HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 1429ORDINANCE NO. 1429
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES
AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT
CODE SECTION 51178
WHEREAS, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (“CAL
FIRE”), pursuant to Government Code Section 51178, has updated and transmitted
revised Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps for areas within Local Responsibility
Areas (LRAs); and
WHEREAS, Government Code Sections 51175 through 51189 require local
jurisdictions to adopt these maps by ordinance and apply applicable building standards
for new construction in designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, as set forth in
the California Building Code and California Fire Code; and
WHEREAS, adoption of the FHSZ map will help reduce wildfire risks through
appropriate land-use planning, code enforcement, and community protection standards,
thereby enhancing the safety and resilience of the Palm Desert community; and
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Desert wishes to adopt the FHSZ map as
recommended by CAL FIRE to comply with state law and promote the public health,
safety, and welfare.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT
DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein
by this reference.
SECTION 2. The City Council finds the following:
1. Notice of the public hearing was published twice, with at least five (5) days
intervening between each publication on May 30, 2025, with a second notice
published on June 6, 2025, the first date being at least ten (10) days prior to
the date of the public hearing.
2. The duly noticed public hearing was held, and all oral and written presentations
regarding the adoption of Fire Hazard Severity Zones were heard and
considered.
3. The City of Palm Desert hereby adopts the Fire Hazard Severity Zones as
presented in the map titled: “City of Palm Desert Fire Hazard Severity Zones
Map,” prepared and published by CAL FIRE as reflected in Exhibit A. This map
shall serve as the official FHSZ designation within the City’s Local
Responsibility Area.
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Ordinance No. 1429 Page 2
SECTION 3. PUBLIC ACCESS TO OFFICIAL MAP. The adopted Fire Hazard
Severity Zones map shall be available for public inspection: At the Office of the City Clerk,
73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260; and online at the City’s official
website.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall become effective thirty (30)
days from its adoption.
SECTION 5. PUBLICATION. The City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, California,
is hereby directed to publish this ordinance in the Desert Sun, a Newspaper of general
circulation, published and circulated in the City of Palm Desert, California, and shall be in
full force and effective thirty (30) days after its adoption.
ADOPTED ON JUNE 26, 2025.
JAN C. HARNIK
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
I, Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, California, do hereby
certify that Ordinance No. 1429 is a full, true, and correct copy, and was introduced at a
regular meeting of the Palm Desert City Council on June 12, 2025, and adopted at a
regular meeting of the City Council held on June 26, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES: NESTANDE, PRADETTO, QUINTANILLA, TRUBEE, AND HARNIK
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
RECUSED: NONE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of Palm Desert, California, on ____________________.
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
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6/27/2025