OAR 660-006-0035: Fire-Siting Standards for Dwellings and Structures

The following fire-siting standards or their equivalent shall apply to all new dwelling or structures in a forest or agriculture/forest zone: (1) The dwelling shall be located upon a parcel within a fire protection district or shall be provided with residential fire protection by contract. If the dwelling is not within a fire protection district, the applicant shall provide evidence that the applicant has asked to be included within the nearest such district. If the governing body determines that inclusion within a fire protection district or contracting for residential fire protection is impracticable, the governing body may provide an alternative means for protecting the dwelling from fire hazards. The means selected may include a fire sprinkling system, onsite equipment and water storage or other methods that are reasonable, given the site conditions. If a water supply is required for fire protection, it shall be a swimming pool, pond, lake, or similar body of water that at all times contains at least 4,000 gallons or a stream that has a continuous year round flow of at least one cubic foot per second. The applicant shall provide verification from the Water Resources Department that any permits or registrations required for water diversion or storage have been obtained or that permits or registrations are not required for the use. Road access shall be provided to within 15 feet of the water's edge for firefighting pumping units. The road access shall accommodate the turnaround of firefighting equipment during the fires season. Permanent signs shall be posted along the access route to indicate the location of the emergency water source. (2) Road access to the dwelling shall meet road design standards described in OAR 660-006-0040. (3) The owners of the dwellings and structures shall maintain a primary fuel-free break area surrounding all structures and clear and maintain a secondary fuel-free break area on land surrounding the dwelling that is owned or controlled by the owner in accordance with the provisions in "Recommended Fire Siting Standards for Dwellings and Structures and Fire Safety Design Standards for Roads" dated March 1, 1991, and published by the Oregon Department of Forestry. (4) The dwelling shall have a fire retardant roof. (5) The dwelling shall not be sited on a slope of greater than 40 percent. (6) If the dwelling has a chimney or chimneys, each chimney shall have a spark arrester.