Wood shake roof ban in Calif. county withdrawn for more study
Rather than a ban, city officials are considering incentives to encourage removal of wood shake roofs
Feb. 14, 2014
A proposal to ban installation of wood shake roofs in Woodside and Portola Valley in San Mateo County, Calif., has been withdrawn as officials seek more information. A spokesman for a treated wood shake company said chemically treated wood shake roofs would char instead of burn, helping to prevent the spread of flames from wildfires. However, there is insufficient data about the performance of these building products over 10 years old, so incentives could be considered to encourage residents to replace wood shake roofs, according to the fire marshal of the Woodside Fire Protection District. Council members said they would consider incentives to encourage residents to replace aging ignitable roofs.
