One way the Douglas County Wildfire Mitigation staff seeks to reduce Wildfire hazard is through the development review process and implementation of our adopted regulations. This process ensures that all new development in Douglas County is carefully assessed for wildfire hazards by our Wildfire Mitigation Specialists. If staff identifies a wildfire hazard exists, a Wildfire Mitigation or Forest Management Plan is required to be submitted by a professional forester, reviewed and approved by Douglas County staff and executed prior to the issuance of building permits within the development.
Another method of addressing wildfire hazard is on an individual lot or parcel basis. Each construction project permitted through the Building Division within the Wildfire Hazard Overlay District is subject to the adopted regulations. Similar to the development scale process, if staff determines a wildfire hazard exists, treatment is required in the form of Defensible Space prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. However, rather than the applicant consulting a professional forester, the Wildfire Mitigation staff provides the treatment prescription to be implemented.
Wildfire Hazard Overlay District
Douglas County Zoning Resolution Section 17 - Wildfire Hazard Overlay Districts »
These Districts are identified Wildfire Hazard Areas in Douglas County to aide in protecting the health, safety, and welfare of residents by minimizing the potential for the loss of life and property by the ignition and spread of wildfires in the Wildland/Urban Interface and the Wildland/Urban Intermix.
Wildfire Hazard District Overlay Map »
Wildfire Mitigation Standards
R-008-193, A Resolution Approving Amendments to Appendix 58 of the International Building Code Concerning Wildfire Mitigation Standards (11/4/2008)
Wildfire Hazard Regulations – Entire Document [198KB]
Wildfire Mitigation Standards – By Section
Appendix Chapter 58 - Regulations Governing Development and Construction in Wildfire Hazard Areas [14KB]
Chapter 1 Introduction [21KB]
Chapter 2 Wildland/Urban Interface and Wildland/Urban Intermix Analysis [112KB]
Chapter 3 Fuel Modification Planning [34KB]
Chapter 4 Roads, Streets, and Ways [28KB]
Chapter 5 Standards for Signage of Streets, Roads, and Buildings [14KB]
Chapter 6 Emergency Water Supplies [17KB]
Chapter 7 Structural Design and Construction [17KB]
Chapter 8 Public Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Information and Education [10KB]
Chapter 9 Referenced Publications [14KB]
Commentary on Defensible Space Zone Prescriptions [43KB]
Appendix Chapter 59 – Table of Contents [70KB]
Chapter 1 Administration [14KB]
Chapter 2 Rural Water Supply Standard [81KB]
APPENDIX A [24KB]
APPENDIX B [69KB]