HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.12 Wildfire Development Permit Guidelines
Maple Ridge Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7060-2014 Chapter 8, Page 113
8.12 WILDFIRE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
GUIDELINES
8.12.1 KEY GUIDELINE CONCEPTS
The intent of the Key Guideline Concepts is to ensure that development within the Wildfire Development
Permit Area is managed to minimize the risk to property and people from wildland-urban interface fire and to
further reduce the risk of potential post-fire landslides and debris flows.
Applications for Wildfire Development Permits will be assessed against the following key guideline concepts:
1. Locate development on individual sites so that when integrated with the use of mitigating construction
techniques the risk of wildfire impacts is reduced;
2. Mitigate wildfire impacts while respecting environmental conservation objectives and other hazards in
the area;
3. Ensure identified wildfire interface risks are recognized and addressed within each stage of the land
development process; and
4. Proactively manage potential fire behavior, thereby increasing the probability of successful fire
suppression and containment and minimizing adverse impacts.
INTENT
The Wildfire Development Permit Area Guidelines are intended for the protection of life and property
in designated areas that could be at risk for wildland fire and where this risk, in some cases, may be
reasonably abated through implementation of appropriate precautionary measures.
A Development Permit is required for all development and subdivision activity or building permits for
areas identified as wildfire risk areas identified in attached Map 1: Wildfire Development Permit Area.
A Development Permit may not be required under certain circumstances indicated in the Development
Permit Exemptions, Section 8.4, Item 4. These Development Permit Guidelines are to work in concert
with all other regulations, guidelines and bylaws in effect.
Maple Ridge Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7060-2014 Chapter 8, Page 114
8.12.2 GUIDELINES
A. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
1. The design and construction of buildings and structures located within the boundaries of the Wildfire
Development Permit Area (see attached Map 1: Wildfire Development Permit Area) shall be in
accordance with 8.12 Wildfire Development Permit Area Guidelines. Specific details can be found in the
standards set forth in the latest editions of the NFPA 1144 (Standard for Reducing Structure Ignition
Hazards from Wildland Fire) and NFPA 1141 (Standard for Fire Protection Infrastructure for Land
Developments in Suburban and Rural Areas); and
2. The District of Maple Ridge Fire Chief may consider alternative design and construction solutions to the
NFPA 1144 and 1141 standards if the alternate solution adheres to the intent of the Guidelines. See
Wildfire Development Permit Application Checklist for details.
B. BUILDING DESIGN AND SITING
1. NFPA 1144 (Standard for Reducing Structure Ignition Hazards from Wildland Fire) building guidelines are
to be used for all new development;
2. Fire resistant building materials and methods;
a) Class A or B rated roofing material on new roofs and >50% roof replacements
b) All vents are screened with metal screens
c) Non combustible soffits
d) Overhanging projections protected
e) Overhanging buildings protected
f) Exterior vertical wall clad with ignition resistive material
g) Non combustible window screens
h) Non combustible 20 minute rated exterior doors
i) Spark arrestors on all wood burning appliances
j) Laminated or multi-paned windows
3. Buildings adjacent to the crest of a vegetated slope may require special mitigation measures determined
by the Fire Department; and .
4. Accessory buildings located within the Wildfire Development Permit Area buffer area, as identified in
Item C(1) below, must meet the same building standards as the residential building(s).
Maple Ridge Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7060-2014 Chapter 8, Page 115
C. WILDFIRE IMPACT MITIGATION THROUGH DESIGN
1. The residential building elevation facing the forest edge should be located a minimum of 10 metres away
from the adjacent high risk wildfire areas. 10 metre fire breaks must be created between all sides of the
foundation and the forest interface (vegetation shall be modified to mitigate potential wildfire impacts
within 10 metres of the foundations prior to the start of construction). The fuel break may include
treating fuel on the existing parcel or developing a trail as a part of the fuel break, or included in an
environmental and geotechnical setback if such treatment is mutually beneficial to the intent of the
setback areas and FireSmart principles.
2. 10 metre fire breaks may incorporate cleared parks, roads, or trails;
3. Locate building sites in the flattest areas on the property and abvoid gullies or draws that accumulate fuel
and funnel winds;
4. To minimize the potential impacts to residential buildings in the Wildfire Development Permit Area,
FireSmart standards should be incorporated taking into account: (1) siting form; (2) exterior design; and
(3) finish of buildings and structures;
5. Steep roofs, hidden gutters around roofs and screens to cover attic vent openings are preferred in order
to prevent the collection of leaves or needles and to reduce the risk of ember shower accumulation;
6. Where the District requires fire hydrants within a development, these must be fully functional prior to
construction above the foundation level;
7. Where appropriate, if a trail system is planned for a subdivision and a park it should be capable of
emergency vehicle access with a 1.5 metre trail base and a minimum of 2 metre cleared vegetation and
pullouts for passing and turnaround every 500 metre (in areas where a 30 metre environmental setback
is required, the District may consider including the trail within the 30 metre setback); and
8. Two means of access are preferred for subdivisions in a Wildfire Development Permit Area. If two access
points are not possible then the single access must have the capability of accommodating two fire
trucks - each with a width of 2.9 metres – safely passing each other.
D. LANDSCAPING AND OPEN SPACES
1. Landscaping should be designed based on FireSmart landscaping standards so as to ensure minimal fuel
loading within the landscaped areas and provide ongoing resistance to wildfire. The type and density of
fire resistive plantings incorporated within landscaped areas should help mitigate the interface fire
impacts; and
2. Removal of all debris (wood and vegetation) after land clearing for development must be completed prior
to the registration of any new subdivision plan.
3. A landscaping security may be required for landscaping works in accordance with the Maple Ridge
Landscape Security Policy No. 6.28.”
Maple Ridge Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7060-2014 Chapter 8, Page 116
E. MAP 1: WILDFIRE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT AREA