Pursuant to Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the state of California, there is hereby adopted by reference by the city council, for the purpose of establishing minimum requirements to reduce the likelihood of life and property loss due to a wildfire through the use of performance and prescriptive requirements for construction and development in all Fire Hazard Severity Zones in State Responsibility Areas (SRA), and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, and increase the ability of buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone within State Responsibility Areas (SRA), or Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Areas, to resist the intrusion of flames or burning embers projected by a vegetation fire and contributes to a systematic reduction in conflagration losses and reduce the likelihood of life and property loss due to a wildfire.
(Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)
Subsection 101.2 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code adopted in Section 14.70.010 is amended to read as follows:
101.2 Scope. This code applies to building materials, systems and/or assemblies used in the exterior design and construction of new buildings, additions, alterations, and repairs located within a wildland-urban interface (WUI) area within the City of Laguna Beach and contains minimum requirements to mitigate conditions that might cause a fire originating in a structure to ignite vegetation in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) area, and conversely, a wildfire burning in vegetative fuels to transmit fire to buildings and threaten to destroy life, overwhelm fire suppression capabilities or result in large property losses.
Exception: With the approval of the building official minor repairs or replacement of exterior materials may be done with the same materials as exists on the building.
(Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)
Subsection 504.2 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code adopted in Section 14.70.010 is amended to read as follows:
504.2 Roof assembly. Roofs and all reroofs shall have a roof assembly that complies with a Class A fire classification when tested in accordance with ASTM E108 or UL 790.
Exception: With the approval of the building official small sections of a roof may be reroofed with the same material as exists on the roof.
(Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)
Subsection 504.10.4 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code adopted in Section 14.70.010 is added to read as follows:
504.10.4 Vent size. Each individual ventilation opening into enclosed attics, enclosed eave soffit spaces, enclosed rafter spaces formed where ceilings are applied directly to the underside of roof rafters, and underfloor spaces shall not exceed 144 square inches in area. Openings exceeding 144 square inches in area shall be protected by a minimum 1 3/8" thick solid core wooden door or equivalent.
(Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)
Subsection 504.5.2 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code adopted in Section 14.70.010 is amended to read as follows:
504.5.2 Exterior wall coverings. The exterior wall covering, or wall assembly, including insulation shall comply with one of the following requirements:
1.
Noncombustible material.
2.
Ignition-resistant building material labeled for exterior use.
3.
Fire-retardant-treated wood labeled for exterior use and complying with the requirements of Section 2303.2 of the California Building Code.
4.
Fire-retardant-treated wood shingles and shakes which have been qualified in accordance with Section 1505.6 of the California Building Code for use as "Class B" roof covering shall be an acceptable alternative wall covering material where installed over solid sheathing.
(Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)
Section 602.2 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code is deleted entirely, including its subsection 602.3 and its subsections 602.3.1 and 602.3.2.
Section 602.2 Contents is hereby added as follows:
602.2 Contents. The Fire Protection Plan shall contain the requirements set forth in the 2019 City of Laguna Beach Fire Department Landscape/Fuel Modification Standards and Maintenance Program document as amended from time to time by City Council and pursuant to Resolutions 89.104, 1640, and 1641.
(Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)
Section 603.3.1 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code is hereby deleted in its entirety.
Section 603.3.1 Contents is hereby added as follows:
602.3.1 Contents. The Landscape Plan shall contain the requirements set forth in the 2019 City of Laguna Beach Fire Department Landscape/Fuel Modification Standards and Maintenance Program document as amended from time to time by City Council and pursuant to Resolutions 89.104, 1640, and 1641.
(Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)
Section 603.4 Vegetation of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code adopted in Section 14.70.010 is hereby revised by adding subsection (4) as follows:
(4) Does not contain target species listed in the 2019 City of Laguna Beach Fire Department Landscape/Fuel Modification Standards and Maintenance Program document as amended from time to time by City Council and pursuant to Resolutions 89.104, 1640, and 1641.
(Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)
Section 604.1.1 Defensible Space Guideline of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code adopted in Section 14.70.010 is hereby added as follows:
604.1.1 Defensible Space Guideline. All existing habitable buildings and structures within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall maintain defensible space in accordance with the requirements in the Defensible Space Guideline for Existing Structures in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, dated August 2021, as amended from time to time by Resolution of the City Council.
Exceptions:
1.
New construction or major remodels, as defined by local ordinance, to be built or installed in areas containing City of Laguna Beach Fuel Modification designation, shall comply with Section 613.
2.
Existing structures built in compliance with the Fuel Modification Guidelines pursuant to Resolution 89.104 shall be maintained in accordance with the approved plan.
(Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)
Section 604.1.2 Documentation of Compliance of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code adopted in Section 14.70.010 is hereby added as follows:
604.1.2 Documentation of Compliance. Property owners are required to comply with the Defensible Space Guideline for Existing Structures in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, or the Fuel Modification Guidelines pursuant to Resolution 89.104, shall obtain documentation of compliance from the fire code official upon inspection verification.
(Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)
Section 613 Fuel Modification requirements for new construction or major remodel of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code adopted in Section 14.70.010 is hereby added as follows:
613 Fuel modification requirements for new construction or major remodel. All new buildings or major remodels, as defined by local ordinance, to be built or installed in areas containing City of Laguna Beach Fuel Modification designation shall comply with the following:
5.
Preliminary fuel modification plans shall be submitted to and approved by the fire code official concurrent with the submittal for approval of any tentative map.
6.
Final fuel modification plans shall be submitted to and approved by the fire code official prior to the issuance of a building permit.
7.
The fuel modification plans shall meet the criteria set forth in the 2019 City of Laguna Beach Fire Department Landscape/Fuel Modification Standards and Maintenance Program document as amended from time to time by City Council and pursuant to Resolutions 89.104, 1640, and 1641.
8.
The fuel modification plan may be altered if conditions change. Any alterations to the fuel modification areas shall have prior approval by the fire code official.
9.
All elements of the fuel modification plan shall be maintained in accordance with the approved plan and are subject to the enforcement process outlined in the Fire Code.
(Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)