Report Prepared by: Danny Brown, Assistant Building Official
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SUBJECT: Public Hearing- Introduction of Ordinance Adding Section 17.32.105, “Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map”, of the Merced Municipal Code
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers adding section 17.32.105 of Merced Municipal Code adopting California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council- Adopt a motion introducing Ordinance 2578, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Adding Section 17.32.105, "Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map” to the Merced Municipal Code.
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ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve subject to other than recommended by staff (identify specific findings and or conditions amended to be addressed by City Council motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer back to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addresses in the motion); or
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
California Government Code §51179 requires local agency to designate, by ordinance, fire hazard severity zones in its jurisdiction per recommendations from the State Fire Marshall pursuant to §51178.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As adopted in the Fiscal Year 24-25 budget.
DISCUSSION
Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs) are areas where the local jurisdiction is tasked with fire suppression responsibilities. Assembly Bill 337 (1992) required Cal-Fire to evaluate fire hazard severity zones (FHSZ) in local responsibility areas and make a recommendation to the local jurisdiction only where Very High FHSZ exist.
Senate Bill 63 (2021) then required Cal-Fire to classify and make recommendations on Moderate and High FHSZ in local responsibility areas, in addition to Very High FHSZ. Assembly Bill 211 (2022) then required local agencies to adopt Moderate, High, and Very High FHSZ designations within 120 days of state recommendations. Local jurisdictions cannot downgrade hazard levels but may increase them if justified. The City of Merced Building and Fire Departments do not recommend increasing the hazard designations recommended by Cal-Fire.
Due to new science in local climate data and improved fire assessment modeling, fire hazard severity maps were recently updated and went through a phased release in early 2025.
Government Code §51179 requires a jurisdiction to designate, by ordinance, fire hazard severity zones in its jurisdiction per recommendations from the State Fire Marshall pursuant to §51178.
Per the California State Fire Marshal Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones map released February 24, 2025, a small section in the northeastern part of the City of Merced City Limits has been designated as Moderate FHSZ. The Moderate Zone designation requires the City of Merced to adopt the FHSZ map, and does not affect construction standards, new or existing development, defensible space requirements, or fire-fighting operations.
By the adoption of this ordinance, staff is ensuring compliance with state law.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance 2578
2. City of Merced Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map
3. Cal-Fire Examples of State Minimum Requirements
4. Cal-Fire Fire Hazard Severity Zones Local Responsibility Area FAQ