1) For landscaping information go to the SAFE (Sustainable and Fire SafE) Landscapes Project http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/Natural_Resources/Wildland_Fire.htm. This is an excellent website. There is a great deal of good information for creating and maintaining fire-safe, environmentally-friendly landscapes in the wildland-urban interface that minimize the use and spread of invasive plants.
2) Fuel Modification Plan: If you are going to remodel 50% or more of your home, you must have a Fuel Modification Plan. The fuel modification plan identifies specific zones within a property which are subject to fuel modification. A fuel modification zone is a strip of land where combustible native or ornamental vegetation has been modified and/or partially or totally replaced with drought-tolerant, low-fuel-volume plants. The Forestry Division’s Fuel Modification Unit provides guidelines and reviews the landscape and irrigation plans submitted by the property owner for approval before construction or remodeling of a structure. The fuel modification plans vary in complexity and reflect the fire history, the amount and type of vegetation, the arrangement of the fuels, topography, local weather patters, and construction, design and placement of structures. To view the current Fuel Modification Guidelines go to: http://www.fire.lacounty.gov/Forestry/PDF/FuelModificationPlan.pdf. We are currently working on the 2008 update of these guidelines.
3) Brush Clearance: The Brush Clearance Program is a joint effort between the County of Los Angeles Fire Department and the County of Los Angeles Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures, Weed Hazard and Pest Abatement Bureau (Weed Abatement Division). This unified enforcement legally declares both improved and unimproved properties a public nuisance, and where necessary, requires the clearance of hazardous vegetation. These measures create “Defensible Space” for effective fire protection of property, life and the environment. The Department’s Brush Clearance Unit enforces the Fire Codes as it relates to brush clearance on improved parcels, coordinates inspections and compliance efforts with fire station personnel, and provides annual brush clearance training to fire station personnel. For Brush Clearance Tips go to: http://www.santa-clarita.com/community/safety/brush.fire.safety_1.pdf.
4) Oak Tree Ordinance: The Los Angeles County Oak Tree Ordinance has been established to recognize oak trees as significant historical, aesthetic, and ecological resources. The goal of the ordinance is to create favorable conditions for the preservation and propagation of this unique and threatened plant heritage. The Los Angeles County Oak Tree Ordinance applies to all unincorporated areas of the County. Individual cities may have adopted the county ordinance or their own ordinance which may be more stringent.
PERMIT REQUIREMENTS:
Under the Los Angeles County Ordinance, a person shall not cut, destroy, remove, relocate, inflict damage, or encroach into the protected zone of any tree of the oak tree genus, which is 8" or more in diameter four and one-half feet above mean natural grade or in the case of oaks with multiple trunks combined diameter of twelve inches or more of the two largest trunks, without first obtaining a permit.
5) Building Materials Listings for Wildland Urban Interface Building Materials (Attached):
· Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone Building Requirements
Download cabldgcodes_vhfhsz_building_requirements.pdf
· Building Materials Handbook
Download building_materials_handbook.pdf
· Testing Standards CA SFM 12.7A-1, Exterior Wall Siding and Sheathing
Download WallSidingSheathingPart_12_CA_SFM_12-7A-1_Test_Standards.pdf
· Testing Standards CA SFM
12.7A-2, Exterior Windows
Download ExteriorWindowPart_12_CA_SFM_12-7A-2_Test_Standards.pdf
· Testing Standards CA SFM
12.7A-3, Under Eaves
Download UnderEave_Part_12_CA_SFM_12-7A-3_Test_Standards.pdf
· Testing Standards CA SFM
12.7A-4, Decking
Download Decking_Part_12_CA_SFM_12-7A-4_Test_Standards.pdf
6) Roofing requirements: The LA County Fire Code requires “Class A’ Fire-rated roof covering. For information on Class A roofs go to: http://groups.ucanr.org/HWMG/Appendixes/Appendix_H-_Roof.htm and http://groups.ucanr.org/HWMG/Roof/
7) Environmental Hazards in the Home:
Things you should know about your house and the environment: http://consumerlawpage.com/brochure/home-haz.shtml
8) Geological Hazards: I have not been successful on finding a detailed soil and geologic map for the area. Since most of your homes are in a slope, go to http://landslides.usgs.gov/learning/prepare/ and read about landslide warning signs. You can look for these signs as you walk through your property.
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More Homeowner Info
Download MakingYourPropFireSafe_41666.pdf
Download SafeLandscapesinWUI41665.pdf
Download FuelModificationPlan.pdf
Download FSC_Homeownerchecklist.pdf
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