Modesto Municipal Code Art. 1 Fire Code

The City Council of the City of Modesto hereby finds and determines: That the International Code Council is a private organization which has been in existence for at least three (3) years. That the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, published by said organization, is a nationally recognized compilation of proposed rules, regulations, and standards of said organization. That said California Fire Code, 2025 Edition has been printed and published as a code in book form within the meaning of Section 50022.2 et seq. of the Government Code. That one (1) copy of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, certified by the City Clerk of the City of Modesto to be a true copy, has been filed for use and examination by the public in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Modesto. Sections of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition may be referred to by the number used in said published compilation, preceded by the words "California Fire Code Section" or "Fire Code Section," and may also be referred to by additional reference to the Modesto Municipal Code and sections therein pertaining to said California Fire Code, 2025 Edition.

The additional requirements and standards established herein are needed to properly protect the health, safety, and welfare of the existing and future residents and workers of the City of Modesto. Said requirements and standards are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions, and comply with existing state laws and regulations.

Amendment of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, is necessary so as to provide more stringent standards for fire extinguishing systems; fire hazard and hazardous materials controls are necessary to serve the public interest by reducing the risk to life and property of the citizens of Modesto because of the following climatic and topographical local conditions:

(a) Summer weather conditions are very dry, hot and windy causing ordinary combustibles to be easily ignited and fires to be fast spreading;

(b) Very dense fog conditions occur in winter. Reduced visibility causes delays in fire response;

(c) Fire response is delayed by railroad tracks which:

(1) Divide the City from northeast between Tully Road and McHenry Avenue to the west side of Ninth Street;

(2) Run parallel to Highway 99 through the City, restricting response at locations where overpasses are not provided;

(3) Run parallel to Yosemite Boulevard restricting access to the airport, Tuolumne Regional Park, and adjacent areas; and

(4) Restrict access at intersections and streets in the areas of Ninth, Tenth, D, and E Streets.

(d) Modesto Irrigation Canal #3 restricts access to the neighborhoods and developments to the north and east of Briggsmore Avenue from Oakdale Road to Claus Road;

(e) Fire response is delayed by rivers and creeks which:

(1) Divide the southwest area of the City and City contract areas and restrict access to these areas; and

(2) Divide the City from east to southwest along Scenic Drive.

THEREFORE, for the above reasons taken individually and cumulatively and in accordance with the authority granted in Sections 17958.5 and 17958.7 of the California Health and Safety Code, the Council of the City of Modesto expressly finds there are local climatic and topographical conditions that make the increased fire protection requirements set forth in this chapter reasonably necessary.

(Ord. No. 3802-C.S, § 1, effective 1-8-26)

(a) That certain document, one (1) copy of which is on file in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Modesto, being marked and designated as the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 9, including Appendix Chapter 4, and Appendix B, BB, C CC, D, F, G, I, K, N, O and Division 1 California Administration and Division II Scope and Administration but deleting Sections 112.1 through 112.4 and adopting Sections 104.1, 104.10, 104.10.1, 104.11 through 104.11.3, 104.4, 104.4.1, 105.6.10, 106, 108.1, 109, 110, 114, 115, 303, 305, 306, 307, 308.1.6.3, 309, 311, 321, 403.10.5, 503, 510.3, 805, 806, 807, 808, 1103.2, 1106, and chapter 26 as published by the International Code Council, regulating and governing the safeguarding of life and property from fire and explosion hazards arising from the storage, handling, and use of hazardous substances, materials and devices, and from conditions hazardous to life or property in the occupancy of buildings and premises as herein provided; providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor; and providing penalties for the violation thereof; and each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of said California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, on file in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Modesto is hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part in accordance with, as if fully set out in this ordinance, with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes, if any, prescribed in this chapter and is hereby adopted as the Fire Code of the City of Modesto.

(b) These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of Modesto and may be cited as such or may be cited as the "California Fire Code, 2025 Edition," the "2025 California Fire Code," "the Fire Code," or "this Code."

(Ord. No. 3802-C.S, § 1, effective 1-8-26)

All former ordinances or parts thereof conflicting or inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance or with the 2025 California Fire Code as adopted and amended are hereby repealed.

(Ord. No. 3802-C.S, § 1, effective 1-8-26)