HomeMy WebLinkAbout1256 - Designating Fire Hazard Severity ZonesORDINANCE NO. 1256
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH DESIGNATING FIRE
HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES WITHIN THE CITY OF UKIAH LOCAL RESPONSIBILITY AREA
WHEREAS:
1. Government Code Section 51178 requires the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to
identify areas in the State of California as either Moderate, High, or Very High Fire Hazard
Severity Zones based on consistent statewide criteria; and
2. The OSFM has recommended Fire Hazard Severity Zones for Local Responsibility Areas
across the State pursuant to Government Code Section 51178; and
3. The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) released a map of the Moderate,
High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones recommended by the OSFM for the City of
Ukiah Local Responsibility Area to the City of Ukiah on February 24, 2025; and
4. The map was posted on the City of Ukiah's website for public review and comment on the
date of CAL FIRE's release of the maps, February 24, 2025; and
5. California Government Code Section 51179(a) requires local agencies to designate, by
ordinance, Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in their jurisdictions
within 120 days of receiving recommendations from the OSFM pursuant to Section 51178.
NOW THEREFORE the City Council of the City of Ukiah hereby ordains as follows:
SECTION 1. VERY HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES
The City of Ukiah hereby designates areas not already identified as Very High Fire Hazard
Severity Zones by the OSFM, as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, following a finding
supported by substantial evidence in the record that the requirements of Government Code
Section 51182 are necessary for effective fire protection within the area.
SECTION 2. MODERATE AND HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES
The City of Ukiah hereby designates areas not already identified as Moderate and High Fire
Hazard Severity Zones by the OSFM, as Moderate and High Fire Hazard Severity Zones,
respectively.
SECTION 3. APPROVAL OF MAP
The map approved by the City of Ukiah, for "City of Ukiah — Mendocino County" and entitled "Local
Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones", dated February 24, 2025, is attached as Exhibit
A and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 4. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
This Ordinance has been evaluated in accordance with the authority and criteria contained in the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the State CEQA Guidelines, and the environmental
regulations of the city. The Community Development Director has determined that the adoption
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and implementation of the Ordinance is exempt from further environmental review under the
general rule in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) that
CEQA only applies to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the
environment. The adoption of the fire hazard severity zone map is required by law, and not
involving a commitment to any specific project that may result in a potentially significant physical
impact on the environment, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the
ordinance will have a significant effect on the environment. The City Council concurs in these
findings and adopts them as its own. The City Council, therefore, directs that a Notice of
Exemption be filed with the County of Mendocino in accordance with CEQA Guidelines.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE
The Ordinance shall be published as required by law in a newspaper of general circulation in the
City of Ukiah, and shall become effective thirty (30) days after its adoption.
Introduced by title only on June 4, 2025, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Criss, Orozco, Sher, and Mayor Crane
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Adopted on June 18, 2025, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Criss, Orozco, Sher, and Mayor Crane
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Rodin.
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
tu's��tL-
Kristine Lawler, City Clerk
uglas P.
Crane, Mayor
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Exhibit A
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Fire Hazard Severity Zones In State Responsibility
Area {SRA}, Effective April 1, 2024 __.; Incorporated City = waterbody
Federal Responsibility
VeryHigh High Moderate IF UnzonedLRA Area FRA
Government Code section 51178 reQWres the State Fire statewide Crllera and based on the seveilty of fire hazard Mal Is and other relevant lectors Incledin( areas .here .Inds
Marshal to Joan* areas In Ma stale as moderate, high. expected to prevail In (hole areas• Moderate. high. and very high are have been Identified by the office of the State Fire Marshal
and very hlgr are 11828rd SaYadbl tones based all eenalstent Word Severity tones shall be baled on foal loading. slope. fire .eaMer. as a major cam of wlltllire Spread.
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