Moraga-Orinda Fire District Weighs Tougher Codes

LAMORINDA, CA — Facing growing wildfire risk and new state standards, the Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District is moving to tighten local fire and building rules, with its board set to hold a public hearing on sweeping updates to the fire code and wildland-urban interface regulations.

The Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District Board of Directors will hold a public hearing to consider adopting two proposed ordinances that would update local fire and wildfire safety regulations to align with new state standards.

The first proposal, Ordinance 26-01, would adopt the 2025 edition of the California Fire Code, along with specified appendices and local amendments. The ordinance also incorporates the 2024 International Fire Code by reference and would repeal the district’s current fire code ordinance, adopted in 2023.

District officials say the updates reflect changes in technology, fire safety practices, and the building industry, and include more restrictive local standards deemed necessary because of Moraga-Orinda’s climatic, geological, and topographical conditions. The updated state codes were scheduled to take effect statewide on Jan. 1.

The second proposal, Ordinance 26-02, would adopt the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code, including local amendments. The WUI standards are intended to improve wildfire resilience by applying construction and safety requirements across the district in areas where development meets wildfire-prone landscapes.

Both ordinances include findings that they are exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act.

The Board held the first reading of the ordinance titles on November 19, 2025. State law now requires the district to hold a public hearing before final action. Following the hearing, the Board may amend, adopt, or reject either ordinance.

The Board of Directors will consider finding that both proposed ordinances are exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act. A public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Jan. 21 at the Orinda Library Auditorium and will be held in a hybrid format, allowing in-person and remote participation, with virtual access details posted on the meeting agenda.

Public comment is invited before the hearing, including written submissions by email or mail, with mailed comments due by 5 p.m. on Jan. 20.