New Fire Fee Impacts Local Residents

Living in a high-fire hazard area comes with risks -- and higher costs starting this year.

Property owners in areas surrounding Lake Elsinore and Wildomar can expect to pay a fire-protection fee this spring that could get as high as $150 per structure for any habitable building worth over $5,000.

Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation that approves the maximum $150 per-structure fee that is slated to be adjusted annually.

The attached map shows in yellow what are known as “State Responsibility Areas” -- the areas impacted by the new fee. (Click here and enter your zip code to find out if you are in a State Responsibility Area.)

State Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) has introduced AB 1506, which seeks to overturn the surcharge. The bill is currently in committee and has little chance of affecting this year’s charges.

Jeffries was quoted by the Associate Press last week as saying his bill’s chances of passing are “uphill at best.”