Permit requirements – Rebuilding the North Valley

The Camp Fire burn are is Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and must comply with the provisions of Calif Building Code chapter 7A and/or Calif Residential Code section R327. This is in addition to local requirements of the Town and by the County.

If you have not been building homes in Paradise, or unincorporated Butte County east of highways 99 or 70, get familiar with WUI. Know what’s required before you finalize building contracts.

WUI Fire areas are identified as Fire Hazard Severity Zone (PRC 4290 through 4204, and Government Code Sections 51175 through 51189, or other areas designated to be at significant risk for fire. The purpose of WUI requirements are to resist the intrusion of flames or burning embers projected by a vegetation fire. “Ignition Resistant Construction.”

Regulations will impact setbacks, street planning for fire truck access, materials, methods, landscaping and more.

See the Contractor Links for more information. Also, use the handy Home Building Checklists prepared by the Town of Paradise and by the County.

Property owner must enroll by 12/20/2019 in one of the Tree Removal programs in order to get rebuild building permit issued.

At the December 2 Community Meeting, full details of the tree removal program were covered. Damaged trees that can fall on public roads/public right of way must be removed. There will be two programs to assess and remove these trees, a public and private option. Due to the hazard damaged trees pose, this is mandatory.

All that is required for the building permit is that the owner has signed up for one of the programs. The work doesn’t have to be completed in order to get the building permit. Just make sure the owner has signed up for tree assessment and/or removal.

You can hear the complete explanation of the program on the meeting recording. Find it at the Town of Paradise Facebook page.

The building departments have full info too, or check out the websites for ButteCountyRecovers and/or MakeItParadise.