In response to the devastating wildfires that destroyed thousands of homes and killed dozens of people in Southern California in 2003, the California Building Standards Commission is implementing new wildland hazard and building codes this year that will affect all new homes built in regions designated as State Responsibility Areas (SRAs) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs). They are the nation’s strictest standards for new-home construction in high-risk fire zones.
The new fire-resistant building codes are being phased in in two parts; standards for all new homes in SRAs and in wildland-urban interface areas went into effect Jan. 1, 2008. On July 1, the standards for new homes in LRAs went into effect. For maps of the SRA and LRA designated areas and to read the requirements of the updated building codes, visit www.fire.ca.gov/fire_prevention/fire_prevention_wildland.php.
