County have unhealthful air quality.
Southern California is now in compliance with state and federal standards for many criteria pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO2), sulfur dioxide (S02, and lead (Pb). However, the region continues to be in severe and/or extreme nonattainment status for particulate matter (PMio and PM2,3), and ozone (03). The City's primary source of air pollution is ozone (03), while other areas in the County also have high levels of particulate matter.
Even at today's levels, poor air quality continues to affect health.
Breathing ozone can trigger chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Ground - level ozone also can reduce lung function, inflame lung linings, and even permanently scar lung tissue. Ozone is also known to affect sensitive vegetation and ecosystems, including forests, wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas.
Several regulatory agencies are involved in improving air quality. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is responsible for assuring that the ambient air quality standards are attained and is responsible for promulgating regulations for stationary sources. The California Air Resources Board focuses its air pollution activities on air pollution emanating from transportation sources —vehicles, trucks, railroads, and marine vessels. The federal Environmental Protection Agency regulates airplane emissions.
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
Climate Change
Just as air pollution adversely affects health, it also affects climate. The Earth's temperature depends on a balance between incoming energy from the sun, and outgoing energy that is radiated to space as heat.
Atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other gases trap energy and prevent heat from escaping into the atmosphere. The cumulative impact of millions of GHG-generating activities affects this balance.
The reduction in the release of heat back into the atmosphere has been credited with global warming. The consequences of climate change are hard to predict. Globally, impacts could include warmer temperatures, decreasing snow pack, sea level rise, and impacts on water resources, wildlife, habitat, and agricultural production. However, according to the California EPA, even if actions were taken to significantly curtail GHG emissions, the built-up emissions in the atmosphere would result in some level of climate warming.
The California Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) and the California Global Warming Solutions Act have attempted to address climate change issues in a comprehensive manner. On the federal government level, the courts have ruled that GHGs are a source of pollution that is covered under the Clean Air Act. As such, state and federal statutes have been expanded to cover a diverse set of topics, such as land use and transportation, energy and renewables, water efficiency and conservation, and waste and recycling.
Yucaipa contributes to the production of greenhouse gas emissions in a variety of direct and indirect ways. Like most jurisdictions in southern California, the City of Yucaipa's greenhouse gas emissions are predominantly the result of five activities: building energy usage, on - road transportation sources (e.g., vehicles), off -road equipment, solid waste management, and wastewater and water services. Consequently, these five areas also represent the best and most productive opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas reductions to meet the City's mandated targets.
SANBAG's Regional Reduction Plan contains a regional assessment of GHG generation and programs for jurisdictions to implement that collectively achieve reductions in regional GHGs. Building off the regional plan, Yucaipa's Climate Action Plan presents the greenhouse gas inventories and sets forth local measures to reduce GHG emissions under the City's jurisdictional control to achieve the City's reduction targets. The CAP is based upon the Regional Reduction Plan, but has been revised to accommodate the growth projections for 2020 from the proposed 2015 General Plan update.
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-49
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
7-50 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
2024 UPDATE
Protecting Our Community
The City of Yucaipa has adopted a number of plans and regulations that attempt to improve air quality in the community, reduce hazards for residents, and address requirements in state and federal law. These programs are summarized below.
Climate Action Plan
The City of Yucaipa has adopted a Climate Action Plan (CAP) to address requirements under the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. The CAP presents the greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory for Yucaipa, identifies the effectiveness of California, regional, and countywide initiatives to reduce GHG emissions, and concludes with City strategies to achieve GHG targets for Yucaipa. The General Plan Environmental Impact Report contains mitigation measures that are being followed through the duration of the general plan to reduce GHG emissions as required by state law.
Public Nuisance Ordinances
If it is determined during project -level environmental review that a project has the potential to emit nuisance odors beyond the property line, the City has the authority to require odor management plans. Such facilities could include, but are not limited to wastewater treatment, composting or recycling, painting/coating operations, food processing facilities, and other such businesses. Commercial poultry ranches must also have an approved manure management plan to control odors and associated public nuisances. Odor management plans shall identify best available control technologies to reduce odors.
Land Use Planning
Air pollution is most acute near freeways, industrial areas, diesel truck routes, and busy/congested roadways. As such, CARB recommends that "sensitive land uses" such as residences, care facilities, schools, day- care centers, playgrounds, or medical facilities not be located near major sources of pollution. The General Plan provides policies to avoid placing sensitive land uses near sources of air pollution without the preparation of a health risk assessment (HRA). Similarly, qualified polluting industries that are relocating to or expanding must also prepare required HRA prior to approval of local permits.
The following goal and policies are intended to support local and regional goals to improve air quality and mitigate climate change.
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
GOAL S-7: AIR QUALITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Clean and healthful air resources that promotes public
health, protects the natural environment, and mitigates local impacts to climate change.
Policies
5-7.1 Integrated Planning. Integrate air quality planning with land use, economic development, and transportation -
related planning to allow for the control and management of air quality.
S-7.2 Transportation Sources. Encourage the expansion of transit, buildout of the pedestrian and bicycle route
network, support of regional ride -share programs, and
other efforts to reduce vehicle miles travelled from
Yucaipa and associated vehicle emissions.
5-7.3 Sensitive Land Uses. Protect residents from health risks by avoiding the placement of sensitive uses and land uses
generating high levels of pollutants within close proximity to one another. Appropriate distances shall be
determined based on best available knowledge.
5-7.4 Regional Cooperation. Work with the South Coast Air Quality Management District, San Bernardino Association of Governments, local cities, and other agencies and
stakeholders in implementing programs that reduce air
pollution.
S-7.5 Energy Usage. Support the reduction and conservation of energy usage in residential and nonresidential buildings through adoption of building codes, promotion of energy - saving equipment, solar power, and other technology.
5-7.6 Greenhouse Gas Reductions. Reduce communitywide
greenhouse gas emissions locally through the
implementation of Yucaipa's Climate Action Plan; actively support regional efforts to reduce greenhouse gases
throughout the county.
5-7.7 Open Spaces Preservation. Continue to preserve and protect Yucaipa's open natural spaces, maintain a
community forest, and plant public landscaping to help
filter air pollutants and improve air quality.
5-7.8 Odor Management. Work with businesses to address
odors and associated potential public nuisances from
operations; where permissible under state law, require
odor management plans where needed to minimize odors
resulting from business operations.
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 7-51
7. PUBLIC SAFETY 2024 UPDATE
SAFETY PROGRAMS
In accordance with Section 65302 of the Government Code, this section outlines feasible implementation actions that Yucaipa will undertake to achieve the goals, policies, and objectives in the Safety Element. Table S-3 provides a summary of the objectives, timeframes, and implementation measures.
1. Drainage Master Plan
Historically, Yucaipa has been subject to intense flooding that has resulted in personal and economic damages in the community. In 1993, Yucaipa completed and adopted a master drainage plan (MPD) that specified $90 million worth of improvements to its stormwater facilities, including spillover detention and desilting basins. Yucaipa's MPD assesses planned improvements to flood control channels and detention basins; desilting basins; flood channel stabilization; and improvements to drainage facilities and infrastructure needed to provide protection from flooding events.
Action. Continue to implement projects identified in the Master Plan of Drainage; amend plan as needed to maintain accuracy and relevance for flood planning purposes.
2. Flood Plain Safety Overlay District Map
Yucaipa's Floodplain Safety Overlay District identifies areas within the city that need additional protection from flooding hazards. In accordance with FEMA regulations, two flood risks were identified.
Floodplain Review Area 1 (FP 1) includes areas subject to a 100-year flood. Floodplain Review Area 1 (FP 2) includes areas between the 100- year flood and subject to a 500-year flood. These maps are used for planning purposes, including prioritizing capital improvements to reduce flooding risks and requiring enhanced development regulations for properties within a review area.
Action. Continue to update plan as capital improvement projects are completed, risks are identified or modified, or flood insurance rate map revisions are made.
3. Building and Development Standards
The Yucaipa Municipal Code contains enhanced building codes and development standards for projects located within the floodplain.
Enforcement of these codes is a precondition for FEMA to make available flood insurance policies for Yucaipa property owners and businesses. Development projects may be subject to FP 1 or FP 2 regulations, flooding studies, or other mitigation. In certain areas where flood risks have not been defined by FEMA, the City Engineer may require additional studies or mitigation.
Action. Maintain the floodplain management ordinance in accordance with the National Flood Insurance Program and require adherence to the ordinance and state and federal laws.
7-52 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
4. Low Water Crossings
In 1999, the City Council adopted a resolution to prioritize projects that would eliminate low water crossings at several areas as a precondition for applying for federal grant funding to build bridges over the drainage channels and provide "all weather" crossing for traffic. These roads were always closed to traffic during significant storm events. Since then, the City has built bridges or completed "low water crossing replacements" at 5 locations and the City is currently in the design and/or environmental phase for 6 other locations. In 2015, the City Council approved service level options to budget for improvements at the remaining low water crossings.
Action. Continue to implement low water crossing replacement projects identified in the City's capital improvement program and authorizing ordinance.
5. Flood Management Projects
Yucaipa's Master Plan of Drainage is the blueprint for how the City will protect the community from flooding through the construction of infrastructure. The City's Master Plan of Drainage (MPD) provides an assessment of drainage and infrastructure needs and a plan for the construction of detention basins and facilities to protect from flooding hazards. Yucaipa's Master Plan of Drainage is periodically updated, most recently in 2011 and 2008. Needed improvements to the City's drainage system are included in the City's capital improvement program and funded through the annual budget.
Action. Continue the financing and construction of drainage improvements noted in the capital improvements program that are recommended in the Master Plan of Drainage.
6. Flood Infrastructure Maintenance
Yucaipa's extensive network of drainage courses, detention basins, and storm drains requires periodic maintenance to minimize the potential for riverine and urban flooding. The San Bernardino Flood Control District is responsible for maintaining, cleaning, and repairing regional facilities, while the City is responsible for maintaining, cleaning, and repairing all local facilities. The California Department of Water Resources and County Flood Control are responsible for maintaining reservoirs in Yucaipa. To facilitate this maintenance effort, the County operates a master stormwater system maintenance program for regional facilities.
Action. Maintain agreements to ensure proper clearing, maintenance, and repair of stormwater facilities, detention basins, and channels to protect against flooding.
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-53
7. PUBLIC SAFETY 2024 UPDATE
7-54 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
7. Fire Code Amendments
The City has adopted the latest edition of the California Fire Code, with all appendices. The City has also amended the code to address roadway and project access, fuel modification, brush clearance and vegetation management, building signage, and other features. Additional structural requirements have been added for projects in the fire review overlay district. These codes are generally consistent with regulations in the National Fire Protection Association, Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, Wildland-Urban Interface Code, etc. However, as conditions in Yucaipa and best practices change overtime, a periodic review of City codes is warranted.
Action. Review and revise, if necessary, City fire codes to accommodate applicable regulations of the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, state law, and best practices.
8. Fire Safety Overlay Districts
When Yucaipa incorporated in 1989, City leaders adopted portions of the County's Development Code, including fire safety overlay district requirements that are more stringent than most fire codes. Since then, the FR1 and FR2 overlay district requirements have been amended, but not in a comprehensive manner. Under state law, a city may adopt ordinances, rules, or regulations to provide fire prevention restrictions or regulations that are necessary or more stringent than state law to meet local fire conditions and needs. To implement the updated Safety Element, a comprehensive review of fire safety overlay district regulations is warranted. As part of the development of new Planned Development projects or Specific Plans within the FR1 district, include additional provisions that help improve the fire safety conditions, including the implementation of a fire protection plan.
Action. Review and revise, if necessary, local fire overlay district regulations to accommodate applicable regulations of the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, state law, and best practices.
9. Water Supply for Wildland Areas
The City, CAL FIRE, and Yucaipa Valley Water District require that adequate water supplies be made available to address the water supply and fire flow needs for new development. However, citywide water supply standards have not been adopted for wildland areas. In wildland areas, CAL FIRE has access to emergency land use agreements, water tenders, and other provisions to supply water where needed. While CAL FIRE has the capability to address fire suppression needs in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection recommends that the City review standards (such as water supply standards for wildland areas) for consideration and incorporation.
Action. Review and revise, if necessary, local municipal codes to address water supply standards recommended by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.
10. Subdivision Map Requirements
As a condition of subdivision map approval, the City requires that: 1) subdivision design shall provide for safe and ready access for fire and other emergency equipment and evacuation routes; 2) the subdivision shall be served by water supplies for fire protection in accordance with designated standards; and 3) in hazardous fire areas, all flammable or combustible vegetation shall be removed from around all structures in accordance with the Fire Code. However, recently adopted codes (Government 66474.02) require additional findings to be made for the approval of a tentative or parcel map in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
Action. Review and, if necessary, revise Yucaipa Municipal Code to incorporate criteria for tentative and parcel map approvals specified in Government Code 66474.02.
11. Upgrade and Retrofit Program
Yucaipa's structures, streets, water infrastructure, and other features were built in accordance with fire, seismic, flooding, and other safety codes required at that time. The City strives to ensure that public buildings, roads, water infrastructure, and other features are built or retrofitted to meet required safety standards. However, there may be a need to retrofit older structures, buildings and infrastructure outside the purview of City responsibility, such as privately owned mobile homes, buildings, water facilities, and other infrastructure. The City will continue to explore options for grants, loans, and/or other funding mechanisms to address buildings, structures, and facilities needing upgrade.
Action. Continue to upgrade public facilities in compliance with state and federal law. Explore grants, loans, and other mechanisms to encourage the retrofit of privately owned structures, buildings, infrastructure, and other features to meet current safety codes.
12. Hazard Mitigation/Emergency Operations Plan Update
Yucaipa prepares and implements a Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) and Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to protect the community from disasters. Both plans are updated regularly in accordance with state and federal law. The Safety Element identified potential evacuation routes, depending on the hazard. To address other changing requirements, future updates of the EOP, HMP, and Safety Element will ensure that policies, procedures, and protocols will be mutually supportive and consistent with one another.
Action. Review and, if necessary, revise the HMP and EOP to address protocols, procedures, and mapping for evacuation routes and overlay districts. Update the safety element as required to incorporate climate change and resiliency strategies from the HMP and revisions to the EOP that are made in subsequent updates.
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-55
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
2024 UPDATE
Table 5-4 Safety Implementation Programs
Programs
Program #1:
Drainage Master Plan
Time Frame
Action
Funding
Source
Responsible Party
Continue to implement projects identified in
the Master Plan of Drainage; amend plan as
needed to maintain accuracy and relevance for
flood planning purposes.
General Fund;
Drainage Fees
Yucaipa ED
Ongoing
Program #2:
Floodplain Safety Overlay
District Map
Continue to update plan as capital
improvement projects are completed, risks are
identified or modified, or flood insurance rate
map revisions are made.
General Fund;
Drainage Fees
Yucaipa ED
Ongoing
Program #3:
Building and Development
Standards
Maintain thefloodplain management ordinance in
accordance with the National Flood Insurance
Program and require adherence to the ordinance
and state and federal laws.
General Fund
Yucaipa ES
As part of
triennial
update
Program #4:
Low Water Crossing
Continue to implement low water crossing
replacement projects identified in the City's
capital improvement program and authorizing
ordinance.
General Fund
Yucaipa ED
2016-2025
Program #5:
Flood Management projects
Continue the financing and construction of
drainage improvements noted in the capital
improvements program and recommended in
the Master Plan of Drainage.
General Fund
Yucaipa ED
Ongoing
Program #6:
Flood Infrastructure
Maintenance
Maintain agreements to ensure proper
clearing, maintenance, and repair of
stormwater facilities, detention basins, and
channels to protect against flood.
General Fund
Yucaipa PWD
Ongoing
Program #7:
Fire Code Amendment
Review and revise, if necessary, city fire codes
to accommodate applicable regulations of the
Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, state law,
and best practices.
General Fund
Yucaipa DSD
Yucaipa Fire
As part of
al
trien to u
update
Program #8:
Fire Safety Overlay District
Review and revise, if necessary, fire overlay
district regulations to address applicable
regulations of the Board of Forestry and Fire
Protection, state law, and best practices.
General Fund
Yucaipa DSD
Yucaipa Fire
As part of
triennial
update
Program #9:
Water Supply for Wildland
Areas
Review and revise, if necessary, local municipal
codes to accommodate water supply
standards recommended by the Board of
Forestry and Fire Protection.
General Fund
Yucaipa DSD
Yucaipa Fire
Ongoing
Program #10:
Subdivision Map Act
Requirements
Review and, if necessary revise, Yucaipa
Municipal Code to incorporate criteria for
tentative and parcel map approvals specified
in Government Code 66474.02.
General Fund
Yucaipa DSD
Ongoing -
add more
Development
Code Update
Program #11:
Upgrade and Retrofit Program
Continue to upgrade public facilities in
compliance with state and federal law. Explore
grants, loans, and other mechanisms to
encourage the retrofit of privately owned
structures, buildings, infrastructure, and other
features to meet current safety codes.
General Fund
Yucaipa DSD
Ongoing
Program #12:
Mitigation/Emergency
Operations Plan Update
Review and, if necessary, revise the HMP and
EOP to address protocols, procedures, and
mapping for evacuation routes and overlay
districts. Update the safety element to
incorporate climate change and resiliency
strategies from the HMP and revisions to the
EOP that are made in subsequent updates.
General Fund
Yucaipa CCD
As required by
state and
federal law
7-56 I CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN
7. PUBLIC SAFETY
CITY OF YUCAIPA GENERAL PLAN 17-57
ATTACHMENT 3
ORDINANCE NO. 459
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YUCAIPA, CALIFORNIA,
ADOPTING UPDATED FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES AS RECOMMENDED BY
THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51178 AND ASSOCIATED
BUILDING CODES
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YUCAIPA, CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Findings.
The City Council finds and declares:
A. Under California Government Code § 51178, the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), a program of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), must identify areas in the City of Yucaipa ("City") that constitute Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs).
B. On March 24, 2025, OSFM transmitted to the City an updated map designating proposed FHSZs within the City ("Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map"). The map was posted to the City's website and made available for public review and comment.
C. Government Code § 51179 requires the City to adopt the OSFM-recommended FHSZ map by ordinance and prohibits any reduction in the recommended hazard classifications absent substantial evidentiary findings.
Section 2. Environmental Findings.
The City Council, exercising its independent judgment, determines that this ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because the ordinance will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment; the ordinance is not a "project" because it merely adopts a state -mandated map without discretionary changes; and the ordinance constitutes an action by a regulatory agency for the protection of the environment.
Section 3. Adoption of Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map.
The Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map entitled "City of Yucaipa Fire Hazard Severity Zones" attached hereto as Exhibit A, is hereby adopted and designated as the official FHSZ map of the City. The City Clerk and Fire Chief shall maintain the map on file and ensure that a searchable digital copy is posted on the City's website.
Section 4. Section 15.04.115 of Chapter 15.04 of Title 15 of the Yucaipa Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
"15.04.115 California Fire Code amendments.
(...)
Section 503.2.7 of the California Fire Code amended to read as follows:
503.2.7 Grade. The gradient for fire apparatus access road grades shall not exceed the maximum of 102% unless approved by the ChiefCity of Yucaipa. A grade variance and plan review approval for a road, street, private lane or driveway with a slope of 10- 12% may be approved at the discretion of the Yucaipa Fire Marshall. A grade variance and plan review approval for a road, street, private lane or driveway with a slope of 12-16% may be approved at the discretion of the Yucaipa Fire Chief/Fire Code Official.
Section 4901.3 is hereby added to the California Fire Code to read as follows:
4901.3 General. A Fuel Modification Plan, approved by the Chief, may be required for new development within the fire overlay districts. The Fuel Modification Plan shall include mitigation measures consistent with the unique problems resulting from the location, topography, flammable vegetation and climate of the proposed site within the FR1, and FR2 and FR3 Zones. The Fuel Modification Plan shall address water supply, access, building ignition and the fire resistance, fire protection systems and equipment, defensible space and vegetation management. The Fuel Modification Plan shall be consistent with the Interface Code, Appendix TIA and the City of Yucaipa Development Code, or at the option of the Chief, with other nationally recognized standards and good practice.
Section 4905.4 is hereby added to the California Fire Code to read as follows:
4905.5 Construction Within FR-1 and FR-2 and FR-3 Overlay Zones
1. General Provisions
a. The provisions of this section shall apply to all phases of a development project.
b. A notice of all land use applications and/or development permits that would lead to the construction of structures or the subdivision of land shall be filed with the responsible fire authority by the Community Development Department. c. All proposed land use applications that would lead to the construction or expansion of a structure or the subdivision of land shall be submitted to the responsible fire authority and the appropriate Resource Conservation District Office for review and recommendation. Any recommendations received shall be
indicated in any staff report and/or presentation for the proposed development and shall be incorporated into the conditions of approval where possible. d. All proposed development must meet all other applicable standards set forth by the responsible fire authority.
e. When the requirements of the underlying land use district or an applicable specific plan are more restrictive than the provisions of this section, such requirements shall prevail.
f. When an addition, alteration, enlargement or reconstruction of a structure equals or exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the existing structure, or twenty-five percent (25%) of the roof for the roofing requirements only, the provisions of the City of Yucaipa Development Code, regarding construction requirements shall apply to the entire structure and/or the whole roof as applicable. Such structures and/or roofs shall be entirely retrofitted to comply with the provisions of this section.
2. Division of Review Areas
The Fire Safety Review Areas, as established by CAL FIRE and adopted by the City of Yucaipa. Each represents a different level of wildland hazard. A different set of requirements is applied in each review area. The provisions for these requirements, are cumulative in that all of the requirements that are specified for Fire Safety Review Area 2 shall also apply to Fire Safety Review Area 1, in addition to those specified for only Fire Safety Review Area 1, and similarly for Fire Safety Review Area 3. a. Fire Safety Review Area 1 (FR1)
Fire Safety Review Area 1 includes wildland areas that are marginally developable, areas which are not likely to be developed, and the area of transition between wildlands and areas that are partially developed or are likely to be developed in the future. The area of transition is often characterized by an abrupt slope change.
Natural hazards are prevalent throughout Area 1, especially in areas with natural ungraded slopes greater than thirty percent (30%). Area 1 includes areas of very high to extreme fire hazard.
b. Fire Safety Review Area 2 (FR2)
Land within Area 2 is relatively flat, and is either partially or completely developed, or, if it is not developed, is usually suitable for development. Present and future development within Area 2 is exposed to the impacts of wild land fires and other natural hazards primarily due to its proximity to Area 1. c. Fire Safety Review Area 3 (FR3)
Land within Area 3 provides for the transition from the wildlands areas of FR1 and FR2 to the developed portions of the City and this Area is often developed.
Present and future development within Area 3 is exposed to the impacts of
wildland fires and other natural hazards that would come from Area 1 and extend past Area 2.
3. Area FR1, and FR2 and FR3 Requirements
a. Construction Requirements
(1) Roof coverings shall be either non-combustible or fire retardant with a minimum Class A rating, as defined in the California Building Code. Wood shake or shingle roof coverings are not permitted.
(2) Every chimney used in conjunction with any fireplace or any heating appliance in which solid or liquid fuel is used, shall be maintained with a spark arrester. An approved spark arrester shall mean a device constructed of stainless steel, copper or brass, woven galvanized wire mesh, twelve (12) gauge minimum of three -eights (3/8) inch minimum to one-half (1/2) inch maximum openings, mounted in or overall outside flue openings in a vertical and near vertical position, adequately supported to prevent movement and visible from the ground.
(3)Louvers, ventilators, or openings in walls, roofs, attics, and under floor areas having headroom less than four (4) feet in height which are not fitted with sash or doors, shall be covered with wire screen. The screen covering such openings shall be of galvanized metal or copper and shall have a maximum mesh of one -quarter (1/4) inch.
(4)Eave-type attic ventilators are prohibited.
(5) The space between rafters at exterior walls shall be solidly filled with tight -fitting wood blocks at least one and one-half (1-1/2) inches thick. (6) Fuel tanks (e.g., liquefied petroleum tanks) shall be located at least ten (10) feet away from any structure and in accordance with the California Fire Code.
(7) All non -accessory buildings shall have reflective and noncombustible building address numbers with at least three inch (3") high lettering visible from the road on which the structure fronts.
(8) All buildings on lots created after the effective date of this section shall be set back at least thirty feet (30') from the boundary of the San Bernardino National Forest.
(9) Structures in areas with slopes exceeding thirty percent (30%) and thirty feet (30') in height shall comply with the following:
(a) Where structures are proposed or within two hundred (200) feet of slopes that are greater than thirty percent (30%) prior to grading and where such slopes are at least thirty (30) feet in height, the vegetation on such slopes shall be treated in such a manner that it becomes a fuel modified area. Such fuel modified area shall be maintained for either the entire slope, or one hundred (100) feet, or to the property line, whichever distance is less.
(b) Where grading is utilized which does not conform to the natural slope and the graded area is adjacent to natural ungraded slopes which are greater than thirty percent (30%) and which are greater
than thirty (30) feet in height, structures shall be set back at least thirty (30) feet from the edge(s) of the graded area adjacent to such natural ungraded slopes.
(10) All areas used for the storage of firewood, or other flammable materials shall either be at least thirty (30) feet away from all structures, or wholly enclosed within a structure.
(11) Fire hydrants shall be identified by a method specified by the Fire Authority.
(12) There shall be vehicular access, at least twelve (12) feet in width, to within at least ten (10) feet of any static water source including ponds, lakes, swimming pools, reservoirs and water storage tanks. Access shall be either to a plumbed outlet with two and one-half (2-1/2) inch National Hose Thread Fitting or directly to the source. This requirement shall be waived if the fire authority determines that the water source is sufficiently below the elevation of existing or proposed roads or driveways to make drafting of water from the source through a plumbed outlet infeasible, and that direct vehicular access to the water source would require an impractical extension of a road or driveway.
b. Building Separations
(1) Building Separation Standards
(a) All buildings on parcels created after the effective date of this section and all other parcels with lot widths sixty (60) feet of greater shall have exterior wall separations of at least thirty (30) feet. (b) All buildings on parcels created prior to the effective date of this section with lot widths less than sixty (60) feet shall have interior side yards which shall not be less than five (5) feet and need not exceed fifteen (15) feet. In no case shall exterior wall separations be less than ten (10) feet for all buildings, including those on adjoining parcels.
(c) When exterior walls of residential and accessory buildings or portions thereof are within fifteen (15) feet of interior side or rear lot lines, or the exterior wall separation is less than thirty (30) feet, the following shall apply:
(i) The outside of all such exterior walls or portions
thereof shall be covered with materials which are approved for exterior locations and are of fire resistive construction as defined in the California Building Code.
(ii) All exterior doors made of wood or wood portions
shall be solid core wood, and
(iii) Windows, skylights, sliding glass doors or glass
inserts in doors shall be constructed of approved tempered dual -pane glass.
(2) Intent of Standards
The intent of the exterior wall separation standards is to reduce the exposure and risk from adjacent structural fires and to reduce the potential spread of fire from structure to structure.
(3) Alternate Measures (Exterior Wall Separation)
Pursuant to Subsection 5, of this section and dependent upon site specific conditions, the following measures or combinations thereof may be substituted for the exterior walls separation requirements specified for all buildings in Subsection b.(1)(a) above; provided, that in no case shall such exterior wall separations be less than ten (10) feet:
(a) The expansion of fuel modified areas around the
development perimeter of the development project beyond that required through the provisions of this section or other parts of this Title.
(b) A substantial transfer of density from steeper slopes, including areas with slopes less than thirty percent (30%) if they exist on site, to less steep areas within the development project. (c) Clustering of structures away from the development
perimeter and away from fire hazardous areas. When this alternative is utilized, multi -residential dwelling units shall be located as far as practical from fuel modified areas and fire hazardous areas. (d) The provision of more fire resistive construction standards than normally required through the provisions of the Fire Safety (FR) District and otherwise required through the California Building Code or California Fire Code.
(e) Other alternate measures if approved by the Community Development Department pursuant to the provisions of Subsection 5 of this Section.
c. Project Design Requirements
(1) All development projects and each phase thereof, except for a development project located exclusively on a cul-de-sac, shall have a
minimum of two (2) points of vehicular ingress and egress, designed to City roadway standards, with a minimum width of twenty-four 24 feet of all- weather surface as defined in the California Fire Code, from existing and surrounding streets. One such point of vehicular access may be an emergency access route with an all-weather surface if the Community Development Department makes and justifies all of the following findings:
(a) Two points of non -emergency access are physically
infeasible.
(b) Provisions have been made to reasonably ensure that the emergency access will be maintained.
(c) Based on the review and consideration of the Fire Authority's recommendation, the emergency access route will provide adequate vehicular ingress and egress during emergencies.
(2) All development projects shall provide eight (8) inch or larger circulating (loop) water mains as required by the California Fire Code, proper hydrant location and spacing, and have sufficient water storage capacity to provide the minimum fire flow duration requirements (gallons per minute (GPM) for a minimum number of hours or portions thereof) as specified by the minimum system standards established by the Fire Authority. Circulating (loop) mains are not required for cul-de-sacs and are not required for subdivisions that exclusively take all access from cul-de- sacs. In areas not served by water purveyors, on -site fire flow and water storage requirements will be as specified by the California Fire Code. (3) All public or private streets within or bordering a development project shall have noncombustible and reflective street name signs designed to City standards and visible at all street intersections. (4) Fuel Modification Areas
(a) A permanent fuel modification area may be required around development projects of portions thereof that are adjacent or exposed to hazardous fire areas for the purpose of fire protection.
The recommended width of the fuel modification area shall be determined by the responsible Fire Authority in conjunction with the Fire Department, but in no case shall it be less than the lot line one hundred (100) feet in width as measured from the development structure(s) perimeter. The width of the fuel modification area shall be determined based upon:
(1)The natural ungraded slope of the land within the project and in the areas adjacent to the project;
(2)Fuel loading;
(3) Access to the project and access directly to the fuel modified area;
(4) The on -site availability of water that can be used for firefighting purposes;
(5) Adequate provisions shall be made for the continual maintenance of such areas, and, where feasible, such areas shall be designated as common open space rather than
private open space;
(6) Fuel modification areas shall also incorporate soil erosion and sediment control measures to alleviate
permanent scarring and accelerated erosion.
(b) When development projects are phased, individual phases may be required to provide temporary fuel modification areas, where the development perimeter of a phase is contiguous to a subsequent phase of a project, which in its undeveloped state is a hazardous fire area. The need for a temporary fuel modification area shall be determined by the responsible fire authority in conjunction with the Fire Department and shall be based upon the same consideration described in Subsection c.(4)(a) of this Section for permanent fuel modification areas.
(c) Erosion and Sediment Control
All development projects, building permits, grading and any other significant land disturbing activity shall install erosion control measures in compliance with the provisions established by Title 16, Land Use and Development of the Highland Municipal Code for such erosion control measures.
4. Additional Area 1 (FR1) Requirements
The following requirements apply only to Area 1, in addition to those specified for bedi Areas 1, and 2 and 3.
a. Construction Requirements
(1) The outside of all exterior walls shall be covered with materials which are approved for exterior locations and listed as one (1) hour fire resistive construction as defined in the California Building Code. All exterior doors
made of wood or wood portions shall be solid core wood. A standard hose bib shall be provided along the exterior of the building. (2) All windows, skylights, sliding glass doors or glass inserts in doors shall be constructed of approved tempered dual -pane glass.
(3) Cantilevered or standard type decks shall be constructed with:
(a) A minimum of at least one and one-half (1-1/2) inch wood decking; and/or
(b) Protected on the underside with materials approved for one (1) hour fire -resistive construction; and/or
(c) Be of noncombustible materials, as defined in the California Building Code.
(4) Patio covers attached or within ten (10) feet of a residential structure with plastic, bamboo, straw or fiberglass or wood lathe lattice made of materials which are one-half (1/2) inch or less in width shall be prohibited. (5)Exposed piping, except for plumbing vents above the roof, shall be noncombustible as defined in the California Building Code. (6) A fire hydrant capable of providing the minimum fire flow as required in California Fire Code Appendix B, with two two -and -a -half (2 '/2) inch hose connections and one four (4) inch hose connection shall be available within 600 feet of any portion of the structure.
(7)All fences required adjacent to fuel modification areas or wildland areas as conditions of approval for a development project shall be constructed of noncombustible materials as defined in the California Building Code. All other fences, including those on the interior of such development project, are not subject to this requirement.
(8) Private driveways or access roadways for residential units shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) feet in length, unless approved by the fire authority pursuant to Section 503; and Appendix D of the California Fire Code.
(9) Roof coverings shall be either non-combustible or shall be fire retardant material not composed of organic fiber with minimum Class A rating, as defined in the California Building Code.
(10) Unenclosed or project roof -ceiling or roof -ceiling assemblies which contain concealed space shall have the ceiling protected on the exposed surface with materials approved for one hour construction. b. Project Design Requirements
(1) Every development project application submitted to the Community Development Department shall be reviewed by Community Development Department staff through a pre application conference with the project proponent prior to the acceptance of the application for filing. (2) A slope analysis shall be filed with all development project land use applications. The slope analysis shall include the following information:
(a) A topographic map of the proposed project area and all adjoining properties within one hundred fifty (150) feet at a scale of not less than one (1) inch to two hundred (200) feet. The counter interval shall not be more than two (2) feet except that the contour interval may be five (5) feet if the general natural ungraded slope is more than ten percent (10%). Contour lines are to be obtained by aerial or field survey, done under the supervision of a licensed Land Surveyor, or Registered Engineer.
(b) The natural, ungraded slope categories to be computed are zero percent (0%) to less than fifteen percent (15%), fifteen percent (15%) to less than thirty percent (30%), thirty percent (30%) to less than forty percent (40%), and forty percent (40%) or greater. (c)The area, in acres, shall be tabulated for each category. (3) A preliminary grading plan shall be filled with all development project land use applications, except that preliminary grading plan requirements may be waived by the Community Development Director if it is determined through the required pre -application conference that such requirements are unnecessary due to site specific soils, topographic or other physical conditions, or due to the specific design of the project. The preliminary grading plan shall include the following:
(a) A topographic map of the proposed project area and all adjoining properties within one hundred fifty (150) feet at a scale of not less than one (1) inch to two hundred (200) feet. The contour interval shall not be more than two (2) feet except that the contour interval may be five (5) feet if the natural ungraded slope is more than ten percent (10%). Contour lines to be obtained by aerial or field survey, done under the supervision of a licensed Land Surveyor, or Registered Engineer.
(b) Contours of the finished graded slope shall be shown at intervals similar to that on the topographic base map.
(d) Street grades, slope ratios, flow lines, pad elevations, maximum elevation of top and minimum elevation of toe of finished slopes over five (5) feet in vertical height, the maximum heights of those slopes approximate total cubic yards of cut and fill shall be shown on the preliminary grading plan.
(e) Compliance with Appendix J of the current edition of the California Building Code, as adopted by the City of Yucaipa, is required.
(f) In the event no such grading is proposed, a statement to that effect shall be placed on the required topographic map described in Subsection 2(a) above and this map shall delineate the boundary of an adequately sized building pad, driveway and septic system (if proposed) for each parcel proposed.
(4) Perimeter Access to Fuel Modified and Fire Hazard Areas. (a) Standards
Development projects shall provide for adequate vehicular access for fire fighting vehicles to the development perimeter of the project along the portion of the development perimeter that is adjacent to either an existing or proposed fuel modified area or a fire hazard area. Provisions shall be made and shall be required, where necessary, through conditions of, development project approval for the continual maintenance of the areas intended to provide such access. Perimeter access shall be provided, either through one of the following two measures or through the alternate measures cited in this Section:
(i) The provision of an existing or proposed road along the development perimeter, or portion thereof that is exposed to a fire hazard or fuel modified area, and which is accessible to firefighting equipment. Such a road shall be capable of supporting firefighting equipment, shall be at least twenty (20) feet in width and shall not exceed a grade of sixteen percent (16%). The conditions of approval for the
development project shall require provisions to ensure that the roadway will be maintained if it is not within the publicly maintained road system.
(ii) Development projects shall provide access ways, at least fourteen 14 feet in width, with a grade not to exceed sixteen percent (16%) and capable of supporting fire fighting
vehicles, between the development perimeter and proposed or existing streets. Access ways shall be spaced at intervals of no more than an average of three hundred fifty (350) feet along each street. The conditions of approval for the
development project shall require specific provisions to ensure that access ways will remain unobstructed and will be maintained. Where feasible, access ways may not be paved and shall be designed so as not to detract from the visual quality of the project.
(b) Intent of Standards
The intent of the standards described in Subsection 4.b.(6) is to permit fire fighting vehicles to have adequate access into areas between fire hazardous areas or fuel modified areas and the development perimeter, so that a wildland fire can be contained at the development perimeter and prevented from spreading to structures. An additional intent of these standards is to prevent structural development from becoming a barrier between
firefighting equipment and personnel and the development perimeter.
(c) Alternate Measures
Pursuant to Subsection 5 of this Section and dependent upon site specific conditions, alternate measures which meet the intent of the standard in Subsection 4.b.(6)(a) above for providing perimeter access to fuel modified and fire hazard areas may be utilized.
Length of Cul-de-sacs
(a) Standard Cul-de-sacs shall not exceed three hundred fifty (350) feet in length, except that they may be extended as allowed by this subsection.
(b) Exception for parcels of less than five (5) acres in area. Cul-de- sacs may exceed three hundred fifty (350) feet in length but shall not exceed six hundred (600) feet in length if:
(i) Alternate measures are utilized pursuant to the
provisions of Section 19.50 of this Article or;
(ii) Based upon consideration of the recommendation of
the Fire Authority, the Community Development
Department determines that the cul-de sac is situated and designed such that the parcels taking access from it are not contiguous to or exposed to either undeveloped fuel
modified areas along the development perimeter of the
project or to fire hazard areas, and that the extension of the cul-de sac will not increase the exposure of buildings to wildland fires.
(c) Exception for parcels greater than five (5) acres in area. Cul-de- sacs may exceed six hundred (600) feet in length if all parcels that take access from the cul-de-sac are five (5) acres or greater in area and:
(i) The proposed cul-de-sac is not within or adjacent to areas that are zoned for or subdivided to parcels of five (5) acres or less.
(ii) Alternate measures are utilized pursuant to the
provisions of Subsection 5 of this Section.
(d) Intent of Standard
The intent of limiting cul-de-sac lengths is to limit the exposure of development and human activity to hazardous fire areas where one rather than two points of access are provided, especially when such cul-de-sacs are directly exposed to fire hazard areas. The provision of only one point of access increases exposure to fire and inhibits the fighting of wild land fires due to the following factors:
(i) If the single access point becomes blocked, structures exposed to fire cannot be protected by fire fighting vehicles. (ii) Fire fighting vehicles can be trapped on a cul-de-sac if the single access is blocked.
(iii) In order for fire fighting vehicles to turn around, they usually must travel to the end of the cul-de-sac where
adequate room for turning is available.
(iv) All vehicles evacuating a cul-de-sac during a fire will be traveling in the opposite direction to fire fighting vehicles moving into a cul-de-sac, impeding the ingress of the fire fighting vehicles as well as the egress of the evacuees.
(v) Development of individual cul-de-sacs which intrude into and are generally surrounded by rugged wild land
terrain have greater exposure to wild land fire because the fire may come from several directions at once.
(e) Alternate Measures
Pursuant to Subsection 5 of this Section and dependent upon site specific conditions, one of the following measures or combinations thereof may be used to mitigate the effect of creating cul-de-sacs up to six hundred (600) feet in length with parcels less than five (5) acres in area:
(i) Limitation of the total number of dwelling units
which have access to the cul-de-sac to no more than fifteen (15), and restriction of further subdivision of parcels and construction of additional independent residential units which have access to the cul-de-sac. Such restrictions shall be imposed through the conditions of approval of the
development project.
(ii) A continuous perimeter access road at least twenty (20) feet in width is provided along the portion of the cul-de- sac exposed to fire hazard or fuel modified areas such that it is drivable under normal conditions by fire fighting vehicles, provides adequate maneuvering space for such vehicles, and is designed such that at least one point of access to the perimeter access road is taken from roads other than the cul- de-sac in question.
(iii) The cul-de-sac road will have a paved width of at least forty (40) feet with posted no parking for its entire length and there is at least one area approximately at the midpoint of the cul-de-sac that serves the same function of a cul-de-sac bulb in allowing fire fighting vehicles adequate room to turn around. This measure may only be utilized if the expansion of the road width will not contribute to slope stability hazards either on or off -site.
(iv) Other alternate measures approved by the
Community Development Department pursuant to
Subsection 5 of this Section.
(6) Alternate Hazard Protection Measures
(a) Applicability
The following provisions shall apply only to the standards and requirements of Subsections 3 .b., regarding building separations;
4.b.(6), regarding perimeter access; and 4.b.(7) regarding length of cul-de-sacs.
(b) Intent
The intent of this subsection is to allow greater design flexibility than would otherwise be permitted in order to provide a more efficient and effective achievement of the purposes of the Fire Safety Regulations: Design flexibility is provided by allowing the substitution of alternate measures for the established standards or requirements if it is found that they provide the same or a greater level of protection from wildland fires and other natural hazards, and that they will fulfill the same purpose as the established standard or requirements.
(c) Substitution of Alternative Measures for Standards and Requirements
(d)
(1) If alternative measures are proposed, the Fire Department shall determine, with specific consideration of the effect of the proposed alternative measures, whether the proposed development project has adequate provisions for fuel
modification and management, including the ongoing
maintenance of fuel modified areas.
(2) If the Fire Department makes a positive determination pursuant to Subsection 5.c.(1) of this Section, then alternate measures may be substituted for the established standards and requirements if the Community Development
Department with consideration of the recommendation of
the Fire Authority, finds and justifies all of the following:
(a) Alternative measure(s) have been substituted
which meet the intent of and which serve the
same purposed as the established standards or
requirement.
(b) The alternative measure(s) that have been
substituted provide the same or a greater level of
protection or are as effective as the established
standard or requirement.
(c) There are clear and substantial reasons for
utilizing the alternative measure(s) because they
provide for a more efficient and economic use of
the site, or provide for a superior physical design,
and are consistent with the intent of the Fire
Safety (FR) District.
Section 5. Severability.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect. The City Council declares that it would have adopted each provision of this ordinance irrespective of the invalidity of any other provision.
Section 6. Publication.
The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this ordinance and cause it to be published or posted in the manner required by law.
Section 7. Effective Date.
This ordinance shall take effect 30 days after passage by the City Council.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this day of 2025.
Jon Thorp, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Ana V. Sauseda, MMC Steven Graham Pacifico
Director of General Services/City Clerk City Attorney
ATTACHMENT 4
ORDINANCE NO. 459-U
AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YUCAIPA,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING UPDATED FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES AS
RECOMMENDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51178 AND
ASSOCIATED BUILDING CODES, AND DECLARING THE URGENCY THEREOF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YUCAIPA, CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Findings.
The City Council finds and declares:
A. Under California Government Code § 51178, the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), a program of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), must identify areas in the City of Yucaipa ("City") that constitute Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs).
B. On March 24, 2025, OSFM transmitted to the City an updated map designating proposed FHSZs within the City ("Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map"). The map was posted to the City's website and made available for public review and comment.
C. Government Code § 51179 requires the City to adopt the OSFM-recommended FHSZ map by ordinance and prohibits any reduction in the recommended hazard classifications absent substantial evidentiary findings.
D. Prolonged drought, extreme wind events, and the City's location at the wildland—urban interface create an imminent threat to public health, safety, and welfare. Immediate adoption of the updated map will (1) trigger the wildfire -resistant building and defensible -space standards applicable to Very High FHSZs, (2) preserve the City's eligibility for CAL FIRE and FEMA wildfire -mitigation funding, and (3) assure timely compliance with state law. For these reasons, the City Council finds that an urgency ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health, and safety, as authorized by Government Code § 36937(b).
Section 2. Environmental Findings.
The City Council, exercising its independent judgment, determines that this ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because the ordinance will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment; the ordinance is not a "project" because it merely adopts a state -mandated map without discretionary changes; and the ordinance constitutes an action by a regulatory agency for the protection of the environment.
Section 3. Adoption of Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map.
The Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map entitled "City of Yucaipa Fire Hazard Severity Zones" attached hereto as Exhibit A, is hereby adopted and designated as the official FHSZ map of the City. The City Clerk and Fire Chief shall maintain the map on file and ensure that a searchable digital copy is posted on the City's website.
Section 4. Section 15.04.115 of Chapter 15.04 of Title 15 of the Yucaipa Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
"15.04.115 California Fire Code amendments.
Section 503.2.7 of the California Fire Code amended to read as follows:
503.2.7 Grade. The gradient for fire apparatus access road grades shall not exceed the maximum of 102% unless approved by the ChiefCity of Yucaipa. A grade variance and plan review approval for a road, street, private lane or driveway with a slope of 10- 12% may be approved at the discretion of the Yucaipa Fire Marshall. A grade variance and plan review approval for a road, street, private lane or driveway with a slope of 12-16% may be approved at the discretion of the Yucaipa Fire Chief/Fire Code Official.
Section 4901.3 is hereby added to the California Fire Code to read as follows:
4901.3 General. A Fuel Modification Plan, approved by the Chief, may be required for new development within the fire overlay districts. The Fuel Modification Plan shall include mitigation measures consistent with the unique problems resulting from the location, topography, flammable vegetation and climate of the proposed site within the FR1, and FR2 and FR3 Zones. The Fuel Modification Plan shall address water supply, access, building ignition and the fire resistance, fire protection systems and equipment, defensible space and vegetation management. The Fuel Modification Plan shall be consistent with the Interface Code, Appendix TIA and the City of Yucaipa Development Code, or at the option of the Chief, with other nationally recognized standards and good practice.
Section 4905.4 is hereby added to the California Fire Code to read as follows:
4905.5 Construction Within FR-1 and FR-2 and FR-3 Overlay Zones
1. General Provisions
a. The provisions of this section shall apply to all phases of a development project.
b. A notice of all land use applications and/or development permits that would lead to the construction of structures or the subdivision of land shall be filed with the responsible fire authority by the Community Development Department. c. All proposed land use applications that would lead to the construction or expansion of a structure or the subdivision of land shall be submitted to the responsible fire authority and the appropriate Resource Conservation District Office for review and recommendation. Any recommendations received shall be indicated in any staff report and/or presentation for the proposed development and shall be incorporated into the conditions of approval where possible. d. All proposed development must meet all other applicable standards set forth by the responsible fire authority.
e. When the requirements of the underlying land use district or an applicable specific plan are more restrictive than the provisions of this section, such requirements shall prevail.
f When an addition, alteration, enlargement or reconstruction of a structure equals or exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the existing structure, or twenty-five percent (25%) of the roof for the roofing requirements only, the provisions of the City of Yucaipa Development Code, regarding construction requirements shall apply to the entire structure and/or the whole roof as applicable. Such structures and/or roofs shall be entirely retrofitted to comply with the provisions of this section.
2. Division of Review Areas
The Fire Safety Review Areas, as established by CAL FIRE and adopted by the City of Yucaipa. Each represents a different level of wildland hazard. A different set of requirements is applied in each review area. The provisions for these requirements, are cumulative in that all of the requirements that are specified for Fire Safety Review Area 2 shall also apply to Fire Safety Review Area 1, in addition to those specified for only Fire Safety Review Area 1, and similarly for Fire Safety Review Area 3. a. Fire Safety Review Area 1 (FR1)
Fire Safety Review Area 1 includes wildland areas that are marginally developable, areas which are not likely to be developed, and the area of transition between wildlands and areas that are partially developed or are likely to be developed in the future. The area of transition is often characterized by an abrupt slope change.
Natural hazards are prevalent throughout Area 1, especially in areas with natural ungraded slopes greater than thirty percent (30%). Area 1 includes areas of very high to extreme fire hazard.
b. Fire Safety Review Area 2 (FR2)
Land within Area 2 is relatively flat, and is either partially or completely developed, or, if it is not developed, is usually suitable for development. Present and future
development within Area 2 is exposed to the impacts of wild land fires and other natural hazards primarily due to its proximity to Area 1. c. Fire Safety Review Area 3 (FR3)
Land within Area 3 provides for the transition from the wildlands areas of FR1 and FR2 to the developed portions of the City and this Area is often developed.
Present and future development within Area 3 is exposed to the impacts of wildland fires and other natural hazards that would come from Area 1 and extend past Area 2.
3. Area FR1, and FR2 and FR3 Requirements
a. Construction Requirements
(1) Roof coverings shall be either non-combustible or fire retardant with a minimum Class A rating, as defined in the California Building Code. Wood shake or shingle roof coverings are not permitted.
(2) Every chimney used in conjunction with any fireplace or any heating appliance in which solid or liquid fuel is used, shall be maintained with a spark arrester. An approved spark arrester shall mean a device constructed of stainless steel, copper or brass, woven galvanized wire mesh, twelve (12) gauge minimum of three -eights (3/8) inch minimum to one-half (1/2) inch maximum openings, mounted in or overall outside flue openings in a vertical and near vertical position, adequately supported to prevent movement and visible from the ground.
(3)Louvers, ventilators, or openings in walls, roofs, attics, and under floor areas having headroom less than four (4) feet in height which are not fitted with sash or doors, shall be covered with wire screen. The screen covering such openings shall be of galvanized metal or copper and shall have a maximum mesh of one -quarter (1/4) inch.
(4)Eave-type attic ventilators are prohibited.
(5) The space between rafters at exterior walls shall be solidly filled with tight -fitting wood blocks at least one and one-half (1-1/2) inches thick. (6) Fuel tanks (e.g., liquefied petroleum tanks) shall be located at least ten (10) feet away from any structure and in accordance with the California Fire Code.
(7) All non -accessory buildings shall have reflective and noncombustible building address numbers with at least three inch (3") high lettering visible from the road on which the structure fronts.
(8) All buildings on lots created after the effective date of this section shall be set back at least thirty feet (30') from the boundary of the San Bernardino National Forest.
(9) Structures in areas with slopes exceeding thirty percent (30%) and thirty feet (30') in height shall comply with the following:
(a) Where structures are proposed or within two hundred (200) feet of slopes that are greater than thirty percent (30%) prior to grading and where such slopes are at least thirty (30) feet in height, the
vegetation on such slopes shall be treated in such a manner that it becomes a fuel modified area. Such fuel modified area shall be maintained for either the entire slope, or one hundred (100) feet, or to the property line, whichever distance is less.
(b) Where grading is utilized which does not conform to the natural slope and the graded area is adjacent to natural ungraded slopes which are greater than thirty percent (30%) and which are greater than thirty (30) feet in height, structures shall be set back at least thirty (30) feet from the edge(s) of the graded area adjacent to such natural ungraded slopes.
(10) All areas used for the storage of firewood, or other flammable materials shall either be at least thirty (30) feet away from all structures, or wholly enclosed within a structure.
(11) Fire hydrants shall be identified by a method specified by the Fire Authority.
(12) There shall be vehicular access, at least twelve (12) feet in width, to within at least ten (10) feet of any static water source including ponds, lakes, swimming pools, reservoirs and water storage tanks. Access shall be either to a plumbed outlet with two and one-half (2-1/2) inch National Hose Thread Fitting or directly to the source. This requirement shall be waived if the fire authority determines that the water source is sufficiently below the elevation of existing or proposed roads or driveways to make drafting of water from the source through a plumbed outlet infeasible, and that direct vehicular access to the water source would require an impractical extension of a road or driveway.
b. Building Separations
(1) Building Separation Standards
(a) All buildings on parcels created after the effective date of this section and all other parcels with lot widths sixty (60) feet of greater shall have exterior wall separations of at least thirty (30) feet. (b) All buildings on parcels created prior to the effective date of this section with lot widths less than sixty (60) feet shall have interior side yards which shall not be less than five (5) feet and need not exceed fifteen (15) feet. In no case shall exterior wall separations be less than ten (10) feet for all buildings, including those on adjoining parcels.
(c) When exterior walls of residential and accessory buildings or portions thereof are within fifteen (15) feet of interior side or rear lot lines, or the exterior wall separation is less than thirty (30) feet, the following shall apply:
(i) The outside of all such exterior walls or portions
thereof shall be covered with materials which are approved for exterior locations and are of fire resistive construction as defined in the California Building Code.
(ii) All exterior doors made of wood or wood portions
shall be solid core wood, and
(iii) Windows, skylights, sliding glass doors or glass
inserts in doors shall be constructed of approved tempered dual -pane glass.
(2) Intent of Standards
The intent of the exterior wall separation standards is to reduce the exposure and risk from adjacent structural fires and to reduce the potential spread of fire from structure to structure.
(3) Alternate Measures (Exterior Wall Separation)
Pursuant to Subsection 5, of this section and dependent upon site specific conditions, the following measures or combinations thereof may be substituted for the exterior walls separation requirements specified for all buildings in Subsection b.(1)(a) above; provided, that in no case shall such exterior wall separations be less than ten (10) feet:
(a) The expansion of fuel modified areas around the
development perimeter of the development project beyond that required through the provisions of this section or other parts of this Title.
(b) A substantial transfer of density from steeper slopes, including areas with slopes less than thirty percent (30%) if they exist on site, to less steep areas within the development project. (c) Clustering of structures away from the development
perimeter and away from fire hazardous areas. When this alternative is utilized, multi -residential dwelling units shall be located as far as practical from fuel modified areas and fire hazardous areas. (d) The provision of more fire resistive construction standards than normally required through the provisions of the Fire Safety (FR) District and otherwise required through the California Building Code or California Fire Code.
(e) Other alternate measures if approved by the Community Development Department pursuant to the provisions of Subsection 5 of this Section.
c. Project Design Requirements
(1) All development projects and each phase thereof, except for a development project located exclusively on a cul-de-sac, shall have a minimum of two (2) points of vehicular ingress and egress, designed to City roadway standards, with a minimum width of twenty-four 24 feet of all- weather surface as defined in the California Fire Code, from existing and surrounding streets. One such point of vehicular access may be an emergency access route with an all-weather surface if the Community Development Department makes and justifies all of the following findings:
(a) Two points of non -emergency access are physically
infeasible.
(b) Provisions have been made to reasonably ensure that the emergency access will be maintained.
(c) Based on the review and consideration of the Fire Authority's recommendation, the emergency access route will provide adequate vehicular ingress and egress during emergencies.
(2) All development projects shall provide eight (8) inch or larger circulating (loop) water mains as required by the California Fire Code, proper hydrant location and spacing, and have sufficient water storage capacity to provide the minimum fire flow duration requirements (gallons per minute (GPM) for a minimum number of hours or portions thereof) as specified by the minimum system standards established by the Fire Authority. Circulating (loop) mains are not required for cul-de-sacs and are not required for subdivisions that exclusively take all access from cul-de- sacs. In areas not served by water purveyors, on -site fire flow and water storage requirements will be as specified by the California Fire Code. (3) All public or private streets within or bordering a development project shall have noncombustible and reflective street name signs designed to City standards and visible at all street intersections. (4) Fuel Modification Areas
(a) A permanent fuel modification area may be required around development projects of portions thereof that are adjacent or exposed to hazardous fire areas for the purpose of fire protection.
The recommended width of the fuel modification area shall be
determined by the responsible Fire Authority in conjunction with the Fire Department, but in no case shall it be less than the lot line one hundred (100) feet in width as measured from the development structure(s) perimeter. The width of the fuel modification area shall be determined based upon:
(1)The natural ungraded slope of the land within the project and in the areas adjacent to the project;
(2)Fuel loading;
(3) Access to the project and access directly to the fuel modified area;
(4) The on -site availability of water that can be used for firefighting purposes;
(5) Adequate provisions shall be made for the continual maintenance of such areas, and, where feasible, such areas shall be designated as common open space rather than
private open space;
(6) Fuel modification areas shall also incorporate soil erosion and sediment control measures to alleviate
permanent scarring and accelerated erosion.
(b) When development projects are phased, individual phases may be required to provide temporary fuel modification areas, where the development perimeter of a phase is contiguous to a subsequent phase of a project, which in its undeveloped state is a hazardous fire area. The need for a temporary fuel modification area shall be determined by the responsible fire authority in conjunction with the Fire Department and shall be based upon the same consideration described in Subsection c.(4)(a) of this Section for permanent fuel modification areas.
(c) Erosion and Sediment Control
All development projects, building permits, grading and any other significant land disturbing activity shall install erosion control measures in compliance with the provisions established by Title 16, Land Use and Development of the Highland Municipal Code for such erosion control measures.
4. Additional Area 1 (FR1) Requirements
The following requirements apply only to Area 1, in addition to those specified for both Areas 1, and 2 and 3.
a. Construction Requirements
(1) The outside of all exterior walls shall be covered with materials which are approved for exterior locations and listed as one (1) hour fire resistive construction as defined in the California Building Code. All exterior doors made of wood or wood portions shall be solid core wood. A standard hose bib shall be provided along the exterior of the building. (2) All windows, skylights, sliding glass doors or glass inserts in doors shall be constructed of approved tempered dual -pane glass.
(3) Cantilevered or standard type decks shall be constructed with:
(a) A minimum of at least one and one-half (1-1/2) inch wood decking; and/or
(b) Protected on the underside with materials approved for one (1) hour fire -resistive construction; and/or
(c) Be of noncombustible materials, as defined in the California Building Code.
(4) Patio covers attached or within ten (10) feet of a residential structure with plastic, bamboo, straw or fiberglass or wood lathe lattice made of materials which are one-half (1/2) inch or less in width shall be prohibited. (5)Exposed piping, except for plumbing vents above the roof, shall be noncombustible as defined in the California Building Code. (6) A fire hydrant capable of providing the minimum fire flow as required in California Fire Code Appendix B, with two two -and -a -half (2 1/2) inch hose connections and one four (4) inch hose connection shall be available within 600 feet of any portion of the structure.
(7)All fences required adjacent to fuel modification areas or wildland areas as conditions of approval for a development project shall be constructed of noncombustible materials as defined in the California Building Code. All other fences, including those on the interior of such development project, are not subject to this requirement.
(8) Private driveways or access roadways for residential units shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) feet in length, unless approved by the fire
authority pursuant to Section 503; and Appendix D of the California Fire Code.
(9) Roof coverings shall be either non-combustible or shall be fire retardant material not composed of organic fiber with minimum Class A rating, as defined in the California Building Code.
(10) Unenclosed or project roof -ceiling or roof -ceiling assemblies which contain concealed space shall have the ceiling protected on the exposed surface with materials approved for one hour construction. b. Project Design Requirements
(1) Every development project application submitted to the Community Development Department shall be reviewed by Community Development Department staff through a pre application conference with the project proponent prior to the acceptance of the application for filing. (2) A slope analysis shall be filed with all development project land use applications. The slope analysis shall include the following information:
(a) A topographic map of the proposed project area and all adjoining properties within one hundred fifty (150) feet at a scale of not less than one (1) inch to two hundred (200) feet. The counter interval shall not be more than two (2) feet except that the contour interval may be five (5) feet if the general natural ungraded slope is more than ten percent (10%). Contour lines are to be obtained by aerial or field survey, done under the supervision of a licensed Land Surveyor, or Registered Engineer.
(b) The natural, ungraded slope categories to be computed are zero percent (0%) to less than fifteen percent (15%), fifteen percent (15%) to less than thirty percent (30%), thirty percent (30%) to less than forty percent (40%), and forty percent (40%) or greater. (c)The area, in acres, shall be tabulated for each category. (3) A preliminary grading plan shall be filled with all development project land use applications, except that preliminary grading plan requirements may be waived by the Community Development Director if it is determined through the required pre -application conference that such requirements are unnecessary due to site specific soils, topographic or other physical conditions, or due to the specific design of the project. The preliminary grading plan shall include the following:
(a) A topographic map of the proposed project area and all adjoining properties within one hundred fifty (150) feet at a scale of not less than one (1) inch to two hundred (200) feet. The contour interval shall not be more than two (2) feet except that the contour interval may be five (5) feet if the natural ungraded slope is more than ten percent (10%). Contour lines to be obtained by aerial or field survey, done under the supervision of a licensed Land Surveyor, or Registered Engineer.
(b) Contours of the finished graded slope shall be shown at intervals similar to that on the topographic base map.
(d) Street grades, slope ratios, flow lines, pad elevations, maximum elevation of top and minimum elevation of toe of finished slopes over five (5) feet in vertical height, the maximum heights of those slopes approximate total cubic yards of cut and fill shall be shown on the preliminary grading plan.
(e) Compliance with Appendix J of the current edition of the California Building Code, as adopted by the City of Yucaipa, is required.
(f) In the event no such grading is proposed, a statement to that effect shall be placed on the required topographic map described in Subsection 2(a) above and this map shall delineate the boundary of an adequately sized building pad, driveway and septic system (if proposed) for each parcel proposed.
(4) Perimeter Access to Fuel Modified and Fire Hazard Areas. (a) Standards
Development projects shall provide for adequate vehicular access for fire fighting vehicles to the development perimeter of the project along the portion of the development perimeter that is adjacent to either an existing or proposed fuel modified area or a fire hazard area. Provisions shall be made and shall be required, where necessary, through conditions of, development project approval for the continual maintenance of the areas intended to provide such access. Perimeter access shall be provided, either through one of the following two measures or through the alternate measures cited in this Section:
(i) The provision of an existing or proposed road along the development perimeter, or portion thereof that is exposed to a fire hazard or fuel modified area, and which is accessible
to firefighting equipment. Such a road shall be capable of supporting firefighting equipment, shall be at least twenty (20) feet in width and shall not exceed a grade of sixteen percent (16%). The conditions of approval for the
development project shall require provisions to ensure that the roadway will be maintained if it is not within the publicly maintained road system.
(ii) Development projects shall provide access ways, at least fourteen 14 feet in width, with a grade not to exceed sixteen percent (16%) and capable of supporting fire fighting
vehicles, between the development perimeter and proposed or existing streets. Access ways shall be spaced at intervals of no more than an average of three hundred fifty (350) feet along each street. The conditions of approval for the
development project shall require specific provisions to ensure that access ways will remain unobstructed and will be maintained. Where feasible, access ways may not be paved and shall be designed so as not to detract from the visual quality of the project.
(b) Intent of Standards
The intent of the standards described in Subsection 4.b.(6) is to permit fire fighting vehicles to have adequate access into areas between fire hazardous areas or fuel modified areas and the development perimeter, so that a wildland fire can be contained at the development perimeter and prevented from spreading to structures. An additional intent of these standards is to prevent structural development from becoming a barrier between
firefighting equipment and personnel and the development perimeter.
(c) Alternate Measures
Pursuant to Subsection 5 of this Section and dependent upon site specific conditions, alternate measures which meet the intent of the standard in Subsection 4.b.(6)(a) above for providing perimeter access to fuel modified and fire hazard areas may be utilized.
Length of Cul-de-sacs
(a) Standard Cul-de-sacs shall not exceed three hundred fifty (350) feet in length, except that they may be extended as allowed by this subsection.
(b) Exception for parcels of less than five (5) acres in area. Cul-de- sacs may exceed three hundred fifty (350) feet in length but shall not exceed six hundred (600) feet in length if:
(i) Alternate measures are utilized pursuant to the
provisions of Section 19.50 of this Article or;
(ii) Based upon consideration of the recommendation of
the Fire Authority, the Community Development
Department determines that the cul-de sac is situated and designed such that the parcels taking access from it are not contiguous to or exposed to either undeveloped fuel
modified areas along the development perimeter of the
project or to fire hazard areas, and that the extension of the cul-de sac will not increase the exposure of buildings to wildland fires.
(c) Exception for parcels greater than five (5) acres in area. Cul-de- sacs may exceed six hundred (600) feet in length if all parcels that take access from the cul-de-sac are five (5) acres or greater in area and:
(i) The proposed cul-de-sac is not within or adjacent to areas that are zoned for or subdivided to parcels of five (5) acres or less.
(ii) Alternate measures are utilized pursuant to the
provisions of Subsection 5 of this Section.
(d) Intent of Standard
The intent of limiting cul-de-sac lengths is to limit the exposure of development and human activity to hazardous fire areas where one rather than two points of access are provided, especially when such cul-de-sacs are directly exposed to fire hazard areas. The provision of only one point of access increases exposure to fire and inhibits the fighting of wild land fires due to the following factors:
(i) If the single access point becomes blocked, structures exposed to fire cannot be protected by fire fighting vehicles. (ii) Fire fighting vehicles can be trapped on a cul-de-sac if the single access is blocked.
(iii) In order for fire fighting vehicles to turn around, they usually must travel to the end of the cul-de-sac where
adequate room for turning is available.
(iv) All vehicles evacuating a cul-de-sac during a fire will be traveling in the opposite direction to fire fighting vehicles moving into a cul-de-sac, impeding the ingress of the fire fighting vehicles as well as the egress of the evacuees. (v) Development of individual cul-de-sacs which intrude into and are generally surrounded by rugged wild land
terrain have greater exposure to wild land fire because the fire may come from several directions at once.
(e) Alternate Measures
Pursuant to Subsection 5 of this Section and dependent upon site specific conditions, one of the following measures or combinations thereof may be used to mitigate the effect of creating cul-de-sacs up to six hundred (600) feet in length with parcels less than five (5) acres in area:
(i) Limitation of the total number of dwelling units
which have access to the cul-de-sac to no more than fifteen (15), and restriction of further subdivision of parcels and construction of additional independent residential units which have access to the cul-de-sac. Such restrictions shall be imposed through the conditions of approval of the
development project.
(ii) A continuous perimeter access road at least twenty (20) feet in width is provided along the portion of the cul-de- sac exposed to fire hazard or fuel modified areas such that it is drivable under normal conditions by fire fighting vehicles, provides adequate maneuvering space for such vehicles, and is designed such that at least one point of access to the perimeter access road is taken from roads other than the cul- de-sac in question.
(iii) The cul-de-sac road will have a paved width of at least forty (40) feet with posted no parking for its entire length and there is at least one area approximately at the midpoint of the cul-de-sac that serves the same function of a cul-de-sac bulb in allowing fire fighting vehicles adequate room to turn around. This measure may only be utilized if the expansion of the road width will not contribute to slope stability hazards either on or off -site.
(iv) Other alternate measures approved by the
Community Development Department pursuant to
Subsection 5 of this Section.
(6) Alternate Hazard Protection Measures
(a) Applicability
The following provisions shall apply only to the standards and requirements of Subsections 3 .b., regarding building separations;
4.b.(6), regarding perimeter access; and 4.b.(7) regarding length of cul-de-sacs.
(b) Intent
The intent of this subsection is to allow greater design flexibility than would otherwise be permitted in order to provide a more efficient and effective achievement of the purposes of the Fire Safety Regulations: Design flexibility is provided by allowing the substitution of alternate measures for the established standards or requirements if it is found that they provide the same or a greater level of protection from wildland fires and other natural hazards, and that they will fulfill the same purpose as the established standard or requirements.
(c) Substitution of Alternative Measures for Standards and Requirements
(d)
(1) If alternative measures are proposed, the Fire Department shall determine, with specific consideration of the effect of the proposed alternative measures, whether the proposed development project has adequate provisions for fuel
modification and management, including the ongoing
maintenance of fuel modified areas.
(2) If the Fire Department makes a positive determination pursuant to Subsection 5.c.(1) of this Section, then alternate measures may be substituted for the established standards and requirements if the Community Development
Department with consideration of the recommendation of
the Fire Authority, finds and justifies all of the following:
(a) Alternative measure(s) have been substituted
which meet the intent of and which serve the
same purposed as the established standards or
requirement.
(b) The alternative measure(s) that have been
substituted provide the same or a greater level of
protection or are as effective as the established
standard or requirement.
(c) There are clear and substantial reasons for
utilizing the alternative measure(s) because they
provide for a more efficient and economic use of
the site, or provide for a superior physical design,
and are consistent with the intent of the Fire
Safety (FR) District.
Section 5. Severability.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect. The City Council declares that it would have adopted each provision of this ordinance irrespective of the invalidity of any other provision.
Section 6. Publication.
The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this ordinance and cause it to be published or posted in the manner required by law.
Section 7. Urgency Declaration; Effective Date.
This ordinance is declared to be an urgency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety for the reasons set forth in Section 1.D. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by a four -fifths (4/5) vote of the City Council.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 28th day of July, 2025.
Jon Thorp, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Ana Sauseda, MMC Steven Graham Pacifico,
Director of General Services/City Clerk City Attorney