AUSTIN ADOPTION OF WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) CODE AND WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU

• What is WUI
• Are you affected?
• Are areas outside of Austin affected?
• What does it mean if I’m affected by the code?
• Acceptable materials (outdoor living projects)
• Advantages/Disadvantages
• Examples of what is and is not acceptable
• Proximity
• Applicable code
• Inspections

**Please note that this is our interpretation for ‘outdoor living’ projects after consulting with Austin officials and is not intended to be all encompassing – the adoption in Austin is new and subject to change as implementation continues.

What is WUI

WUI stands for Wildland-Urban Interface, and the code is intended to proactively take measures to reduce the risk of fire spreading from heavily timbered areas to homes and igniting structures either on the home, attached to the home, or detached.

The City of Austin adopted (and amended) the 2015 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (WUIC) effective January 1, 2021 and began reviewing permit requests for compliance in April. All new construction must comply with the 2015 WUIC. The code can be reviewed here.

https://www.austintexas.gov/department/wildland-urban-interface-code

As you can see from this overview map below the majority of areas west of Mopac and east of 183, Southwest of the river, and southeast of IH35 are affected. Roughly 60% of the neighborhoods are affected and 90% of that area (55%) is within 1.5 miles of 40 acres of wildland area.