Citrus Heights Municipal Code Div. 2 Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Ordinance 2025-02

Adoption of California Fire Code.

There is hereby adopted by the Board of Directors of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District ("District") for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire or explosion, that certain code known as the 2025 California Building Standards Code, Title 24, California Code of Regulations, Part 9 (California Fire Code), published by the International Code Council in its entirety including Appendix 4, Appendix B, Appendix BB, Appendix C, Appendix CC, Appendix H, Appendix O, Appendix P, except such portions as hereinafter are deleted, modified or amended. Not less than one (1) copy of such code has been and now is filed with the Clerk of the Board of Directors. From the effective date of this ordinance, the provisions thereof shall be controlling within the boundaries of the District, known as the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.

Enforcement.

The division of authority for enforcement of this chapter shall be as follows:

A. The Chief of any fire protection district or a community service district having a fire department or designated representatives shall have authority to enforce this chapter and issue citations for violations in their respective districts.

Findings.

The Findings of Fact are filed separately with the California Building Standards Commission, State Department of Housing and Community Development.

Definitions.

A. Wherever the word "municipality" is used in the California Fire Code, it shall include the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the County of Sacramento.

B. Wherever the word "Chief" is used in the California Fire Code, it shall mean the Chief or fire code official of any fire protection district or a community service district that has a fire department or their designated representatives, within their respective jurisdictions.

SECTION 1

Amendments to the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code.

CHAPTER 1 SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION

SECTION 105.5.5 "CARNIVALS AND FAIRS" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 105.5.5 Carnivals, fairs, festivals, or exhibitions. An operational permit is required to conduct a carnival, fair, festival, or exhibition.

SECTION 105.6 "REQUIRED CONSTRUCTION PERMITS" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 105.6.26 Architectural. A construction permit is required prior to the construction of all new buildings, alterations, additions or tenant improvements.

Section 105.6.27 Civil Engineering.

A construction permit is required for civil improvements involving all new buildings, additions, structural alterations, subdivisions, site developments or civil improvements.

Section 105.6.28. Underground Fire Service. A construction permit is required prior to the installation of underground fire service mains and appurtenances.

SECTION 108.7 "COST RECOVERY FEES" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 108.7 Cost recovery fees.

Cost recovery fees may be charged to any person, firm, corporation, or business that through negligence, violation of the law, or as a result of carelessness, is responsible for an incident resulting in Fire Department response. (Health & Safety Code 13916).

SECTION 110.3.1 "ELECTRONIC FILING" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 110.3.1 Electronic filing.

When required by the fire code official, records of all system inspections, tests and maintenance required by the referenced standards and Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations shall be submitted to the fire code official electronically.

SECTION 112 "MEANS OF APPEALS" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 112.1 General.

In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the fire code official relative to the application and interpretation of this code, there shall be and is hereby created a board of appeals. The board of appeals shall be the Board of Directors of the fire protection district or community services district having jurisdiction.

SECTION 113.4 "VIOLATION PENALTIES" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 113.4 Violation penalties.

Persons who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, install, alter, repair or do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the fire code official, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this code, shall be guilty of an infraction or a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) and not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment not exceeding 180 days, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.

SECTION 113.4.2 "CITATIONS" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 113.4.2 Citations.

The Chief, or the Chief's duly authorized representative, may issue citations for infractions or misdemeanor violations of this code pursuant to Section 13871 of the Health and Safety Code of the State of California and Chapter 5c (commencing with Section 853.6) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code of the State of California.

SECTION 113.4.3 "CALIFORNIA BAIL SCHEDULE" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 113.4.3 - California Bail Schedule.

*- MISDEMEANOR

PC - ELIGIBLE FOR PROOF OF CORRECTION

PA - PENALTY ASSESSMENT

NCA - NIGHT COURT ASSESSMENT

NC - NONCOMPLIANCE

SECTION 114.4 "FAILURE TO COMPLY" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 114.4 Failure to comply.

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 guilty of an infraction or a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred ($100) dollars or more than one thousand ($1000) dollars.

CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS

SECTION 202 "SUPERVISING STATION" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

SUPERVISING STATION. An approved UL listed, Type A, Full Service Central Station facility that receives signals and at which personnel are in attendance at all times to respond to these signals. The approved supervising station shall have the ability to relay the alarm to the (a) Sacramento Regional Fire/EMS Communications Center or (b) to the Sacramento International Airport Communication Center in an approved manner.

SECTION 202 "FALSE ALARM" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

FALSE ALARM. The willful and knowing or negligent initiation or transmission of a signal, message or other notification of an event of fire when no such danger exists.

CHAPTER 5 FIRE SERVICE FEATURES

Section 503.6.1 "ELECTRIFIED SECURITY FENCES" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 503.6.1 Electrified security fences. Electrified security fences, shall be approved by the fire code official prior to installation.

SECTION 507.1.1 "CONNECTION" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 507.1.1 Connection.

When required by the fire code official, buildings without a public water supply shall be connected to the public water supply once the public water supply becomes available.

Exception: Group U occupancies

SECTION 510.4.1.1 "MINIMUM SIGNAL STRENGTH INTO THE BUILDING" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 510.4.1.1 Minimum signal strength into the building.

The minimum inbound signal strength shall be sufficient to provide usable voice communications throughout the coverage area as specified by the fire code official. The inbound signal level shall be a minimum of -95dBm throughout the coverage area and sufficient to provide not less than a Delivered Audio Quality (DAQ) of 3.4 or an equivalent Signal-to-Interference-Plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) applicable to the technology for either analog or digital signals.

SECTION 510.4.1.2 "MINIMUM SIGNAL STRENGTH OUT OF THE BUILDING" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 510.4.1.2. Minimum signal strength out of the building.

The minimum uplink signal strength shall be sufficient to provide usable voice communications throughout the coverage area as specified by the fire code official. The uplink signal level shall be sufficient to provide not less than a DAQ of 3.4 using either narrowband analog, digital or wideband LTE signals or an equivalent bit error rate (BER), or signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) applicable to the technology for either analog or digital signals.

CHAPTER 9 FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

SECTION 901.4.7 "PUMP AND RISER ROOM SIZE" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 901.4.7 Pump and riser room size.

Approved fire pump rooms and/or automatic sprinkler system riser rooms shall be provided in all new buildings protected by an automatic sprinkler system. Fire pump rooms and automatic sprinkler system riser rooms shall be designed with adequate space for all equipment necessary for the installation, as defined by the manufacturer, with sufficient working space around the stationary equipment. Clearances around equipment to elements of permanent construction, including other installed equipment and appliances, shall be sufficient to allow inspection, service, repair or replacement without removing such elements of permanent construction or disabling the function of a required fire-resistance-rated assembly. Fire pump and automatic sprinkler system riser rooms shall be provided with doors and unobstructed passageways large enough to allow removal of the largest piece of equipment.

Exception: Group R-3 Occupancies.

SECTION 901.4.7.4 LIGHTING IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

901.4.7.4 Lighting. Permanently installed artificial illumination and emergency illumination shall be provided in the automatic sprinkler system riser rooms, fire control rooms, and fire pump fire control rooms.

SECTION 903.2. "WHERE REQUIRED" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.2 Where required.

Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.21.

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.

Exception: Non-combustible, detached canopies open on four sides not exceeding the basic allowable area in CBC Table 506.2 used exclusively for the parking or storage of private or recreational vehicles and non-combustible storage (includes fuel islands).

SECTION 903.2.1.1 "GROUP A-1" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.2.1.1 Group A-1.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout stories containing Group A-1 occupancies and throughout all stories from the Group A-1 occupancy to and including the levels of exit discharge serving that occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:

1. The fire area exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m2).

2. The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.

3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies

4. The fire area contains a multi-theater complex

SECTION 903.2.1.2 "GROUP A-2" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.2.1.2 Group A-2.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout stories containing Group A-2 occupancies and throughout all stories from the Group A-2 occupancy to and including the levels of exit discharge serving that occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:

1. The fire area exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m2);

2. The fire area has an occupant load of 100 or more.

3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.

4. The structure exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 )contains more than one fire area containing a Group A-2 occupancy, and is separated into two or more buildings by fire walls of less than 4-hour fire resistance rating without openings.

SECTION 903.2.1.3 "GROUP A-3" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.2.1.3 Group A-3.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout stories containing Group A-3 occupancies and throughout all stories from the Group A-3 occupancy to and including the levels of exit discharge serving that occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:

1. The fire area exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m2).

2. The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.

3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.

4. The structure exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 )contains more than one fire area containing a Group A-3 occupancy, and is separated into two or more buildings by fire walls of less than 4-hour fire resistance rating without openings.

SECTION 903.2.1.4 "GROUP A-4" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 9.3.2.1.4 Group A-4.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout stories containing Group A-4 occupancies and throughout all stories from the Group A-4 occupancy to and including the levels of exit discharge serving that occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:

1. The fire area exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ).

2. The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.

3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.

SECTION 903.2.2 "GROUP B" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.2.2 Group B.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing Group B occupancies where the fire area exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m2) and as required in Sections 903.2.2.1 and 903.2.2.2.

SECTION 903.2.3 "GROUP E" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.2.3 Group E. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group E occupancies as follows:

1. Throughout all Group E fire areas greater than 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ) in area.

2. The Group E fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.

Exception: In buildings where every classroom has not fewer than one exterior exit door at ground level, an automatic sprinkler system is not required in any area below the lowest level of exit discharge serving that area.

3. The Group E fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.

4. In rooms or areas with special hazards such as laboratories, vocational shops and other such area where hazardous materials in quantities not exceeding the maximum allowable quantity are used or stored.

5. Throughout any Group E structure greater than 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 )contains more than one fire area containing a Group E occupancy, and is separated into two or more buildings by fire walls of not less than 4-hour fire resistance rating without openings.

6. For public school state funded construction projects see Section 903.2.19.

7. For public school campuses, Kindergarten through 12 th grade, see Section 903.2.20.

SECTION 903.2.4 "GROUP F-1" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.2.4 Group F-1.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group F-1 occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:

1. A Group F-1 fire area exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ).

2. A Group F-1 fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.

3. The combined area of all Group F-1 fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ).

SECTION 903.2.4.4 "GROUP F-2" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.2.4.4 Group F-2.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group F-2 occupancy where the fire area exceeds 3,599 square feet.

SECTION 903.2.7 "GROUP M" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.2.7 Group M.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group M occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:

1. A Group M fire area exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ).

2. A Group M fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.

3. The combined area of all Group M fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ).

4. [SFM] The structure exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ) contains more than one fire area containing a Group M occupancy, and is separated into two or more buildings by fire walls of less than 4-hour fire resistance rating without openings.

SECTION 903.2.7.2 "GROUP M" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.2.7.2 Group M upholstered furniture or mattresses:

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout a Group M fire area where the area used for the display and sale of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ).

SECTION 903.2.8.1.1 "GROUP R-3 MANUFACTURED HOUSING" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

903.2.8.1.1 Group R-3 manufactured housing. Fire sprinkler systems shall be installed in new manufactured homes (HSC Sections 18007 and 18009) and multifamily manufactured homes with two dwelling units (HSC 18008.7) in accordance with Title 25 of the California Code of Regulations.

SECTION 903.2.9 "GROUP S-1" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.2.9 Group S-1.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group S-1 occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:

1. A Group S-1 fire area exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ).

2. A Group S-1 fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.

3. The combined area of all Group S-1 fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ).

4. A Group S-1 fire area used for the storage of commercial motor vehicles where the fire area exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ).

5. A Group S-1 fire area used for the storage of lithium-ion or lithium metal powered vehicles where the fire area exceeds 500 square feet (46.4 m 2 ).

SECTION 903.2.9.1 "REPAIR GARAGES" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.2.9.1 Repair garages.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings used as repair garages in accordance with Section 406.8 of the California Building Code, as shown:

1. Buildings having two or more stories above grade plane, including basements, with a fire area containing a repair garage exceeding 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ).

2. Buildings no more than one story above grade plane, with a fire area containing a repair garage exceeding 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ).

3. Buildings with repair garages servicing vehicles parked in basements.

4. A Group S-1 fire area used for the repair of commercial motor vehicles where the fire area exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ).

5. A Group S-1 fire area used for the storage of lithium-ion or lithium metal powered vehicles where the fire area exceeds 500 square feet (46.4 m 2 ).

SECTION 903.2.10 "GROUP S-2 PARKING GARAGES" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.2.10 Group S-2 parking garages.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings classified as parking garages where any of the following conditions exist:

1. Where the fire area of the enclosed parking garage, in accordance with section 406.6 of the California Building Code, exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ).

2. Where the enclosed parking garage, in accordance with Section 406.6 of the California Building Code, is located beneath other groups.

Exception: Enclosed parking garages located beneath Group R-3 occupancies.

3. Where the fire area of the open parking garage, in accordance with Section 406.5 of the California Building Code, exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ).

SECTION 903.2.10.1 "COMMERCIAL PARKING GARAGES" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.2.10.1 Commercial parking garages.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings used for storage of commercial motor vehicles where the fire area exceeds 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ).

SECTION 903.2.10.3 "GROUP S-2" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.2.10.3 Group S-2.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group S-2 occupancy where the fire area exceeds 3,599 square feet.

SECTION 903.2.18.1 "GROUP U PRIVATE GARAGES AND CARPORTS" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.2.18.1 Group U private garages and carports.

Carports and garages within 6-feet of a Group R occupancy equipped with automatic fire sprinklers, shall be protected by fire sprinklers in accordance with NFPA 13D or NFPA 13, as applicable.

SECTION 903.3.8.4 "SUPERVISION" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.3.8.4 Supervision.

Control valves shall not be installed between the water supply and sprinklers unless the valves are of an approved indicating type that are supervised and secured in the open position.

SECTION 903.3.10 "FLOOR CONTROL VALVES" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.3.10 Floor control valves.

Supervised and indicating floor control valves and waterflow detection assemblies shall be installed at each floor in multi-story buildings, at an approved location.

Exception: Group R-3 and R-3.1 occupancies floor control valves and waterflow detection assemblies shall not be required.

SECTION 903.6 "WHERE REQUIRED IN EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.6 Where required in existing buildings and structures.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in existing buildings and structures where required in Chapter 11 and as follows:

1. In existing buildings and structures exceeding 3,599 square feet (334.36 m 2 ), where the floor area of the building or structure is increased.

Exception:

1. The total new plus existing floor area does not exceed 12,000 square feet and Section 903.2 occupancy requirements are met.

2. When the building increase is to accommodate state mandated accessibility improvements and is less than 500 square feet (46.45 m2).

3. In existing buildings and structures less than 3,600 square feet (334.45 m2), where the floor area of the building or structure is increased to exceed 3,599 square feet (334.36 m2).

Exception:

1. Buildings constructed under the Uniform Building Code where the total new plus existing floor area does not exceed 12,000 square feet and Section 903.2 occupancy requirements are met.

2. When the building increase is to accommodate state mandated accessibility improvements and is less than 500 square feet (46.45 m2).

SECTION 903.6.1 "MONITORING OF EXISTING BUILDINGS" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 903.6.1 Monitoring of Existing Buildings.

When required by the fire code official, valves controlling the water supply for automatic sprinkler systems, pumps, tanks, water levels and temperatures, critical air pressures, and water flow switches on all existing sprinkler systems shall be monitored by an approved supervising station.

CHAPTER 10 MEANS OF EGRESS

SECTION 1028.5.1 "EXIT DISCHARGE SURFACE" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1028.5.1 Exit discharge surface.

Exterior exit pathway surfaces shall be a paved and shall terminate at a public way as defined in the California Building Code.

CHAPTER 50 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

SECTION 5003.9.1.2 "EMERGENCY RESPONSE SUPPORT INFORMATION" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 5003.9.1.2 Emergency response support information.

Ready access to floor plans, safety data sheets (SOS), Hazardous Materials Management Plans (HMMP), and Hazardous Material Inventory Statements (HMIS) shall be provided as determined by the fire code official.

SECTION 5601.1.6 "FIREWORKS DISPLAY" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 5601.1.6 Fireworks display.

In addition to the California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 10, NFPA 1123 shall govern the handling, operation, and use of fireworks and equipment intended for outdoor fireworks for public display.

Exception: Use of California Safe and Sane consumer fireworks.

CHAPTER 80 REFERENCE STANDARDS

Chapter 80 "REFERENCED STANDARDS" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

NFPA 1123-26: Code for Fireworks Display

APPENDIX B FIRE FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS

APPENDIX B, TABLE NO. B105.2, REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW FOR BUILDINGS OTHER THAN ONE-AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3 AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

TABLE NO. 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.

a. The reduced fire flow shall not be less than 1,500 gallons per minute.

b. The reduced fire flow shall not be less than 1,500 gallons per minute.

APPENDIX C FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION

TABLE NO. C102.1 "REQUIRED NUMBER AND SPACING OF FIRE HYDRANTS" IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

TABLE NO. C102.1 REQUIRED NUMBER AND SPACING OF FIRE HYDRANTS

For SI: 1 foot= 304.8 mm, 1 gallon per minute= 3.785 Lim.

a. Reduce by 100 feet for dead-end roads.

b. Where streets are provided with median dividers that cannot be crossed by firefighters pulling hose lines, or where arterial streets are provided with four or more traffic lanes or street width is more than 88 feet (26.82 m), hydrant spacing shall average 300 feet on each side of the street and be arranged on an alternating basis.

c. Where new water mains are extended along streets where hydrants are not needed for protection of structures or similar fire problems, fire hydrants shall be provided at spacing not to exceed 1,000 feet (304.8 m) to provide for transportation hazards. In addition, there shall be at least one hydrant at each intersection.

d. Reduce by 50 feet for dead-end roads.

e. One Hydrant for each 1,000 gallons per minute or fraction thereof.

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

g. Reduction of fire flow does not apply to the number of fire hydrants required or fire flow duration.

h. Average spacing between fire hydrants may be extended to 500 feet (152.4 m) on streets serving one- and two-family dwellings.

SECTION C104.2 "SINGLE OUTLET FIRE HYDRANTS" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section C104.2 Single outlet fire hydrants. Where required by the fire code official, existing single outlet 2 ½ inch fire hydrants shall be changed to an approved steamer fire hydrant, when the following conditions occur:

1. The modification of an existing structure resulting in an increased fire flow.

2. A change in occupancy type, use, or character of the building that results in an increased life safety or fire risk, as determined by the fire code official.

3. The construction of a new building.

Exception:

1. Where the single outlet fire hydrant meets required fire flow

2. Where existing infrastructure does not support the installation of an approved steamer fire hydrant, fire code official may permit an alternate means and methods of fire protection.

SECTION C106.1 "HYDRANT TYPE" IS ADDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section C106.1 Hydrant type. The fire code official shall approve the type of fire hydrants to be installed on private property prior to any such installation.

SECTION 2 Repeal of Conflicting Ordinances.

All former fire prevention ordinances or parts thereof conflicting or inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance or of the code hereby adopted are hereby repealed.

Prior References.

Prior references to the local code shall be construed to apply to the corresponding provision of this code.

Validity.

The Board of Directors hereby declares that should any section, paragraph, sentence, or word of this ordinance or of the code hereby adopted be declared for any reason to be invalid, it is the intent of the Board of Directors that it would have passed all other portions of this ordinance independent of the elimination therefrom of any such portion as may be declared invalid.

SECTION 3

In connection with the amendments enacted by Section 1 relating to the California Fire Code and its appendix, 2025 edition, the Board of Directors makes the following findings pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5, 17958.7 and 18941.5. The changes are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, topographical or geological conditions.

The Board of Directors hereby adopt pursuant to Section 18941.5 of the California Health and Safety Code, the following findings of fact:

(e) Under this adopting ordinance, specific amendments have been established which are more restrictive in nature than those adopted by the State of California (State Buildings Standards Code, State Housing & Community Development Codes) commonly referred to as Title 24 & Title 25 of the California Code of Regulations. These amendments to the California Fire Code 2025 edition have been recognized by the Board of Directors to address the fire problems, concerns and future direction by which the District can establish and maintain an environment which will afford a level of fire and life safety to all who live and work within its boundary.

(e) The International Code Council has assumed responsibility for the International Fire Code and International Fire Code Standards. The International Code Council provided a means for participation by all code enforcement officials from throughout the country as well as industry representatives, consultants, and other private parties with an interest in the International Fire Code.

(e) The International Fire Code, being the 2024 edition thereof, published by the International Code Council nationally recognized compilation of proposed rules, regulations and standards of said Association.

(e) Said International Fire Code has been printed and published as a Code in book form within the meaning of Section 50022.1 of the Government Code of the State of California.

(e) Under the provisions of Section 18941.5 of the Health and Safety Code, local amendments are based on climatic, topographical and geological conditions. The findings of fact contained herein address each of these situations and present the local situation, which either singularly or in combination, caused the aforementioned amendments to be adopted.

LOCAL CONDITIONS

A. This amendment is justified on the basis of a local climatic condition. Sacramento County is subject to precipitation, relative humidity, temperature extremes, and high velocity winds.

1. Precipitation and relative humidity

a. Conditions

Monthly precipitation ranges from .05 to 3.73 inches with an average of approximately 17.2 inches per year. The majority of this precipitation falls during the months of November through April. There is a dry period of at least six (6) months each year, May through October. Additionally, the area is subject to occasional drought. Relative humidity remains in the middle range most of the time. It ranges from twenty-nine (29) to thirty-eight (38) percent during spring, summer, fall, and from fifty-seven (57) to ninety (90) percent in the winter. It occasionally falls as low as fifteen (15) percent (National Weather Service Sacramento Branch average of historical data (https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/clilcd.pl?ca23232.).

b. Impact

Locally experienced dry periods cause extreme dryness of untreated wood shakes and shingles on buildings and non-irrigated grass, brush, and weeds, which are often near buildings with wood roofs and sidings. Such dryness causes these materials to ignite very readily and burn rapidly and intensely.

Due to dryness, a rapidly burning grass fire or exterior building fire can quickly transfer to other buildings by means of radiation or flying brands, sparks, and embers. A small fire can rapidly grow to a magnitude beyond the control capabilities of the Fire District resulting in an excessive fire loss.

The Sacramento area has had several consecutive years of drought conditions thus reducing available water supply. The drought conditions have led to lower water tables. Groundwater as well as surface supplies have all been affected. The degradation of water supplies reduces the efficiency of fixed fire protection systems as well as hampering fire suppression activities. As an example, in 1998, the City of Sacramento lowered its static water pressure from 50 psi to 30 psi.

In April of 2025, the California State Fire Marshal released updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps, identifying areas served by Metro Fire as Moderate Hazard Zones. These areas highlight the hazard created by the physical conditions that create a likelihood of the area burning and expected fire behavior under extreme fuel and weather conditions.

The doubling of average rainfall called an "El Nino" event has occurred from time to time and does cause the grass to mature and grow in excess of six feet high before it dries out. Tall, dry grasses are highly flammable and can create intense, fast-moving wildfires.

Low-level fog (Tule Fog) is present throughout the winter months, which brings visibility to almost zero feet. The fog delays emergency responders and has caused numerous vehicle accidents including the December 11, 1997, Interstate 5 incident in Elk Grove which involved 36 vehicles and caused 31 casualties including 5 fatalities. The fog can also cause freezing and slick roadways.

2. Temperature

a. Condition

Temperatures have been recorded as high as 115° F throughout the Sacramento region. Average summer highs are in the 86° F range, with average maximums of 108° F (National Weather Service Sacramento Branch average of historical data (https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/clilcd.pl?ca23232.).

b. Impact

The Sacramento region has extreme variations in weather patterns too. Summers are arid and warm, winters are cool to freezing, fall and spring can bring any combination of weather pattern together. It is this cyclical uncertainty that allows weather events such as the rapid melting of the snow pack which causes flooding in the low-lying valley areas of Sacramento County.

High temperatures cause rapid fatigue and heat exhaustion of firefighters, thereby reducing their effectiveness and ability to control large building and wildland fires.

Another impact from high temperatures is that combustible building material and non-irrigated weeds, grass, and brush are preheated, thus causing these materials to ignite more readily and burn more rapidly and intensely. Additionally, the resultant higher temperature of the atmosphere surrounding the materials reduces the effectiveness of the water being applied to the burning materials. This requires that more water be applied, which in turn requires more Fire District resources in order to control a fire on a hot day. High temperatures directly contribute to the rapid growth of fires to an intensity and magnitude beyond the control capabilities of the Fire District.

3. Winds

a. Condition

Prevailing winds in the area are from the south or southeast. However, winds are experienced from virtually every direction at one time or another. Velocities are generally in the six (6) mph to nine and one half (9.5) mph ranges, gusting to twenty-five (25) to thirty-five (35) mph. Forty (40) mph winds are experienced occasionally and winds up to seventy-four (74) mph have been registered locally. During the winter half of the year strong, dry, gusty winds from the north move through the area for several days creating extremely dry conditions. (National Weather Service Sacramento Branch average of historical data (https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/clilcd.pl?ca23232.).

b. Impact

Winds such as those experienced locally can and do cause fires, both interior and exterior, to burn and spread rapidly. Fires involving non-irrigated weeds, grass, and brush can grow to a magnitude and be fanned to intensity beyond the control capabilities of the Fire District very quickly even by relatively moderate winds. During wood shake and shingle roof fires, or exposure fires, winds can carry sparks and burning brands to other structures, thus spreading the fire and causing conflagrations. When such fires are not controlled, they can extend to nearby buildings, particularly those with untreated wood shakes or shingles. In building fires, winds can literally force fires back into the building and can create a blow torch effect, in addition to preventing "natural" ventilation and cross-ventilation efforts.

Winds of the type experienced locally also reduce the effectiveness of exterior water streams used by the Fire District on fires involving large interior areas of buildings, fires which have vented through windows and roofs due to inadequate built-in fire protection and fires involving wood shake and shingle building exteriors. Local winds will continue to be a factor toward causing major fire losses to buildings not provided with fire resistive roof and siding materials. Buildings with inadequately separated interior areas or lacking automatic fire protection systems are also at risk.

Throughout the District, homes are being built within grass and brush covered rural areas creating an urban interface environment. Combustible weeds on vacant lots, coupled with windy conditions can be a recipe for disaster. Throughout the State of California, large catastrophic fires in these urban interface environments have resulted in loss of life and property at an increasing rate.

B. This amendment is justified on the basis of a local geologic condition. Sacramento County is subject to seismicity as it is located within seismic zone 3 (major damage capability). Faults within this area are (1) Rescue Lineament-Bear Mountain Fault; (2) San Joaquin Fault; (3) Vacca-Kirby Fault; (4) Greenville Fault; and (5) Dunnigan Hills Fault.

Sacramento County is bisected by major transportation corridors including Interstate 80 and U.S. 50 which traverses in an east/west direction and is bisected by both Highway 99 and Interstate 5. The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District and The Cosumnes Fire Department serve a combined population in excess of 923,000 residents and over 500 square miles. There are 2 major rail lines which run through the Districts. An overpass or underpass crossing collapse would significantly increase response time for fire and emergency vehicles and hinder mutual aid efforts. This is due to the limited crossings of the major highways and rail lines.

Earthquakes of the magnitude experienced locally can cause major damage to electrical transmission facilities, which, in turn, cause power failures while at the same time starting fires throughout the Fire Districts. The occurrence of multiple fires will quickly deplete existing fire districts' resources; thereby reducing and/or delaying their response to any given fire. Additionally, without electrical power, elevators, smoke management systems, lighting systems, alarm systems, and other electrical equipment urgently needed for building evacuation and fire control in large buildings without emergency generator systems would be inoperative, thereby resulting in loss of life and/or major fire losses in such buildings.

The above local topographical conditions impede emergency response activities and increase response times. Public Safety resources would have to be prioritized to mitigate the greatest threat and may likely be unavailable for smaller single dwelling or structure fires.

C. This amendment is justified on the basis of a local topographic condition. Sacramento County is subject to increased vegetation, varied surface features, hazardous building operations, increased landscaping and terrain risk factors.

1. Vegetation

Highly combustible dry grass, weeds, and brush are common in the hilly and open space areas adjacent to built-up locations six (6) to eight (8) months of each year. Many of these areas frequently experience wildland fires, which threaten nearby buildings, particularly those with wood roofs, or sidings. This condition can be found throughout the Fire Districts, especially in those fully developed areas and those areas marked for future development.

Development continues to extend from the urban core into grass-covered areas and brush/tree covered canyons, such as the American River Parkway, where every 20-percent increase in slope doubles the rate of fire spread.

2. Surface features

The Districts are bisected by Sacramento RT Light Rail running east/west and the Union Pacific mainline running north/south with an average of eighteen to twenty-four trips daily and with the ability to increase the trips significantly without prior notice to the District. Underground pipelines run parallel to the mainline in a north/south direction in the western portion of the district and carry liquid petroleum, and natural gases under high pressure. It is reasonably foreseeable that this bisection of the Districts by the railroad track could result in the reduction of response time for fire and emergency vehicles in the event a train is traveling on the railroad track at the time of a fire or other emergency.

3. Buildings, landscaping, and terrain

The Districts include several topographical features, including major rivers and creeks, aqueducts, lakes, sloughs, natural parkways, open space, bridges/overpasses, freeways, railroad tracks, drainage canals, and sprawling industrial facilities such as Siemens, Kinder Morgan, U.S. Cold Storage, Ampaq, and McClellan Park. Traffic has to be channeled around several of these topographical features and limitations, which creates traffic congestion and delays in emergency response. In the event of an accident or other emergency at one of the key points of intersection between a road and river or freeway, sections of the Districts could be isolated or response times could be significantly increased so as to increase the risk of injury or damage. These features are located between many of the District's fire stations.

Preservation of wetland areas, natural parkways, riparian corridors along rivers/streams, vernal pools, open space and endangered species habitats have all contributed to access problems as well as exemption from vegetation abatement programs. These situations, though very environmentally important, do increase the demands on the fire service due to the extreme fire hazard created by fuel loading and limited access. Reduced available infrastructure features, such as roads, water supplies, and fire protection, hamper the effectiveness of fire response resources. These rural areas are subject to a higher degree of risk without mitigation measures.

Intricate levee systems hold back a portion of the floodwater. However, significant flooding has occurred in many of the Districts' low-lying areas where soil conditions are not conducive to rapid infiltration. Localized street flooding has occurred near creeks which make access for fire-fighting equipment difficult.

The above local topographical conditions impede emergency response activities and increase response times. Public Safety resources would have to be prioritized to mitigate the greatest threat and may likely be unavailable for smaller single dwelling or structure fires.

Additional variables that may negatively impact emergency response:

1. The extent of damage to the water system.

2. The extent of isolation due to bridge and/or freeway overpass collapse.

3. The extent of roadway damage and/or amount of debris blocking the roadways.

4. Climatic conditions (hot, dry weather with high winds).

5. Time of day will influence the amount of traffic on roadways and could intensify the risk to life during normal business hours.

6. The availability of timely mutual aid or military assistance.

2025 California Fire Code

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 11-12-2025)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, adopted November 12, 2025, set out provisions intended for use as § 38-30. For purposes of classification, and at the editor's discretion, these provisions have been included as § 38-41.