CA AB3160

Requires local jurisdictions to review and update their safety elements concurrent with each housing element revision on or after January 1, 2019 (instead of upon next revision after January 1, 2014) to address fire risk in state responsibility areas and very high fire hazard severity zones.

Allows local jurisdictions to review and update safety elements upon being classified as a very high fire hazard severity zone without requiring a full housing element revision.

Allocates $2,500,000 from the Budget Act of 2018 to the University of California to place science advisors in underserved counties in or adjacent to state responsibility areas for structural hardening, defensible space, forest fire resiliency, and carbon sequestration programs.

Expands State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection authority to adopt minimum fire safety standards for defensible space and building access in very high fire hazard severity zones (effective July 1, 2021), and requires periodic updates to regulations for fuel breaks and greenbelts.

Requires the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to establish a "Fire Adapted Community" list by July 1, 2022 of local agencies meeting best practices for fire planning, considering Firewise USA participation, safety element adoption, and community wildfire protection plans.