Burbank Municipal Code Art. 9 California Fire Code

Part 9 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, also known as the “California Fire Code,” which is part of the California Building Standards Code, 2025 Edition, including the table of contents, all annexes, appendices, and the index, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission and the International Code Council, is hereby adopted by the City of Burbank and made a part of this Code, with certain amendments, additions, and deletions as stated in this Article. [Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

A. PUBLIC INSPECTION.

The California Fire Code, and all secondary codes referred to therein are on file and open to public inspection in the office of the Building and Safety Division and the Fire Department.

B. SPECIAL CLIMATIC, GEOGRAPHICAL, TOPOGRAPHICAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

Certain areas of the City of Burbank are characterized by mountainous hillsides, heavy vegetation, and narrow streets. These conditions, combined with Burbank’s climate, exacerbate the potential for fires to spread and require certain amendments to the California Fire Code to ensure the safety of persons and property. In addition, certain modifications are required due to the fact that in many locations in the City, especially in the hillside, there are access and egress problems, which can make a timely emergency response more difficult.

Also, the City requires a higher degree of fire safety due to the fact that the City is within an earthquake zone. In the event of an earthquake, numerous structures in the City could be seriously damaged and emergency response crews would not be available to respond to every incident immediately. Various amendments to the California Fire Code will ensure greater protection from fires which can occur (and if unchecked spread quickly due to the City’s density and terrain) in an earthquake. In addition to hazards to structures and persons, the safe storage and disposal of hazardous material could be adversely affected by seismic activity. Similarly, the potential for leaks from storage tanks after a seismic event is great. The modifications will provide higher levels of safety for the public during and immediately after a major earthquake.

Finally, certain other amendments are required because the City is highly urbanized, has dense residential areas, and in some areas has very small residential lots. Furthermore, numerous residential areas are located in close proximity to non-residential uses, such as manufacturing, media and airport uses, all of which present special and unique hazards. The density of the City and the proximity of residential uses to other uses require additional safeguards to protect life and property of the residents, employees and visitors of the City.

The Council hereby finds that it is reasonably necessary to make certain changes or modifications in the California Fire Code as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission based on the 2024 International Fire Code, and that such changes and modifications are reasonably necessary because of climatic, geographical, topographical, or environmental conditions which pertain to the City of Burbank. Such changes and modifications are herein more particularly set forth in this Article.

C. SHORT TITLE.

In this chapter and any ordinance or resolution of the City where the phrase “Fire Code” appears, such phrase shall be deemed to refer and apply to the California Fire Code (“CFC”) which is described and referred to in the preceding section, as the same is amended by this Article.

D. NUMBERING OF CODE.

In order to provide consistency between this article and the provisions of the California Fire Code the section, subsection, and paragraph numbers or designations of the California Fire Code shall be retained in this article and shall be preceded by the prefix “9-1-9”. The 9 refers to this Title, the number 1 refers to this Chapter and the second number 9 refers to this Article. The subsequent numbers and decimal points are the section and subsection designations used in or added to the California Fire Code. [Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-104.6.1: APPEAL TO FIRE CODE OFFICIAL:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

104.10.1.1 Appeal to Fire Code Official. Whenever an Order or Notice issued or served under this Code is signed by a member of the fire department, the owner or occupant or other person served may appeal to the Fire Code Official within five (5) days from the time of service, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays. The Fire Code Official shall review such Order or Notice and render a decision within seven (7) days from the review or hearing of the appeal. The Fire Code Official may affirm or revoke the Notice or may extend the time fixed for compliance. Unless revoked, the Order of Notice shall remain in full force and effect and shall be complied with within the time originally fixed, or if an extension is granted, within the time prescribed in the extension.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-104.10.2: INVESTIGATIONS:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

104.10.2 Investigations. The Fire Department shall promptly investigate the cause, origin and circumstances of each and every fire occurring in the City involving loss of life or injury to person or destruction or damage to property. If it appears that such fire is of suspicious origin, the fire department is authorized to take immediate charge of all physical evidence relating to the cause of the fire and is authorized to pursue the investigation to its conclusion.

The Fire Department shall investigate the cause, origin and circumstances of unauthorized releases of hazardous materials.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-104.11.4: FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU PERSONNEL AND POLICE:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

104.11.4 Fire prevention bureau personnel and police. Members of the Fire Department may act as peace officers only as permitted by Section 830.37 of the California Penal Code. All members of the Fire Department at the rank of Captain and above; and all members of the Fire Prevention Bureau who are peace officers as defined in Section 830.37 of the Penal Code and members who have been designated by the Fire Code Official as arson investigators and who have satisfactorily completed the courses of training required by Section 832 of the Penal Code are designated as peace officers. Fire Captains assigned to the arson investigation unit are authorized to carry a firearm with permission of the Fire Chief, while engaged as a member of an arson investigating unit, regularly employed and paid as such, in the detection and apprehension of persons who have violated or who are suspected of having violated any fire law, or while exclusively engaged in the enforcement of laws relating to fire prevention and fire suppression, provided such practice is in compliance with current applicable state laws and City Policy.

When requested to do so by the Fire Code Official, the Chief of Police is authorized to assign such available police officers as necessary to assist the fire department in enforcing the provisions of this code.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-104.11.5: COST OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

104.11.5 Cost of emergency response. Any person owning or maintaining any occupancy, premises, or vehicle subject to this Code, who negligently or intentionally causes a fire or fire hazard resulting in an appropriate emergency response, which had been previously ordered abated by the Fire Code Official, is liable for all costs of the emergency response to the incident, as set forth in the Burbank Fee Resolution.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-105.5.5.1: PARADE FLOATS:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

105.5.5.1 Parade floats. A permit is required to use a parade float for public performance, presentation, spectacle, entertainment, or parade. See Chapter 3 of the CFC.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-105.5.6.1: CELLULOSE NITRATE STORAGE:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

105.5.6.1 Cellulose nitrate storage. A permit is required to store or handle more than 25 pounds (11.3 kg) of cellulose nitrate plastic (pyroxylin) for the manufacturing or assembly of articles or parts of articles containing cellulose nitrate plastics (pyroxylin). See Chapter 3 of the CFC.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-105.6: REQUIRED CONSTRUCTION PERMITS:

Section 105.6 of Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC is amended and restated as follows:

105.6 Required construction permits. The Fire Code Official is authorized to issue construction permits for work as set forth in Sections 105.6.1 through 105.6.26.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-105.6.26: OTHER:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

105.6.26 Other. Any permit required by the Fire Code Official and not otherwise covered above.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-108.2.1: PERMIT FEES:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

108.2.1 Permit fees. It shall be unlawful for any person, group, firm, or corporation to use a building or premises or engage in any activities for which a permit is required by this Code without first having obtained such permit. Permits are obtained from the Bureau of Fire Prevention. Any person required by this Code to have a permit shall apply for such permit and shall pay a fee as designated in the Burbank Fee Resolution. Unless otherwise specified, such fee shall be paid annually on the first day of the month in which such permit application was first made. Failure to comply with this section shall be a misdemeanor.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-108.2.1.1: PERMIT FEE EXEMPTIONS:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

108.2.1.1 Permit fee exemptions.

A. GOVERNMENT FEE EXEMPTION.

The City of Burbank, the County of Los Angeles, the Burbank Unified School District, and/or any department or office thereof are exempt from paying a permit fee for any activity, operation practice or function requiring a permit under Section 105 of the California Fire Code.

B. NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FEE EXEMPTIONS.

Any charitable, educational, religious, or other non-profit benevolent institution is exempt from paying a permit fee for the following activities, provided the net proceeds, if any, of such activity are to be used exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, benevolent, or civic purposes:

1. Carnivals and fairs.

2. Temporary placement of displays in a covered mall.

3. Parade floats.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-108.2.2: INSPECTION FEE:

The following subsection is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

108.2.2 Inspection Fee. Fire and life safety plan check permit fees (Form FD4) cover three on-site inspections. When more than three inspections are required for the same inspection, an inspection fee will be charged as set forth in the Burbank Fee Resolution for each hour or portion of an hour required for additional inspections needed to gain compliance. Records of inspections and determination of billing hours will be completed by the inspector.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-108.2.3: AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF FEES:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

108.2.3 Automatic adjustment of fees. Fees and charges imposed pursuant to this article, as set forth in the Burbank Fee Resolution, shall be adjusted annually on the first day of July. The annual adjustment shall be made by adjusting all the current fees required in this article by a percentage equal to the inflation rate for the prior year for construction costs as determined by the Building Official on December 31st of each calendar year. The Building Official’s determination shall be based upon the Engineering News Record, Construction Cost Index for the calendar year as of December 31st.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-108.2.3.1: EXCEPTION: ACTION BY COUNCIL:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

108.2.3.1 Exception: action by Council. Nothing in this section shall prevent the Burbank City Council from making rate and fee adjustments greater or less than indicated by the above calculation.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-108.2.4: AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT FOR UNDERGROUND TANK FEES:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

108.2.4 Automatic adjustment for underground tank fees. Fees and charges relating to underground tanks as designated in the Burbank Fee Resolution shall be updated and changed annually on the first day of July each year beginning January 1, 1991, by an adjustment as set forth in this section.

An automatic adjustment, as provided for in the fee resolution, shall not become effective until the thirty-first (31st) day after the Fire Code Official has provided the Council with written notification of such adjustment. The Fire Code Official shall file with the City Clerk, a certification, in a form approved by the City Attorney, demonstrating compliance with this subsection.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-108.2.4.1: ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

108.2.4.1 Annual adjustment. The annual adjustment shall be made by multiplying the underground tank related fees in the Burbank Fee Resolution by the Los Angeles/Riverside/Orange County, California Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all urban consumers of the preceding February and by dividing the result of said multiplication by the same index of the February of the previous year, as reported by the CPI detail report, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-108.2.4.2: EXCEPTION: ACTION BY COUNCIL:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

108.2.4.2 Exception: Action by Council. Nothing in this section shall prevent the Burbank City Council from making rate and fee adjustments greater or less than indicated by the above calculation. An automatic adjustment, as provided for in the fee resolution, shall not become effective until the thirty-first (31st) day after the Fire Code Official has provided the Council with written notification of such adjustment. The Fire Code Official shall file with the City Clerk, a certification, in a form approved by the City Attorney, demonstrating compliance with this subsection.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-108.4.1: INVESTIGATION FEES: WORK WITHOUT A PERMIT:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

108.4.1 Investigation fees: work without a permit.

A. INVESTIGATION.

Whenever any work, operation, or action for which a permit is required by this Code has commenced without first obtaining said permit, the work, operation, or action shall cease, and a special investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued for such work.

B. FEE.

An investigation fee in an amount designated in the Burbank Fee Resolution and may be amended by the Council from time to time, in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-109.2.3: SELF-INSPECTION:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

109.2.3 Self-inspection. Self-inspection programs may be developed, implemented, and enforced as determined necessary by the Fire Code Official. Compliance with self-inspection program requirements, including completing and returning all forms within 30 days, shall be mandatory and subject to penalties for non-compliance.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-112.5: BOARD OF BUILDING AND FIRE CODE APPEALS:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

112.5 Board of Building and Fire Code Appeals. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Fire Code Official pertaining to suitability of alternate materials, types of construction, or interpretation of the Fire Code may appeal to the Board of Building and Fire Code Appeals by filing a written notice with the Fire Code Official which must state briefly therein the grounds for appeal. The Fire Code Official decisions are not appealable where those decisions are clearly supported by the Code. The Fire Code Official shall fix a time and place for hearing such appeal within sixty (60) days from the date notice of appeal was filed and shall give not less than five (5) days’ notice thereof to appellant and to each member of the Board. No notice of appeal shall be accepted unless the appellant first pays to the Fire Code Official the fee as designated in the Burbank Fee Resolution for filing such appeal. The decision of the Board shall be final and conclusive. Within seven (7) days thereafter, exclusive of Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, the Fire Code Official shall give notice of the decision to the appellant.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-113.4.2: CODE VIOLATION INSPECTION FEE:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

113.4.2 Code violation inspection fee. When compliance for a code violation is not completed within three inspections, an inspection fee as set forth in the Burbank Fee Resolution shall be charged for each hour or any portion of an hour required for additional inspections needed to gain compliance. Records of inspections and determination of billing hours will be completed by the inspector.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-115.1.3: WARNING SIGNS:

The following section is added to Chapter 1, Part 9 of the CFC:

115.1.3 Warning signs. Whenever the Fire Code Official shall determine that warning signs are required in the protection of persons or property from injury due to unauthorized entry into fire or explosion damaged buildings, the Fire Code Official shall order such buildings adequately posted with signs reading, "DANGER FIRE-DAMAGED BUILDING, KEEP OUT." It shall be unlawful for any person to enter or remain within any such posted damaged building, except that the occupants/owners of the building or of any materials or equipment therein, their authorized representatives or invitees, public officers acting in the course of duty, and representatives of public or private utilities, shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

Section 202 of Chapter 2, Part 9 of the CFC is amended by adding the following definitions:

HIGH-RISE BUILDING: Is a building having floors used for human occupancy located more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access, as measured from the walking surface of the highest human occupied floor to the surface of the lowest fire department access road complying with Chapter 5 of the 2025 California Fire Code.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. Health Facility as defined in Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code.

2. Buildings used exclusively as open parking garages.

3. Buildings where all floors above 75 foot (22 860 mm) level are used exclusively as open parking garages.

4. Floors of buildings used exclusively as open parking garages and located above all other floors used for human occupancy.

5. Buildings such as power plants, lookout towers, steeples, grain houses, and similar structures with non-continuous human occupancy, when approved.

6. Buildings used exclusively for jails and prisons.

MID-RISE BUILDING: Is a building having floors used for human occupancy located more than 35 feet (10 668 mm), but less than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access, as measured from the walking surface of the highest human occupied floor to the surface of the lowest fire department access road complying with Chapter 5 of the 2025 California Fire Code.

EXCEPTIONS: See the list of exceptions under High-Rise Building.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-304.1.2.1: PREMISES MAINTENANCE:

The following section is added to Chapter 3, Part 9 of the CFC:

304.1.2.1 Premises maintenance. All exterior property and premises, and the interior of every structure, shall be maintained in a clean and safe condition and kept free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage. The interior shall be maintained so as not to impede the egress of occupants, endanger other structures because of excessive, improper, or unapproved fire loading or storage practices or endanger firefighters who respond to an emergency therein.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-307.1.1.1: OPEN BURNING GENERAL:

The following section is added to Chapter 3, Part 9 of the CFC:

307.1.1.1 Open burning general. The Fire Code Official is authorized to issue a permit for open burning only for the following purposes and subject to the provisions hereinafter set forth:

a. The prevention or removal of a fire hazard which cannot be abated by any other means, restricted to the hours of six (6) a.m. to twelve (12) noon of any day.

b. City lot burning crews operating under the authority of the Public Works Director.

c. The instruction of public employees in the methods of fighting fire.

d. On property used for commercial/industrial purposes for the instruction of employees in the methods of fighting fire.

e. For public or private gatherings under the legitimate sponsorship of civic, fraternal, religious, or other similar organizations.

f. Permits to burn must comply with regulations of the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-307.1.1.2: STARLIGHT AMPHITHEATER - OPEN FLAMES AND BURNING PROHIBITED:

The following section is added to Chapter 3, Part 9 of the CFC:

307.1.1.2 Starlight amphitheater - open flames and burning prohibited. No person shall light a flame or cause the combustion of any flammable substance or matter at any time at or on the premises of the Starlight Amphitheater.

EXCEPTION: Areas which have been designated as approved for smoking by the Fire Code Official.

[Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

9-1-9-315.1.1: CORRECTIVE ACTIONS:

The following section is added to Chapter 3, Part 9 of the CFC: