Because Marin Valley is located within an area identified as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by the Novato Fire District — designated as a Wildland Urban Interface Fire Area (W.U.I.) — any alterations and upgrades as well as new buildings are subject to the W.U.I. building regulations, which provide a reasonable level of exterior wildfire exposure protection for buildings in Wildland Urban Interface Fire Areas. See W.U.I. information below:
WUI Regulations
Wildland Urban Interface (W.U.I.)
Marin Valley is located in one of the 11,000 parcels of land in Novato that fall within the Wildland Urban Interface Fire Area (W.U.I.) The Wildland Urban Interface fire areas (also referred to as WUI zones) are specific areas within the City of Novato being identified as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones by the Novato Fire District, based on the requirements of the Wildland Urban Interface code adopted by the State of California. Buildings within these designated areas are regulated by specific building codes of the Novato Fire District.
How remodels or additions are affected by being in a WUI zone?
The ignition resistant construction standards required in Chapter 7A of the California Building Code (CBC) have been determined to provide the reasonable level of protection for buildings in a W.U.I. zone. The application of these standards are covered in the POLICY FOR REMODELS AND ALTERATIONS TO EXISTING BUILDINGS
The objective is to establish minimum standards for materials and material assemblies and provide a reasonable level of exterior wildfire exposure protection for buildings in Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas. These standards also offer some protection from a fire in an adjacent structure and prevention of the spreading of fire to wildland vegetation.
Fire Resistive Exterior Package
The basic W.U.I. package at Marin Valley includes:
- Tempered glass windows
- Fire rated exterior doors
- Non-vented eaves and overhangs – per order
- Mechanical attic ventilation
- Fire rated exterior trim (cement fiber or dimensional lumber) per order
- Fire rated siding
- L-metal on porches and recessed entries (per order)
- 15 lb. roofing felt
Requirement and Permits
See Matt for any questions about requirements and permits.