Fairfield council schedules public hearing on Wildland-Urban Interface building code

Fairfield officials on Jan. 14 agreed to begin the public process to adopt the state-recommended Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) building code, directing staff to post a planning-and-zoning public hearing next month.

Staff and council discussed mapping and the state fire marshal’s guidance: councilors said the state map shows no city addresses at the highest fire-danger rating within the town’s ZIP code but cautioned that map layers are being updated and may show pockets of higher risk in certain subdivisions. Council members said they do not want to adopt a code before the public has an opportunity to review current maps and provide comment.

The presiding official said the next step is to post the public hearing and send materials to the planning-and-zoning commission for review; the council indicated adoption will follow the hearing and any required ordinance steps.

Why it matters: Adopting a WUI building code could require construction or mitigation measures in higher-risk areas and in some cases impose new requirements on property owners. Council members emphasized the need for clarity about which properties would be affected once updated maps are available.

Next steps: Staff will post a public hearing notice for planning and zoning, gather the current mapping layers cited by the state fire marshal and present the materials publicly before the council considers final adoption.