The City of Sonoma adopted CAL FIRE's updated Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) map on May 7, 2025, designating portions of the city as Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. New construction and major remodels in High and Very High zones must meet California Building Code Chapter 7A Wildland-Urban Interface ignition-resistant standards.
Under Cal. Gov. Code §51178 and §51179, the State Fire Marshal classifies LRA fire hazard severity zones, and cities must adopt these designations within 120 days of receipt and cannot downgrade them. CAL FIRE released updated LRA FHSZ maps for Sonoma County on February 24, 2025; the Sonoma City Council held a public hearing April 21, 2025 and adopted the map by ordinance on May 7, 2025. Properties in Very High FHSZ areas are subject to: (a) Cal. PRC §4291 100-foot defensible space; (b) annual hazardous vegetation inspections by SVFD; (c) California Building Code Chapter 7A (Materials and Construction Methods for Exterior Wildfire Exposure) for new construction and substantial remodels, including ignition-resistant roofing (Class A), enclosed eaves, ember-resistant vents per ASTM E2886, dual-paned tempered exterior windows, and noncombustible Zone 0 hardscape; and (d) real-estate disclosure under Cal. Civ. Code §1103. The City also enforces the new California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (CWUIC) consolidating fire-resilience provisions effective January 1, 2026.
Construction without the required Chapter 7A WUI materials in a designated FHSZ is a violation of the California Building Code as adopted in Sonoma Municipal Code Title 14 and can result in a stop-work order, permit revocation, and reinspection fees. Defensible space violations under PRC §4291 are punishable by fines up to $500 (PRC §4021). Failure to disclose FHSZ status in a real-estate transfer violates Civ. Code §1103 and can support rescission claims by the buyer.
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