La Mesa, CA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)

Chapter 11.05, added by Ordinance 2025-2925 on December 9, 2025, adopts the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, 2025 Edition, as published by the International Code Council, by reference as the city's own Wildland-Urban Interface Code, with one copy kept on file in the office of the city clerk. That adoption works together with the locally amended definitions in Chapter 11.04's Section 11.04.090, which adds terms the state code relies on but leaves to local jurisdictions to apply. 'Hazardous Fire Area' is defined as any geographic area mapped by the state or the city as a high or very high fire hazard area, or as otherwise designated by the Fire Authority Having Jurisdiction based on vegetation, topography, weather, and structure density that could increase the chance of a vegetation fire reaching structures.

'Fuel Modification Zone' is defined as a strip of land where combustible vegetation has been thinned or replaced with drought-tolerant, fire-resistant, or irrigated plants to reduce radiant and convective heat exposure to roadways and structures and to give fire suppression crews a safer place to operate. The same amended definitions section also defines 'Combustible Vegetation,' 'Vegetation Conflagration,' and 'Response Time,' terms the Wildland-Urban Interface Code and the city's fire code official use together when reviewing development in or near mapped hazard areas. The La Mesa Fire Department's fire code official enforces these provisions as part of Title 11's fire regulations.