Angels Camp Municipal Code Art. II Requirements for New Construction Within the WUI and VHFHSZ

A. Gate installations shall have a minimum opening clearance width of not less than that required for fire department access, in accordance with Appendix D of the California Fire Code.

B. A fire department approved key operated switch, Knox Box, or keypad shall be installed at a location to allow for emergency response access for all electronically operated access gates, as approved by the fire chief.

C. All security gates shall have a means of auxiliary backup power in the event of an electrical power outage and shall be maintained operational at all times to ensure a means of egress for residents and for fire response access in accordance with the code.

D. Gates shall be positioned to allow for a minimum thirtyfoot setback from the public right-of-way and shall open inward unless otherwise approved by the fire chief.

E. Gate entrances shall be at least two feet wider than the width of the traffic lane(s) serving that gate and a minimum width of fourteen feet unobstructed horizontal clearance for residential uses, and twenty-six feet horizontal clearance for commercial uses, and unobstructed vertical clearance of fifteen feet.

(Ord. 546 (Att. A), 2025)

A. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed and maintained in all newly constructed buildings or structures not meeting the exceptions established by Section 701A.3 of Chapter 7A of the California Building Code.

B. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in all buildings in excess of three thousand square feet which have ten percent or more floor area added within any thirty-six-month period.

C. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in all buildings which have fifty percent or more floor area added, or any "substantial remodel" as defined in this code, within any thirtysix-month period.

D. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with California Building Code Section 903.3.1.3 shall be permitted in Group R-3 occupancies and shall be provided throughout all oneand two-family dwellings regardless of square footage in accordance with the California Residential Code. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in all mobile homes, manufactured homes and multifamily manufactured homes with two or more dwelling units in accordance with Title 25 of the California Code of Regulations.

E. Change of Occupancy or Use. For any change of occupancy or use, when the proposed new occupancy classification is more hazardous based on a fire and life safety evaluation by the fire chief, including but not limited to conversion of buildings to single-family residences, accessory dwelling units, bed and breakfast, inns, lodging houses or congregate residences or other similar uses, an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout.

(Ord. 546 (Att. A), 2025)

Buildings all or partially destroyed by fire are subject to Chapter 15.06.

(Ord. 546 (Att. A), 2025)

A. It shall be the duty of the owner of land, improved or unimproved, to immediately remove, upon notice by the enforcement officer, any nuisance from the sidewalk abutting or adjoining such parcel of land, including, but not limited to, all grass, weeds, dead trees, tin cans, rubbish, refuse, and waste material or other unsanitary or dangerous substances or objects.

B. All combustible weeds shall be removed from parcels less than one acre in size. Parcels larger than one acre shall be clear of all weeds within one hundred feet of any structure and thirty feet of any street, driveway and all property lines on improved property. Zones 0, 1, 2 shall apply to improved parcels.

C. Unimproved parcels larger than one acre shall be cleared of all combustible weeds within thirty feet of any public access point including, but not limited to, public streets, public roads, trails, parking lots, and sidewalks. Unimproved parcels larger than one acre shall create a defensible space clear of all weeds a minimum of one hundred feet from any building or structure. Structures less than one hundred twenty square feet with no electricity or plumbing (i.e., do not require a building permit) are exempt. Owners of unimproved parcels larger than one acre may present, in writing, an individual vegetation management plan to the fire chief that creates defensible space to protect structures and buildings. Individual management plans will be reviewed and may be approved at the discretion of the fire chief.

D. The fire chief may exclude cultivated grasses and pastures where grazing or equivalent practices clearly demonstrate that vegetation is subject to ongoing best agricultural management practices and removal is unnecessary to protect adjacent improved property or ingress/egress routes from fire exposure. If active grazing land must be removed to provide defensible space, compensation will be made to landowners. Compensation shall be based on the square footage of clearance required for defensible space. Per-acre compensation shall be established by the total production value, in dollars, of "cattle and calves" produced for the year divided by the total acres of "rangeland" in production for the year (generally holds steady at one hundred ninety-eight thousand(±) acres) as reported in the Calaveras County annual crop report for the most recent year available. Total compensation to property owners citywide shall not exceed two thousand dollars annually unless otherwise authorized by the city council. "Active grazing land" for the purpose of this section means land where the primary use is or has been livestock grazing for commercial purposes within the preceding three-year period. The landowner would remain responsible for costs associated with providing the necessary defensible space.

E. Abatement may be accomplished in any manner that reduces weeds, as defined in Section 8.52.010, to less than four inches above the soil line and is not in violation of any environmental rules, regulations or statutes applicable within the city.

1. Fire Hazard Reduction Requirements Within the City Limits. Property shall be maintained in accordance with the defensible space requirements contained in Government Code Section 51182 (unless exempted by Government Code Section 51183 or 51184) and Public Resources Code Section 4291, as applicable, and this section, whichever is more restrictive.

2. The existence of any of the following conditions is prohibited:

a. Tree branches within ten feet of a chimney outlet or stovepipe outlet;

b. Dead or dying tree branches adjacent to or overhanging a building;

c. Leaves, needles, or other dead vegetative growth on the roof of any structure;

d. Brush or other flammable material within ten feet of a propane tank.

3. Clearance and Treatment. Fire apparatus access roads shall have a minimum width of twenty-four feet unobstructed horizontal clearance and fifteen feet unobstructed vertical clearance. The fuel modification area is required from the point at which the access intersects the road to the structure.

4. Vegetation Management Plans Required for New Development. Vegetation management plans shall be required for any new subdivision or commercial development within the WUI or VHFHSZ. The plans shall be submitted to the planning department and fire department concurrently with any plans or documents required as part of the entitlement application, and shall be consistent with the requirements of Section 4906 of the California Fire Code, Title 24, Part 9.

F. This chapter shall not be construed to hold the city or any officer, employee, or agent thereof responsible for any damage to persons or property by reason of any inspection authorized herein or for any action or omission in connection with the application or enforcement of this chapter. By adopting the provisions of this chapter, the city does not intend to impose on itself, its employees or agents any mandatory duties of care toward persons and property within its jurisdiction so as to provide a basis of civil liability for damages.

(Ord. 546 (Att. A), 2025)

It shall be the duty of the owner of any parcel of land, improved or unimproved, to keep such parcel of land free from all public nuisances as defined in Chapter 1.17.

(Ord. 546 (Att. A), 2025)

Whenever any condition exists upon the streets, sidewalks, parkways, or private property within the city which is defined as a public nuisance pursuant to Chapter 1.17, the enforcement officer may declare the same to be a public nuisance.

(Ord. 546 (Att. A), 2025)

Enforcement of this chapter shall be in accordance with Chapters 1.16, 1.17, 1.18 and 1.19.

(Ord. 546 (Att. A), 2025)