Community Demands Compliance - and Wins!

The Hillside Federation pre-litigation letter demanded that the City of Los Angeles comply with the “State Minimum Fire Safe Regulations” codified at Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14 § 1270.00 et seq. with regard to proposed development projects located in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (“VHFHSZ”). This advocacy effort was successful – in April the City Council unanimously denied the project.  

The LA Department of City Planning has taken the position that the Fire Safe Regulations only apply when a new road is constructed – this position is completely without legal support and citizen groups demand that the city commit to compliance with the law.

The Hillside Federation represents 47 homeowner and resident associations with approximately 250,000 constituents spanning the Santa Monica Mountains. SAFRR joined the Hillside Federation, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC), and Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) in their opposition.

 SAFRR’s comprehensive letter both supported the community groups’ opposition, and provided clarification to how the State Minimum Fire Safe Regulations apply to a local jurisdiction’s land use decisions.