Arcadia Municipal Code Div. 4 Amendments and Additions

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 2409, § 3, adopted November 18, 2025, in effect repealed div. 4, §§ 3124—3124.16, and enacted a new div. 4 as set out herein and as may later be amended. Former div. 4 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 2367, adopted December 17, 2019; and Ord. No. 2395, adopted November 15, 2022.

The California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

(Ord. No. 2409, § 3, 11-18-25)

Section 105.6.30 of the California Fire Code is amended to read as follows due to local climatic, geographical, and topographical conditions:

105.6.30 LP-gas. An operational permit is required for:

1. Storage and use of LP-gas.

Exception: A permit is not required for individual containers with a 500-gallon water capacity or less or multiple container systems having an aggregate quantity not exceeding 500 gallons, used exclusively for emergency power generation, and serving occupancies in Group R-3 not located in the Wildland-Urban Interface Area.

2. Operation of cargo tankers that transport LP-gas.

(Ord. No. 2409, § 3, 11-18-25)

Section 203.3 of the California Fire Code is amended to read as follows due to local climatic, geographical, and topological conditions:

Business Group B

Training and skill development not in a school or academic program (this shall include, but not be limited to, martial arts studios, gymnastics and similar uses regardless of the ages served, and where not classified as a Group A occupancy).

(Ord. No. 2409, § 3, 11-18-25)

Section 903.2 of the California Fire Code is amended to read as follows due to local climatic, geographical, and topographical conditions:

903.2. Where required. Approved automatic extinguishing systems shall be installed:

1. In all new buildings regardless of the type of construction or occupancy.

EXCEPTIONS:

A) Detached private garages, providing the floor area does not exceed 1000 square feet.

B) Pool houses, recreation rooms, workshops, and similar accessory R-3 occupancies providing no portion of the exterior wall of the building is more than 150 feet from a public street.

C) Other minor buildings and/or occupancies as approved by the Fire Chief.

2. In existing buildings with new occupancies as required by other sections of the Fire Code.

(Ord. No. 2409, § 3, 11-18-25)

Section 903.2.18 of the California Fire Code is amended to read as follows due to local climatic, geographical, and topographical conditions:

903.2.18. Group U garages and carports accessory to Group R-3 occupancies.

Carports with habitable space above, detached private garages over 1000 square feet in area, and attached private garages shall be protected by fire sprinklers in accordance with this section. These areas shall have a design density of an Ordinary Hazard Group 1 occupancy with a design area of two (2) heads. Quick-response intermediate temperature commercial type heads shall be used.

(Ord. No. 2409, § 3, 11-18-25)

Section 903.3.1.3 of the California Fire Code is amended to read as follows due to local climatic, geographical, and topographical conditions:

903.3.1.3. NFPA 13D SPRINKLER SYSTEMS. Where allowed, automatic sprinkler systems installed in one- and two-family dwellings shall be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13D with the following additions:

A) Attics containing forced air units shall have one or more quick-response intermediate temperature sprinkler heads adjacent to each unit.

B) Attached private garages shall be sprinklered and shall have a design density of an Ordinary Hazard Group 1 occupancy with a design area of two (2) heads. Quick-response intermediate temperature commercial type heads shall be used for the garage area.

C) Detached private garages over 1000 square feet in total area shall be sprinklered and shall have a design density of an Ordinary Hazard Group 1 occupancy with a design area of two (2) heads. Quick-response intermediate temperature commercial type heads shall be used for the garage area.

D) Residential structures under 5000 square feet in total area shall be designed for two (2) heads flowing in the residential area. Residential structures over 5000 square feet in total area shall be designed for four (4) heads flowing in the residential area.

E) Attics and basements used for storage purposes shall be fully sprinklered with residential type heads.

F) A single exterior bell activated by the waterflow switch shall be provided at an approved location.

G) A representative sample of spare heads shall be provided at an approved location.

(Ord. No. 2409, § 3, 11-18-25)

Section 903.4.3 of the California Fire Code is amended to read as follows due to local climatic, geographical, and topographical conditions:

903.4.3 ALARMS. An approved audible and visual sprinkler waterflow alarm device shall be connected to each automatic sprinkler system. Such sprinkler water-flow alarm devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Where a waterflow switch is required by Section 903.4.1 to be electrically supervised, such sprinkler waterflow alarm devices shall be powered by a fire alarm control unit or, where provided, a fire alarm system. Alarm devices shall be provided on the exterior of the building in an approved location. Where a fire alarm system is installed, actuation of the automatic fire sprinkler system shall actuate the building fire alarm system. Approved audible notification appliances shall be provided in the interior of the building at locations required by the Fire Chief.

EXCEPTION: NFPA 13D systems serving R-3 occupancies shall be provided with a single exterior bell.

(Ord. No. 2409, § 3, 11-18-25)

Section 1103.5 of the California Fire Code is amended to read as follows due to local climatic, geographical, and topographic conditions:

1103.5 EXISTING BUILDINGS. An approved automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed in existing buildings, including any additions thereto, in the occupancies and buildings as set forth in this section.

1. In all commercial and industrial buildings greater than 5000 square feet in area when enlarged by an addition to the existing structure or as required by the Fire Chief.

2. In all commercial and industrial buildings equal to or less than 5000 square feet in area, when enlarged by an addition to the existing structure, exceeds 5000 square feet or as required by the Fire Chief.

3. In all Group R-1 or R-2 Occupancies when an addition results in additional guestrooms or dwelling units.

4. In all Group R-3 Occupancies greater than 2500 square feet in living area when enlarged by an addition to the living area of the existing structure.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. Additions of areas that would not require sprinklers such as closets or bathrooms.

2. Additions that occur without increasing the number of stories or increasing the horizontal projection of the first story roof.

5. In all Group R-3 Occupancies equal to or less than 2500 square feet in living area, when enlarged by an addition to the living area of the existing structure, exceeds 2500 square feet in residential area.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. Additions of areas that would not require sprinklers such as closets or bathrooms.

2. Additions that occur without increasing the number of stories or increasing the horizontal projection of the first story roof.

6. In existing buildings for new occupancies as required by other sections of the Fire Code.

(Ord. No. 2409, § 3, 11-18-25)

Section P101.2 of the California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

P101.2 Permits. An operational permit shall be required for haunted houses, ghost walks, or similar amusement uses in accordance with Appendix P101.2.

EXCEPTION: Haunted houses, ghost walks, or similar amusement uses in Group R-3 occupancies.

(Ord. No. 2409, § 3, 11-18-25)

Section 5608.2 is added to Chapter 56 of the California Fire Code to read as follows due to local climatic conditions:

5608.2. FIREWORKS PROHIBITED. No person shall sell, display for sale. possess, store, or manufacture, use, light, fire, discharge, explode or set off any fireworks, including "Safe and Sane" fireworks anywhere within the City, except as allowed by the Fire Chief.

(Ord. No. 2409, § 3, 11-18-25)

Section 6112 is hereby added to Chapter 61 of the California Fire Code to read as follows: The use of liquefied petroleum gas for emergency power generation for Group R-3 occupancies located in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone area shall comply with the following:

1. All individual containers shall be a maximum size of 500-gallon (1893 L) water capacity. Multiple container systems shall not exceed 500-gallons (1893 L) in aggregate quantity.

2. A minimum 10-foot setback shall be maintained between the tank and all buildings in perpetuity. All future developments on the property shall be subject to this requirement.

3. Signage shall be provided on the tank indicating its contents and warning of "NO SMOKING WITHIN 25 FEET."

4. Weeds, grass, brush, trash, and other combustible materials shall be kept a minimum of 10 feet from the tank.

5. A minimum 6A:80BC fire extinguisher shall be provided within 50 feet of the tank. It shall be the applicant's responsibility to have the fire extinguisher serviced by a qualified contractor on an annual basis.

6. During refueling, the LP tank vehicle shall not be left unattended at any time.

(Ord. No. 2409, § 3, 11-18-25)

Section 105.1.7 is added to the California Fire Code to read as follows:

When the application for a permit under this section is filed, a non-refundable fee as adopted by City Council Resolution shall be paid for the purpose of recovering the cost of services provided.

(Ord. No. 2409, § 3, 11-18-25)

Section 103 is hereby deleted from the California Fire Code without replacement.

(Ord. No. 2409, § 3, 11-18-25)

Section 104.12 is added to the California Fire Code to read as follows:

104.12 COST RECOVERY. Where an emergency situation is caused or exacerbated by a willful act, a negligent act, or a violation of the Fire Code, Building Code, or any other applicable law, ordinance or regulation, the cost of mitigating and securing any emergency that is within the responsibility of the Fire Chief is a charge against the person who caused the emergency or who caused the circumstances leading to the creation of the emergency. Damages and expenses incurred by any public agency providing mutual aid shall constitute a debt of such person and shall be collectible by the Fire Chief for proper distribution in the same manner as in the case of an obligation under contract expressed or implied. Expenses as stated above shall include, but not be limited to, equipment and personnel committed and any payments required by the public agency to outside business firms requested by the public agency to mitigate or secure the emergency, monitor remediation, and clean up.

(Ord. No. 2409, § 3, 11-18-25)