Los Altos Municipal Code Ch. 12.22 Fire Code

1207.1.7 Large-scale fire test Admin

1207.2.2.1 Ongoing inspection and testing Admin

1207.5.2 Maximum allowable quantities Admin

1207.5.5 Fire suppression systems III

1207.11.3 Location Admin

1207.11.6 Fire detection III

There is hereby adopted by the City, for the purpose of prescribing regulation governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire or explosion, that certain code known as the 2025 California Fire Code, contained in the 2025 California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9, which incorporates and amends the International Fire Code 2024 Edition, published by the International Code Council, including Appendix Chapters B, C, D and O, save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended by this chapter. One copy has been filed for use and examination by the public in the office of the Building Official. Said codes are adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein, and from the date on which the ordinance codified in this chapter shall take effect.

(Ord. No. 2025-542, § 4, 10-28-2025)

The City Council of the City of Los Altos hereby expressly finds that amendments to the California Fire Code adopted by this chapter and commencing with Section 12.22.080 are reasonably necessary for the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare, due to the local climatic, geologic, or topographical conditions specified as follows:

The City of Los Altos experiences low humidity, high winds and warm temperatures during the summer months creating conditions which are particularly conducive to the ignition and spread of grass, brush, and structure fires. Additionally, the City of Los Altos is geographically situated adjacent to active earthquake faults capable of producing substantial seismic events. Since the City of Los Altos is divided by creeks, an expressway and other substantial traffic corridors, the occurrence of a major earthquake would significantly impact the ability of fire crews to respond to emergencies should one or more bridges collapse or be substantially damaged. In addition, fire suppression capabilities would be severely limited should the water system be extensively damaged during the seismic event. Therefore, mitigation measures are necessary such as: automatic fire suppression systems, communications systems, access to buildings, seismic protection, safety controls for hazardous materials and other safeguards in order to minimize the risks to citizens, firefighters and property due to the severity of the fire threat and potential response delays.

The below table provides the express findings and determinations (where necessary pursuant to California Health & Safety Code Sections 17958, 17958.7 and/or 18941.5) justifying the City of Los Altos' amendments to the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code as reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geologic, or topographic conditions.

Admin = This amendment is necessary for administrative clarification and does not modify a building standard pursuant to California Health & Safety Code Sections 17958, 17958.7 and/or 18941.5. This amendment establishes administrative standards for the effective enforcement of the building standards in the City of Los Altos.

I = This amendment is reasonably necessary because of climatic conditions.

II = This amendment is reasonably necessary because of topographical conditions.

III = This amendment is reasonably necessary because of geological conditions.

Code Section California Fire Code Local Amendment Findings

105.5.9 Permit Amounts for Compressed Gases Admin

105.5.22 Permit Amounts for Hazmat Admin

105.5.60 Institutions Admin

105.5.61 Residential Care Facility Admin

105.6.4 Cryogenic fluids I, II, & III

109.5 Final Inspection Admin

113.4 Violation penalties Admin

Chapter 2 Definitions Admin

503.1 Where required Admin

503.1.1 Buildings and facilities Admin

503.2.1 Dimensions Admin

503.2.4 Turning Radius Admin

503.2.7 Grade Admin

503.5 Required Gates or Barricades Admin

503.6 Security Gates Admin

504.5 Access control devices II & III

505.1 Address identification Admin

510.1 Emergency responder communication coverage in new Admin buildings

510.1.1 Obstruction by new buildings Admin

510.3 Permit required Admin

510.4 Technical requirements Admin

510.4.1.1 Minimum signal strength into the building Admin

510.4.1.2 Minimum signal strength out of the building Admin

510.5 Installation requirement Admin

510.5.1 Approval prior to installation Admin

510.5.3 Acceptance test procedure Admin

703.3 Fire-resistant penetrations and joints Admin

901.6.2 Integrated testing Admin

901.6.2.1 High-rise buildings Admin

901.6.3 Records Admin

903.2 Where required II & III

903.2.11.7 Chemical Fume Hood Fire Protection II & III

907.8 Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance Admin

909.22.1 Schedule Admin

3307.1.2 Stairways required Admin

3307.1.4 Required Means of Egress II & III

3307.6 Fire Department Access Roadways II & III

4106.1 Immersion Heaters Admin

4103.1 Portable unvented heaters Admin

4103.1.2.1.1 Prohibited locations Admin

5001.2.2.2 Health Hazards Admin

5002.1 Definitions Admin

5003.1.3.1 Toxic, Highly Toxic, Moderately Toxic Gases III

5003.1.5 Health Hazards - Other III

5003.1.6 Additional Spill Control and Secondary Containment III Requirements

5003.2.2.1 Design and Construction III

5003.2.2.2 Additional Regulation for Supply Piping for Health Hazard III Materials

5003.5.2 Ventilation Ducting III

5003.5.3 "H" Occupancies III

5003.10.4. Elevators utilized to transport hazardous materials Admin

5004.2.1 Spill Control for Hazardous Material Liquids Admin

5004.2.2.2 Incompatible Materials Admin

5402.1 Definition Admin

5601.1.3 Fireworks Admin

5704.2.7.5.8 Overfill Prevention Admin

5704.2.7.5.9 Automatic Filling of Tanks Admin

5704.2.9.6.1 Locations where above-ground tanks are prohibited Admin

5706.2.4.4 Locations where above-ground tanks are prohibited Admin

5806.2 Limitations of cryogenic fluids Admin

6104.2 Maximum capacity within established limits Admin

6001.1 Scope Admin

6004.1 General Admin

6004.1.1 Special limitations for indoor storage and use by occupancy Admin

6004.1.1.1 Group A, E, I or U occupancies Admin

6004.1.1.2 Group R occupancies Admin

6004.1.1.3 Offices, retail sales and classrooms Admin

6004.2 Indoor storage and use Admin

6004.2.1 Applicability Admin

6004.2.1.4 Quantities exceeding the minimum threshold Admin

6004.4.1 Cylinder and tank location Admin

6004.4.2 Ventilated areas Admin

6004.4.3 Piping and controls Admin

6004.4.4 Gas rooms Admin

6004.4.5 Treatment systems Admin

6004.4.5.1 Design Admin

6004.4.5.2 Performance Admin

6004.4.5.3 Sizing Admin

6004.4.5.4 Stationary tanks Admin

(Ord. No. 2025-542, § 4, 10-28-2025)

a.

The California Fire Code shall be enforced by the Santa Clara County Fire Department which shall be operated under the supervision of the Chief of the Fire Department.

b.

The City fire marshal shall be the chief of the fire prevention division and shall be appointed by the Chief of the Fire Department.

c.

The Chief of the Fire Department may assign members of the fire department as deputy fire marshals as shall be necessary.

(Ord. No. 2025-542, § 4, 10-28-2025)

The 2022 California Fire Code referred to in Section 12.24.010 is adopted with the following amendments and certain Appendix Chapters as follows: