A101.1 Scope. The provisions of this appendix establish general requirements applicable to new and existing properties located within urban-wildland interface areas.

A101.2 Objective. The objective of this appendix is to provide necessary fire-protection measures to reduce the threat of wildfire in an urban-wildland interface area and improve the capability of controlling such fires.

A102.1 General. Vegetation control shall comply with this section.

A102.2 Clearance of brush or vegetative growth from roadways. The code official is authorized to require areas within 10 feet (3048 mm) on each side of portions of fire apparatus access roads and driveways to be cleared of nonfire-resistive vegetation growth.

Exception: Single specimens of trees, ornamental vegetative fuels or cultivated ground cover, such as green grass, ivy, succulents or similar plants used as ground cover, provided they do not form a means of readily transmitting fire.

A102.3 Clearance of brush and vegetative growth from electrical transmission and distribution lines.

A102.3.1 General. Clearance of brush and vegetative growth from electrical transmission and distribution lines shall be in accordance with Section A102.3.

Exception: Section A102.3 does not authorize persons not having legal right of entry to enter on or damage the property of others without consent of the owner.

A102.3.2 Support clearance. Persons owning, controlling, operating or maintaining electrical transmission or distribution lines shall have an approved program in place that identifies poles or towers with equipment and hardware types that have a history of becoming an ignition source, and provides a combustible free space consisting of a clearing of not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in each direction from the outer circumference of such pole or tower during such periods of time as designated by the code official.

Exception: Lines used exclusively as telephone, telegraph, messenger call, alarm transmission or other lines classed as communication circuits by a public utility.

A102.3.3 Electrical distribution and transmission line clearances.

A102.3.3.1 General. Clearances between vegetation and electrical lines shall be in accordance with Section A102.3.3.

A102.3.3.2 Trimming clearance. At the time of trimming, clearances not less than those established by Table A102.3.3.2 shall be provided. The radial clearances shown below are minimum clearances that shall be established, at time of trimming, between the vegetation and the energized conductors and associated live parts.

Exception: The code official is authorized to establish minimum clearances different than those specified by Table A102.3.3.2 when evidence substantiating such other clearances is submitted to and approved by the code official.

A102.3.3.3 Minimum clearance to be maintained. Clearances not less than those established by Table A102.3.3.3 shall be maintained during such periods of time as designated by the code official. The site-specific clearance achieved, at time of pruning, shall vary based on species growth rates, the utility company-specific trim cycle, the potential line sway due to wind, line sag due to electrical loading and ambient temperature and the tree’s location in proximity to the high voltage lines.

Exception: The code official is authorized to establish minimum clearances different than those specified by Table A102.3.3.3 when evidence substantiating such other clearances is submitted to and approved by the code official.

A102.3.3.4 Electrical power line emergencies. During emergencies, the utility shall perform the required work to the extent necessary to clear the hazard. An emergency