New Ordinance Makes Defensible Space Enforceable in Truckee
With the increase in frequency and severity of wild fires in California and especially in the wake of the 2018 Camp Fire, Californians are rightly on high alert. In a previous blog post I discussed the increase in frequency and severity of wild fires and the impact on homeowners insurance. Click here for Insurance blog post. Lawmakers all over California are discussing what they can do to help prevent lives lost and property damage due to wildfires. The Truckee Fire District has responded with a new ordinance which makes the Defensible Space Ordinance enforceable at the point of sale of a property.
“Creating defensible space around your home is a vital step in wildfire safety. This includes removing vegetation, chipping, tree trimming or removal, vegetation disposal and other similar work. Removing and disposing of vegetation can reduce the likelihood of your house, or your neighbors house, burning down during a wildland fire.”
-Truckee Fire District
In February, 2019, The Truckee Fire District adopted a new Defensible Space Inspection requirement at the point of sale of a property. Written in conjunction with the Tahoe Sierra Board of Realtors and other local interested parties, the new ordinance requires an inspection for any properties located in the Truckee Fire District prior to close of escrow effective as of June, 2019. If there is work cited by the Fire District it is to be completed within 30 days. Though not officially written anywhere I have heard from Truckee Fire District employees that if it is apparent that you are making progress on the work that they are lenient with the 30 day mark. However if a home continues to be in violation the Fire District can go as fas as placing liens on a property.
Enforcement of the Defensible Space Ordinance is a huge change that will affect buyers and sellers. Similar to the BMP’s in the Lake Tahoe Basin, property owners already hold the responsibility to be in compliance with Defensible Space though little are because it has not been enforceable. It should primarily be seen as a seller’s responsibility even though it has become a negotiating point on the sale of a property. If you are thinking of selling soon and you lie within the Truckee Fire District you might want to consider preemptively getting an inspection either from the Truckee Fire District or from Cal-Fire. A little homeowner tip: Truckee Fire District uses the Cal-Fire forms so if you schedule an inspection from Cal-Fire you will get essentially the same inspection but without the enforceable compliance aspect of having Truckee Fire District conduct the inspection.
A few useful links:
More Info on Truckee Fire District Defensible Space Inspection Ordinance
