CHAPTER 1

101.1 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, repair, maintenance and use of any building, structure or premises within the urban-wildland interface areas in this jurisdiction.

Buildings or conditions in existence at the time of the adoption of this code are allowed to have their use or occupancy continued, if such condition, use or occupancy was legal at the time of the adoption of this code, provided such continued use does not constitute a distinct danger to life or property.

Buildings or structures moved into or within the jurisdiction shall comply with the provisions of this code for new buildings or structures.

101.2 Objective. The objective of this code is to establish minimum regulations consistent with nationally recognized good practice for the safeguarding of life and property. Regulations in this code are intended to mitigate the risk to life and structures from intrusion of fire from wildland fire exposures and fire exposures from adjacent structures and to mitigate structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels.

The development and use of property in wildland-urban interface areas is a potential threat to life and property from fire and resulting erosion. Safeguards to prevent the occurrence of fires and to provide adequate fire-protection facilities to control the spread of fire in wildland-urban interface areas shall be in accordance with this code.

This code shall supplement the jurisdiction’s building and fire codes, if such codes have been adopted, to provide for special regulations to mitigate the fire- and life-safety hazards of the wildland-urban interface areas.

101.3 Retroactivity. The provisions of the code shall apply to conditions arising after the adoption thereof, conditions not legally in existence at the adoption of this code, to conditions which, in the opinion of the code official, constitute a distinct hazard to life or property.

101.4 Additions or alterations. Additions or alterations may be made to any building or structure without requiring the existing building or structure to comply with all of the requirements of this code, provided the addition or alteration conforms to that required for a new building or structure.

Additions or alterations shall not be made to an existing building or structure that will cause the existing building or structure to be in violation of any of the provisions of this code nor shall such additions or alterations cause the existing building or structure to become unsafe. An unsafe condition shall be deemed to have been created if an addition or alteration will cause the existing building or structure to become structurally unsafe or overloaded; will not provide adequate access in compliance with the provisions of this code or will obstruct existing exits or access; will create a fire hazard; will reduce required fire resistance or will otherwise create conditions dangerous to human life.

101.5 Maintenance. All buildings, structures, landscape materials, vegetation, defensible space or other devices or safeguards required by this code shall be maintained in conformance to the code edition under which installed. The owner or the owner’s designated agent shall be responsible for the maintenance of buildings, structures, landscape materials and vegetation.

102.1 Powers and duties of the code official. The code official is hereby authorized to administer and enforce this code, or designated sections thereof, and all ordinances of the jurisdiction pertaining to designated wildland-urban interface areas. For such purposes, the code official shall have the powers of a law enforcement officer.

102.2 Interpretations, rules and regulations. The code official shall have the power to render interpretations of this code and to adopt and enforce rules and supplemental regulations to clarify the application of its provisions. Such interpretations, rules and regulations shall be in conformance to the intent and purpose of this code.

A copy of such rules and regulations shall be filed with the clerk of the jurisdiction and shall be in effect immediately thereafter. Additional copies shall be available for distribution to the public.

102.3 Liability of the code official. The code official charged with the enforcement of this code, acting in good faith and without malice in the discharge of the duties required by this code or other pertinent law or ordinance, shall not thereby be rendered personally liable for damages that may accrue to persons or property as a result of an act or by reason of an act or omission in the discharge of such duties. A suit brought against the code official or employee because of such act or omission performed by the code official or employee in the enforcement of any provision of such codes or other pertinent laws or ordinances implemented through the enforcement of this code or enforced by the code enforcement agency shall be defended by this jurisdiction until final termination of such proceedings, and any judgment resulting therefrom shall be assumed by this jurisdiction. The code enforcement agency or its parent jurisdiction shall not be held as assuming any liability by reason of the inspections authorized by this code or any permits or certificates issued under this code.

102.4 Other agencies. When requested to do so by the code official, other officials of this jurisdiction shall assist and coop-