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The national database of state and local wildfire hazard mitigation programs
serves as a clearinghouse of information about nonfederal policies and
programs that seek to reduce the risk of loss of life and property through
the reduction of hazardous fuels on private lands. If
you would like to submit a program to the national wildfire programs database,
please complete the following form (MS
Word).
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Title: |
Santa Barbara, CA -- Fire Hazard Reduction Ordinance
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Type: |
Regulatory
Fuelbreaks
Education
Designation of high risk areas
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Jurisdiction: |
City/town
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State: |
California
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Program Description: |
Fuelbreak Standards
The Santa Barbara Fire Department Ordinance #5257, High Fire Hazard Area Requirements, establishes minimum brush clearance standards for properties located within the City's high fire hazard areas. The ordinance requires that vegetation within these areas must be maintained to create an effective fuelbreak by thinning dense vegetation and removing brush and combustible growth from areas within 100 feet of all buildings. A vertical clearance of 13.5 feet within 10 feet of driveways and streets is also required.
The ordinance specifies annual vegetative treatments for grasses, trees, and shrubs and methods of debris disposal. Special considerations include increased distance of defensible space on slopes greater than 20 percent and permit requirements for removal of trees over four inches in diameter. Three diagrams are included that depict the four-zone concept of firesafe landscaping, hazardous fire ladders removal techniques, and vegetative road clearance. The ordinance also recommends residents visit the City's Firescape Demonstration Garden.
Landscape Guidelines
The City of Santa Barbara's Fire Prevention Bureau, publishes High Fire Hazard Landscape Guidelines as a supplement to the Minimum Brush Clearance Standards. The guidelines stipulate the use of a four-zone delineation for defensible space and specifications for landscape plans submitted for review prior to new construction. The guidelines include: 1) a table with specifications for plant selection and vegetative treatments within each of the four zones of defensible space, 2) a listing of desirable qualities to look for when selecting fire resistant plants, and 3) a list of undesirable plant species that should be avoided in high fire hazard areas.
Contact Information
For more information, contact, via email, Ann Marx, at the Santa Barbara City Fire Department, or phone: 805-564-5702.
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