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Page 1: Defensible Space Preventative actions must be taken AND ... · Coincide your brush clean up with the solid waste brush collection schedule in your area - unless you plan to haul it

Coincide your brush clean up with the solid waste brush collection schedule in yourarea - unless you plan to haul it away yourself. For the removal service schedule andDo’s and Don’ts guidelines, visit the City of Scottsdale website atwww.scottsdaleaz.gov/Recycle/BrushGuidelines.asp

cottsdale Fire Officials are anticipating a significant potential for wildland fires, which are fedby dried grasses and flash fuels.

Preventative actions must be taken AND naturalarea open space (NAOS) must be protected.

The following provides guidance that achieves thedual role of ensuring NAOS protection and alsoallows for appropriate wild fire prevention.

DEFENSIBLE SPACE PROTECTS YOUR HOME

Homeowners and contractors should create a well-maintained, live vegetation zone to preventdamage to structures in case of wildland fires. This“DefensibleSpace” acts as a fire break, and shouldcontain only small brush, cacti and trees to preventa continuous path of flammable materials leading toinhabited structures.

SPECIFIC PREVENTATIVE ACTIONS RECOMMENDED

Maintain a 15-foot zone around your home; thindead and fallen vegetation, perennial grasses andovergrown bushes; remove dead branches or branch-es touchingthe ground. Thin another 15 feet ofperennial grasses and annuals for maximum protec-tion.

Schedule a wildlandsafety inspection by

calling Scottsdale FireDepartment at

(480) 312-FIRE.

S WWW.SCOTTSDALEFD.COM

WHAT IS NAOS?In the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance (ESLO),which affects the northern two-thirds of the community -north of the Central Arizona Canal, there are requirementsfor providing open space on each parcel. Natural Area OpenSpace (NAOS) areas are either natural desert that has beenundisturbed by development activity or where developmenthas restored the desert terrain and vegetation to its naturalcondition.

The amount of NAOS required to be set aside with eachdevelopment is based upon two factors -- the landform areaand land slopes.

It is very important to pro-vide continuous open spacesalong the washes in order tosustain both the desert plantsand animals. NAOS can bededicated on individual lotsor on common tracts (maintained by homeownersassociations, etc).

Existing Homes

Defensible Space

Roadways

Walls (on lot & perimeter)

Construction Sites

Initia

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ensib

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ace (

See

Text

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)

Thin

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15 ft1 15 ft

5 ft

10 ft

BuildingEnvelope

15 ft

20 ft

30 ft2

1. The vegetation maintenance areas may be increased by the Fire Marshal (up to100-ft) based upon terrain to provide an adequate Defensible Space.2. Do not stack wood or other flammable materials within the Defensible Spaceoutside the building envelope; remove combustible construction materials.

NAOS Requirements

Land Slope

0-2%

2% to5%

5% to 10%

10% to 15%

15% to 25%

Over 25 %

Minimum After Reductions*

LowerDesert

UpperDesert Hillside

20%

25%

30%

30%

30%

30%

15%

25%

25%

35%

45%

45%

45%

20%

50%

50%

50%

50%

65%

80%

40%

(*If applicable. See Sec.6.1060B and Sec. 6.1060F)

PROTECTED NATIVE PLANTS

Protected Native Plants are cacti which are 3 feet ortaller and trees which are 4 inches or greater incaliper of the following species:

TreesBotanical Name Common NameAcacia constricta Whitethorn AcaciaAcacia greggii Catclaw AcaciaBerberis haematocarpato Red BarberryCanotia holocantha Crucifixion ThornCeltis pallida HackberryCercidium floridum Blue Palo VerdeCercidium microphyllum Foothill Palo VerdeChilopsis linearis Desert WillowJuniperous species JuniperOlneya tesota IronwoodPopulus fremontii CottonwoodProsopis species Mesquite Quercus species Scrub OakRhus ovata Sugar SumacVauquelinea Californica Arizona Rosewood

CactiBotanical Name Common NameCarnegiea gigantea SaguaroFerocactus species BarrelFouquieria splendens OcotilloPeniocereus greggii Night-Blooming CereusYucca elata Soaptree Yucca

Single-family projects are required to submit a nativeplant program at the time of submittal for buildingplan reviews. Commercial projects are required tosubmit a native plant program no later than the timeof application for Development Review Board.

A NATIVE PLANT PERMIT IS REQUIRED TO REMOVE, RELOCATE, OR DESTROY ANY PLANT PROTECTED BYTHE ORDINANCE.Permits will not be issued unless submitted in con-junction with an approved or proposed developmentproject. A permit will be issued after the native plantprogram has been approved.

Questions? Call Current Planning at (480) 312-7000 and ask for a native plant specialist.

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20 ft

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Page 2: Defensible Space Preventative actions must be taken AND ... · Coincide your brush clean up with the solid waste brush collection schedule in your area - unless you plan to haul it

Keep your eyes open for signs that indicate the FireDanger Level throughout the year. Fire DangerLevels are often elevated in early spring.

Contributing factors tochanging levels are:l Volume and moisture of

materialsl Single-Digit Humidity

Levelsl Triple Digit Temperaturesl High Winds

If you have any questions about the Fire Danger Levelin your area, call theScottsdale Fire Departmentat (480) 312-FIRE (3473).

Wildlandand NAOS(Natural Area Open Space)

Create a Defensible Spaceto keep youand yourproperty protectedin preparation forthe Fire Season

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TOP TIPS FOR FIRE PREVENTION

nn Consistently monitor Defensible Space for maximum fire prevention (see chart at inside).

nn Remove flash fuels such as dead grass (Do NOT remove live native plants from NAOS).

nn Trim trees within the 30-ft Defensible Space so thecanopy is not touching the ground; remove any deadbranches or leaves.

nn Trim grass and foliage around trees.nn Keep gutters, eaves and roof clear of leaves and

other debris.nn Do not stack wood or other flammable materials with

in the 30-ft Defensible Space.nn Keep a rolled up garden hose with a nozzle attached to

an outside hose valve connection.nn No smoking allowed in NAOS.

EXTREMEEXTREME

FIRE DANGERFIRE DANGERPLEASE BE CAREFUL AND HELP KEEP OUR DESERT

BEAUTIFUL FOR EVERYONEBEAUTIFUL FOR EVERYONE

BUILDING CONTRACTOR ALERTBe vigilant! Keep construction site safeand free of combustible materials.• Limit welding & cutting to cleared areas• Remove all flammable products & flash fuels• Maintain the building envelope as a Clear Zoneand thin an additional 30-ft to provide adequateDefensible Space• Do not stack combustible construction materials inDefensible Space.

Contractors found negligent in maintaining a safebuilding environment are responsible for damagesvia fines and/or criminal citations for the cost of pro-viding fire protection services and for property loss.(Ord. 3507, Section H124).

For more information, or to report an unsafeconstruction site, call Scottsdale Fire Department’sFire and Life Safety Division, at 480-312-3473.

Maintaining roadway and washvegetation is critical for containing fires. The LandscapeMaintenance Agreement lists theresponsible party for roadwaylandscaping.


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