Claremont Municipal Code Ch. 15.20 Fire Prevention

A. The 2026 Fire Code for the Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County (Title 32, Los Angeles County Code) adopted by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, amending the 2025 California Fire Code, incorporating the 2024 International Fire Code published by the International Code Council, with the changes, additions and deletions set forth in this chapter and amendments set forth are adopted by reference as the Fire Code of the City.

B. At least one (1) copy of said Fire Code will be deposited in the office of the Building Official and shall at all times be maintained by the Building Official for use and examination by the public.

(13-10; 16-13; 19-08; 22-08; 2025-07, 11/25/2025)

The Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone is defined in Appendix M of the Los Angeles County Fire Code Title 32.

(13-10; 16-13; 19-08; 22-08; 2025-07, 11/25/2025)

The Building Official, the Fire Chief and a Fire Inspector shall act as a committee to determine and specify, after giving affected persons an opportunity to be heard, any new materials, processes, or occupancies, which require permits, in addition to those now enumerated in the Fire Code.

(13-10; 16-13; 19-08; 22-08; 2025-07, 11/25/2025)

Whenever the Fire Chief disapproves an application or refuses to grant a permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the Fire Code do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of the Fire Code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal the decision of the Chief to the City Council within thirty (30) days of the date of the decision.

(13-10; 16-13; 19-08; 22-08; 2025-07, 11/25/2025)

No person, whether as principal, agent, employee, or otherwise, shall violate, cause the violation of, or otherwise fail to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter. Unless a different penalty is prescribed for violating a specific provision of this chapter, every act prohibited or declared unlawful, and every failure to perform an act made mandatory, shall be a misdemeanor or an infraction, at the discretion of the City Attorney or the District Attorney. In addition to the penalties provided in this chapter, any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is hereby declared a public nuisance, and may be abated by any procedures authorized by law. The expense of such abatement proceedings may, by resolution of the City Council, be declared to be a lien against the property on which such nuisance is maintained, and such lien shall be made the personal obligation of the property owner, unless the City chooses another design method of recovering abatement.

(13-10; 16-13; 19-08; 22-08; 2025-07, 11/25/2025)

A. Misdemeanor Penalty. Every violation of this chapter which is prosecuted as a misdemeanor shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

B. Infraction Penalty. Every violation of this chapter which is prosecuted as an infraction shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first offense, a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200.00) for the second offense of the same provision within one (1) year, and a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each additional offense of the same provision within one (1) year.

As used in this section, the term "year" means any consecutive twelve (12) month period.

As used in this section, the term "offense" includes any violation of the chapter which is cited or charged and which does not result in:

1. Acquittal;

2. A finding of "not guilty";

3. A dismissal of charges by the City or the court.

(13-10; 16-13; 19-08; 22-08; 2025-07, 11/25/2025)

Each person shall be deemed guilty of a separate crime for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of any provision of this chapter is committed, continued or permitted by such person, firm or corporation and shall be punishable accordingly.

(13-10; 16-13; 19-08; 22-08; 2025-07, 11/25/2025)