ADUs & FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES (FHSZs)

Due to the rising costs of insurance, climate change, and the recent Northern California & LA wildfires, there has been a growing concern regarding Fire Hazard Severity Zones or FHSZs.

FHSZs can trigger Building Standards that help mitigate elevated Fire Risk. Area designation in State ADU Law determines where ADUs are permitted. Gov Code 66314(a) defines "Public Safety" as one of the four reasons for designation.

FHSZs do not necessarily justify an area designation prohibiting ADUs, and a local jurisdiction's findings must explain "why" ADUs should be prohibited or restricted in a specific area. On the contrary, ADUs do a lot to "hardscape" a property thus adding fire prevention measures to a property that may be located in a FHSZ. One of the many reasons why insurance agents & property owners love ADUs.