CA AB2705

Prohibits cities and counties from approving new residential development projects in very high fire hazard severity zones unless they meet specified wildfire risk reduction standards, including compliance with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code and Chapter 49 of the California Fire Code.

Requires developments of 10 or more units to implement wildfire risk reduction strategies including fire hardening, evacuation routes, 30-foot wildfire buffer areas, and long-term maintenance funding through homeowners associations.

Requires developments of 100 or more units to additionally underground electric power lines (66 kilovolts or less), provide adequate firefighting access and water supply, obtain fire authority approval of evacuation plans, and implement a comprehensive wildfire risk reduction program with 100-foot perimeter buffer zones.

Directs the State Fire Marshal to provide financial assistance to fire harden at least 300,000 existing vulnerable homes in very high fire hazard severity zones within 3 years, then an additional 300,000 homes every 3 years, with emphasis on disadvantaged and low-income communities.

Allows cities and counties to adopt standards more stringent than those specified and does not require local reimbursement from the state under Article XIII B of the California Constitution.