San Jacinto, CA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)

Section 17.300.050(B) of the San Jacinto Municipal Code, part of the zoning performance standards adopted by Ord. 24-13 on 10/1/2024, requires a fire management plan for all development located in or adjacent to wildfire prone areas, with naturally vegetated hillsides as the example. The Fire Chief reviews and approves the plan and can require fire protection measures such as landscape or open space buffers, maintenance programs for weed and vegetation abatement, installation of fire resistant plants, and noncombustible building materials, including roofing.

Chapter 8.16 supplies the code layer. Section 8.16.010 adopts by reference Riverside County Ordinance No. 787.11, which adopts the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) and the 2025 Edition of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (Title 24, Part 7), with all appendices and amendments, as the Fire Code of the City of San Jacinto. Section 8.16.020 reads 'County of Riverside' as the City of San Jacinto for local enforcement and treats the County Fire Chief as the city Fire Chief or the Riverside County Fire Department/Cal Fire. Plan review, inspection and testing fees are the Riverside County Board of Supervisors' fees and are paid directly to the county (§ 8.16.030).

Hillside Development rules in § 15.28.100 add physical requirements in fire hazard areas: unobstructed fire protection equipment access easements to all parts of the development, fuel modification zones when the fire department requires them, one-hour construction for combustible stairs, balconies, porches and open structure under buildings within two hundred feet of a fire hazard area, fully boxed eaves, vents covered with one-fourth inch mesh, and Class A roof coverings.

Landscape plans in fire-prone areas must address fire safety, with a defensible space around a building required per Public Resources Code Section 4291(a) and (b) (§ 17.325.060). Section 9.10.030 bars camping in wildfire risk areas shown on the San Jacinto Wildfire Risk Map on the city's website and on file with the city clerk.