Building Permits and Wildfire Safety

If you’re planning new construction, improvements, or need to permit a structure due to a Compliance Plan on a rural property, wildfire resilience may become part of the building permit process—not just something you choose to do afterward.

In Mendocino County, Planning and Building Services may require CAL FIRE preliminary approval as part of the building permit process when applicable. The ⁠Mendocino County Building Permit Application Checklist specifically identifies a CAL FIRE application with preliminary approval among the documents that may be required. Fire Department approval may also be required before a permit is issued for new construction.  

As part of that review, a property owner may receive Conditions of Approval from CAL FIRE addressing fire-safety features that must be incorporated into the project. Depending on the property, those conditions can address issues such as emergency water supply, access, vegetation management, and other measures intended to make the property safer and more accessible during a wildfire.

For example, a property may be required to provide a dedicated emergency water supply. The RRP Emergency Water Supply Reference Diagram shows an example of how a tank, fire-hose connection, signage, and access may be configured. However, the exact requirements—including required gallons—come from the property’s individual Conditions of Approval, so property owners should review their own approval documents before designing or installing a system. 

RRP_Emergency_Water_Supply_Diagram.pdf

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