Implementation Challenges

The standards set in the Fire Safe Regulations are a state minimum—local jurisdictions can write ordinances with stricter standards but not lesser standards. 

Given that established communities and new developments rely on existing access roads, when local jurisdictions exempt public roads from minimum standards, evacuation bottlenecks are inevitable and lives will be lost.

Three criteria guide the intent of the Fire Safe Regulation standards:

  • unimpeded access by large firefighting apparatus;

  • concurrent evacuation of residents and workers; and

  • unobstructed traffic circulation during ongoing wildfire emergencies.

The following minimum access standards apply to all private or public roads and road infrastructure serving new development:
- Roadways at least 20 feet wide for emergency vehicle access and concurrent evacuation
- Maximum dead-end road lengths based on the smallest parcel size served:
  - 1 mile if all parcels 20+ acres
  - 2,640 feet if smallest parcel is 5–20 acres
  - 1,320 feet if smallest parcel is 1–5 acres
  - 800 feet if smallest parcel <1 acre
- Bridge load limits of 40,000 pounds
- Road grade limitations (up to 16%, or not to exceed 20% with adequate mitigation)
- At least two evacuation routes on roads meeting the above standards. 

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