There are now more parts of San Luis Obispo that fall within moderate, high and very high Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

The City Council recently adopted an ordinance designating the Fire Hazard Severity Zones as identified by the State’s Fire Marshal to enhance public safety, inform land use planning, and update building standards to reduce wildfire risks.

NEXT STEPS
The City expects the State to release the 2026 California Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code, and the 2026 California Fire and Building codes this summer. The City Council will then hold a public study session, likely in October 2025, to develop a new local defensible space ordinance. The City Council will then hold a public hearing to consider adopting a defensible space ordinance along with an ordinance aligning local codes with the State’s WUI Standards, and the new 2026 fire and building codes. More information about these updates will be posted to www.slocity.org/Prepare. 

WHAT PROPERTY OWNERS NEED TO KNOW
Understanding a property’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone can help property owners take the necessary steps to reduce wildfire risks, such as adding and maintaining defensible space around buildings. Certain zone designations will require property owners to take extra steps to mitigate wildfire risks. New statewide requirements vary by severity zone:

🔴 Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone

Immediately Required:

• Maintain defensible space according to 2022 California Fire Code, Chapter 49: Vegetation around all buildings and structures within 30 feet and out to 100 feet if applicable.
• New buildings or major remodels must meet 2022 California Building Code, Chapter 7A (WUI) ignition-resistant construction standards (a.k.a. home hardening).
• Provide natural hazard disclosure (AB 38) at the time of sale.
• Obtain and provide home hardening certification for new/rebuilt homes, if requested by insurers.

Future Requirement:

• Comply with Zone 0 ember-resistant standards (0–5 feet around structures) within 3 years of the State’s adoption of new rules (anticipated by end of 2025)

🟠 High Fire Hazard Severity Zone

 Immediately Required:

• New construction or major remodels must comply with ignition-resistant building standards (CBC, Chapter 7A)
• Provide natural hazard disclosure at the time of sale (AB 38)

🟡 Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone

• No immediate requirements under state law at this time.

In March 2025, CAL FIRE shared updated Fire Hazard Severity Zones across the State of California based on the latest wildfire science. Then the City began collecting public comment on the updated zones.

In June 2025, the City Council held a public hearing and adopted the zones. The City Council was required to adopt updated zones and could not downgrade the severity zones identified by CAL FIRE.

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Media Contact: Todd Tuggle, Fire Chief, ttuggle@slocity.org