Planning and zoning: very high fire risk areas.

California Senators Allen and Stern propose comprehensive changes to local planning requirements for areas facing severe wildfire risks, mandating new safety measures and land use protocols through amendments to the state's Government Code.

The legislation requires cities and counties with residential structures in very high fire hazard zones to develop comprehensive retrofit strategies by 2026. Local governments must inventory buildings and infrastructure requiring fire-hardening modifications, establish implementation timelines, and identify funding mechanisms for both public and private property improvements. These strategies would become mandatory components of local safety planning documents upon the next revision of housing elements or hazard mitigation plans.

The bill also directs the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to create a centralized clearinghouse of fire safety planning resources by January 2027. This repository would compile local ordinances, policies, and practices related to land use planning in high-risk areas, making them accessible to jurisdictions statewide. Cities and counties would need to incorporate data from the state's Strategic Fire Plan, map all very high fire risk zones within their boundaries, and regularly review these designations during housing element updates.

Local governments retain authority to levy service charges and fees to fund these new planning mandates, as the legislation includes no state reimbursement provision. The measure builds upon existing safety element requirements in general plans, adding specific protocols for wildfire preparedness while maintaining current review cycles of at least once every eight years.