Hemet Municipal Code Div. 10 California Fire Code

The 2022 California Fire Code, codified in Part 9 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, including appendices B, BB, C, CC, D, E, F, I, and H as such code and appendices may be amended from time to time, except as hereinafter amended by this division, is adopted by reference as the fire code of the city.

(Ord. No. 2003, § 3(Exh. A), 11-8-22)

Section 104.1.1 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code has been added to read as follows:

104.1.1 Design Standards. For the purpose of clarifying fire-related access and site design requirements, the fire code official is hereby authorized to establish design standards, subject to City Council ratification and approval. These standards shall be made available to the public and updated as required to remain in compliance with current adopted codes.

Section 108.2.3 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code has been added to read as follows:

108.2.3 Applications for Permits; Fees. The fire code official may establish a schedule of fees, as approved from time to time by resolution of the City Council in accordance with Government Code section 66016, to be charged and collected for plan checking, required inspection services, and for the issuance of permits pursuant to CFC Section 105. A copy of the fee schedule shall be kept in the office of the City Clerk and shall be available for public inspection.

Section 108.2.4 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code has been added to read as follows:

108.2.4 Required Inspection—Other Than Dwellings. The fire code official is hereby authorized to inspect all buildings and premises other than single-family residential dwellings at least annually to identify and order the correction of hazardous conditions that may exist in violation of this Code. For purposes of these inspections, the Fire Chief is authorized to enter such buildings and premises at any reasonable hour, and in accordance with the provisions of CFC Section 104.3.

Section 112.4 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code, 2022 Edition has been amended to read as follows:

112.4 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 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $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 112.4.1 of Chapter 1 of the California Fire Code, 2022 Edition has been adopted in its entirety and amended to read as follows:

112.4.1.1 Infraction and Misdemeanor

Persons operating or maintaining any occupancy, premises, or vehicle subject to this code that shall permit any fire or life safety hazard to exist on the premises under their control shall be guilty of an infraction. Persons who fail to take immediate action to abate a fire or life safety hazard when ordered or notified to do so by the Fire Chief or duly authorized representative are guilty of a misdemeanor.

Section 505 of Chapter 5 of the California Fire Code, 2022 Edition is deleted in its entirety and amended to read as follows:

505.1 Address identification. New and existing buildings shall be provided with approved address identification. The address identification shall be legible and placed in a position that is visible from the street or road fronting the property. The address identification shall be displayed in such a manner as to be continuously displayed, non-moving, and readily visible and legible to emergency vehicles approaching from either direction along the public street on which the address is assigned at all time. Non-continuous display signs, such as changing electronic or video displays are not permitted to be used as required address signs. Moving or non-fixed signs, such as flags are not permitted to be used as required address signs. In situations where there is a public entrance to a property, building, or complex in addition to the entrance from the public street the address is assigned, additional address number signs may be required to be displayed at those additional entrances. Buildings located on the property so that the required address displayed on the building is not visible from the public street fronting the property, additional address number signs will be required at the public street entrance to the property, driveway or private road, and at any intersecting points along the driveway or private road leading to the building. Address identification characters shall contrast with their background.

505.2 Address Number Assignment. Only address numbers or letters assigned and approved by the Building Division may be displayed on buildings; property and/or building owners are not allowed to display address numbers or letters which have not been approved by the Building Department.

505.3 Location. Address numbers or letters shall be displayed above the eve line of the building on the upper ¼ portion of the building or in a location on the building approved by the Fire Department. Required address signs on building shall be placed at a height and location of the building so as to be readily visible from the public street fronting the building at all times. Required address signs shall not be placed at a height or location on the building where the address sign is visually obstructed, confused or camouflaged by other structures or buildings, building structural or decorative features, windows, glazing, or by expected locations of parked or stopped vehicles, other signs, trees or other existing or potential obstruction. Obstruction which are installed or occur after a required address sign is approved and installed, the Fire Department may require the relocation of the required address sign, or the removal of the obstruction.

505.4 Illumination. All addresses required to be displayed on a building or other permanent structure shall be illuminated during all hours of darkness. The source of illumination shall be controlled by a photoelectric device which causes the address to be illuminated automatically during all hours of darkness. Timer based control devices are not allowed to be used for the purposes of controlling address illumination. The address may be illuminated by a light source placed behind, within, or near the address. Examples of acceptable light sources include self-contained illuminated signs, landscape lighting decorative exterior building lighting and advertising lighting.

The power source for illumination of the address identification must be under the control of the building or property owner. Illumination from other ambient or nearby sources, such as street lights, advertising signs on nearby buildings, or other sources not controlled by the building or property owner are not considered sufficient for the purpose of required address illumination.

Exception: Addressing used to identify individual tenant spaces or suites at the interior entrance within, or rear exterior non-pubic access to commercial building need not be illuminated. Special temporary address signs at construction sites and undeveloped properties need not be illuminated.

505.5 Color. All required address signs shall be of a color combination where the numbers contrast with the background at all times. Address numbers placed on windows or other glazing may appear to have an acceptable contrasting background during daylight hours, but may have an unacceptable non-contrasting background during hours of darkness. Reflective signs are acceptable, provided that when illuminated by a light source the reflected light from the sign produces contrasting colors which distinguish the address identification from any other reflective material.

505.6 Size. All required address signs shall be of the minimum size required by this section or larger if required by the Fire Department.

505.6.1 Residential. 4-inch high building numbers with a ½-inch minimum stroke.

505.6.2 Commercial. Height of any numeral or letter must be 1/10 taller than the setback distance measured in feet, expressed in inches, but in no case smaller than 6 inches in height. Width or stroke of any portion of a number or letter must be 1/10 of its height but no less that .5-inch stroke. The width of any figure must be ½ its height. Suite numbers shall be a minimum 6-inch suite numbers, with a minimum .5 inch stroke, shall be located on the front and back doors. When address is located on monument sign in compliance with this section a maximum 12-inch height and maximum 2-inch stroke width maximum is allowed.

505.6.3 Multi-Family. 12-inch building numbers with a 2-inch minimum stroke. 6-inch directional numbers shall be visible from the walkway. Individual unit characters shall be a minimum of 4-inch characters in height and a ½ inch stroke. Each individual unit shall have the unit identification, numbers or letters located at or near the primary entrance to the unit.

505.7 Format. All required address identification shall be displayed in a horizontal format. When numbers are used as part of the address, the number shall be displayed by using numerical characters and not by using letters to spell the number(s). The style or font of the character used shall be of a style or font which provides characters which are clear and easily recognizable.

505.8 Complex Directory. For all properties where more than two (2) buildings exist, or otherwise required by the Fire Department, a map of the complex or facility shall be displayed at or near each entrance from the pubic street or roadway to serve as a directory to assist in rapid and safe response of emergency vehicles to locations within the complex or facility. The complex or facility map shall clearly show and identify all buildings on the property, including the primary services or functions within each building, all roadways, all access points to the facility from the public streets or roadways, all emergency vehicle access points, fire hydrants(s), fire department connection(s), fire alarm panel location(s), significant life safety hazards, pre-designated helicopter landing areas, and all other specific details as may be required by the Fire Department.

Exception: Properties which are primarily used for residential single family, duplex or triplex dwellings.

505.9 Notice to place numbers.

505.9.1 It shall be the duty of any owner/occupant of any premises, upon notice from the Fire Department or his or her designated representative, to cause the official number to be placed on any building so owned or occupied.

505.9.2 Such address identification shall be accomplished in the manner required within 20 days after service of such notice.

505.9.3 Renumbering. When a property address is reassigned, the new address identification shall be posted in compliance with this section within 20 days after notice is given.

505.9.4 Temporary Signs. At all new construction sites, a temporary sign shall be erected on the property indicating the assigned address of the structure(s).

505.9.5 Shopping Centers with monument signs or other identification markers. Shall contain the address range of the shopping center. The Anchor stores and towers of the shopping center shall have address identification as required by this section.

505.9.6 Materials. Materials used to display the address shall be made of a weather-resistant material such as wood or plastic.

Section 903.2 of Chapter 9 of the California Fire Code, 2022 Edition has been adopted in its entirety and amended to read as follows:

903.2 Where Required Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided when one of the followings conditions exists:

New Buildings: Notwithstanding any applicable provisions of Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.19, an automatic fire-extinguishing system shall also be installed in all occupancies when the total building areas exceeds 3,599 square feet as defined in Section 202, regardless of fire areas or allowable area, or is more than two stories in height.

Exception: Subject to approval by the Fire Code Official, open parking garages in accordance with Section 406.5 of the California Building Code

Existing Buildings: Notwithstanding any applicable provisions of Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.19, an automatic fire-extinguishing system shall also be installed in all occupancies when an addition occurs and one of the following conditions exists:

1. When an addition is 33% or more of the existing building area, and the resulting building area exceeds 3,599 square feet.

2. When an addition exceeds 2,000 square feet and the resulting building area exceeds 3,599 square feet.

3. An additional story is added above the second floor regardless of fire areas or allowable area.

Exception: Additions to Group R-3 occupancies shall comply with section 903.2.8.1.

903.2.8.2 Fire sprinkler systems shall be installed in new manufactured homes (HSC Sections 18007 and 18009) and multifamily manufactured homes with two units (HSC 18007.8) in accordance with Title 25 of the California Code of Regulations.

Section 5601.1.3, Exception 4 of Chapter 56 of the California Fire Code, 2022 Edition is deleted in its entirety and Section 5601.1.3 is amended to read as follows:

Section 5601.1.3 Fireworks.

The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks, including those classified as Division 1.4G (Safe and Sane) is prohibited.

Section 5601.2.2 of Chapter 56 of the California Fire Code, 2022 Edition is amended to read as follows:

Section 5601.2.2 Sale and Retail Display.

Persons shall not construct a retail display nor offer for sale explosives, explosive materials or fireworks within the City of Hemet.

Table B105.2 of Appendix B of the California Fire Code Edition 2022 has been amended to read as follows:

Table B105.2

Required Fire-Flow for Buildings Other Than One and Two-Family Dwellings, Group R-4 and R-4 Buildings and Townhouses

For S1: 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m.

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

(Ord. No. 2003, § 3(Exh. A), 11-8-22; Ord. No. 2062, § 2, 8-28-25)