Redwood City, CA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing map
- "Redwood City - Fire Hazard Map," Feb. 24, 2025
- Designation source
- CAL FIRE recommendation
- Appendix Q (WUI framework)
- Not adopted locally
- Max criminal penalty
- $1,000 fine / 180 days jail
- Appeal window
- 15 days per stage, to Fire Chief
- Defensible-space cross-reference
- Sec. 12.15.2 / PRC § 4291
Summary
Redwood City has adopted the state-recommended Fire Hazard Severity Zones under Redwood City Code Sec. 12.7.1, mapped on the city's official "Redwood City - Fire Hazard Map" dated February 24, 2025. Property inside a mapped zone falls under Fire Code provisions enforced by the Fire Chief and Building Official, with violations charged as misdemeanors.
The City Council hereby adopts and designates Fire Hazard Severity Zones as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and as designated on map titled "Redwood City - Fire Hazard Map" dated February 24, 2025, and retained on file and made available at the offices of the Fire Chief and Building Official of the City of Redwood City. The map is also available electronically on the following website: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:va6c2:7164ab2f-efc9-43fc-b8af-8b444d46a392.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Zoning Code: Supplement 29 | City Code: Supplement 61 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
1 of the Redwood City Code directs the City Council to adopt and designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones exactly as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), using the map titled "Redwood City - Fire Hazard Map," dated February 24, 2025. A copy is kept at the offices of the Fire Chief and the Building Official, and the map is also posted electronically on the city's website. 7(A). 3. 14 lets a person appeal a Deputy Fire Marshal or Fire Prevention Officer decision to the fire code official within 15 calendar days, with a further appeal to the Fire Chief within another 15 days, whose ruling is final.
15 sets the penalty for any Fire Code violation, including one tied to the hazard-zone designation, at a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and up to 180 days in jail, or both, with each day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense; the City may also pursue administrative code enforcement under Article II of Chapter 1 instead of criminal prosecution.
Violations & Fines
Violating any Fire Code provision tied to a hazard-severity designation, including the defensible-space and access-road amendments, is a misdemeanor under Section 12.15: up to a $1,000 fine, up to 180 days in jail, or both. Each day a violation continues after notice is a separate offense. The Fire Chief's office may instead pursue administrative code enforcement under Chapter 1, Article II. Appeals of enforcement decisions go first to the fire code official, then to the Fire Chief, within 15 days at each stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find Redwood City's Fire Hazard Severity Zone map?
Does Redwood City follow the state's Wildland-Urban Interface evaluation framework?
What happens if I violate a Fire Code rule tied to the hazard zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redwood City
California rules heatmap·Compare Redwood City to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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Wildfire Zones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Mateo County handle wildfire zones.