Create Zoning & Development Standards for High Fire and Flood Areas in Lompoc

New development standards and zoning are important tools to ensure future residential development and growth is not in harms way of wildfire and flooding, or impacting sensitive biological resources. The City’s (draft) Safety Element recommends policies for siting and configuration of new development to reduce potential wildfire risks to structures based on the State’s fire hazard severity maps. This could include decreasing or limiting development in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) area, along steep slopes and in rugged terrain to inhibit rapid fire spread. The Safety Element also recommends prohibiting development in waterways and imposing building setbacks to not impair water flow. Public outreach and education about the need for zoning changes and development standards will help create the political support needed to implement these changes, and move the process along more quickly.

Status: Conceptual

Cost: Low cost

Partners: City of Lompoc, Lompoc Fire Department, Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD), HOAs, Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs), Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, Water and Flood Control Agencies