LRA Legislation Factsheet - Flipbook combined - Flipbook - Page 14
LRA Legislation Factsheet
Senate Bill No.63
CHAPTER 382
An act to amend Sections 51177, 51178, 51178.5, 51182, and 51189 of the Government Code, to
amend Section 13108.5 of the Health and Safety Code, and to amend Sections 4124.5 and 4291 of,
and to add and repeal Sections 4123.8, 4291.5, and 4291.6 of, the Public Resources Code, relating to
fire prevention.
[Approved by Governor September 28, 2021. Filed with Secretary of State September 28, 2021.]
SB 63, Stern. Fire prevention: vegetation management: public education: grants: defensible space:
fire hazard severity zones.
(1) Existing law requires the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection to identify areas of the state as
very high fire hazard severity zones based on specified criteria. Existing law requires a local
agency, within 30 days after receiving a transmittal from the director that identifies very high
fire hazard severity zones, to make the information available for public review, as provided.
This bill, among other things, would also require the director to identify areas of the state as
moderate and high fire hazard severity zones. The bill would modify the factors the director is
required to use to identify areas into fire hazard severity zones, as provided. The bill would
require a local agency to make this information available for public review and comment, as
provided. By expanding the responsibility of a local agency, the bill would impose a statemandated local program.
This bill would also make conforming changes.
(2) Existing law requires a person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains an occupied
dwelling or structure in, upon, or adjoining a mountainous area, forest-covered land, brushcovered land, grass-covered land, or land that is covered with flammable material that is within
a very high fire hazard severity zone, as designated by a local agency, or a building or structure
in, upon, or adjoining those areas or lands within a state responsibility area, to maintain a
defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, as
specified. Existing law authorizes a greater distance than specified above on the specified land
in a very high fire hazard severity zone. Existing law specifies that clearance beyond the
property line may only be required if state law, local ordinance, rule, or regulation includes
certain findings and specifies that clearance on adjacent property shall only be conducted
following written consent by the adjacent landowner.
