Policies

1. Policy LU-2.5 Hillside preservation

   We require that new development in sloping hillside areas preserve the natural character of the surrounding environment and does not further exacerbate natural hazards or erosion.

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2. Policy LU-4.2 Fire-adapted communities

   We require new development in high or very high fire hazard severity zones to apply fire-resistant design techniques, including fuel modification areas, fire resistant landscaping, and fire-resistant building materials.

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3. Policy LU-4.3 Native or drought-tolerant landscaping

   We require new development, when outside of high and very high fire hazard severity zones, to install and maintain drought-tolerant landscaping and encourage the use of native species.

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4. Policy LU-4.4 Natural topography in the Mountain region

   We require new development in the Mountain region to retain natural topography and minimize grading unless it is necessary to reduce exposure to natural hazards.

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Goals

1. Goal IU-3 Stormwater Drainage

   A regional stormwater drainage backbone and local stormwater facilities in unincorporated areas that reduce the risk of flooding

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Policies

1. Policy IU-3.1 Regional flood control

   We maintain a regional flood control system and regularly evaluate the need for and implement upgrades based on changing land coverage and hydrologic conditions in order to manage and reduce flood risk. We require any public and private projects proposed anywhere in the county to address and mitigate any adverse impacts on the carrying capacity and stormwater velocity of regional stormwater drainage systems.

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2. Policy IU-3.3 Recreational use

   We prefer that stormwater facilities be designed and maintained to allow for regional open space and safe recreation use without compromising the ability to provide flood risk reduction.

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3. Policy IU-3.4 Natural floodways

   We retain existing natural floodways and watercourses on County-controlled floodways, including natural channel bottoms, unless hardening and channelization is the only feasible way to manage flood risk. On floodways not controlled by the County, we encourage the retention of natural floodways and watercourses. Our priority is to reduce flood risk, but we also strive to protect wildlife corridors, prevent loss of critical habitat, and improve the amount and quality of surface water and groundwater resources.

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4. Policy IU-3.5 Fair share requirements

   We require new development to pay its fair share of capital costs to maintain adequate capacity of the County’s regional flood control systems.

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Related Materials

1. Policy Maps IU-4 Regional Flood Control Facilities (PDF | WEB)

Policies

1. Policy TM-1.4 Unpaved roadways

   The County does not accept new unpaved roads into the County Maintained Road System, and we require all-weather treatment for all new unpaved roads.

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Goals

1. Goal PP-3 Fire and Emergency Medical

   Reduced risk of death, injury, property damage, and economic loss due to fires and other natural disasters, accidents, and medical incidents through prompt and capable emergency response.

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2. Goal PP-4 Emergency Preparedness and Recovery

   A reduced risk of and impact from injury, loss of life, property damage, and economic and social disruption resulting from emergencies, natural disasters, and potential changes in climate.

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Policies

1. Policy PP-3.1 Fire and emergency medical services

   We maintain a sufficient number and distribution of fire stations, up-to-date equipment, and fully-trained staff to respond effectively to emergencies.

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2. Policy PP-3.2 Fire District

   We support the expansion of the Fire District to serve additional incorporated jurisdictions, and the use of special funding and financing mechanisms to augment Fire District revenues to improve service and coverage.

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3. Policy PP-3.3 Search and rescue

   We maintain up-to-date equipment and fully-trained staff to provide urban search and rescue and swift water rescue emergency response.

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4. Policy PP-3.4 Fire prevention services

   We proactively mitigate or reduce the negative effects of fire, hazardous materials release, and structural collapse by implementing the California Fire Code, adopted with County amendments.

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5. Policy PP-3.5 Firefighting water supply and facilities

   We coordinate with water providers to maintain adequate water supply, pressure, and facilities to protect people and property from urban fires and wildfires.

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6. Policy PP-3.6 Concurrent protection services

   We require that fire department facilities, equipment, and staffing required to serve new development are operating prior to, or in conjunction with new development.

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7. Policy PP-3.7 Fire safe design

   We require new development in the Fire Safety Overlay to comply with additional site design, building, and access standards to provide enhanced resistance to fire hazards.

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8. Policy PP-3.8 Fire-adapted communities

   We inform and prepare our residents and businesses to collaboratively plan and take action to more safely coexist with the risk of wildfires.

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9. Policy PP-3.9 Street and premise signage

   We require adequate street signage and premise identification be provided and maintained to ensure emergency services can quickly and efficiently respond.

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10. Policy PP-3.10 Community outreach

    We engage with local schools, community groups, and businesses to increase awareness of fire risk, prevention, and evacuation.

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11. Policy PP-3.11 Post-burn risk

    In areas burned by wildfire, we require new and reconstructed development to adhere to current development standards, and may require additional study to evaluate increased flooding, debris flow, and mudslide risks.

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12. Policy PP-3.12 Fire protection and emergency medical resource allocation

    We use fire and emergency services data analysis and professional expertise to allocate resources, reduce fire risks, and improve emergency response.

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13. Policy PP-3.13 Periodic needs assessment

    We periodically assess our facility, equipment, and staffing needs and use the assessment to allocate funding resources in the annual budget and capital improvement program.

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14. Policy PP-4.1 Emergency management plans

    A reduced risk of and impact from injury, loss of life, property damage, and economic and social disruption resulting from emergencies, natural disasters, and potential changes in climate.

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15. Policy PP-4.2 Critical and essential facility operation

    We ensure that critical and essential County facilities remain operational during emergencies.

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16. Policy PP-4.3 Automatic and mutual aid

    We participate in agreements for automatic and mutual aid with other local, state, federal, and nongovernmental emergency service providers to improve protection services and emergency response throughout the county.

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17. Policy PP-4.5 Vulnerable populations

    We coordinate with and encourage the use of community-based networks to aid vulnerable populations prepare for emergencies and provide assistance with evacuation and recovery.

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18. Policy PP-4.6 Recovery

    We reestablish and expedite County services to assist affected residents and businesses in the short- and long-term recovery from emergencies and natural disasters.

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19. Policy PP-4.7 Public outreach and education

    We engage with the community to increase awareness of and preparedness for emergencies and natural disasters.

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Related Materials

1. Policy Maps PP-2 Evacuation Routes (PDF | WEB)

Policies

1. Policy NR-3.1 Open space preservation

   We regulate land use and coordinate with public and nongovernmental agencies to preserve open space areas that protect natural resources, function as a buffer against natural hazards or between land uses, serve as a recreation or tourist destination, or are central to the identity of an unincorporated community.

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2. Policy NR-3.2 Residential clustering

   We allow residential development to cluster housing units in order to reduce the consumption of undeveloped land, maximize the amount of open space, preserve natural resources, conform to natural topography/grade, and/or reduce exposure of structures to natural hazards.

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Policies

1. Policy RE-4.3

   Require construction and operation of all renewable energy facilities to minimize negative effects and optimize benefits to unincorporated communities.

   • RE 4.3.1: Define measures required to minimize ground disturbance, soil erosion, flooding, and blowing of sand and dust, with appropriate enforcement mechanisms in the Development Code.
   • RE 4.3.2: Require operators to track and report energy production and other benefits cited in a project proposal, in addition to tracking efforts to avoid and minimize negative impacts.
   • RE 4.3.3: Give preference to the utilization of existing infrastructure to minimize the need for additional transmission development.
   • RE 4.3.4: Establish inspection protocols and programs to ensure that RE facilities are constructed, operated, and eventually decommissioned consistent with the requirements of the San Bernardino County Code, and in a manner that will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare.
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2. Policy RE-6.1

   Ensure consistency, clarity, and timeliness in the development permitting process for RE generation facilities.

   • RE 6.1.1: Expedite the permitting process for accessory and community-oriented RE generation facilities
   • RE 6.1.2: Provide public information to facilitate installation of accessory RE generation systems, including rooftop solar PV, solar water heaters, and accessory wind energy systems.
   • RE 6.1.3: Establish Development Code standards for ground-mounted accessory RE generation facilities in residential areas and Rural Living land use designations to address issues of aesthetics, safety, flood risks, wind, and dust.
   • RE 6.1.4: Establish procedures and standards in the Development Code for new RE project applications that clearly identify the environmental review process, design standards, and permit requirements.
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Goals

1. Goal HZ-1 Natural Environmental Hazards

   Minimized risk of injury, loss of life, property damage, and economic and social disruption caused by natural environmental hazards and adaptation to potential changes in climate.

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2. Goal HZ-3 Environmental Justice

   For unincorporated environmental justice focus areas, equitable levels of protection from environmental and health hazards; expanded opportunities for physical activity and meaningful civic engagement; and access to healthy food, public facilities, safe and sanitary housing.

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Policies

1. Policy HZ-1.1 New subdivisions in environmental hazard areas

   We require all lots and parcels created through new subdivisions to have sufficient buildable area outside of the following environmental hazard areas:

   • Flood: 100-year flood zone, dam/basin inundation area
   • Geologic: Alquist Priolo earthquake fault zone; County-identified fault zone; rockfall/debris-flow hazard area, existing and County-identified landslide area
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2. Policy HZ-1.2 New development in environmental hazard areas

   We require all new development to be located outside of the environmental hazard areas listed below. For any lot or parcel that does not have sufficient buildable area outside of such hazard areas, we require adequate mitigation, including designs that allow occupants to shelter in place and to have sufficient time to evacuate during times of extreme weather and natural disasters.

   • Flood: 100-year flood zone, dam/basin inundation area
   • Geologic: Alquist Priolo earthquake fault zone; County-identified fault zone; rockfall/debris-flow hazard area, medium or high liquefaction area (low to high and localized), existing and County-identified landslide area, moderate to high landslide susceptibility area)
   • Fire: high or very high fire hazard severity zone
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3. Policy HZ-1.3 Floodplain mapping

   We require any new lots or subdivisions partially in, and any new development partially or entirely in 100-year flood zones or 100-year flood awareness areas to provide detail floodplain mapping for 100- and 200-year storm events as part of the development approval process.

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4. Policy HZ-1.4 500-year flood zone

   We may collaborate with property owners in the Valley region to establish funding and financing mechanisms to mitigate flood hazards in identified 500-year flood zones.

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5. Policy HZ-1.5 Existing properties in environmental hazard areas

   We encourage owners of existing properties in hazard areas to add design features that allow occupants to shelter in place and to have sufficient time to evacuate during times of extreme weather and natural disasters.

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6. Policy HZ-1.6 Critical and essential facility location

   We require new critical and essential facilities to be located outside of hazard areas, whenever feasible.

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7. Policy HZ-1.7 Underground utilities

   We require that underground utilities be designed to withstand seismic forces, accommodate ground settlement, and hardened to fire risk.

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8. Policy HZ-1.8 Wind erosion hazards

   We require new development in medium-high or high wind erosion hazard areas to minimize the effects of wind-blown soil through building and site design features such as fencing, surface treatment or pavement, attenuation or wind barriers, architectural features, building materials, and drought resistant landscaping.

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9. Policy HZ-1.9 Hazard areas maintained as open space

   We minimize risk associated with flood, geologic, and fire hazard zones or areas by encouraging such areas to be preserved and maintained as open space.

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10. Policy HZ-1.10 Energy independence

    We encourage new residential development to include rooftop solar energy systems and battery storage systems that can provide backup electrical service during temporary power outages.

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11. Policy HZ-1.11 Energy efficiency retrofits

    We encourage owners of existing residential and commercial properties to retrofit the walls, doors, windows, ceilings, roofs, ductwork, and other elements of their building envelopes, in order to improve energy efficiency and better protect occupants from extreme temperatures.

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12. Policy Policy HZ-1.12 Local hazard mitigation plan implementation

    We require adherence to the goals, objectives and actions in the Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and subsequent amendments to reduce and mitigate damages from hazards in the county.

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13. Policy Policy HZ-1.13 Fire protection planning

    We require that all new development in County-designated Fire Safety Overlay and/or CAL FIRE-designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones meet the requirements of the California Fire Code and the California Building Code as amended by the County Fire Protection District, including Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations fire safety requirements for any new development within State Responsibility Areas, as well as provide and maintain a Fire Protection Plan or Defensible Space/Fuel Modification Plan and other pre-planning measures in accordance with the County Code of Ordinances.

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14. Policy Policy HZ-1.14 Long-term fire hazard reduction and abatement

    We require proactive vegetation management/hazard abatement to reduce fire hazards on existing private properties, along roadsides of evacuation routes out of wildfire prone areas, and other private/public land where applicable, and we require new development to enter into a long-term maintenance agreement for vegetation management in defensible space, fuel modification, and roadside fuel reduction in the Fire Safety Overlay and/or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

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15. Policy Policy HZ-1.15 Evacuation route adequacy

    We coordinate with CAL FIRE, California’s Office of Emergency Services, and other local fire districts to identify strategies that ensure the maintenance and reliability of evacuation routes potentially compromised by wildfire, including emergency evacuation and supply transportation routes.

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Related Materials

1. Policy Maps HZ-1 Earthquake Fault Zones (PDF | WEB)
2. Policy Maps HZ-2 Liquefaction & Landslides (PDF | WEB)
3. Policy Maps HZ-3 Dam & Basin Hazards (PDF | WEB)
4. Policy Maps HZ-4 Flood Hazards (PDF | WEB)
5. Policy Maps HZ-5 Fire Hazard Severity Zones (PDF | WEB)
6. Policy Maps HZ-6 Fire Responsibility Areas (PDF | WEB)
7. Policy Maps HZ-11 Wind Erosion Hazards (PDF | WEB)
8. Policy Tables Tables HZ-1 to HZ-7 (PDF only)
9. Plans Incorporated By Reference Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) (PDF only)
10. Additional Maps (not part of Policy Plan) Fire History (WEB only)

1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Improve the quality of our built environment to enhance community health, safety, neighborhood character, and the image of our business corridors.

   Action Statement A.8

   Create and maintain a healthy forest and forest fuels management program.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT C - Improve public and equestrian safety within Muscoy

   Action Statement C.3

   Partner with the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department, County Fire Department, local safety experts, and insurance companies to educate property owners on securing homes and businesses.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT D - Improve Lucerne Valley’s water and sewer infrastructure with a focus on the community’s sustainability

   Action Statement D.3

   Coordinate with County Flood Control to improve flood mitigation measures throughout the community and advocate for a stormwater retention basin to effectively capture stormwater runoff or recharge basins.

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2. FOCUS STATEMENT E - Improve the delivery of essential services such as police and fire to the community

   Action Statement E.1

   Coordinate with Cal Fire to change the boundaries of the State Responsibility Area (SRA) by shifting the boundary line of the SRA south to include only federals lands along the San Bernardino Mountains.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT A - Increase water availability and accessibility

   Action Statement A.3

   Establish a map of fire-fighting water resources.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT B - Improve public safety; EMS, fire and sheriff.

   Action Statement B.2

   Install a distributed water supply in case of fire emergencies (10 – 12 tanks).

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   Action Statement B.3

   Establish primary and back-up emergency communication systems.

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   Action Statement B.4

   Establish a local resident recruiting program for both the Citizens on Patrol and the Volunteer Fire Department.

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   Action Statement B.5

   Educate property owners to maintain a 100 foot clearance around homes in the community to reduce fire risk.

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2. FOCUS STATEMENT D - Increase community involvement and volunteerism.

   Action Statement D.5

   Establish a 4-H program and scouting programs (Scouts, Fire Explorer).

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT B - Improve community safety and reduce crime

   Action Statement B.4

   Collaborate with the San Bernardino Fire Department to conduct fire safety education programs for the community.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT D - Enhance public safety by improving communication and coordination with law enforcement.

   Action Statement D.4

   Partner with the Sheriff’s Department, Cal Fire, local safety experts, and insurance companies to educate property owners on securing homes and businesses.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT B - Improve public health and safety in Homestead Valley

   Action Statement B.4

   Advocate for the reactivation of Fire Station #43 in Johnson Valley and research state and federal grant funding opportunities along with local fundraising efforts and other strategies to assist with funding operation of the Fire Station.*

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