Morro Bay Municipal Code Ch. 14.08 Fire Code

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 673, § 2, adopted Nov. 12, 2025, repealed the former Ch. 14.08, §§ 14.08.010—14.08.090, and enacted a new Ch. 14.08 as set out herein. The former Ch. 14.08 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 625, adopted November 12, 2019; Ord. No. 655, § 2, adopted November 22, 2022, and Ord. No. 671, adopted June 10, 2025.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Fire Prevention Regulations of the city of Morro Bay," Chapter 14.08 of Title 14 of the Morro Bay Municipal Code. This chapter prescribes minimum regulations to reduce and minimize the potential for loss of and damage to life and property resulting from fire, panic, hazardous materials, and explosions.

(Ord. No. 673, § 2, 11-12-25)

The California Fire Code shall be enforced by the fire department or building division of the community development department under the supervision of the fire chief.

(Ord. No. 673, § 2, 11-12-25)

The entire incorporated area of the city is declared to be and is established a fire district.

(Ord. No. 673, § 2, 11-12-25)

Individuals responsible for turning in false alarms shall be responsible for the cost the fire department incurs while responding to the alarm. The cost of the false alarm shall be determined in accordance with the master fee schedule. The intent of this section is not to penalize those persons who make honest mistakes. Persons convicted of intentionally setting a fire in violation of any law or ordinance within the city limits shall pay the cost of fighting that respective fire.

(Ord. No. 673, § 2, 11-12-25)

Any physician, first aid station, ambulance company or persons who treat or aid any person injured by a fire, explosion or chemical burn within the city shall, within twenty-four hours, report such treatment and pertinent information to the fire department.

(Ord. No. 673, § 2, 11-12-25)

No one shall store, repair or use any motorcycle, moped or any other gasoline driven vehicle inside of any dwelling. Storage and repair of gasoline driven vehicles are permitted in garage areas adjacent to dwellings.

(Ord. No. 673, § 2, 11-12-25)

The Morro Bay Fire Chief (fire chief), fire marshal and full-time safety members of the fire department authority to issue citations as provided in Title 1 of this code. Arson investigators who are full-time members of the fire department shall have the powers of a peace officer in performing their duties under this code, and shall have the powers of a peace officer as provided in California Penal Code, Section 830.37.

(Ord. No. 673, § 2, 11-12-25)

A. Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this chapter is to provide authority for the identification of local fire hazard severity zones and provide authority for enforcement of state and local codes in these zones. The intent of this chapter is to reduce the potential for fire losses by providing minimum requirements for the protection of properties constructed in very high hazard severity zones and other wildland/urban interface areas designated by the fire chief and supported by substantial evidence.

B. Designation—Recommendation. The fire chief is hereby authorized to designate moderate, high very, and high fire hazard severity zones within one hundred twenty days of receiving recommendations from the California State Fire Marshal.

C. Designation—Not Identified. The fire chief may designate areas not identified as moderate, high, or very high fire hazard severity zones by the California State Fire Marshal following a finding supported by substantial evidence in the record that the requirements for designation as moderate, high, or very high fire hazard severity zones are necessary for effective fire protection within the area(s).

D. Supported by Substantial Evidence in the Record. "Supported by substantial evidence in the record" shall require the city council to hold a public hearing and make findings there is competent substantial evidence in the record to support the fire chief's designation as fire hazard areas.

E. Enforcement. The building official and or fire marshal shall enforce the provisions of 2025 Wildland Urban Interface Code in all high and very high fire hazard severity zones and other areas designated by the fire chief and supported by substantial evidence in the record.

F. Permits. All submittals for subdivision, entitlement, or building permits shall demonstrate that the proposed project allows for compliance with the provisions of Government Code Section 51182 and Public Resource Code Section 4291, except where otherwise allowed by law, to the satisfaction of the fire chief and the building official.

G. Defensible Space. Per Government Code 51182 properties located within a very high fire hazard severity zone are subject to a one hundred-foot defensible space requirement where applicable.

H. Maps. The adopted local responsibility area fire hazard severity zone map for the city of Morro Bay will be kept on file with the city clerk and available on the city website.

I. Parcels With Two or More Zone designations. If a parcel is designated to have two or more fire hazard severity zones the requirements of the more restrictive zone shall apply.

(Ord. No. 673, § 2, 11-12-25)

The California Fire Code, adopted in Section 14.01.020, is hereby modified, amended, and/ or supplemented as follows:

A. Adopt Appendix Chapter 4 and Appendices B, BB, C, CC, D, H, I, K, and N. Delete appendices A, E, F, G and J.

B. Section 101.1 is amended to read as follows:

Section 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the city of Morro Bay.

C. Section 103.1 is amended to read as follows:

Section 103.1 General.

The Fire Department of the city of Morro Bay is hereby established and the person in charge thereof shall be known as the Fire Chief. Where the Code uses the term Fire Official, it shall mean the Fire Chief.

D. Section 113.2 is amended to read as follows:

113.2 Schedule of permit fees. Fees shall be paid in accordance with the City's Master Fee Schedule.

E. Section 302.1, "Definitions," is amended to add the following definition in correct alphabetical order:

SKY LANTERN. An airborne lantern typically made of paper with a wood frame containing a candle, fuel cell composed of waxy flammable material or other open flame which serves as a heat source to heat the air inside the lantern to cause it to lift into the air. Sky candles, fire balloons and airborne paper lanterns mean the same as sky lanterns.

F. Section 507.5.4 is amended to read as follows:

507.5.4 Obstruction. Unobstructed access to fire hydrants shall be maintained at all times. The fire department shall not be deterred or hindered from gaining immediate access to fire protection equipment or fire hydrants.

The Fire Chief shall have the authority to remove or cause to be removed, without notice, any vehicle, vessel, or object that is in violation of this section. The owner of said item, so removed, shall be responsible for all towing, storage, or other costs incurred therein.

G. Section 308.1.1.1 is added to read as follows:

308.1.1.1 Burning Prohibited. Open burning, bon fires, recreational fires, and all other outdoor fires are prohibited.

Exception:

Barbeques and portable outdoor fireplaces that conform with the following provision are allowed.

1. Fires shall be conducted at a safe distance from and in accordance with the applicable manufacturer's instructions to prevent the spread of fire to a minimum of 15 feet from adjacent structures or other combustible materials.

2. Fire shall be contained in a non-combustible container, not to exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.

3. Portable fireplaces and fire pits not fueled by natural gas or propane must be equipped with a spark arrestor while in use. Spark arrestors shall be constructed of wire mesh with openings of ¼" or less.

4. Fuel loading shall not exceed 3 feet in diameter or 2 feet in height.

5. Fire shall be fueled by propane, natural gas, charcoal, dried wood, commercial fire logs, or pellets. Fuels shall not include green waste, yard trimmings, pressure treated wood, trash, plastic, or other noxious or hazardous materials.

6. Ground fires, sub-surface or pit fires, and earth floored fire rings are prohibited.

7. If in the opinion of the Fire Chief or his or her designee, a fire is potentially hazardous or smoke is causing a nuisance, the fire shall be extinguished immediately.

H. Section 308.1.6.3 is amended to read as follows:

308.1.6.3 Sky Lanterns. The ignition and launching of sky lanterns is prohibited.

Exception: The ignition and launching of sky lanterns may be allowed, subject to the approval of a permit by the Chief, where it has been determined that adequate safeguards will be in place.

I. Section 511 is added to read as follows:

SECTION 511 FIRE SERVICE ELEVATOR

511.1 Elevator car to accommodate ambulance stretcher. Where elevators are provided, at least one elevator shall be provided for fire department emergency access to all floors. The elevator car shall be of such a size and arrangement to accommodate an ambulance stretcher 24 inches by 84 inches with not less than 5-inch radius corners, in the horizontal, open position and shall be identified by the international symbol for emergency medical services (star of life). The symbol shall not be less than 3 inches high and shall be placed inside on both sides of the hoistway door frame.

Exception: Elevators located within one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.

J. Section 901.4.7 is added to read as follows:

901.4.7 Partial Sprinkling of Buildings. Partial sprinkling of buildings shall not be permitted, except where otherwise allowed by NFPA 13R, 13D, and Section 903.3.1.1.1.

K. Delete Sections 903.2 through 903.2.1.4 and 903.2.2 through 903.2.10.1.

L. Add Section 903.2 to read as follows:

903.2 Where Required. An approved automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed throughout:

1. In all new buildings and structures with more than Zero (0) square feet regardless of type or use.

2. In all new buildings and structures with more than Zero (0) square feet regardless of type or use, on the west side of the Embarcadero road.

3. In additions or alterations of floor area for all buildings or structures as follows:

a. Throughout structures where additions to existing buildings and substantial remodels more than 50% of the existing floor area is in excess of 500 square feet;

ALTERATION OF FLOOR AREA: "For the purpose of this definition, the following criteria shall be considered in determining the percentage of "alteration of floor area." The 50% referred to under "Substantial Remodel" applies to the entire building's gross floor area in plain view. The entire room or space where the remodel is taking place will be considered in the calculation, either alone or in combination with any of the following:

a. Removing wall finishes and exposing framing of; Interior wall (where finishes are removed from one side only the room or space to which the framing is exposed will be included in the calculation). Perimeter exterior wall (one or both sides).

b. new wall construction, removing, or repositioning, either interior or perimeter exterior walls, the rooms, or spaces on both sides of the wall will be included in the calculation.

c. Removal of the ceiling in any room or space to expose rafters, trusses, beams, purlins, or floor joists.

d. Removal of the roof structure (only rooms or spaces that are directly below the removed roof structure will be included in the calculation).

e. Removal of floor finishes which exposes floor framing and/or removal of concrete

f. Relocating plumbing fixtures in a bathroom or kitchen will cause that entire room or space to be included in the calculation.

g. other alterations considered substantial by the Fire Code Official.

Exceptions:

a. group R-3 and U occupancies

903.2.1 Where Required. An approved automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed throughout:

1. In all new R-3 and U occupancies private garages and carports accessory to:

a. Including all attached structures;

b. Including all structures within 10 feet.

2. In additions or alterations of floor area for all buildings or structures as follows:

a. Throughout structures where additions is in excess of 300 square feet and substantial remodels more than 50% of the existing floor area;

ALTERATION OF FLOOR AREA: "For the purpose of this definition, the following criteria shall be considered in determining the percentage of "alteration of floor area." The 50% referred to under "Substantial Remodel" applies to the entire building's gross floor area in plain view. The entire room or space where the remodel is taking place will be considered in the calculation, either alone or in combination with any of the following:

a. Removing wall finishes and exposing framing of; Interior wall (where finishes are removed from one side only the room or space to which the framing is exposed will be included in the calculation). Perimeter exterior wall (one or both sides).

b. new wall construction, removing, or repositioning, either interior or perimeter exterior walls, the rooms, or spaces on both sides of the wall will be included in the calculation.

c. Removal of the ceiling in any room or space to expose rafters, trusses, beams, purlins, or floor joists.

d. Removal of the roof structure (only rooms or spaces that are directly below the removed roof structure will be included in the calculation).

e. Removal of floor finishes which exposes floor framing and/or removal of concrete

f. Relocating plumbing fixtures in a bathroom or kitchen will cause that entire room or space to be included in the calculation.

g. other alterations considered substantial by the Fire Code Official.

Exception:

Installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system shall not be required when, to the satisfaction of the Fire Chief and the Building Official, it is demonstrated the proposed construction, use, and occupancy are minor in scope and nature, the installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system would be impractical, and the intent and purpose of this section is otherwise met.

M. Amend Section 903.3.1.1 to read as follows:

903.3.1.1 NFPA 13 sprinkler systems. Where other provisions of this code require a building or portion thereof be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with this section, or where a building contains two or more occupancies or uses, sprinklers shall be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13 as amended in Chapter 47 except as provided in Section 903.3.1.1.1.

N. Section 3604.1 is amended to read as follows:

3604.1 General. Piers, marinas, docks, fuel docks, wharves and similar boat mooring facilities shall be equipped with fire protection equipment in accordance with Section 3604.1 through 3604.6 and as otherwise required by the Chief.

O. Section 5609 is added to read as follows:

SECTION 5609.1 SALE AND USE OF FIREWORKS

5609.1 Sale and Use of Fireworks Unlawful. The sale or use of fireworks, pyrotechnics, and others explosives shall be unlawful.

Exceptions:

1. Public fireworks displays may be allowed, subject to the approval of a permit by the Fire Chief.

2. Pyrotechnics for use in movie industry operations may be allowed, subject to the approval of a permit by the Fire Chief.

3. This section shall not apply to the sale and use of State Fire Marshal approved and listed party poppers and snap caps.

4. Any person violating this provision will be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a $1,000 fine for each offense.

5. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, any Morro Bay Police Officer may issue an administrative citation for a first offense without first issuing a warning; and the administrative fine shall be $1,000 for each offense.

(Ord. No. 673, § 2, 11-12-25)