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 Los Angeles County
 Code of Ordinances
 Title 32. FIRE CODE

  § 4908.1. Fuel Modification Plan in Fire Hazard Severity Zones.  

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  • A fuel modification plan shall be submitted and have preliminary approval prior to any subdivision of land; or, have final approval prior to the issuance of a permit for any permanent structure used for habitation; where, such structure, or subdivision is located within areas designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone within State Responsibility Areas or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone within the Local Responsibility areas, applicable Fire Hazard Zone maps, and Appendix M of this code at the time of application.

    Preliminary approval:

    A.

    Subdivisions (under five lots).

    B.

    Tentative tract maps (five lots or greater).

    C.

    Coastal Development Permits (CDP).

    Final approval:

    A.

    New construction:

    1.

    Any enclosed structure over 120 square feet;

    2.

    Any structure enclosed on three sides or more and greater than or equal to 200 square feet (18.5 m ).

    B.

    Remodel, reclassification, modification or reconstruction:

    1.

    Any remodeling, modification, or reconstruction that increases the square footage of the existing structure or footprint by 50 percent or more within any 12-month period;

    2.

    To the issuance of a permit for any structure that changes occupancy classification from any other class to Group R (residential) occupancy.

    C.

    Exemptions:

    1.

    Structures that do not require a building permit; or

    2.

    Are constructed of non-combustible materials, open on all sides, and not used for storage or habitation.

    Every fuel modification plan shall be reviewed by the Forestry Division of the Fire Department for defensible space, fire safety, and compliance with Sections 325.2.1, 325.2.2, 325.10, and 503.2.1 of this code, the Fire Department's fuel modification guidelines, and California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, subchapter 2. Before such final plan has been approved by the Forestry Division of the Fire Department, a signed and notarized copy of the provided covenant and agreement (and/or previously reviewed and approved association CC&R's that include the necessary fuel modification information) shall be recorded at the County of Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's Office and a copy given to the fuel modification unit.

    An on-site inspection must be conducted by the personnel of the Forestry Division of the Fire Department and a final approval of the fuel modification plan issued by the Forestry Division prior to a certificate of occupancy being granted by the building code official. The fuel modification inspection ensures compliance with applicable requirements of this code, the Building Code, Section 701A.5 (Vegetation management compliance), and the Residential Code, Section R327.1.5 (Vegetation management compliance).

(Ord. 2017-0003 § 202, 2017.)