Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Ch. 15.20 Fire Prevention Code

Contents:

15.20.010 Adoption.

15.20.020 Automatic sprinkler systems.

15.20.030 Fire protection improvement fee.

15.20.040 Future updates.

15.20.050 Appeals and enforcement.

15.20.060 Additional enforcement authority.

Prior legislation: Prior code §§ 12-1–12-11 and Ords. 95-1143, 96-1166, 99-1192, 02-1225U, 07-1281, 07-1289U, 07-1289, 10-1315, 11-1323, 13-1344U, 14-1344 and 16-1372.

Except as hereinafter provided in this chapter and in Chapter 14.08, Title 32, Fire Code, of the Los Angeles County Code, as amended and in effect on March 2, 2023, which constitutes an amended version of the California Fire Code 2022 Edition (Part 9 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), including current and future errata and supplements, published by the California Building Standards Commission, is hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this chapter as though set forth in this chapter in full. Said codes shall comprise the Fire Code of the City of Hermosa Beach.

In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the California Fire Code, 2022 Edition, Title 32 of the Los Angeles County Code, or any amendment to the Fire Code contained in the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code, the provision contained in the later-listed document shall control.

A copy of Title 32 of the Los Angeles County Code, along with a copy of the California Fire Code, 2022 Edition, has been deposited in the office of the City Clerk and shall be at all times while in force maintained by the City Clerk for use and examination by the public.

Permits, as required by provisions within this code, may be issued for an identified period of time, subject, however, to the right of the fire chief or their designee to revoke said permit for misuse or violation of the terms of the permit.

(Ord. # 23-1465 §2, adopted 07/11/2023, effective 08/10/2023; Ord. # 25-1493U §4 (Exh. K), adopted 12/09/2025, effective 12/09/2025)

Effective on: 12/9/2025

Section 903 of the 2022 California Fire Code, as incorporated into Title 32 of the Los Angeles County Code, is hereby amended to add Section 903.2.13 and to amend Section 903.2 to read as follows:

SECTION 903

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 903.2.13 and Sections 903.2.14 through 903.2.21.

903.2.13 Expansion of existing buildings. An automatic sprinkler system is required in any existing building subject to alteration or expansion if (1) the expansion exceeds 50 percent of the existing gross floor area; or (2) the cost of remodeling, expansion or improvement exceeds 50 percent of the value of the existing structure as determined by the Building Official.

1. The size or valuation of an existing building shall be deemed to exceed fifty (50) percent if:

2. The expansion exceeds fifty (50) percent of the existing gross floor area; or

3. The cost of remodeling, expansion, or improvement exceeds fifty (50) percent of the value of the existing structure as determined by the building official.

(Ord. 19-1400 §7 (part), 2019) (Ord. # 23-1465 §2, adopted 07/11/2023, effective 08/10/2023; Ord. # 25-1493U §4 (Exh. K), adopted 12/09/2025, effective 12/09/2025)

Effective on: 12/9/2025

Section 110 of the 2022 California Fire Code, as incorporated into Title 32 of the Los Angeles County Code, is hereby amended to add the following section:

Section 110HB: The purpose of the fire protection improvement fee is to mitigate the fire protection impacts caused by new development in the city by financing fire protection improvements in direct relation to the development’s fair share of the construction costs of these improvements.

1. Fire Protection Improvement Fee. The fire protection improvement fee established by Ordinance No. 88-932 shall continue in effect at the rates set forth in subsection (C) of this section. The fee shall be paid prior to issuance of a building permit for any new structure or expansion of an existing structure as described in subsection (C) of this section in the city.

2. Fee Account. The revenues raised by payment of the fire protection improvement fee shall be placed in a separate and special fund and such revenues, along with any interest earnings on that fund, shall be used solely to pay for the improvements and apparatus described in subsection (D) of this section.

3. Amount of Fee.

4. Residential: nine cents ($0.09) per square foot of net floor area.

5. Nonresidential: eleven and one-half cents ($0.115) per square foot of net floor area.

The calculation of floor area shall include the floor area of all structures including the main structure and any accessory structures, including, but not limited to garages, structural decks, and balconies, and shall be measured from the outside of the walls or perimeter of said structures. For new projects, the net floor area shall be calculated as the total floor area of the new structure minus any floor area of any existing legally permitted structures demolished as part of the new project. For existing structures that add floor area, the fee shall be applied to the net increase in floor area.

4. Use of Fee. The fee shall be solely used to pay for:

5. Fire hydrants; riser connections from main to hydrant; necessary valves and attachments; repairs to public improvements necessitated by installation of hydrants, riser connections, valves and attachments; fire stations, training facilities, administrative offices, communications centers, and maintenance centers; and firefighting equipment, vehicles, apparatus, and appliances;

6. Reimbursement to the city for the development’s fair share of those capital improvements already constructed by the city; and

7. Reimbursement to developers who have constructed public facilities where those facilities were beyond that needed to mitigate the impact of the developers’ project.

(Ord. 19-1400 §7 (part), 2019) (Ord. # 23-1465 §2, adopted 07/11/2023, effective 08/10/2023)

Effective on: 8/10/2023

Future editions or updates to the Los Angeles County Fire Code, as adopted and amended by the County, automatically apply within the City upon their effective date unless the City Council determines otherwise.

(Ord. # 25-1493U §4 (Exh. K), adopted 12/09/2025, effective 12/09/2025)

Effective on: 12/9/2025

Appeals, violations, enforcement actions, citations, orders, and administrative procedures related to this chapter shall be administered in accordance with Chapter 15.02.

Fire Code enforcement and fire authority remain under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Fire Chief or designee.

(Ord. # 25-1493U §4 (Exh. K), adopted 12/09/2025, effective 12/09/2025)

Effective on: 12/9/2025

The Fire Code may also be enforced as provided in the Los Angeles County Fire Code and applicable state law.

(Ord. # 25-1493U §4 (Exh. K), adopted 12/09/2025, effective 12/09/2025)

Effective on: 12/9/2025