CITY COUNCIL: Ordinance Amending Municipal Code to Adopt High Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map

Meeting Date: 3 March 2009
Prepared by: Sean Conroy,
Planning & Building Svcs. Manager

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Second Reading of an Ordinance amending Carmel Municipal Code Section 15.08.010 to adopt the High Fire Hazard Severity Zone map for the City as required by State Fire Marshal and Government Code Section 51179.

Description: The State recently adopted amendments of Chapter 7A of the California Building Code that addresses materials and construction methods in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The new code, which took effect on 1 July 2008, requires all roofing and exterior walls for new buildings to be constructed of noncombustible materials. This requirement does not apply to remodels and/or additions -- only new buildings.

Overall Cost:
City Funds: N/A
Grant Funds: N/A

Staff Recommendation: Adopt the Ordinance.

Important Considerations: The purpose of the map is to identify properties that must comply with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code. This chapter establishes minimum standards for materials and material assemblies and provides a reasonable level of exterior wildfire exposure protection for buildings in high fire hazard areas.

Decision Record: The Council adopted the first reading of this ordinance on 3 February 2009.

Reviewed by:

__________________________ _____________________
Rich Guillen, City Administrator Date

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY COUNCIL
ORDINANCE 2009-
CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CARMEL MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 15.08.010 TO ADOPT THE HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE MAP FOR THE CITY AS REQUIRED BY STATE FIRE MARSHAL AND GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51179

WHEREAS, the City has adopted a General Plan and Municipal Code that strive to
protect the village character through clear policies and regulations; and

WHEREAS, the City adopted revisions to the State Building Code on 5 February 2008
that includes the requirement for new construction in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone to consist of noncombustible exterior materials; and

WHEREAS, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection forwarded a map identifying the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea on 18 November 2008; and

WHEREAS, Government Code Section 51179 requires the City to adopt the map by ordinance within 120 days of receipt of the map from the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA does hereby resolve to:

Amend Municipal Code Section 15.08.010 to adopt the High Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map for the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea (see attachments).

PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA this 3rd day of March 2009 by the following roll call vote:

AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:

SIGNED,

________________________
SUE McCLOUD, MAYOR

ATTEST:
_________________________________
Heidi Burch, City Clerk

Attachment “A”
CMC 15.08.010
The 2007 California Building Code, including the appendix thereto, and the California Building Code Standards, copies of which are on file with the City Clerk as required by law, are adopted by reference and incorporated into this title as the building code for the City except as amended in this chapter and Chapter 15.04 CMC. The Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map, as transmitted to the City on 18 November 2008 by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is also adopted as required by law.