City Council

25.\nSECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO DESIGNATE FIRE\nHAZARD SEVERITY ZONES (FHSZ) WITHIN THE CITY OF ALHAMBRA PURSUANT\nTO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51178 AND THE CALIFORNIA\nFIRE CODE – F2M25-49, O2M25-4849\nStaff requests that the City Council declare introduced for second reading and adopt an\nOrdinance to designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones within the City of Alhambra (O2M254849). Pursuant to State law, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection\n(CAL FIRE) - Office of the State Fire Marshal periodically updates Fire Hazard Severity\nZone (FHSZ) maps for Local Responsibility Areas throughout the State. These maps\nidentify varying levels of fire hazard (Moderate, High, and Very High) based on factors\nincluding vegetation, topography, weather, crown fire potential, fire history, and ember\nproduction and movement. State law requires local jurisdictions to designate FHSZ within\ntheir boundaries by ordinance to ensure proper implementation of associated building\nstandards and fire safety requirements within identified zones. On March 24, 2025, CAL\nFIRE completed its latest assessment and released a map identifying FHSZ within the\nCity of Alhambra. The City of Alhambra has not been included in the CAL FIRE FHSZ\nmaps in the past. In the newly released maps, approximately less than one acre in\nAlhambra has been classified under the Very High Severity Zone designation. There are\ntwo parcels affected on Sherwood Avenue and two parcels on Keats Street. The City\nposted the map and information regarding FHSZ on the City’s website at\nhttps://www.alhambraca.gov/863/FireHazard-Severity-Zones. The City Council gave first\nreading to this ordinance at the September 8, 2025 Council meeting.\nRecommended Action:\nCity Council declare introduced for its second reading and\nadopt the following ordinance entitled:\nOrdinance No. O2M25-4849: An Ordinance of the Alhambra City\nCouncil to designate Fire Hazard Severity Zone