The Marin County Board of Supervisors just voted to ban the use of wood — even fire-retardant-treated wood — in exterior walls of newly built homes and buildings located in high fire risk zones of unincorporated Marin.
This ordinance kicks in on January 1 and aims to reduce wildfire vulnerability in “fire hazard severity zones” and “wildland-urban interface” areas. It’s a move that echoes what towns like Novato, San Anselmo, and the Southern Marin Fire Protection District have already done.
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A Targeted Wildfire Prevention Strategy
Marin County’s new building restriction targets new construction in unincorporated communities like West Marin, Lagunitas, and Marinwood. Wildfire danger is a constant worry in these spots.
This isn’t a countywide rule. It doesn’t apply to substantial remodels, and the supervisors made sure to point that out so long-established homeowners wouldn’t feel unfairly pressured.
Why Wood — Even Treated Wood — Is Off the Table
Community Development Director Sarah Jones said even fire-retardant-treated wood isn’t foolproof. Treatments wear off with time, and keeping up with reapplication is tough.
Enforcing that maintenance? Pretty much impossible, especially in rural places like Nicasio and Woodacre where inspections rarely happen. The county wants to get rid of a risk they can’t consistently control.
Fire Marshal Scott Alber also pointed out that local fire agencies can’t guarantee homeowners would keep treated wood in good shape. After years of Marin’s coastal weather or inland heat, there’s really no practical way to know if the treatment still works.
Concerns and Pushback from Supervisors
The measure passed, but it definitely sparked debate. Supervisors Dennis Rodoni and Eric Lucan questioned whether it’s necessary to ban a material already approved by the state’s California Building Standards Code.
Rodoni, who represents places like Point Reyes Station and Inverness, worried that the strict rule might actually keep some homeowners from getting permits for legit construction.
The Balancing Act Between Safety and Fairness
Lucan, with parts of San Rafael in his district, echoed concerns that a blanket ban could create unfairness for longtime residents. In areas where remodels are common, this could hit folks who’ve lived there for decades the hardest.
During the meeting, no members of the public spoke up against the rule. Maybe that means there’s passive support, or at least acceptance, for Marin lining up with other local jurisdictions.
Following the Lead of Neighboring Jurisdictions
Marin County’s decision fits into a growing trend of wildfire resilience policies in the region. Novato, San Anselmo, and the Southern Marin Fire Protection District already have similar bans.
Other towns will probably follow. For places like Fairfax and Mill Valley, which border wildfire-prone lands, adopting similar rules could tighten up countywide fire-safe construction standards.
Understanding the Wildland-Urban Interface
The “wildland-urban interface” means spots where human development meets natural landscapes — in Marin, that’s often chaparral hillsides or forested slopes. Towns like Bolinas and Tamalpais Valley are right in these high-risk zones.
They’re especially vulnerable to wind-blown embers and flames during fire season. Cutting down on combustible materials in these areas could slow wildfires before they reach homes and maybe buy firefighters some time.
What Homeowners and Builders Need to Know
If you’re planning new construction in high fire hazard zones within unincorporated Marin after January 1, you’ll have to stick to this new ban on all wood-based exterior wall materials.
Key points for builders and property owners include:
- Applies only to new buildings in high fire risk zones of unincorporated Marin.
- Does not apply to remodels, additions, or repairs.
- Includes fire-retardant-treated wood, even though the state approves it.
- Lines up with California Building Standards Code provisions that let locals make wildfire prevention amendments.
- Goes into effect January 1, so there’s still a few months to adjust your plans.
Looking Ahead
Wildfire seasons just keep getting longer and more intense in California. Marin County keeps searching for ways to toughen up its communities before the next big blaze hits.
People living in towns like Stinson Beach, Dillon Beach, and Olema know fire danger is part of daily life. This new ordinance might just be the first step toward safer building practices in these spots.
No one really knows if similar rules will apply to remodels down the line. For now, the county wants new buildings in Marin’s most at-risk areas to use materials that actually stand a chance against wildfire.
Other jurisdictions are watching to see how this ban works out. Maybe regional standards will get more unified—or, who knows, even stricter—in the coming years.
Here is the source article for this story: Marin County adds building requirement for fire safety
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