County and municipal ordinances to protect wildland-urban interface communities
Abstract
The growth of residential communities within and adjacent to high-fire risk forests in the past several decades, has increased the danger to life, property and natural assets from wildfire. Under the police powers granted by the Constitution, state and local governments have the power to pass laws to protect the health, safety and welfare of their citizens. As this relates to land use, the states have delegated this power to cities and counties. Consequently, most laws for reducing wildfire vulnerability have been enacted by local governments.
Research of local wildfire mitigation efforts found that many high-fire risk communities have adopted regulations in zoning, subdivision, fire, and building codes as part of a broader portfolio of wildfire mitigation efforts that include public outreach and homeowner assistance. Ordinances most often address subdivision design, defensible space, and fire-resistant structural safeguards. The poster will present examples of regulatory requirements and implementation mechanisms for several local governments across the U.S.