Chapter 15.95
ADOPTION OF THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE

Sections:

15.95.010    California Wildland-Urban Interface Code adopted.

15.95.020    California Wildland-Urban Interface Code amendments.

15.95.010 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code adopted.

A. Except as hereinafter provided, the 2025 Edition of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, 2025 Edition (Part 7, Title 24, California Code of Regulations), including Appendices A, B, C, F, G and H, amends the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, 2024 Edition, published by the International Code Council, and is hereby adopted by reference as the Wildland-Urban Interface Code of the city of Calimesa for regulating the design, construction, quality of materials, erection, installation, alteration, repair, location, relocation, replacement, addition to, and provisions of the fire code systems, or other provisions in the city of Calimesa, and providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor; and each and all of the regulations, provisions, conditions and terms of such International Wildland-Urban Interface Code 2024 Edition not adopted or amended in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, and excepting Section 103, published by the International Code Council, which are on file in the office of the city clerk, city of Calimesa, are hereby adopted by reference and made a part hereof as if fully set out in this chapter.

B. A copy of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code of the city of Calimesa shall be available in the office of the building division of the community development department in the city of Calimesa, and it shall be made available for public inspection while this code is in force. [Ord. 416 § 3, 2025; Ord. 416-U § 3, 2025.]

15.95.020 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code amendments.

The California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, as adopted herein, is amended as follows:

Section 202, Definitions, is hereby added to the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code to include the following definition:

Areas that correspond to those areas identified by the State of California/Cal-Fire as “Moderate Fire Severity Zone,” “High Fire Severity Zone” or “Very High Fire Severity Zone.”

Section 302.3 is hereby added to the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code to read as follows:

302.3. Division of Review Areas

Fire Hazard Severity Zones shall be as established by CAL FIRE and as adopted and amended by the City of Calimesa. Each area represents a different level of wildland hazard. A different set of requirements is applied in each severity zone. The provisions for these requirements, are cumulative in that all of the requirements that are specified for Fire Hazard Severity Zone 3 shall also apply to Fire Hazard Severity Zone 2, and all of the requirements that are specified for Fire Hazard Severity Zone 2 and 3 shall also apply to Fire Hazard Severity Zone 1.

a. Fire Hazard Severity Zone 1 (FHSZ-1)

Fire Hazard Severity Zone 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 Zone 1, especially in areas with natural ungraded slopes greater than thirty percent (30%). Zone 1 includes areas of very high to extreme fire hazard.

b. Fire Hazard Severity Zone 2 (FHSZ-2)

Fire Hazard Severity Zone 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 Zone 2 is exposed to the impacts of wildland fires and other natural hazards primarily due to its proximity to Zone 1.

c. Fire Hazard Severity Zone 3 (FHSZ-3)

Land within Area 3 provides for the transition from the wildland areas of FHSZ-1 and FHSZ-2 to the developed portions of the City and this Zone is often developed. Present and future development within Zone 3 is exposed to the impacts of wildland fires and other natural hazards that would come from Zone 1 and extend past Zone 2.

Section 403.1.7 is hereby added to the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code to read as follows:

403.1.7 Static Water Source Access.

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.

Section 404.4.1 is hereby added to the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code to read as follows:

404.4.1 Hydrant Identification.

Fire Hydrants shall be identified by a method specified by the fire authority.

Section 504.10.4 is hereby added to the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code to read as follows:

504.10.4 Eave-type attic ventilators. Eave-type attic ventilators are prohibited.

Section 601.4 is hereby added to the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code to read as follows:

601.4 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 Calimesa 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.

Section 609.2.8 is hereby added to the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code to read as follows:

609.2.8 Slope Development.

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.

Section 608.3 is hereby added to the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code to read as follows:

608.3 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.

Section 610.3 is hereby added to the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code to read as follows:

610.3 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.

Section 602.3.3 is hereby added to the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code to read as follows:

602.3.3 Additional Fire Protection Plan Requirements.

(a) A final fire protection plan and fuel modification area may be required to address areas 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 18, Zoning, Land Use and Development Regulations, of the Calimesa Municipal Code for such erosion control measures.

Section 604.6 is hereby added to the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code to read as follows:

604.6. Clearance of Brush or Vegetative Growth From Transmission Lines.

604.6.1 Support Clearance. Persons owning, controlling, operating or maintaining electrical transmission or distribution lines upon hazardous fire areas, including but not limited to, any mountainous land, forest-covered land, brush-covered land, or grass-covered land shall have an approved program in place that identifies poles or towers with equipment and hardware types that have a history of becoming an ignition source, and provides a combustion free space consisting of a clearing of not less than 10 feet in each direction from the outer circumference of such pole, tower or line.

EXCEPTION: Lines used exclusively as telephone, telegraph, messenger call, alarm transmission or other lines classed as communication circuits by the Public Utilities Commission. The Chief may permit other exceptions from the requirements of this section that are based upon the specific circumstances involved.

604.6.2 Electrical Distribution and Transmission Line Clearance. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 604.6.3 below, any Persons owning, controlling, operating, or maintaining electrical transmission or distribution lines upon hazardous fire areas, including but not limited to any mountainous land, forest-covered land, brush-covered land, or grass-covered land shall maintain the clearance specified in all directions between vegetation and conductors carrying electrical current: The Chief may permit exceptions from the requirements of this section which are based upon the specific circumstances involved.

604.6.3 Exceptions to Minimum Clearance Provisions. Low voltage lines. Section 604.6.2 above does not apply if the transmission or distribution line voltage is 750 volts or less. Poles and towers. The minimum clearance provisions of subsection 318.1 above are not required around poles and towers, including line junction, comer and dead end poles and towers:

A. Where all conductors are continuous over and through a pole or tower; or

B. Where all conductors are not continuous over or through a pole or tower, provided all conductors and subordinate equipment are of the types listed below and are properly installed and used for the purpose for which they were designed and manufactured.

(1) Compression connectors.

(2) Automatic connectors.

(3) Parallel groove connectors.

(4) Hot line tap or clamp connector that are designed to absorb any expansion or contraction by applying spring tension on the main line or running conductor and top connector.

(5) Fargo GA 300 series piercing connectors designed and manufactured for use with tree wire.

(6) Flat plate connectors installed with not less than two bolts.

(7) Tapered C-shaped member and wedge connectors.

(8) Solid blade single phase bypass switches and solid blade single phase disconnect switches associated with circuit reclosures, sectionalizers and line regulators.

(9) Equipment that is completely sealed and liquid filled.

(10) Current limiting, non-expulsion fuses.

604.6.4 Abatement. In the event that the abatement is not performed as required in Sections 4907.3.2.1 or 49007.3.2 of this section, the Chief may give notice to the owner of the property upon which such condition exists to correct such prohibited conditions. If the owner fails to correct such conditions, the Chief may cause the same to be done and make the expense of such correction a lien upon the property upon which such condition exists.

Section 604.7 is hereby added to the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code to read as follows:

604.7 Unusual Circumstances.

604.7.1 General. The fire code official may suspend enforcement and require reasonable alternative measures designed to advance the purposes of this chapter if he determines in any specific case that any of the following conditions exist:

1. Difficult terrain.

2. Danger of erosion.

3. Presence of plants included in any state or federal resources agencies, California Native Plant Society, and County approved list of wildlife, plants, rare, endangered and/or threatened species.

4. Stands or groves of trees or heritage trees.

5. Other unusual circumstances that make strict compliance with the clearance of vegetation provisions of this chapter undesirable or impractical.

[Ord. 416 § 3, 2025; Ord. 416-U § 3, 2025.]