Chico Municipal Code Ch. 16R.42 Fire Regulation Standards

Section:

16R.42.010 Adoption of fire regulation standards.

The following rules, regulations, and standards, hereby adopted by reference and incorporated herein, shall constitute the "Fire Regulation Standards" of the City and shall govern the transportation, storage, or use of any substance or material, the installation, possession, or operation of any equipment or device, the improvement, alteration, occupation or maintenance of any premises, or the creation of any condition or commission of any act which is subject to such standards. Said standards shall include the regulation of non-building standards activities in all structures, facilities, premises, and occupancies, including those not regulated by the State Fire Marshal, within the City's jurisdiction, when deemed applicable by the Fire Chief, or his or her designee, for the prevention of fire and/or for the protection of life and property against fire:

A. Except as hereinafter amended, modified, or deleted, all regulations adopted in the 2025 California Fire Code ("CFC"), as promulgated in Part 9, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations as published by the Building Standards Commission, including all regulations adopted in the CFC amending or repealing a section, chapter, or part of the 2024 International Fire Code ("IFC") as published by the International Code Council, which regulations shall take precedence over the amended or repealed section, chapter, or part of the IFC;

B. Except as hereinafter amended, modified, or deleted, Chapters 1 - 80 of the CFC for sections that were not adopted as part of the 2025 California Fire Code, as promulgated in Part 9, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations as published by the Building Standards Commission, are hereby adopted by reference and incorporated into the city's Fire Regulation Standards as if set forth fully herein for the sole purpose of the enforcement of non-building standards activities in all occupancies within the City's jurisdiction;

C. The following CFC provisions shall hereby be amended, modified or deleted as follows, and said modifications are hereby adopted and incorporated into the city's Fire Regulations Standards:

• 1. CFC Section 102.6 Historic buildings is hereby not adopted.
• 2. CFC Section 105.6.27 LP-gas is hereby amended to read as follows:

• 105.6.27 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 less than a 125-gallon water capacity or less or multiple container systems having an aggregate quantity not exceeding 125 gallons, serving occupancies in Group R-3.

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

3. CFC Section 111 Board of appeals is hereby amended to read as follows:

Appeals of the decisions or determinations relative to the application of the Fire Regulation Standards shall be resolved pursuant to Chapter 16.42 of Title 16 of the Chico Municipal Code.

4. CFC Section 112.3.3 Prosecution of violations is hereby not adopted, as enforcement and prosecution of violations shall be in accordance with Chapter 16.52 of Title 16 the Chico Municipal Code.

5. CFC Section 112.4 Violation penalties is hereby not adopted, as violation and penalty provisions shall be in accordance with Chapter 16.52 of Title 16 the Chico Municipal Code.

6. CFC Section 113.4 Failure to comply is hereby amended to read as follows:

Any person who shall continue any work after 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 liable and subject to all penalties in accordance with Chapter 16.52 of Title 16 the Chico Municipal Code.

7. CFC 505.1.2 Rear Addressing.

505.1.2 Rear Addressing. When required by the chief, approved numbers or addresses shall be placed on all new and existing buildings in such a position as to be plainly visible and legible from the fire apparatus road at the back of a property or where rear parking lots or alleys provide an acceptable vehicular access. Number stroke and size shall comply with 505.1.

8. CFC Appendices are hereby adopted by reference and incorporated into the City's Fire Regulation Standards as if set forth fully herein as follows:

a. Appendix B Fire-Flow requirements for buildings.

b. Appendix C Fire hydrant locations and distribution.

Table C102.1, is superseded as follows:

TABLE NO. C102.1

REQUIRED NUMBER AND DISTRIBUTION OF FIRE HYDRANTS

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m

a. Reduce by 100 feet for dead-end streets or roadways.

b. Hydrants shall be required on both sides of the street whenever one or more of the following conditions exist:

i. Street has a median center divider that makes access to hydrants difficult, causes a time delay or creates an undue hazard;

ii. There are four or more lanes of traffic;

iii. Width of the street is in excess of 88 feet; or

iv. The existing street will be widened or will have a raised median center divider installed in the future pursuant to the General Plan Roadway Improvement Plans for the City of Chico.

c. One hydrant for each 1,000 gpm or fraction thereof.

d. Where new water mains are extended along streets where hydrants are not needed for protection of structures or similar fire problems, fire hydrants should be provided every 1,000 feet of street to provide for transportation hazards. In addition, there shall be at least one hydrant at each intersection.

e. Average spacing between hydrants may be extended to 500 feet on streets serving one- and two-family dwellings.

f. A 50-percent spacing increase shall be permitted where the building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, Section 903.3.1.2 or Section 903.3.1.3 of the California Fire Code or Section 313 of the California Residential Code.

g. The fire code official is authorized to modify the location, number and distribution of fire hydrants, based on site-specific constraints hazards.

(Res. No. 33 88-89 (part), Res. No. 88 89-90, Res. No. 42 92-93 §1, Res. No. 88 96-97 §1, Res. No. 139-07, Ord. No. 2491 12-20-16 §10, Ord. No. 2540 §12, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §12, Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §13)

16R.42.020 Permits.

A permit shall be required for those activities and operations as set forth in CFC Section 105.

(Res. No. 33 88-89 (part), Res. No. 139-07, Ord. No. 2491 12-20-16 §10, Ord. No. 2540 §12, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §12, Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §13)

16R.42.025 System records.

All contractors who service, test, install and/or maintain fire protection systems within the city are required to enroll and utilize the approved single-point repository service to file records of all system inspections, tests and maintenance required by referenced standards. This repository service shall be maintained and provided to the fire code official through an approved third-party inspection reporting system. Fees, as applicable, will be paid directly from the contractor to the approved single-point repository service vendor. These systems include but are not limited to automatic fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, commercial kitchen hood suppression systems, commercial hood cleaning, active smoke control systems, private fire hydrant systems, fire pumps, spray booths special suppression systems, foam systems, and standpipes.

(Ord. No. 2540 §12, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §12, Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §13)

16R.42.030 Restrictions on the storage of explosives -CFC Section 5601.1 amended.

For purposes of CFC Chapter 56, entitled "Explosives and Fire Works," Section 5601.1 pertaining to restrictions on storage of explosives, the storage of explosives shall be prohibited in all zoning districts of the City except for:

A. C-2 General Commercial zoning districts;

B. ML Light Manufacturing/Industrial zoning districts; and

C. MG General Manufacturing/Industrial zoning districts.

(Res. No. 33 88-89 (part), Res. No. 42 92-93 §2, Res. No. 88 96-97 §2, Res. No. 139-07, Ord. No. 2491 12-20-16 §10, Ord. No. 2540 §12, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §12, Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §13)

16R.42.040 Restrictions on the location of aboveground tanks outside of buildings - CFC Section 5704.2.9.6 amended.

For purpose of CFC Section 5704.2.9.6 pertaining to restrictions on location of aboveground tanks outside of buildings, the storage of Class I and Class II liquids in aboveground tanks outside of a building shall be prohibited in all zoning districts of the City except for:

A. C-2 General Commercial zoning districts;

B. CC Community Commercial zoning districts;

C. CS Service Commercial zoning districts;

D. C-1 Restricted Commercial zoning districts;

E. ML Light Manufacturing/Industrial zoning districts;

F. MG General Manufacturing/Industrial zoning districts; and

G. MP Manufacturing/Industrial Park zoning districts.

(Res. No. 22 88-89 (part), Res. No. 80 90-91, Res. No. 88 96-97 §3, Res. No. 139-07, Ord. No. 2491 12-20-16 §10, Ord. No. 2540 §12, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §12, Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §13)

16R.42.050 Restrictions on the container location for storage of liquefied petroleum gases - CFC Section 6104.3 amended.

For purposes of CFC Section 6104.3 pertaining to restrictions on the container location for storage of liquefied petroleum gases, the storage of liquefied petroleum gases at a single location in excess of 2,000 gallons water capacity shall be prohibited in all zoning districts of the City except for:

A. C-2 General Commercial zoning districts;

B. CC Community Commercial zoning districts;

C. CS Service Commercial zoning districts;

D. C-1 Restricted Commercial zoning districts;

E. ML Light Manufacturing/Industrial zoning districts;

F. MG General Manufacturing/Industrial zoning districts; and

G. MP Manufacturing/Industrial Park zoning districts.

(Res. No. 33 88-89 (part), Res. No. 88 89-90, Res. No. 88 96-97 §4, Res. No. 139-07, Ord. No. 2491 12-20-16 §10, Ord. No. 2540 §12, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §12, Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §13)

16R.42.060 Prohibitions on fires and flames - General provisions.

Notwithstanding any provisions of the CFC to the contrary, no person shall ignite a fire within the City, either within or outside a building, whether by open fire or within a fireplace, incinerator, or other burning device, or in any other manner except as hereinafter authorized by Section 16R.42.070 through and including Section 16R.42.090 of this chapter.

(Res. No. 33 88-89 (part), Res. No. 139-07, Ord. No. 2491 12-20-16 §10, Ord. No. 2540 §12, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §12, Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §13)

16R.42.070 Prohibition on fires and flames - Fires and flames exempt from prohibitions.

The following fires or the following devices and equipment which utilize a fire or flame shall be permitted within the City provided such fires or flames are ignited or maintained or such device and equipment is installed, possessed or used in accordance with any applicable requirements of the CFC:

A. Matches and lighters;

B. Fireplaces, indoor and outdoor, in accordance with Chapter 8.32;

C. Outdoor warming appliance as allowed by Chapter 9.35;

D. Indooor cooking devices, including barbecues;

E. Outdoor barbecues as allowed in Chapter 9.36;

F. Furnaces and other heating devices which utilize natural gas, liquid petroleum or wood, and are used for residential purposes;

G. Sewer gas at the site of the City's sewer plant;

H. Tar pots and similar devices used for roofing and other construction and repair uses wherein the tar is customarily used as a sealant, provided, however, that such devices and equipment shall be used only at the site of the construction or repair work and at a permanent location; and

I. Candles, torches and similar devices used on or within residential premises for decorative purposes only.

(Res. No. 33 88-89 (part), Res. No. 139-07, Ord. No. 2491 12-20-16 §10, Ord. No. 2540 §12, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §12, Ord. No. 2611 5-6-25 § 4, Ord. No. 2613 5-20-25 §4, Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §13)

16R.42.080 Prohibitions on fires and flames - Fire and flames exempt from prohibitions when in compliance with air emission standards.

A. The following fires and flames or devices and equipment utilizing a fire or flame shall be permitted within the City when the fire or flame is ignited and maintained or where the device or equipment is installed, possessed, or used in accordance with all applicable requirements of the CFC.

1. Incinerating devices used at crematoriums or other similar places for the disposal of human or animal body tissue;

2. Incinerating devices used exclusively for the disposal of bandages, dressings, and similar materials when operated in conjunction with medical treatment by doctors, hospital personnel, convalescent home personnel, rest home personnel, and similar persons wherein the disposal by incineration is in the interests of public health;

3. Furnaces and other heating devices using a fuel other than natural gas or liquid petroleum; and

4. Forges and other heating devices required by commercial or other manufacturing uses and not used for the disposal or reduction of garbage, rubbish or other waste materials.

(Res. No. 33 88-89 (part), Res. No. 139-07, Ord. No. 2491 12-20-16 §10, Ord. No. 2540 §12, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §12, Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §13)

16R.42.090 Prohibitions on fires and flames - Fires and flames exempt from prohibitions when authorized by a permit.

The following fires and flames or devices and equipment utilizing a fire or flame shall be permitted in the City when such fire or flame is ignited and maintained or such device or equipment is installed, possessed or used in accordance with the requirements of the CFC and when authorized by a permit issued by the fire marshal as set forth in CFC Section 105:

A. Fire used for the prevention of a fire hazard which cannot be abated by other means;

B. Fire used for the instruction of employees in the methods of firefighting;

C. Fire used for the improvement of watershed, range, pasture, levees, reservoirs, or ditches used in agriculture, ranching, flood control, or drainage activities;

D. Fires used for the growing of crops or raising of animals;

E. Fires used by organizations for ceremonial purposes;

F. Fires used for the removal of explosives, hazardous materials, or other substances or matter which cannot be safely removed, disposed of, or neutralized by other means;

G. Fires used for the abatement of serious insect infestations;

H. Fires used for the purpose of removing noxious vegetation or weeds from City-owned property which is surrounded by land used for agricultural purposes;

I. Candles, torches and similar devices used on or within nonresidential premises; or

J. Fires and flames used for other purposes which the fire chief, with the approval of the city manager, determines are necessary and in the interest of preserving the public health, safety and life.

(Res. No. 33 88-89 (part), Res. No. 139-07, Ord. No. 2491 12-20-16 §10, Ord. No. 2540 §12, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §12, Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §13)

16R.42.100 Restrictions on Fireworks - CCR Title 19, Chapter 6, entitled “Fireworks,” and CFC Section 5601 amended.

California Code of Regulations ("CCR") Title 19, Chapter 6, entitled "Fireworks," and CFC Section 5601 shall be amended to prohibit the manufacturing, possession, storage, sale, use and handling of any fireworks, including those fireworks designated as "Safe and Sane" by the State of California, within the city limits. Use and handling of fireworks for public display may be permitted pursuant to section 16.48.020 of this code and such use and handling shall be in accordance with CCR and CFC fireworks regulations.

(Res. No. 88 96-97 §5, Res. No. 139-07, Ord. No. 2491 12-20-16 §10, Ord. No. 2540 §12, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §12, Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §13)

16R.42.110 Prohibition of combustible furniture visible from the public right-of-way.

Storage, stockpiling, or maintaining of any combustible furniture on private property must be screened from any public right-of-way. Combustible furniture includes, but is not limited to stuffed couches and chairs, mattresses, futons, and any furniture not specifically designed and intended for outdoor use. Objects and activities will be considered "screened" when they are either (1) not visible from a public right-of-way, or (2) behind a solid six-foot-high fence, wall, or hedge where such fence, wall, or hedge is otherwise permitted by zoning and building codes.

(Res. No. 68-15 §2, Ord. No. 2491 12-20-16 §10, Ord. No. 2540 §12, Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §12, Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §13)

16R.42.120 Fire and life safety inspections.

Inspections by the Fire Department shall periodically be made of commercial buildings and structures as follows:

A. The time and frequency of inspections shall be determined by the Fire Chief. No buildings shall be inspected for a fee more than annually except for re-inspections to assure that code corrections have been made or hazards have been corrected.

B. A fee for inspections shall be established in the adopted Master Fee Schedule to offset costs of the regulatory inspection program and shall be collected upon inspection from each property subject to this ordinance. Revenues shall be used for the inspection and enforcement program.

C. All properties shall be subject to inspection fees.

D. Nothing in this section is intended to prevent inspections of property under nuisance abatement or other laws.

(Ord. No. 2577 11-15-22 §12, Ord. No. 2619 1-6-26 §13)