SB 1207 Summary

• Requires the Office of Planning and Research to update its "Fire Hazard Planning" document by January 1, 2012 as part of the General Plan Technical Advice Series.

• Mandates cities and counties to review and update their safety elements by January 1, 2015, and upon each housing element revision thereafter, to address fire risks in state responsibility areas and very high fire hazard severity zones.

• Requires safety elements to include fire hazard information (severity zone maps, historical wildfire data, development locations) and establish goals, policies, and implementation measures to minimize wildfire hazards for new development.

• Directs the Office of Planning and Research to prepare recommended changes to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) initial study guidelines by January 1, 2011 to include questions about fire hazard impacts for projects in fire-prone areas, with the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to certify and adopt these changes.

• Establishes submission timelines for cities and counties to submit draft safety elements to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and local fire agencies, with deadlines ranging from December 31, 2010 through December 31, 2015 depending on regional location.