Santa Cruz adopts the California Fire Code Wildland-Urban Interface chapter under §19.05.270 plus a local Wildfire Risk Areas chapter (Title 19 §19.05.310 / Fire Code Ch. 90).
Fire Hazard Severity Zones are designated under §19.20.010 per Government Code §51178. Owners in wildfire risk areas must comply with chimney spark arrester rules and other Chapter 90 provisions. The fire chief may close wildfire risk areas to entry during high-danger periods. State Public Resources Code §4291 (100 ft defensible space around structures) applies to all properties in or near the State Responsibility Area and adopted Local Responsibility Area high-hazard zones.
Failure to maintain defensible space supports administrative abatement and cost-recovery liens. Wildfire risk area trespass during closure is enforced by the fire chief.
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Santa Cruz, CA
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