ORDINANCE NO. 9O5

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COT'NCIL OF THE TO\üN OF CORTEMADERA ADDING CIIAPTER T5.O4 TO lHE MTTNICIPAL CODE IN

ADOPTING AND AMEIITDING TIIE 20()6 EDITION OF lHE IMTERÀTÁTTONALWIIT'IAND-URBAÃT IMTERNACE CODE,, REGULI\TING AND GOVERNING THEMITIGATION OF ITAZARD TO LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM THE INÎRUSION

OF FIRE FROM WILDLIIND EXPOSURES, FIRE FROM ADJACENTSTRUCIT'R.ES AND PREVENTION OF. STRUCTURE F.IRES F.ROM

SPREADING TO WILDLITND I.UEI,S IN THE TOWN OF CORTE MADERA;PROVIDING F.OR lHE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS AND COLLECTION OF

FEES.

The Town Council of the Town of Corte Madera does ordain as follows:

SECTION f. Chapter No. 15.04 is added to the Town of Corte MaderaMunicipal Code to read as follows:

"cltÁPTER NO. 15.04

WILDI,AND.T'RBAN INÎERFACE CODE

SectÍons:15.O4.OfO Adoptíon of the 2OOG International Slildland-Urban fnterface

Code.

L5.o,4,o.2O Amendm,ents made to Chapter I of the 2OOG InternationalWildland-Urban Interface Code.

I5.O4-O3O Amendments made to Chapter 2 of the 2OO6 International\[rildhnd-Urban fnterface Code.

15.O4.O4O Amendnents made to Chapter 3 of the 2OO6 Internationaltrrildhnd-Urban fnterface Code.

15.O4-O5O Amendments made to Chapter 4 of the 2OOG InternatÍonalWildland-Urban Interface Code.

15.04.06O Amendments made to Chapter 5 of the 2(X)G InternationalWÍldland-Urban fnterface Code.

L6-O4-O7O Amendments made to Chapter 6 of the 2OOG InternationalüIildland-Urban Interface Code.

f 5.O4.O8O F'indings.

15.O4.O9O Appeals.

15.O4.fOO Penalties.

f 5.O4.O1O Adoption of the 2OOG International Wildland-Urbon InterfaceCode.

The Internøtíonal WíIdLand-Urban InterJace Code, 2006 edition,inc-luding Appendix Chapter A, as published by the Ilternauonal Code Council,i: -h9t ¡V adopted by reference herein as amended by this Chapter as theWildland-Urban Interface Code of the Town of Corte Niadera, in the State ofCalifornia for regulating and governing the mitigation of 1¡azard to life and

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property from the intrusion of fîre from wildland exposures, fire from adjacentätrúctuies and prevention of structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels as

herein provideå; and further providing for the issuance of permits andcollection of fees therefore; and each and all of the regulations, provisions,penalties, conditions and terms of said Wildland-Urban Interface Code on fileitt tfr. office of the Town of Corte Madera are hereby referred to, adopted, andmade a part hereof, as if fully set out in this Chapter, with the additions,insertion", d"l"tions and changes, if any, prescribed in this Chapter of whichCode not less than one (1) copt is filed in the office of the Fire Marshal of theCorte Madera Fire Department and the s¿une are hereby adopted andincorporated as fuily as if set out at length herein, and from the date on whichthis brdinance sfrãU take effect, the provision thereof shall be controllingwithin the limits of t]le Town of Corte Madera.

L5,.O4.O2O Amendments made to Chapter I of the 2OO6 IntemationalWildland-Urban Interface Code.

The 20O6 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code is herebyamended and changed in the followin$ respects:

. Section 101.5 of Chapter I is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its Place:

lOf .5 Additlons or alterations. Additions or exterior alterationsmay be made to any building or structure without requirin$ the unalteredportion of the building or structure to comply with all of the requirements ofthis code provided that the additions or exterior alterations do not constitute asubstantial remodel and provided that the addition or exterior alterationconforms to that which is required for a ne\¡/ building or structure by this code.

Exception: Provisions of this code that specificalþ apply to existin$conditions, buildings or structures shall be applied to any and allexisting conditions, buildings, or structures regulated by this code. SeeSections 402.3, 601. I and Appendix A.

Additions or alterations shall not be made to an existing building or structurethat will cause the existing building or structure to be in violation of any of theprovisions of this code nor shall such additions or alterations cause theexisting building or stmcture to become unsafe. An unsafe condition is createdwhen an addition or alteration will cause the existing building or structure tobecome structurally unsafe or overloaded; will not provide adequate access incompliance with the provisions of this code or will obstruct existing exits oraccess; will create a fire hazard: will reduce required fÏre resistance; or willotherwise create conditions dangerous to human life.

oSection fO1.6 of Chapter I is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its place:

lOf .6 Maintenarrce. All buildings, structures, access, watersupply, landscape materials, vegetation, defensible space or other devices orsafeguards regulated by this code shall be maintained in conformance with theregulations of the edition of this code adopted by the Town under which thesame were installed or improved in any manner requiring a permit to beobtained under this code. The real propert5r owner or the real property owner'sdesignated agent shall be responsible for the maintenance of buildings,structures, access roads, water supplies, landscape materials and vegetationexisting on the owner's property in conformity u/ith the regulations of theedition of this code adopted by tJle Town under which the same u¡ere installedor improved in any manner requiring a permit to be obtained under this code.

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.Section LO2.2 of Chapter I is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its place:

Section 1or2.2 Interpretation of Rules, Regulations andStandards. The Chief is authorized to render interpretations of this code andto make and enforce rules and supplemental regulations and to develop FireProtection Standards to carr5r out the application and intent of its provisions.Such interpretations, rules, and regulations, and Standards shall be inconformance with the intent and purpose of this code. A copy of such rules andregulations shall be filed with the clerk of the Town of Corte Madera and shallbe in effect immediately thereaft.er. Additional copies shall be available fordistribution to the public.

oSection 103.3 of Chapter I is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its place:

103.3 Alternative materials or methods. The code official isauthorized to approve alternative materials or methods, provided that the codeofficial fìnds that the proposed design, use or operation satisfactorily compliesu¡ith the intent of this code and that the alternative material or method is, forthe purpose intended, at least equivalent to the level of quality, strength,effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety prescribed by this code.Approvals under the authority herein contained shall be subject to theapproval of the building official whenever the alternate material or methodinvolves matters regulated by the CallforninBuíldíng Code.

The code official shall require that sufficient evidence or proof be submitted tosubstantiate any claims that may be made regarding its use. The details of anyaction granting approval of an alternate shall be recorded and entered in thefiles of the code enforcement agency.

oSection LO5.2 of Chapter I is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its place:

1o,5.2 Permits required. Unless otherwise exempted, no buildingor structure located u/ithin a desigpated Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areashall be erected, constructed, altered, repaired, moved, removed, converted ordemolished unless a separate permit for each building or structure has firstbeen obtained from the code official. For buildings or structures erected fortemporar¡r uses, see Appendix A, Section 41O8.3, of this code.

When required by the code official, in addition to all other applicable permitsrequired by the Municipal Code a permit shall be obtained for the followingactivities, operations, practices or functions u¡ithin a Wildland-Urban InterfaceFire Area:

1. Implementation of a Fire Protection Plan2. Implementation of a Vegetation Management Plan

.Section 105.8 of Chapter I is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its place:

105.8 ExpÍration. Every permit issued by the code official underthe provisions of this code shall expire by limitation and become null and voidif the building construction, activity or work authorized by such permit is notconunenced within l8O days from the date of such permit, or if the buildingconstruction, activity or work authorized by such permit is suspended or

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abandoned for a period of 18O days at any time a-ft.er the work has beencoÍtmenced

'When a permittee holding an unexpired permit is unable to corunence work\Mithirì the time specified in this sectiort, the permittee may make a writtenrequest for an extension of time, which said written request shall set forth t-Le

r.á"ort" and circumstances beyond the permittee's control that have preventedthe permittee from commencing work under the terms of the permit. If good

"",r"i is shown by tJle written application, the code official may grant therequested extension for a period not to exceed l80-days from the date of tJle

expiration of the ori$inal permit.

o Section f 06. f of Chapter I is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its Place:

LO6.1 General. Plans, engineering calculations, diagrams andother data in compliarice with the provisions of tJlis code shall be submitted inat least three (3) sets \Mith each application for a permit.'When such plans arenot prepared by an architect or engineer, the code official may require theapplicant submitting such plans or other data demonstrate that state law doesnãl require that the plans be prepared by a licensed architect or en$ineer. Thecode offïcial may require plans, computations and specifications to be preparedand designed by an architect or engineer licensed by the state to practice assuch even if not required by state law.

Exception: Submission of plans, calculations, construction inspectionrequirements and other data, if the code ofücial finds that the nature ofthe work applied for is such that reviewing of plans by an architect orengineer licensed by the state to practice is not necessary to obtaincompliance with this code.

osection 106.3 of Chapter I is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its place:

106.3 Site ptan. In addition to the requirements for plans in theCallfornín Buíldtng Code, site plans shall include topography, \Midth andpercent of grade of access roads, landscape and vegetation details, locations ofstructures or building envelopes, existing or proposed overhead utilities,occupancy classification of buildings, t54res of ignition-resistant construction ofbuildings, structures and their appendages, roof classification of buildings, andsite water supply systems.

.section fO6.6 of Chapter I is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its place:

106.6 Other data end substantiation. When required by the codeofficial, the plans and specifications shall include classification of fuelloading, according to the NWCG Aid,s to Deterrnín@ FueL Models JorEstímøtíng Fíre Behauior, current edition.

oSection 106.7 of Chapter I is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its place:

1o,6..7 Vicinity plan. In addition to the requirements for siteplans, plans shall include details regarding the vicinity as required by the codeofÏicial, including other stmctures, slope, vegetation, fuel breaks, water supplysystems and access roads.

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oSection 106.8 of Chapter I is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its place:

106.8 Retention of plans.All approved plans shall be maintained by the code official for the life of thestructure.

oSection lo7.l.1 of Chapter I is hereby deleted and tJle followinglanguage substituted in its place:

LO7.1.1 General. All construction or work for which a permit isrequired by this code shall be subject to inspection by the code ofÏìcial and allsuch construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspectionpu{poses until approved by the code official.

It shall be the duty of the permit applicant to cause the work to remainaccessible and oçosed for inspection purposes. Neither the code offtcial northe Town of Corte Madera shall be liable for orpense entailed in the removal orreplacement of any material required to allow inspection.

Approval as a result of a plan review or an inspection shall not be construed tobe an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or of otherordinances of the Town of Corte Madera.

A surwey of the lot may be required by the code official to veri$r that thefeatures required by this code are provided and the building or structure islocated in accordance with the approved plans.

oSection lO8 of Chapter I is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its place:

SECTION 1O8. FINAL APPROVAL FOR OCCUPANCYNo building, structure or premises shall be used or occupied, and no change inthe existing occupancy classification of a building, structure, premise orportion thereof shall be made, until the code official has issued a "FinalApproval" for occrlpancy thereof.

Issuance of a "Final Approval" for occrlparrcy shall not be construed as anapproval of a violation of the provisions of this code or of other pertinent lawsand ordinances of the Town of Corte Madera. Certificates presuming to giveauthority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or other laws orordinances of the Town of Corte Madera shall not be valid.

f 5.O4.O3O Amendments Made to Chapter 2 of the 2OO6 InternationalWildland-Urban Interface Code.

oSection 2O2 of Chapter 2 is hereby amended by adding thefollowing definitions :

IIISICG. National Wildfïre Coordinating Group.

SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL - EXTERIOR. The alteration, modification,improvement, corrversion, repair, or renovation of the exterior surface of anystructure, which combined with the exterior surface of any additions to thestmcture, affects an exterior surface area which exceeds fifty percent of theexisting exterior surface area of the structure. Exterior surface includes wallsurfaces, windows, doors, and horizontal deck surfaces. This defïnition doesnot apply to the replacement and upgrading of residential roof coverings.

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VMP. Shall meart Vegetation Mana$ement Plan.

\VILDFIRE. An uncontrolled fïre spreading through vegetative fuels thatthreatens to destroy life, propert5r, or resources as defined in Public Resources

Code Sections 4f 03 and 41O4.

WILDFIRE EXPOSURE. Either one or a combination of radiant heat,convective heat, direct flame contact and burning embers being projected byvegetation fÏre to a structure and its immediate environment.

trTILDLIIND-URBAN INIERT'ACE FIRE AREA- ANY gCOgTAPhiCAI ATCA WithiN

the Town identified by the state as a "Fire Hazard Severity htae" in accordance

\Mith Public Resources Code Sections 42OL through 4204 and GovernmentCode Sections 51L75 through 51189, or desi$nated by an ordinance of theTown council to be a *wildland-urban Interface Fire Area".

oSection 2O2 of Chapter 2 is hereby amended by delethg all of thefollowing definitions :

FUEL, HEA\TY.tr.['EL, LIGHT.F['EL, MEDIUM.IGNIIION-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION, CLI\SS 1.IGNITION.RESISTANT CONSTRUCIION, CLI\SS 2.IGNITION-RESISTAT{T CONSTRUCIION, CLI\SS 3.

15.O4.O4O Amendments Made to Chapter 3 of the 2006 Internationaltrrildtand-Urban Interface Code.

.Section 302. f of Chapter 3 is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its Place:

9;0¡2.1 Declaration. The Town Council shall declare the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas within the Town of Corte Madera. TheWildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas shall be based on the findings of factas prescribed by the California Health and Safety Code. The Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area boundary shall correspond to natural or man-made features including but not limited to an assessment of fuel typesand physical characteristics affecting wildland fire behavior.

f5.O4.O5O Amendments Made to Chapter 4 of the 2()()6 Internationaltrrildland-Urban Interface Code.

.Section 4O2.L.l of Chapter 4 is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its place:

4012.1.1 Access. New subdivisions, as may be approved by theTown, shall be provided with fire apparatus access roads in accorda"nce \¡/itht}ae Callfontín"Fire Code and access requirements in accordance with Section403.

.Section 4O2.2.I is hereby deleted and the following languagesubstituted in its place:

4012.2.1 Access. Individual buildings or structures hereafterconstructed, or meeting the definition of substantial remodel - exterior, orbuildings or structures relocated into or within Wildland-Urban Interface Fire

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Areas shall be provided with fire apparatus access in accordance with theCallfornio"Fíre Code and driveways in accordance with Section 403.2. Markingof fïre protection equipment shali be provided in accordance with Section 408.5and address markers shall be provided in accordance with Section 403.G.

section 402.2.2 is hereby deleted and the following languagesubstituted in its place:

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402.2.2 firater supply. Individual buildings or structures hereafterconstructed, or meeting tJle definition of substantial remodel - exterior, orbuildings or structures relocated into or within Wildland-Urban Interface FireAreas shall be provided with a conforming water supply in accordance withSection 4O4.

Exception: Buildings containing only private garages, car¡rorts, andsheds with a floor area of not more than l2O square feet.

Section 403.1 is hereby deletedsubstituted in its place:

and the following language

4O3.1 Restricted access. Where emergency vehicle access isrestricted because of secured access roads or driveways or where immediateaccess is necessary for life-saving or firefìghtin€ purposes, the code official isauthorized to require a key access to be installed in an accessible location. Thekey access shall be of a type approved by the code official and shall containkeys ol_an approved key switch to gain necessarJ¡ access as required by thecode ofïïcial.

o Section 403.2 of Chapter 4 is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its place:

4o,3.2 Driveways. Driveways shall be provided when any portionof an exterior wall of the first story of a building is located more than l5O feetfrom a fire apparatus access road. Driveways shall provide a minimumunobstructed width of 16 feet and a minimum unobstructed height of 13 feet Ginches. Driveways in excess of l5O feet in length shall be providea wittrturnarounds. Driveways in excess of 3OO feet in length and less than 2O feet inu¡idth shall be provided with turnouts in addition to turnarounds. A drivewayshall not serwe more than five dwelling units.

Exception: When such driveways meet the requirements for an access road inaccordance with t}re Califomín Fíre Code.

Driveway turnarounds shall have inside turning radü of not less than 27 feetand outside turning radii of not less than 45 feet. Driveways that connect witha road or roads at more than one point may be considered as having aturnaround if all changes of direction meet the radii requirements fõr drivewayturnarounds. Driveway turnouts shall be an all-weather road surface at least1O feet wide and 3O feet long, not including the approach or departure ramps.Driveway turnouts shall be located as required by the code offïcial. Vehicle loadlimits shall be posted at both entrances to bridges on driveways and privateroads. Design loads for bridges shall be established by the coáe official.

Section 403.6 of chapter 4 is hereby deleted and t.Le followinglanguage substituted in its place:

403.6 Address markers. All buildings shall have a pennanently

a

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posted address clearly visible-from the street \ñrith numerals illuminated and

contrastin$ color to their background' Where structures are not visible from

the street, addresses shall also Ue placed at each driveway entrance and be

visible from both directions of travel along the road.

In all cases, the address shall be posted at the beginning of ggnstruction and

shall be maintained thereafter, "rid the addre""

"Éull bJvisibre and legible from

the road on which the address is located'

Address signs along one-\ñ¡ay roads shall be visible from both the intended

direction of travel and the opposite direction. where multiple addresses are

required .t " =i.gr. ati".*"y, they shall be mounted on a sin$le post' and

additional signs SnaI be poåted at locaUons where driveways divide'

'Where a roadway provides access solely to a single coÍlme¡sial.or industrial

business, the aãdiess sign shatl be placed at the nearest road intersection

providing access to that site'

.section4os.TofChapter4isherebydeletedandthefollowinglanguage substituted in its Place:

4Og.7 Grade. The gradient for fire apparatus access roads and

driveways shall not exceed l8olo'

Exception: where alternate means of protection are approved by the chief'

osection 404.1 of Chapter 4 is hereby deleted and the following

language substituted in its Place:

4fl4.1 General. An approved water source shall have an adequate

water supply for the use of the firä^protection service to protect buildings and

structures from exterior fire sourc"ð ot to suppress structure fires within the

wildland_urban Interface Fire Area of the Town of corte Madera in accordance

with this section.

Exception: Buildings containin$ only priYate garages, car¡rorts' and sheds with

a floo-r area of not more than 120 square feet'

.section 404.2 of Chapter 4 is hereby deleted and the following

language substituted in its Place:

4o4.zWatersorrrces.Thepointatwhichawatersourceisavailable for use shatl be located not ,,rolt. than 350 feet from the building and

b. .pprorr.d d th. .ode offrcial. The distance shall be measured along an

unobstructed line of travel. 'water sources shall comply \¡/ith the following:

l. Man-made water sources shall have a minimum usable water volume as

determined by the adequate water supply needs in accordance \¡/ith section

4¡4.5.This water "orrrô.

shall be equipped with an approve{ hydrant' The

water level of the water source str¿f Ue maintained by r1infall, water pumped

from a well, water hauled by a tanker, or by seasonal high water of a stream or

river. The design, construction, location, water level maintenance' access' and

access maintenance of man-made water sources shall be approved by the code

official.

2. Natural water sources shall have a minimum annual water level or flow

sufficient to meet the adequate water supply needs in accordance with section

4}4.5.This water level or flow shall not bè rendered unusable because of

freezing. This water source shall have an approved draft site with an approved

hydrant. Aaequate water flow and rights fotã."."s to the water source shall be

eäsured in a fãrm acceptable to the code official.

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oSection 404.5 of Chapter 4 is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its place:

4o,4.6 Adequate water supply. Adequate water supply shall bedetermined for pu{poses of initial attack and flame front control as follows:

1. One- and two-fanily dwellings. The required water supply for one- andtwo-family dwellings shall be from a municipal supply. Required flow rates andduration shall be determined by the code official.

Exception: If the cost of providing a municipal supply exceeds loolo of thetotal construction costs þased on the building permit valuation andrequired site improvements), an on-site private fire protection watersupply (minimum storage requirement to be determined by the codeofficial and local standards, but not less than 3,OOO gallons plus 2,OOOgallons dedicated to automatic fire sprinklers and domestic water) maybe permitted. If a private, on-site water supply is installed, a fee in anamount established by the Town Council from time to time may becharged for the purpose of upgrading existing municipal fire flow todefray the costs to the Town of accommodating the needs of the property.

2. Buitdings other than one- and two-family dwellings.The water supply required for buildings other than one-and two-familydwellings shall be as determined by the code official.

Exception: If the cost of providing a municipal supply exceeds lOo/o of the totalconstruction costs fbased on the building permit valuation and required siteimprovements), an on-site private fire protection water supply (minimumstorage requirement to be determined by the code official and local standards,but not less than 3,OOO gallons plus 2,OOO gallons dedicated to automatic firesprinklers and domestic water) may be permitted. If a private, on-site watersupply is installed, a fee in an amount established by the Town Council fromtime to time may be charged for the purpose of upgrading existing municipalfire flow to defray the costs to the Town of accommodating the needs of theproperty.

.Section 404.9 of Chapter 4 is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its place:

4o,4.9 Testing and maintenance. 'Water sources, draft sites,hydrants and other fire protection equipment required by this code shallbe subject to periodic tests as determined and required by the codeofficial. All such equipment installed under the provisions of this codeshall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and shall berepaired or replaced where defective. Additions, repairs, alterations andservicing of such fire protection equipment and resources shall be inaccordance with approved standards and shall not be made withoutapproval of the code official.

.Section 4O4. f O.3 of Chapter 4 is hereby deleted and the followinglanguage substituted in its place:

4O4.1O.3 Standby Power. Stationary water supply facilities ïuithinthe Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area that are dependent on electrical powerto meet adequate water supply demands shall provide standby po\¡rer systemsin accordance u¡ith the most recently adopted version of the Californiø" ElectrícatCode to ensure that an unintermpted water supply is maintained. The standby

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power source shall be capable of providing po\Mer for a minimum of two hours'

Erceptions:1. When approved by the code offìcial, a standby power supply is not required

where the primary power service to the stationary water supply facility is

underground.

2.Astandbypowersupplyisnotrequir.edulhelethestationarywatersupplyfacility ser:ves no more tl""tt one single-family dwelling.

osection 405.2 of chapter 4 is hereby deleted and the following

language substituted in its Place:

4o6.2Content.Thefireprotectionplansha|lbebasedtrponasite_specific wildfire risk assessment that incrudês considerations of location,

topography, aspect, flammable vegetation, climatic conditions and fire history'

The plan shall àddr."" water "rrpfrly,

access, building i$nition and fire-

resistance factors, fire prote"ti.;-"í"tems and equip-tttt, defensible space and

vegetatior, **.glÃ.":i. In addition to consid.rations included in this section,

Fire Protection Plans shall "orrrotln

to standards developed by the code official'

osection 405.4 of chapter 4 is hereby deleted and the following

language substituted in its Place:

4o6.4Planretention.Thefïreprotectionplanshallberetainedbythe code official for the life of the building'

osection 4O6 of chapter 4 is hereby added to read as follows:

sEcTIoN406.\IÞGETArIoNMANAGEMENTPLI\N

406.1 General. when required by the code official to protect

against destruction caused by firg and for life safety purposes' a

vegetationmanagementplanshallbepreparedbythepropertyowner.

4o6.2Content.TheVMPconsistsoftwoforms:(l)bluelinedrawings; and (2) a text narrative describing specifïc and applicable

*rrt iuîurrg r"àior" in the selection and design of t]-e plan.

VMP ContentsThe VMP shall include at a minimum:1. The entire'plan content" elements described in narrative form'

2. Not less than three (3icomplete plan sets shall be submitted to the

code official for review'3. The Haz'ardAssessment Matrix4. The h"t"i plants to be used and materials consistent with the

aPProved Plant list'5. 3 sets of blue prints showing the house, zorre, plant type and spacin$'

4()6.3 Cost. The cost of vegetation management plan preparation

andreviewshallbetheresponsibilityoftheapplicant.

4of'.4Planretention.Thevegetationmanagementplanshallberetained by the code official for the life of the building'

15.04.06O Amendments Made to chapter 5 of the 2()06 InternationalWildland-Urban Interface Code'

. chapter 5 is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following

chapter substituted in its Place:

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Chapter 5. MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOREXTERIOR \TILDFIRE EXPOSURE

SECTION 5OT SCOPE, PI'RPOSE AND APPLICATION

5O1.1 - Rrrpose. The purpose of this Chapter is to establishminimum standards for the protection of life and property by increasin€ theability of a building located in any tü/ildland-Urban Interface Fire Area to resistthe intrusion of flame or burning embers projected by a vegetation fire and tocontribute to a systematic reduction in conflagration losses.

5()1.2 - Scope. This chapter provides those building materials,systems, arrd/or assemblies that may be used in tJle exterior design andconstruction of new, or meeting the definition of substantial remodel -exterior, or relocated buildings within a Wildland-Urban Interface FireArea as defined in Section2O2.

Exceptions:l. Accessory structures not exceeding 12O square feet in floor area whenlocated at least 5O feet from buildings containing habitable spaces.

501.3. Application. These provisions are applicable to construction in adesignated wildland-urban interface fire area of a new building or structure, ora building or structure meeting the definition of substantial remodel - exteriorwithin any 24 month period as follows:

Building permit applications submitted on or after the effective date of thisOrdinance (April 18, 2OO8)

Exception: Projects for which a development application has been deemed"complete" prior to the effective date of this ordinance (April 18, 2oo8)

Exceptions to these provisions may be granted by the Chief when alternatemeans of protection are provided as approved by the Chief.

L5.O4.O7O Am.endments Made to Chapter 6 of the 2006 InternationalWildland-Urban Interface Code.

SECÎION 6()3 DEFENSIBLE SPACE

603.1 Objective. Provisions of this section are intended to modi$rthe fuel load, t54pe, and configuration in areas adjacent to structures to create adefensible space.

603.2 I'uel modification. In order to quali$r as a conformingdefensible space, fuel modification shatl be provided as specified in FireFrotection Standards approved by the Chief. Distances specified in FireProtection Standards may be modifïed by the code official because of a site-specific analysis based on local conditions and the fire protection plan. Personsowning, leasing, controlling, operating or maintaining buildings or structuresrequiring defensible spaces are responsible for modifring or removing non fire-resistive vegetation on the property owned, leased or controlled by said person.In accordance with Government Code section 5f 182[b), a person is not requiredunder this section to maintain any defensible space on any property that theperson does not have the legal right to maintain, nor is any person requted to

t1

enter upon or to damage property that is owned by any other person without the

consent of the owner of tlle property'

Trees are allowed within the defensible space, provided the horizontal distance

between crowns of adjacent trees and cråwn" of t .." and structures' overhead

electrical facilities or inmodified fuel is not less than ro feet. Deadwood and

litter shall be regularly removed from trees'

Where ornamental vegetative fuels or cultivated ground cover' such as green

grass, ivy, succulents or similar plants-are -1sed

as ground cover, they are

allowed to be udthin the design.t.¿ ¿.r.nsible space-, provided they do not form

a means of transmitting fire Ito1¡ ttre native growth to any structure'

Table 603.2 of Chapter 6 is hereby deleted'a

a Figure 603.2 of Chapter 6 is hereby deleted'

15.O4.O80 FTNDTNGS.

Findings¡ The Town council of the Town of corte Madera has determined

and finds that trr-e aãoption of the 2006 edition of the International wildland-

Urban Interface Code.iritft the above changes or modifications are needed and

are reasonably necessa.rj¡ because of local climatic, geologic and topographic

conditions as described below:

Local conditions: Local conditions have an adverse effect on the

prevention of (l)-major loss .fires, (2) major earthquake damage' and (3) the

potential for life *d prop.tty io"t i."rrtiittg from ftres occurring within the

Town, making necessar,¡ "n*j." or modifiõations to the 2006 International

wildland-urban Interface code in order to provide a reasonable de$ree of

propertysecurityandfireandlifesafetyinthisjurisdiction.

Below are listed adverse local climatic, geologic and topographic conditions'

1. Climatic

a.Precipitation.Precipitationrange"f'oT15to42inches- p.t y.* with an aveiage of approximllely.25 inches per

year. Approximately ninety peicent (9oo/o) falls during the

months oi Novembär through April, and loo/o from May

through October.

b.RelativeHunidity.HumiditygenerallyrangesfromS|.voduring daytime to

-86o/o at nighf. It drops to 2Oo/o durin$ the

suûImer months and occasionally drops lower'

c.Temperatures.Temperatureshavebeenrecordedashighas 1O4 degrees F. Ñerage sununer highs are in the 78

degree to 85 degree range'

d. winds. Prevailin$ winds are from the northwest. However,

winds are ex¡lerieáced from virtualþ every direction at one

time o, *otli.r. Velocities are genérauy in the 5 - 15 mph

range, grr"tittf to 20 30 mph' par[icularly durin$ the

suruner months. Extreme winds, up to 5O mph, have been

known to occur.

t2

e. Sumnar¡r. These local climatic conditions accelerate thespeed, intensi$r the degree, and increase the size, of fire inthe community. Wood shake and shingle roof typesproliferate within the Town. Times of little or no rainfall, oflow humidity and high temperatures create extremelyhazardous conditions, particularly as they relate to woodshake and shingle roof fires and conflagrations. The windsorperienced in this area can have a tremendous impact uponstructure fïres of buildings in closecommonly found in Corte Madera.

to one another,

shingle roof fires, or exposure fires, s winds, such asthose regularly experienced by the Townand burning brands to other structures

c¿rn carrJ¡ sparksclose proximit¡r,

thus spreading the fire and causingbuilding fires, strong winds can literallythe building and can create a blowtorchpreventin$ "natural' ventilation andThese conditions make it difficult tobegun, increases the need to rapidlyspreads or intensifies, and increasesdamage, personal injury and loss of lifefire.

wood shake and

Infires back intoin addition to

efforts.a fire after it hasthe fire before it

risks of propertyfrom the

a combinationand

These twoof environments

. The District sitsAndreas and the

active faults.t seismic hazard

tial of causinguake itself. The

loss of life within

Madera, thefrom one

2. Geologic

a. The fire environment of a comrnunity isof two factors: the area's physical geologicthe historic pattern of urban-suburbanfactors, alone and combined, create awhich ultimately determines the area's fire needs.

b. Landslides have also been oçerienced in the town. Whilestabilization of hillsides can sometimesrainfalls have caused failures. These slidesmaking accessibility to many locations inuntil properþ cleared.

achieved, heavyclose roadways,

town impossible

The relatively young geological processes have created thecSan Francisco Bay Area are still activebetween two active earthquake faultsHayward/-Calaveras) and numerous100o/o of the town is in the strong tozones.

d. Fire following an earthquake has thegreater loss of life and damage than the

highest seismic risk zones. The highestcontains the largest concentration ofHazardous materials, particularly toxicgreatest threat to the largest number,

fire which could lead to substantial damagethe Town

3. Topographic

a. Because of the differing topography ofcharacteristics of the fire environmentlocation to the next. Therefore, the Town

majority of the town's industrial complexes are located in therisk zone also

materials.could pose the

a significantseismic event occur. The Town's resources would have to beprioritized to mitigate the greatest threat, may likely beunavailable for smaller single-dwelling or s fires. Thegreater risk of earthquakes results in a likelihood of a

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not one, but a

number of fire environments, each of which has its individual

fire protection needs.b. The service area of the corte Madera has a varied topography

andvegetativecover.Aconglomerationoflayplains,hillsandrid$esmakeuptheterrain.Developmenthasoccur:redontheflat lands in the central portion of the District' Development in

t}re hillside a.reas oI", the west and south sides of town ispredominantlylimitedtoresidentialremodelingandadditY'':.

c. Many of theiuildings in Corte Madera were built long before

present code requir-ements existed. Consequently, many of

these structures do not meet even minimal standards for fire

protection and life safety. \Mood frame construction of older

buildings, especially those in mountainous areas, creates an

adverse .rçoå.rt. pioblem, not only in beyrg-easiþ ignited by an

adjacent structuré fire, but also in contributing to the extension

of fTre to othãr buildings through radiation, actual physical leatconductior, ãã ny-ð embersl Fire history in town has

shown n'ingìÀUËt" "-itt start secondarSr fires after blowin$ in

the air.d. Much of the town is charactenzed. by precipitous hilly areas

whereescapeopportunitiesfromresidentialstructuresarelimited to one sidã of the home only. The steepness and uneven

. nature of the land often hinders, and sometimes prevents, the

erecting of rescue ladders at the side of a home on a hillside

parcel.e. vehicular access within the town is affected by steep: hilly

ter:rain and many secondary rid$elines' Many streets are

narTour and winäing, r""t i"tittg the speed at which fìre

apparatus may safellt respond ut d .t"o increasing the time

lapse betrveen fire áetection and apparatus arrival, during

which time " i"*rf' v¿ill face the fire oióthet emergency- on their

o\¡riïr. The town hãs many dead-end streets, and on Christmas

Tree Hill, there is one main access route in or out of the area'

Dead-end streets can restrict the ease of relocating fire and

rescue equipment from one location to another, even though

actual *.p"î"ti.rg distance between two areas may be minimal'

In addition to restricting access routes for fire apparltus' the

dead-end streets also limit egress opportunities for residents'

f. The town is accessible frãm the outside by one- primary

thoroughfare on the east side and three on the west side' speed

limits of 25 miles per hour, by virtue of the narTow and twisting

configuration of the road", ão not allow quick responses to

emergencies. The Highway lOl corridor goes directly through

the town and an overpass that may or may not withstand an

earthquake presents anottrer problem'g. There is muìh diversity in slãpe percentages. christmas Tree

Hill slopes run from nearly level to over 7oo/o'

h. Corte Madera,s semi-arid Mediterranean-type climate produces

vegetation similar to that of most of Marin county, with specific

growth ro""t. a result of topography and prevailing wind' The

south facing exposure is prirriari^ty rye grass, highly flammable

brush, with"occàsional clumps of bay and oak trees in the more

sheltered pockets. T-he north facini glope¡ are heavily wooded

from lower elevations to ridge u¡ith oak and bay trees and minor

shrubs of tJle $eneral chaparral class'i. Historic aã"Lfãp-ent of ttre residential community extended

into areas of heavier vegetation and has resulted in homes

existin$ in close proximity to dense natural foliage' oftgt such

dwellingsarecompleteþsurroundedbyhighlycombustiblevegetationcompo.'''ai''gu'efireproblemfromaconflagrationpoint of view. óf p"tti"ú1.t t ".n[ note is the increase in dead

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down fuel and litter accumulation directly associated with thedead oak syndrome, which has heightened the risk of fire beingcaused and spreading in many areas of the Town.

4. SunmarSr.

The above local climatic, geologic, and topographic conditions serveto increase the magnitude, e>cposure, and access problems characteristicof fire hazards existing within the Town of corte Madera.

other special circumst€ulces that may tend to increase andintensi[r the fire hazards facing the Town are:

a. The extent of damage that may be done to the water system servingproperties in the area in times of fìre. There are areas within theTown in which there are no water mains at all constructed.Meadow valley has no water main supply to serve properties in thearea, other than domestic, and there is minimal water supply thatca.n sen¡e properties along Casa Buena Drive. An insufficientwater supply will increase the risk of a fire not being able to becontrolled and increasing in degree and in the number ofproperties being affected aft.er it has begun.

b. The extent of isolation experienced by Town residents in the eventthat a fire or other catastrophe beginning a fire causes the bridgeand/ar freeway overpass to collapse;

c. The extent of roadway damage and/or amount of debris blockingthe roadways of the Town in tJle event of a fire;

d. climatic conditions (hot, dry weather with high winds) whichincrease the risk and spread of fìre;

e. Time of day will influence the amount of traffic on roadways whichwould present an obstacle to timely respond to a fire and couldintensi$r t]le risk to llfe during normal business hours when trafficis busiest. The Town of corte Madera covers approximately 4square miles including a population estimated at g,loo. ManyTown residents commute to work in other cities which increasesthe traffïc within the Town. There are two (2) fire stations and atotal of 20 ca.reer and 2O volunteer fire department personnel. Thefire department handles diverse responsibilities including wildland,urban, freeway, and paramedical.

f. The availability of timely mutual aid or military assistance is animportant factor in the ability to respond to fires. The Towndepends heavily on mutual aid resourceJ for even a single-dwellingstructure fire. In a widespread disaster, those resources would béunavailable.

g. Th9 close proximity of residences and large portion of dwellingswith wood shingle roof coverings within wit¿tan¿-Urban InterfaõeFire Areas could result in conflagrations that spread rapidly fromresidence to residence.

Ð. Conclusion:

Local climatic, geologic and topographic conditions impact fireprevention efforts, and the frequency, spread, """él.ration,intensity and size of fire involving buildings in this communit5r.

Further, they impact potentiar damage tó all structures fromearthquake and subsequent fire. Ttrãrefore it is found to bereasonably necessary that the 2006 edition of the Internationarwildland-urban Interface code be adopted as amended herein tomitigate the effects of the above conditions.

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r.5.O4.O90. APPEATS

Whenever the Fire Chief disapproves afi application or refuses to $rant a

permit applied for, or when it is cúimed that thè-provisions of the code do not

apply or that the tme intent an¿-mãaning of the óode have been misconstrued

or wrongly interpreted, the .pptrcuttt *ty".pptal from the decision of the Chief

to ttre Town council in \¡/riting, within 3o a"y" from ttre date of the decision

appealed. The Town Council ãtt"tt render deõisions and findin$s in writing to

tfrå f it. Chief, with a duplicate copy to the appellant'

15.04.1OO. PENALTIES¡

*!&********

Any person who violates any of the provisions of the wildland-urban

Interface Code as adopted and amended herein or fails to comply therewith, or

who violates or fails to comply with any order made thereunder' or who violates

any provisions of tl-is chapter, or who builds in violation of any specifications

or plans submitted and appro-ved thereunder, or any certificate or permit

issued thereunder, and from which no appeal has been taken' or who fails to

comply with such an order as affirmed ôi modified by the Corte Madera Fire

Departmertt, or fy " "ot rt of competent jurisdiction' within the required time'

shall severally ío,. each and ån ry åuch violation and noncompliance'

respectively be guilty of 1 m¡9{.*..rrär, punishable by a fine of not less than

glOO.OO 1-ro, *o-r. tír.t $t,OOO.OO or by imprisonmenl for not more than I8O

days or by both such fine and imprisónment. The imposition of one penalty

for any violation shall not excuse the violation or permi[]t to continue; and all

such persons "tr"fï ¡. required to correct or remùy such wiolations or defects

within a reasonable time; and when not otherwise specified' each ten days that

pr"tti¡it.d conditions are maintained shall constitute a separate offense'

The application of the above penalty :lutl not be held to prevent the

enforced r..n1olr¡ ãi prohibited condifions, buildin$s, or stnrctures"'

SECTION 2. SEVERABILITY

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this ordinance

is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutiãnal, ",r"h decision shall not affect

tfre vandity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.

The Town council hereby declares that it would have passed,thig and each

section, "r-.¡"."tiãrr,

phråse or clause thereof irrespective o-f qt fact that any

one or more sections, subsections, phrases or clauses be declared

unconstitutional on their face or as applied'

SECTION 3. EFFECÎTVE DATE.

This ordinance shall become effective 3O days after the date of adoption'

SECÎION 4. POSTING.

The Town clerk shall cause this ordinance to be published ïvithin fifteen days

after its adoPtion.

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this ordinance was introduced on Mareh 4, 2OOg and adopted by theTorvn Council on March 18, 2OO8 by the following vote:

AYES: COIINCIL MEMBERS: Cock, Condon, Dupar, Lappert, Ravasio

NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: - None -

ABSENT: COIINCIL MEMBERS: - None -

M-

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AlTESl:

Christine Green, Town Clerk

Michael La Mayor

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