Title
Introduction of Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance 02-339: An Ordinance of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Amending Article II, Division 1, of Chapter 22 to Codify the Fire Restrictions that May be Imposed by the Fire Chief to Limit the Potential for Wildfires
Recommended Action
I introduce, without prejudice, Code Ordinance 02-339, an Ordinance of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Amending Article II, Division 1, of Chapter 22 to Codify the Fire Restrictions that May be Imposed by the Fire Chief to Limit the Potential for Wildfires.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council introduce this Code Ordinance.
Body
The Incorporated County of Los Alamos by ordinance has adopted regulations governing the prevention of fires within the County in Chapter 22 of the Los Alamos County Code of Ordinances ("County Code"). Code Ordinance 02-339 is being introduced to amend Article II, Division 1, of Chapter 22 to codify the fire restrictions that may be imposed by the Fire Chief to limit the potential for wildfires. Adoption of the Code Ordinance expressly defines the three stages of fire restrictions for clarity and transparency. The Code Ordinance also expressly provides the Los Alamos Fire Department and the Los Alamos Police Department the authority to enforce fire restrictions imposed pursuant to this Code Ordinance.
The Code Ordinance also removes the use of the acronym "AHJ" which stands for "Authority Having Jurisdiction." The term AHJ comes from the 2021 International Fire Code (2021 IFC) which has been adopted by state and local jurisdictions throughout the United States. The term AHJ is used in the 2021 IFC because state and local jurisdictions often have different titles for their local officials who work with and enforce a fire code. In Los Alamos County, the AHJ is the Fire Chief, the Fire Marshal, or their designees. This amendment clarifies who the AHJ is in Los Alamos County for purposes of the County's Fire Code.
Public Hearing Scheduled for: February 28, 2023
Alternatives
To continue to utilize the Code Ordinance without amended content.
Attachments
A- Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-339