For City Council Meeting June 10, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Chris Jensen, Fire Marshal
Title
Request City Council to Set a Public Hearing for June 24, 2025, to Consider Adoption of an Ordinance Adopting Updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council Set a public hearing for June 24, 2025, to consider adoption of an ordinance designating updated Fire Hazard Severity Zones within the City of Rialto.
BACKGROUND
On March 24, 2025, the California State Fire Marshal released updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps for San Bernardino County, including the City of Rialto. Pursuant to California Government Code § 51179 and Public Resources Code § 4202, local jurisdictions must adopt the updated maps by ordinance within 120 days of release, establishing a local deadline of July 22, 2025.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The updated maps reflect current wildfire risks and are designed to enhance building safety requirements and inform land use planning decisions in areas designated as Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. These changes do not retroactively impact existing development. They apply to new construction and will enforce the use of Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) building standards as defined in California Building Code Chapter 7A.
The Fire Department conducted early outreach to inform and engage the community, including a presentation to the Economic Development Committee on May 29, 2025, and social media outreach across all platforms to provide information and solicit community questions.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not meet the definition of a project as defined by Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A “Project” means the whole of an action which has the potential to result in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and excludes: (b)(1) Continuing administrative or maintenance activities, such as purchases for supplies, personnel-related actions, and general policy and procedure making; and, (b)(2) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The City of Rialto General Plan establishes various guiding principles, goals and objectives through which the City looks to improve the community and protect the quality of life for our residents. This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A in the General Plan:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
Approval of the updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps also complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Goal 5-3: Increase the City’s fire protection capabilities, and implement fire prevention regulations and standards that minimize potential fire hazards and fire losses.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
There is no impact to the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact to the Capital Improvement Budget.