04/04/2019
REBUILDING & ADAPTING MY HOME
ButteCountyRecovers.org The official website for Camp Fire response and recovery
Message from Mayor Jones On November 8, our town was forever changed by the Camp Fire. Now it is time to begin rebuilding for our families and neighbors. None of what we've been through is easy, but I am genuinely excited about the opportunities we have ahead to envision a New Paradise. Together, we can do this. Jody Jones Mayor, Town of Paradise
In partnership with:
Made possible by a generous gift of planning services from the Butte Strong Fund.
Purpose of this Pamphlet Many residents have expressed a desire to move “back up the hill� as soon as possible. The town council and staff are committed to making this happen. The purpose of this booklet is to provide guidance as you prepare to rebuild. On the following pages, you will find information on: fire zones, steps in the rebuilding process, an overview of California’s Wildland-Urban Interface Requirements, defensible space rules, overview of manufactured housing, adaptation guidelines for homes that survived, an outline of the broader planning process, and a list of resources. Most homes in Paradise were built before the current California fire and energy codes were adopted. All new structures will be required to comply with current local, state, and federal codes. This will result in stronger homes that are more fireresistant and consume less energy. The information in this pamphlet is not intended to be exhaustive, however, it is meant to get you headed in the right direction. ButteCountyRecovers.org is the official website for Camp Fire response and recovery. Please check this site regularly for updates and new information.
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ)
Local Responsibility Area VHFHSZ (Paradise) Non-VHFHSZ
State/Federal Responsibility Area VHFHSZ Non-VHFHSZ
This map is based on a geographic information system dataset that depicts CAL FIRE recommendations for Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Butte County.
Steps in the Rebuilding Process 1
Debris Removal The first step in rebuilding is debris removal. The Butte County Consolidated Fire Debris Removal Program has two phases: removal of household hazardous waste and removal of other fire-related debris. Please visit https://buttecountyrecovers.org for FAQs, forms, and permit applications.
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Home & Lot Design Working with a design professional, you will need to create a set of plans for your new home, including all required code upgrades. Now is a good time to begin interviewing and selecting a licensed contractor as well as contacting a licensed surveyor to mark your property corners. If your plans call for a factory-built manufactured home, be sure to pick up the Town’s handout on the installation of manufactured housing.
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Permitting & Review A new Rebuilding Permit Center will guide you through the permit and review process. Permit Center staff will review your plans for compliance with all Local, State, and Federal codes. Review and approval of new structures will be expedited. The best way to ensure the shortest timeline is to work with your design professional to make sure that your submittal is complete.
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Construction & Inspection Once your plans and permit applications are reviewed and approved, building permits will be issued. Your contractor will help coordinate a series of required inspections. Inspections may be scheduled at Town Hall.
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Occupancy An occupancy permit will be issued upon the final successful inspection of your new home.
See townofparadise.com for a copy of the complete Building Permit Checklist.
Paradise is in a very high fire hazard area. New construction must follow CA's
Wildland-Urban Interface Requirements
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Fire-retardant (Class A) roofing material Fire-resistant roof and attic vents Noncombustible or ignition-resistant decking Noncombustible or ignition-resistant doors Tempered glass windows Noncombustible or ignition-resistant cladding Enclosed underfloor areas Shield gutters to prevent build up of plant debris
Please see Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Codes and Standards. The information above is based on CCR Title 24: California Building Code: Chapter 7A and CCR Title 24: California Building Code: Chapter 15. Note that the state updates this code from time to time.
If you own or maintain a home in Paradise, you are required to
Maintain Defensible Space
“ 100 Feet of Defensible Space is the Law ”
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Zone 1: 0 to 30 feet from house or to property line 1. Separate trees and shrubs from other flammable items. 2. Remove dead plants, grass, and weeds. 3. Remove any tree branches that overhang your roof, keep dead branches at least 10 feet from your chimney, and maintain the roof free of leaves, needles, and other vegetative materials. 4. Prune or remove flammable plants or shrubs near windows. 5. Remove vegetation or flammable items from around and under decks. 6. Trim trees to keep branches 10 feet away from other trees. Zone 2: 30 to 100 feet from house or to property line 7. Create horizontal space between shrubs and trees. 8. Keep lawns trimmed down to 4 inches. 9. Remove fallen debris from below trees if it’s more than 3 inches deep. 10. Remove all branches below 6 feet above ground from all large trees (Zone 1 and 2). 11. Use fire-resistant accessory structures and fencing (Zone 1 and 2). Please see readyforwildfire.org (CalFire). The information above is based on California Public Resources Code Sec. 4291 and CCR Title 14: Natural Resources: 1299.03 and General Guidelines for Creating Defensible Space by State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (BOF) and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Note that the state updates this code from time to time.
What About Manufactured Housing? Manufactured housing was an important part of Paradise’s affordability. These dwelling units are currently permitted in any dwelling zone allowing single-family residences. All manufactured housing must comply with the Wildland-Urban Interface Requirements and have permanent foundations, meet snow-load requirements, and all other applicable codes.
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How Can I Strengthen My Existing Home? 6
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7 1. Use ignition-resistant composition, metal, or tile roofing when you re-roof your home. 2. Cover all vent openings with 1/16" to 1/8" metal mesh or retrofit existing vents (soffit, attic, gable, basement, and foundation) with approved2 products. 3. Build or remodel with ignition-resistant building materials where possible. 4. Deck surfaces should be built of non-combustible, ignition-resistant, or other approved2 materials. 5. Screen or enclose gutters to prevent build-up of plant debris. 6. Cover chimney and stovepipe outlets with a metal screen (3/8" to 1/2" mesh). 7. Ensure that your home can be accessed and seen by fire and emergency vehicles. 8. Maintain defensible space — it’s the law. 1 See readyforwildfire.org/hardening-your-home and https://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/ downloads/fact_sheets/Checklist.pdf for additional details 2 CCR Title 24: California Building Code: Chapter 7A. Note that the state updates this code from time to time.
Moving Forward While residents begin the process of rebuilding their homes, repairs to the town’s infrastructure are advancing and cleanup efforts are underway. The next step will be for the town to facilitate a dialogue with residents about how we can build a stronger, safer, and more resilient Paradise. Issues like safety, sewer for commercial areas, and affordability were being discussed before the fire and are even more critical now. The town council has accepted a gift from the Butte Strong Fund for a community engagement process to develop a LongTerm Community Recovery Plan. At the same time, a tri-county non-profit, 3CORE, will be applying for a federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to support the development and implementation of economic development strategies. And this is only the beginning! Please visit MakeItParadise.org to stay informed about the community engagement process. Your voice is critical in building a stronger, safer, and more resilient hometown.
Resources Small Business Assistance (SBA) Disaster Loans Website: disasterloan.sba.gov/ela Phone: 1-800-659-2955 (TTY 1-800-877-8339)
Town of Paradise Permit Center Address: Town Hall, 5555 Skyway Road, Paradise, CA 95969 Website: townofparadise.com
Butte County Recovers Website: buttecountyrecovers.org
Paradise Long-Term Community Recovery Planning Process website: makeitparadise.org
Visitability Website: visitability.org How to Build a Home to Welcome Everyone
Home Builder’s Guide to Construction in Wildfire Zones, FEMA Fact Sheet Series, FEMA P-737
Cal OES 2805 Esplanade, Chico, CA 95973 Phone: 530-399-0434 Right-of-Entry (ROE) Processing Center Address: 202 Mira Loma Drive, Oroville, CA 95965 Emaill: roe@buttecounty.net Phone: 530-552-3155 Federal Emergency Management Agency Website: disasterassistance.gov Phone: 1-800-621-FEMA
A full list of resources is available at ButteCountyRecovers.org