An Ordinance creating a new chapter 8.04 of the mariposa county code titled "Mariposa County Fire Hazard Severity Zones" which designates fire hazard severity z

Mariposa County is adopting a new chapter, 8.04, into its Code of Ordinances to formally designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs) within its State Responsibility Area in accordance with California Government Code Section 51178. This action implements state-mandated fire risk classifications—moderate, high, and very high—based on CAL FIRE’s comprehensive modeling of fire history, flame length, blowing embers, terrain, vegetation cover, local weather patterns, and 50-year fuel projections. The official FHSZ map, dated June 15, 2023, is incorporated by reference into the ordinance and will govern land use planning, building code enforcement, and defensible space requirements under state wildfire safety standards. The ordinance was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on September 2, 2025, with an effective date of October 2, 2025, following a formal public process and CEQA exemption certification under Section 15061(b)(3). The action ensures compliance with state law, enhances emergency preparedness, and qualifies the county for inclusion in the Fire Risk Reduction Community List, potentially unlocking access to state funding and targeted mitigation grants. This is an administrative regulatory action, not a procurement or service contract, and therefore does not involve federal acquisition regulations, contractor evaluations, or financial line items. There are no contracting officers, CORs, COTRs, or commercial delivery terms; instead, the process is led by the Mariposa County Planning Department, with Steve Engfer, Planning Director, as the primary point of contact. All supporting documentation, including the ordinance draft, fire map, CEQA notice, and summary materials, were submitted to the County Clerk’s Office and filed for public record. Payment for associated filing fees is processed manually through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife using Form CA25, and no electronic invoicing systems like WAWF or IPP are utilized. The designation affects land use and construction standards across the county but does not authorize any physical construction, service delivery, or procurement of goods. All compliance is self-executing under local ordinance, aligned with state wildfire policy and implemented without the need for third-party contractors or competitive bidding.