Carlsbad Municipal Code Ch. 17.04 Fire Prevention Code

The City of Carlsbad adopts by reference the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code, including Appendix Chapters 4, B, BB, C, CC, E, F, G, H and O, and the California Standards, with the amendments contained in the following sections of Chapter 17.04. As adopted and amended herein, the 2025 California Fire Code (hereinafter "California Fire Code") becomes the Fire Code of the City of Carlsbad. The City of Carlsbad further amends the provisions of the California Fire Code to include the requirements of the California Fire Code for those occupancies not subject to the 2025 California Fire Code.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 1, Scope and Administration, is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments:

A. Chapter 1, Division II, Part 2, is amended to add Section 108.7, Cost Recovery, to read as follows:

The city shall be entitled to recover the cost of emergency services as described in subsections 1 through 5 below. Service costs shall be computed by the fire department under the direction of the city finance department and shall include the costs of personnel, equipment facilities, materials and other external resources.

1. Any person or corporation who allows a hazard to exist on property under the control of that person or corporation, after having been ordered by the fire department or other city department to abate that hazard, is liable for the cost of services provided by the fire department should an emergency arise as a result of said unabated hazard.

2. Any person or corporation whose negligence causes an incident to occur on any public or private street, driveway or highway, which, for the purposes of life, property or environmental protection, places a service demand on the city fire department resources beyond the scope of routine service delivery, shall be liable for all costs associated with that service demand.

3. Any person or corporation responsible for property equipped with fire protection or detection devices which, due to malfunction, improper manipulation or negligent operation causes a needless response by the fire department to the property shall, for a period of twelve months after written notification by the fire department be liable for all future costs associated with each subsequent needless response caused by those devices.

4. Any person or corporation who conducts unlawful activity which results in fire, explosion, chemical release or any other incident to which the fire department responds for the purpose of performing services necessary for the protection of life, property or the environment, shall be liable for the costs associated with the delivery of those services.

5. When, in the interest of public safety, the fire chief, pursuant to Section 3108.17 and 403.11.3 of this code assigns fire department employees as standby personnel at any event, or upon any premises, the person or corporation responsible for the event or premises shall reimburse the fire department for all costs associated with the standby services.

B. Chapter 1, Division II, Part 2, Section 113.4, Violation penalties, is amended to read as follows:

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this code or standards; or fails to comply with any provision of this code; or violates or fails to comply with any order made pursuant to this code; or who builds in violation of any detailed statement or specification or plans submitted and approved pursuant to this code, or any certificate or permit issued pursuant to this code, and from which no timely appeal has been taken; or who fails to comply with an order as affirmed or modified by the City Attorney of the City of Carlsbad or by a court of competent jurisdiction within the time fixed herein, shall severally for each and every violation and noncompliance respectively, be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000.00 or by imprisonment in County Jail not exceeding six months, or both.

The imposition of one penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue, and all such persons shall be required to correct or remedy such violations or defects within a reasonable time; and when not otherwise specified, each day that prohibited conditions are maintained shall constitute a separate offense. The application of the above penalty shall not be held to prevent the enforced removal of prohibited conditions.

C. Chapter 1, Division II, Part 2, Section 114.4, Failure to Comply, is amended to read as follows:

Any person, who continues any work having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be subject to a fine of not less than $250.00 dollars or more than $1,000.00 dollars.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 2, Definitions, is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments:

Chapter 2, Section 202, General Definitions, is amended to add the following definitions:

FIRE HAZARD. Anything or act that increases or could cause an increase of the hazard or menace of fire to a greater degree than customarily recognized as normal by persons in the public service regularly engaged in preventing, suppressing or extinguishing fire or anything or act which could obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with the operations of the fire department or the egress of occupants in the event of fire.

VEGETATION. Weeds, grass, vines or other organic (cellulose) growth that is capable of being ignited and endangering property.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 3, General Requirements, is adopted in its entirety with the following amendment:

Chapter 3, Section 304.1.3, Vegetation, is amended to read as follows:

Vegetation shall be cut down and removed by the owner or occupant of the premises. Vegetation clearance requirements in wildland-urban interface areas and fire suppression zones shall be in accordance with City of Carlsbad standards and Title 24, Part 7, California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 4, Emergency Planning and Preparedness, is amended to adopt only the sections listed below:

A. 401—401.9

B. 402

C. 403

D. 404.1

E. 404.5—404.6.6

F. 405

G. 406

H. 407

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 5, Fire Service Features, is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments:

A. Chapter 5, Section 503.1.2 Additional access, is amended to add the following sections: Section 503.1.2.1 Residential developments, to read as follows:

Projects of one- or two-family dwellings having more than 40 dwelling units shall be provided with two separate and approved fire access roads.

Section 503.1.2.2 Developments of one- or two-family dwellings located in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone or Fire Suppression Zone where the number of dwelling units exceeds 30 shall be provided with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads.

Section 503.1.2.3 Multiple-family residential developments to read as follows:

Projects having more than 50 dwelling units: Multiple-family residential projects having more than 50 dwelling units shall be provided with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads.

503.1.2.4. Remoteness. Where two fire apparatus access roads are required, they shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one-half of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the lot or area to be served, measured in a straight line between accesses.

503.1.4 Aerial Access. Buildings exceeding three stories in height or 30 feet in height shall be provided with aerial fire apparatus access to at least one full side of the building. Required access routes shall be located not less than 15 feet (4572 mm) and not greater than 30 feet (9144 mm) from the building. The access width shall be a minimum of 26 feet (7925 mm) and shall be clear of any obstructions, including overhead utility and powerlines. The side of the building on which the aerial access fire apparatus road is positioned shall be approved by the fire code official.

B. Chapter 5 Section 503.2.1 Dimensions, is amended to read as follows:

Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 24 feet (7315 mm) exclusive of shoulders, except for approved security gates in accordance with Section 503.6 and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches (4115 mm).

C. Chapter 5, Section 503.2.1 Dimensions is amended to add Section 503.2.1.1 Minimum street width in fire hazard zones, to read as follows:

Public and private streets shall have a minimum unobstructed width of 28 foot clear travel way where adjacent lots are located within designated Fire Hazard Severity Zones/Fire Suppression Zones.

D. Chapter 5, Section 503.2.1 Dimensions is amended to add Section 503.2.1.2 Minimum fire apparatus access road widths for private driveways serving one or two single family dwellings to read as follows:

Private driveways used as required fire apparatus access roads serving no more than two dwellings shall have a minimum width of 16 feet.

E. Chapter 5, Section 503.2.1 is amended to add Section 503.2.1.3 Measurement of street width to read as follows:

Street widths are to be measured from the top face of the curb to top face of the curb on streets with curb and gutter, and from flow-line to flow-line on streets with rolled curbs.

F. Chapter 5, Section 503.2.3 Surface is amended to read as follows:

Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus and shall be surfaced with asphalt, concrete or other approved driving surface to provide all-weather driving capabilities.

G. Chapter 5, Section 505.1 Address Identification is amended to add Section 505.1.1 as follows:

Street Numbers — Approved numbers and/or addresses shall be placed on the street-side of all new and existing buildings and at appropriate additional locations as to be plainly visible and legible from the street or roadway fronting the property from either direction of approach. Said numbers shall contrast with their background, and shall meet the following minimum standards as to size:

• Single family residences: 4" high with a 1/2" stroke

• Unit identification of multi-family residential buildings: 6" high with a 1/2" stroke

• Commercial, industrial and multi-family residential buildings: minimum 12" high with a 1.5" stroke

H. Chapter 5, Section 505 Premises identification is amended to add Section 505.3 Easement address signs to read as follows:

All easements which are not named differently from the roadway, from which they originate, shall have an address sign installed and maintained, listing all street numbers occurring on that easement, located where the easement intersects the named roadway. Minimum size of numbers on that sign shall be four inches in height with a minimum stroke of 3/8" and shall contrast with the background.

I. Chapter 5, Section 505 Premises identification is amended to add Section 505.4 Map/directory to read as follows:

A lighted directory map, meeting current fire department standards, shall be installed at each driveway entrance to multiple unit residential projects and mobile home parks, where the number of units in such project exceeds 15.

J. Chapter 5, Section 505 Premises identification is amended to add Section 505.5 Response Map Updates to read as follows:

Any new development, which necessitates updating of emergency response maps by virtue of new structures, hydrants, roadways or similar features, shall be required to provide map updates in a format approved by the fire department. The responsible party may be charged a reasonable fee for updating the City emergency response maps.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 7, Fire and Smoke Protection Features, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 8, Interior Finish, Decorative Materials and Furnishings, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 8, Interior Finish, Decorative Materials and Furnishings, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 9, Fire Protection Systems, is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments:

Chapter 9, Section 903.2, Where required, is amended to read as follows:

An approved automatic fire sprinkler system shall be provided in all new non-residential buildings constructed in which the aggregate floor area exceeds five thousand (5,000) square feet (464 m2), regardless of occupancy classification and locations described in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.12. Mezzanines shall be included in the total square footage calculation.

Exception: Spaces or areas in telecommunications buildings used exclusively for telecommunications equipment, associated electrical power distribution equipment, batteries not required to have an automatic sprinkler system by Section 1207 for energy storage systems and standby engines, provided that those spaces or areas are equipped throughout with an automatic smoke detection system in accordance with Section 907.2 and are separated from the remainder of the building by not less than 1-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 of the California Building Code or not less than 2-hour horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711 of the California Building Code, or both.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 10, Means of Egress, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 11, Construction Requirements for Existing Buildings, is amended to adopt only those sections and subsections listed below:

A. 1103.3.3

B. 1103.7

C. 1103.7.3

D. 1103.7.3.1

E. 1103.7.8—1103.7.8.2

F. 1103.7.9—1103.7.9.10

G. 1103.8—1103.8.5.3

H. 1103.9

I. 1103.9.1

J. 1105.12

K. 11.5.12.1

L. 1108

M. 1107

N. 1113

O. 1114

P. 1115

Q. 1116

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 12, Energy Systems, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 20, Aviation Facilities, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 21, Dry Cleaning, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 22, Combustible Dust-Producing Operations, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 23, Motor Fuel-Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 24, Flammable Finishes, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 25, Fruit and Crop Ripening, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 26, Fumigation and Insecticidal Fogging, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 27, Semiconductor Fabrication Facilities, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 28, Lumber Yards and Agro-industrial, Solid Biomass and Woodworking Facilities, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 29, Manufacture of Organic Coatings, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 30, Industrial Ovens, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 31, Tents and Other Membrane Structures, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 32, High-Piled Combustible Storage, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 33, Fire Safety During Construction and Demolition, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 34, Tire Rebuilding & Tire Storage, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 35, Welding and Other Hot Work, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 36, Marinas, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 37, Combustible Fibers, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 39, Processing and Extraction Facilities, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 40, Storage of Distilled Spirits and Wine, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 41, Temporary Heating and Cooking Operations, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 48, Motion Picture and Television Production Studio Sound Stages, Approved Production Facilities and Production Locations, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 50, Hazardous Materials — General Provisions, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 51, Aerosols, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 53, Compressed Gases, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 54, Corrosive Materials, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 55, Cryogenic Fluids, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 56, Explosives and Fireworks, is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments:

A. Chapter 56, Section 5601.1.3 is amended to add Section 5601.1.3.1 Retail Fireworks, to read as follows:

The storage, use, sale, possession, and handling of fireworks 1.4G (commonly referred to as Safe & Sane) and fireworks 1.3G are prohibited unless they are being used as part of a public display when permitted and conducted by a licensed pyrotechnic operator.

B. Chapter 56, Section 5601.1.3 is amended to add Section 5601.1.3.2 Seizure of Fireworks, to read as follows:

The fire chief shall have the authority to seize, take, or remove all fireworks stored, sold, offered for sale, used or handled in violation of the provisions of Title 19 California Code of Regulations, Chapter 6.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 57, Flammable and Combustible Liquids, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 58, Flammable Gases and Flammable Cryogenic Fluids, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 59, Flammable Solids, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 60, Highly Toxic and Toxic Materials, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 61, Liquefied Petroleum Gases, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 62, Organic Peroxides, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 63, Oxidizers, Oxidizing Gases and Oxidizing Cryogenic Fluids, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 64, Pyrophoric Materials, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 65, Pyroxylin (Cellulose Nitrate) Plastics, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 66, Unstable (Reactive) Materials, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 67, Water-Reactive Solids and Liquids, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

California Fire Code, Chapter 80, Referenced Standards, is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

The Appendices to the California Fire Code are adopted as follows:

A. Appendix Chapter 4 is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

B. Appendix B is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments:

Table B105.2 is amended to read as follows:

TABLE B105.2 REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW FOR BUILDINGS OTHER THAN ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3 AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES

For SI: 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m

C. Appendix BB is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

D. Appendix C is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

E. Appendix CC is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

F. Appendix E is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

G. Appendix F is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

H. Appendix G is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

I. Appendix H is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

J. Appendix O is adopted in its entirety without amendments.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)

The City Council of the City of Carlsbad hereby declares that should any section, paragraph, sentence or word of this chapter or of the City of Carlsbad Municipal Code hereby adopted be declared for any reason to be invalid, it is the intent of the City Council that it would have passed all other portions of this chapter independently of the elimination herefrom of any such portion as may be declared invalid.

(Ord. CS-499, 12/2/2025)