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Chapter 4 — WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS

Section 404 — WATER SUPPLY

2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (Title 24, Part 7.5) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-27 · California

404.1 General.

An approved water source shall have an adequate water supply for the use of the fire protection service to protect buildings and structures from exterior fire sources or to suppress structure fires within the wildland-urban interface area of the jurisdiction in accordance with this section.

404.2 Required water supply.

An approved water supply capable of supplying the required fire flow for structural fire protection and wildland fire exposure shall be provided to the premises on which facilities, buildings or portions of buildings are hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction in accordance with Section 507 of the California Fire Code.

404.3 Draft sites.

Approved draft sites shall be provided at natural water sources intended for use as fire protection for compliance with this code. The design, construction, location, access and access maintenance of draft sites shall be approved by the code official.

404.3.1 Access. The draft site shall have emergency vehicle access from an access road in accordance with Section 403.

404.3.2 Pumper access points. The pumper access point shall be either an emergency vehicle access area alongside a conforming access road or an approved driveway not longer than 150 feet (45 720 mm). Pumper access points and access driveways shall be designed and constructed in accordance with all codes and ordinances enforced by this jurisdiction. Pumper access points shall not require the pumper apparatus to obstruct a road or driveway.

404.4 Hydrants.

Hydrants shall be designed and constructed in accordance with nationally recognized standards. The location and access shall be approved by the code official. The number and spacing of fire hydrants shall be in accordance with Appendix C or CC of the California Fire Code, as applicable.

404.5 Adequate water supply.

Fire-flow requirements shall be determined in accordance with Appendix B or BB of the California Fire Code, as applicable.

404.6 Reserved.

404.7 Obstructions.

Access to water sources required by this code shall be unobstructed at all times. The fire department shall not be deterred or hindered from gaining immediate access to water source equipment, fire protection equipment or hydrants.

404.8 Identification.

Water sources, draft sites, hydrants and fire protection equipment and hydrants shall be clearly identified in a manner approved by the code official to identify location and to prevent obstruction by parking and other obstructions. Each fire hydrant and access to a water supply shall be identified in accordance with one of the following: 1. Where located along a driveway, a reflectorized blue marker with a minimum dimension of 3 inches (73 mm) shall be located on the driveway address sign and mounted on a fire-retardant post. 2. Where located along an access road: 2.2. A reflectorized blue marker with a minimum dimension of 3 inches (73 mm) shall be mounted on a fire-retardant post. The signpost shall be within 3 feet (914 mm) of said fire hydrant with the sign not less than 3 feet (914 mm) nor greater than 5 feet (1524 mm) above ground, in a horizontal position and visible from the driveway. 2.3. As specified in the State Fire Marshal’s Guidelines for Fire Hydrant Markings Along State Highways and Freeways, May 1988.

404.9 Testing and maintenance.

Water sources, draft sites, hydrants and other fire protection equipment required by this code shall be subject to periodic tests as required by the code official. Such equipment installed under the provisions of this code shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and shall be repaired or replaced where defective. Additions, repairs, alterations and servicing of such fire protection equipment and resources shall be in accordance with approved standards.

404.10 Reliability.

Water supply reliability shall comply with Sections 404.10.1 through 404.10.3.

404.10.1 Objective. The objective of this section is to increase the reliability of water supplies by reducing the exposure of vegetative fuels to electrically powered systems.

404.10.2 Clearance of fuel. Defensible space shall be provided around water tank structures, water supply pumps and pump houses in accordance with Section 603.

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS

404.10.3 Standby power. Standby power shall be provided to pumps, controllers and related electrical equipment so that stationary water supply facilities within the wildland-urban interface area that are dependent on electrical power can provide the required water supply. The standby power system shall be in accordance with Section 2702 of the California Building Code and Section 1203 of the California Fire Code . The standby power source shall be capable of providing power for not less than 2 hours.

Exceptions:

  1. Where approved by the code official, a standby power supply is not required where the primary power service to the stationary water supply facility is underground.
  2. A standby power supply is not required where the stationary water supply facility serves not more than one singlefamily dwelling.

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on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

CHAPTER 5 – SPECIAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS

(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CG
SFM HCD DSA OSHPD BSCC DPH AGR DWR CEC CA SL SLC
Adopting Agency BSC BSC-
CG
T-24 T-19* 1 2 1/AC AC SS 1 1R 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Adopt Entire Chapter
Adopt Entire Chapter as
amended (amended sections
listed below)
X
Adopt only those sections that
are listed below
[California Code of Regulations,
Title 19, Division 1]
Chapter / Section
501.1 X
501.2 X
501.4 – 501.4.1 X
502_Reserved_ X
503.1 X
503.2 X
503.2.1 X
503.2.4 X
503.2.5 X
503.3503.3.4 X
504 – 504.1 X
504.2 X
504.2.1504.2.1.2 X
504.2.2 X
504.3 X
504.3.1 X
504.5 X
504.5.2504.5.2.1 X
504.7 X
504.7.1 X
504.7.2504.7.3.4 X
504.8 X
504.8.1504.8.2 X
504.9 X
504.9.1504.9.3 X
504.10.1 – 504.10.3 X
504.11 – 504.11.1 X
504.11.2504.11.6 X
505 – 506_Reserved_ X
507.1 X
  • The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.

The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Division 1.5 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are not listed in the Matrix Adoption Tables as they are not within the State Fire Marshal’s authority to adopt. These provisions are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 14, Division 1.5 text for the code user’s convenience only and are identified in the body of the code by square brackets containing references to applicable Title 14 sections.

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

5-2 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

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Contents — 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (Title 24, Part 7.5)

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