Norco Municipal Code Ch. 15.09 Fire Code

Except as stated in this section or as amended in this chapter, all of the provisions and appendices of the 2025 California Fire Code, inclusive of all of the inclusions and exclusions set forth in each chapter’s matrix, are hereby adopted and shall apply to the City of Norco. In addition, the following provisions that are excluded in the 2025 California Fire Code are hereby adopted: Chapter 1, Division II of the California Fire Code is hereby adopted, except that Sections 103.2 and 112.3 are not adopted, and Chapters 3, 25, and Sections 503, 510.2, 1103.2, and 5707 are adopted.

(Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

The City Council finds that the requirements set out here are reasonable and necessary modifications because of climatic, geological and topographical conditions within the City of Norco.

(Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

This chapter shall be cited as the “Fire Code” of the City of Norco and any references to the “California Fire Code,” “CFC,” “Norco Fire Code," or "Fire Code” shall be deemed to refer to and apply to this chapter.

(Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 101.4 is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

(Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 102.5 of the California Fire Code is hereby amended as follows:

102.5 Application of residential code. Where structures are designed and constructed in accordance with the California Residential Code, the provisions of this code shall apply as follows:

(Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 102.13.1 is hereby added to Section 102.13 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

(Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 104.1.1 is hereby added to Section 104.1 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

104.1.1 Authority of the Fire Chief, Chief Deputy and Fire Department.

1. The Fire Chief, Chief Deputy, or their designee, is authorized and directed to enforce all applicable State fire laws and provisions of this ordinance and to perform such duties as directed by the City Council.

2. The Fire Chief, Chief Deputy, or their designee, is authorized to administer, interpret and enforce this ordinance. Under the Fire Chief's, Chief Deputy, or their designee's, direction, the Riverside County Fire Department is authorized to enforce ordinances of the City of Norco pertaining to the following:

The investigation of the cause, origin and circumstances of fire and unauthorized releases of hazardous materials.

3. The following persons are hereby authorized to interpret and enforce the provisions of this ordinance and to make arrests and issue citations as authorized by law:

(Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 104.2 is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

104.2 Determination of compliance. The fire code official shall have the authority to determine compliance with this code, to render interpretations of this code and to develop policies, procedures, guidelines, standards, and information bulletins in order to clarify the application of its provisions. Such interpretations, policies, procedures:

(Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Sections 104.8 and 104.8.1 are hereby deleted in their entirety and replaced with the following:

(Formerly 15.09.060; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 104.12 is hereby added to Section 104 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

(Formerly 15.09.080; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 108.2 is hereby amended in its entirety and replaced to read as follows:

108.2 Schedule of permit Fees. Fees for services and permits shall be as set forth in the City of Norco fee schedule.

Section 108.2.1 is hereby added to Section 108.2 of the California Fire Code read as follows:

108.2.1 Plan Review Fees. When it is determined by the Fire Code official that plans submitted require a full plan review and such plans are received independent of the architectural plans, a fee shall be collected. The fee shall be based on 100% of the cost of service, based on the fee schedule adopted by the City Council.

Section 108.7 is hereby added to Section 108 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

108.7 Cost recovery. Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code sections 11374.5(b)(1), 13009 et seq., 25259.4, 25515(a), 25540(a), 25541(a), California Government Code sections 53150 et seq, and all other provisions of law, all costs incurred by the Riverside County Fire Department for the inspection and enforcement of any provision of these Codes, the investigation of any fire, explosion or other hazardous condition, the suppression of fire, the response to a traffic collision or accident, the containment and/or mitigation of a hazardous materials release, and any rescue or rendering of medical or physical aid or assistance, may be charged to any responsible party, any person who violates these Codes or any person who, due to a negligent or unlawful act or omission, is responsible for or requires or causes the emergency response of Riverside County Fire Department. Any expense incurred by the Riverside County Fire Department for such an emergency response shall constitute a debt of such person and shall be collectible by the County in the same manner as in the case of an obligation under contract, express or implied. These provisions shall be applied uniformly against all such persons in violation of a Penal Code, Vehicle Code, Health and Safety Code or other state law statutory violation; only a county official shall have authority to reduce or cancel the debt obligation arising from the incident

Section 108.7.1 and 108.7.2 are hereby added to Section 108.7 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

108.7.1 Recovery of Administration Citation Fines and Costs. In addition to any other legal remedy for collection of delinquent fines or penalties, the Fire Code official may record a lien on property in an amount equal to the sum of any fine's delinquent for more than ninety (90) days, plus penalties and interest. Imposition of a lien pursuant to this section must be based on a citation related to the condition or use of real property, or its improvements, owned by the responsible person.

108.7.2 Satisfaction of Lien. Once the City of Norco receives full payment for the outstanding principal, penalties and cost the City shall record a release of property lien to the Riverside County Recorder's office. This notice of satisfaction shall cancel the posted lien.

(Formerly 15.09.090; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 112.1 of the California Fire Code is hereby amended in its entirety and replaced to read as follows:

Section 112.2 is hereby added to Section 112 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

(Formerly 15.09.100; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 113.4 is hereby amended in its entirety and replaced to read as follows:

(Formerly 15.09.110; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 202, definition of “Fire Chief” is hereby amended to read as follows:

(Formerly 15.09.120; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 308.1.7 is hereby amended to read as follows:

(Formerly 15.09.130; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 503.1.2.1 is hereby added to Section 503.1.2 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

(Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 503.2.1 is hereby amended to read as follows:

(Formerly 15.09.140; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 503.2.2 is hereby amended to read as follows:

(Formerly 15.09.150; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 503.6.1 is hereby added to read as follows:

(Formerly 15.09.160; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 503.7 is hereby added to Section 503 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

(Formerly 15.09.170; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 505.1 is amended to read and Sections 505.1.1 and 505.2 have been added as follows:

(Formerly 15.09.180; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 507.5.7 is hereby added to Section 507.5 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

507.5.7 Fire hydrant size and outlets. As determined by the Fire Code official, fire hydrant sizes and outlets shall be based on the following:

(Formerly 15.09.190; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 507.5.8 is hereby added to Section 507.5 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

(Formerly 15.09.200; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Sections 508.1, 508.1.1, 508.1.3, 508.1.6, and 508.1.8 are hereby amended to read as follows:

508.1 General. Where required by other sections of this code and in all buildings classified as high-rise buildings by the California Building Code, in buildings greater than 300,000 square feet in area and in Group I-2 occupancies having occupied floors located more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access, a fire command center for fire department operations shall be provided and comply with Sections 508.1.1 through 508.1.8.

508.1.1 Location and access. The fire command center shall be located adjacent to the main lobby and shall be accessible from fire department vehicular access or as approved by the Fire Code official. The room shall have direct access from the building exterior at the lowest level of fire department access.

508.1.3 Size. The fire command center shall be not less than 0.015 percent of the total building area of the facility served or 200 square feet (19 m2) in area, whichever is greater, with a minimum dimension of 0.7 times the square root of the room area or 10 feet (3048 mm), whichever is greater.

Where a fire command center is solely required because a building is greater than 300,000 square feet (27 870 m2), the fire command center shall have a minimum size of 96 square feet (9 m2) with a minimum dimension of 8 feet (2438 mm) where approved by the fire code official.

508.1.6 Required features. The fire command center shall comply with NFPA 72 and shall contain the following features:

1. The emergency voice/alarm communication system control unit.

2. The fire department communications system.

3. Fire alarm system zoning annunciator panel required by Section 907.6.4.3.

4. Annunciator unit visually indicating the location of the elevators and whether they are operational.

5. Status indicators and controls for air distribution systems.

6. The firefighter's control panel required by Section 909.16 for smoke control systems installed in the building.

7. Controls for unlocking stairway doors simultaneously.

8. Sprinkler valve and water-flow detector display panels.

9. Emergency and standby power status indicators.

10. A telephone for fire department use with controlled access to the public telephone system.

11. Fire pump status indicators.

12. Schematic building plans indicating the typical floor plan and detailing the building core, means of egress, fire protection systems, fire-fighter air-replenishment systems, fire-fighting equipment and fire department access, and the location of fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers and smoke partitions.

13. An approved Building Information Card that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following information:

Hazardous material information that includes: location and quantity of hazardous material.

14. Worktable.

15. Generator supervision devices, manual start and transfer features.

16. Public address system, where specifically required by other sections of this code.

17. Elevator fire recall switch in accordance with ASME A17.1.

18. Elevator emergency or standby power selector switch(es), where emergency or standby power is provided.

19. A master switch for unlocking elevator lobby doors permitted by Section 1010.2.12.1.

Exception: A fire command center solely required because a building is greater than 300,000 square feet in area shall comply with NFPA 72 and contain the features set forth in Section 508.1.6 subsections 5, 8, 10, 12, 13 and 14. The features set forth in

Section 508.1.6 subsections 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 shall be required when such building contains systems or functions related to these features.

508.1.7 Fire command center identification. The fire command center shall be identified by a permanent easily visible sign stating, "Fire Dept. Command Center," located on the door to the fire command center.

(Formerly 15.09.210; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 608.11.1.2 is hereby amended to read as follows:

(Formerly 15.09.220; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 903.2 is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

Section 903.2 Where Required.

Exceptions: Unless required elsewhere in this code or the California Building Code, automatic fire sprinkler systems shall not be required for the following:

The following exceptions in the California Fire Code shall not be allowed:

(Formerly 15.09.230; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 903.3.5.3 is hereby added to Section 903.3.5 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

(Formerly 15.09.260; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 4107 is hereby added to Chapter 41 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

Sections 4107.1 through 4107.2.3 are hereby added to Section 4107 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

(Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 5608.2 is hereby added to Section 5608 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

(Formerly 15.09.300; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 5608.3 is hereby added to Section 5608 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

(Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 5608.4 is hereby added to Section 5608 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

(Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 5608.5 is hereby added to Section 5608 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

(Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section 5608.6 is hereby added to Section 5608 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

(Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section B103.2.1 is hereby added to Section B103.2 of the California Fire Code to read as follows:

(Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Table B105.2 of Appendix B is hereby amended to read as follows:

TABLE B105.2 REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW FOR BUILDINGS OTHER THAN ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3 AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES

(Formerly 15.09.340; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)

Section C103.1 of Appendix C is hereby amended in its entirety and replaced with the following:

(Formerly 15.09.350; Ord. 1053 Sec. 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1135, 10/15/2025)