City Will Require Fire-Retardant Roofs

In an effort to prevent a firestorm like the one that destroyed hundreds of homes in Laguna Beach in 1993, homes in San Clemente will be required to have fire-retardant tile roofs.

Under the new “very high fire hazard severity zone” ordinance, homeowners who have older houses covered with wood shingles and who already plan to re-roof at least half of the dwelling within one year must now use so-called Class A roofing material.

Class A roofing includes flame-resistant tile, slate or non-wood shingles.

“We’re only asking people who are already re-roofing on their own,” said building official Trang Huynh, adding that the city will not enforce the new law for homeowners who do not plan to make repairs immediately.

“I think in the long run it will be good for the city and the homeowners,” Huynh said.

The city’s newer homes already have Class A roofs, Huynh said.

Officials said that many of the homes destroyed in the Laguna Beach fire were older and had wood-shingled roofs, while those that survived had Class A roofs.