Agoura Hills Municipal Code Ch. 1 Fire Prevention

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 23-473, § 1, adopted Sep. 13, 2023, repealed the former Ch. 1, §§ 3100—3104, and enacted a new chapter as set out herein. The former Ch. 1 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 07-350, § 2, adopted Dec. 12, 2007; and Ord. No. 22-465, § 2, adopted Nov. 9, 2022.

Pursuant to California Government Code §§ 50022.1 to 50022.8, the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, published as Title 24, Part 9, of the California Code of Regulations, including Appendix P (Temporary Haunted Houses, Ghost Walks and Similar Amusement Uses) and all supplements and errata thereto (collectively "CFC"), is adopted by reference, subject to the amendments, additions, and deletions set forth below.

In the event of any conflict between provisions of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, the governing Los Angeles County Fire Code, or any amendment to the 2025 California Building Code adopted and contained in the Agoura Hills Municipal Code, the more restrictive provision shall control to the fullest extent permitted by law.

One true copy of the CFC is on file in the office of the Building Official and is available for public inspection as required by law.

(Ord. No. 23-473, § 1, 9-13-2023; Ord. No. 25-480, § 1, 11-12-2025)

(a) Section 101.1 is amended to read as follows:

101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of Agoura Hills, hereinafter referred to as "this code".

(b) Section 103.1 is amended to read as follows:

103.1 General. The office of fire prevention is established within the jurisdiction under the direction of the fire code official for the implementation, administration, and enforcement of the provisions of this code.

Exception: For the enforcement of the sprinkler systems for one- or two-family dwellings and the townhouses, the Building Official or the Fire Official, at the discretion of the City Manager, shall be the responsible authority having jurisdiction.

(c) Section 903.2.8 is amended to read as follows:

903.2.8 Group R. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area.

Fire sprinkler systems shall be installed in mobile homes, manufactured homes, and multifamily manufactured homes with two dwelling units in accordance with Title 25 of the California Code of Regulations.

Exceptions:

1. Existing Group R-3 occupancies converted to Group R-3.1 occupancies not housing bedridden clients, not housing non-ambulatory clients above the first floor, and not housing clients above the second floor.

2. Existing Group R-3 occupancies converted to Group R-3.1 occupancies housing only one bedridden client and complying with Section 435.8.3.3 of the California Building Code.

3. Pursuant to Health and Safety Code, Section 13113, occupancies housing ambulatory children only, none of whom are mentally ill children or children with intellectual disabilities, and the buildings or portions thereof in which such children are housed are not more than two stories in height, and buildings or portions thereof housing such children have an automatic fire alarm system activated by approved smoke detectors.

4. Pursuant to Health and Safety Code, Section 13143.6, occupancies licensed for protective social care which house ambulatory clients only, none of whom is a child (under the age of 18 years), or who is elderly (65 years of age or over). When not used in accordance with area or height increases for automatic fire sprinklers allowed in the California Building Code, an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 shall be allowed in Group R-2.1 occupancies.

An automatic sprinkler system designed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3 shall not be utilized in Group R-2.1 or R-4 occupancies.

(d) Section 903.2.11 is amended to read as follows:

903.2.11 - Specific building areas and hazards. In all occupancies other than Group II, an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed for building design or hazards in the locations set forth in Sections 903.2.11.1 through 903.2.11.7.

(e) Section 903.2.11.7 is added to read as follows:

903.2.11.7 Where Required. An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed in every occupancy which is newly constructed or which is modified, reconstructed, or remodeled by adding 50 percent or more of the floor area of the existing occupancy, within any 12-month period, within the City of Agoura Hills.

Exceptions:

1. Detached private garages, sheds, and agricultural buildings less than 1,000 square feet in area and separated from other structures by a minimum of six feet are exempt from the fire sprinkler requirement.

2. Detached gazebos, pergolas, and carports open on two or more sides, that are separated from other structures by a minimum of six feet, are exempt from the fire sprinkler requirement.

3. Detached U occupancies, separated from other structures by a minimum of six feet, built entirely out of non-combustible materials, and with no combustible storage, are exempt from the fire sprinkler requirement.

For the purpose of requiring the automatic fire sprinkler systems specified in this chapter, the entire floor area within the building footprint, including the attached garage area, shall be considered.

An automatic fire sprinkler system need not be installed in spaces or areas in telecommunications buildings used exclusively for telecommunications equipment, associated electrical power distribution equipment, batteries and standby engines, provided those spaces or areas are equipped throughout with an automatic fire alarm system and are separated from the remainder of the building by fire barriers consisting of not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated walls and 2-hour fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling assemblies.

(Ord. No. 23-473, § 1, 9-13-2023; Ord. No. 25-480, § 1, 11-12-2025)

Every person violating any provision of the Fire Code of the City or any permit or license granted under that code, or any rule, regulation or policy promulgated pursuant to that code, is guilty of a misdemeanor, unless such violation is otherwise declared to be an infraction by Section 3104 of this chapter. Each such violation is a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which such violation is committed, punishable as set forth in Section 1200 of this code.

(Ord. No. 23-473, § 1, 9-13-2023)

Any person who, personally or through another, willfully, negligently, or in violation of law sets a fire, allows a fire to be set, or allows a fire to be kindled or attended by the person to escape from his or her control, allows any hazardous material to be handled, stored, or transported in a manner not in accordance with the fire code or nationally recognized standards, allows any hazardous material to escape from his or her control, neglects to properly comply with any written notice of the chief, or willfully or negligently allows the continuation of a violation of the fire code and amendments thereto is liable for the expense incurred during such incident, and such expense shall be a charge against that person. Such charge shall constitute a debt of such person and is collectable by the public agency incurring such obligation under a contract, expressed or implied.

(Ord. No. 23-473, § 1, 9-13-2023)

In accordance with Section 3102 of this chapter, the violation of the following sections of the fire code shall be an infraction:

(Ord. No. 23-473, § 1, 9-13-2023)