Subdivision maps.

(1) Existing law, the Subdivision Map Act, requires the legislative body of a city or county to deny approval of a tentative map, or a parcel map for which a tentative map was not required, unless it makes certain findings. This bill would require the legislative body of a county to make 3 specified findings before approving a tentative map, or a parcel map for which a tentative map was not required, for an area located in a state responsibility area or a very high fire hazard severity zone, as defined. The bill would provide that this provision does not supersede the requirements of local ordinances and specified regulations that provide equivalent or more stringent minimum requirements. (2) Existing law requires the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to adopt regulations implementing minimum fire safety standards related to defensible space which are applicable to state responsibility area lands under the authority of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and provides that these regulations apply to the perimeters and access to all residential, commercial, and industrial building construction within state responsibility areas approved after January 1, 1991. This bill would require the board, prior to January 1, 2011, to initiate a rulemaking process to consider adopting regulations requiring a minimum of 2 separate access roads for a subdivision in a state responsibility area or very high fire hazard severity zone.