Oakdale Municipal Code Ch. 12 Fire Protection

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1 - Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map[Figure]

[1]

Editor's Note: Prior ordinance history includes portions of Ordinance Nos. 288, 496, 523, 691, 777, 800, 816, 831, 843, 957, 1001, 1055, 1110, 1157, 1195 and 1220-13.

[Ord. No. 1244-16; amended 12-2-2019 by Ord. No. 1265; 11-3-2025 by Ord. No. 1296]

A certain document, one copy of which is on file in the office of the Building Official being marked and designated as the California Fire Code, 2025 edition, including Appendix Chapter 4, B, BB, C, CC, D, E, F, G, H, and P and Chapter 1 with Division I and II Administration adopting Sections 1043.1, 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, be and is hereby adopted as the Fire Code of the City of Oakdale, in the State of California 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 each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of said Fire Code on file in the office of the Building Official are hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in this chapter, with the additions, insertion, deletions and changes, if any, prescribed in § 12-9 of this chapter.

[Added 6-16-2025 by Ord. No. 1293; 11-3-2025 by Ord. No. 1296]

The City of Oakdale hereby adopts the fire hazard severity zones designated on a map titled "City of Oakdale – Stanislaus County; Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones" as identified by the State Fire Marshal, dated February 24, 2025, incorporated hereto.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: The Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map is included as an attachment to this chapter.

[Ord. No. 1244-16; amended 12-2-2019 by Ord. No. 1265; 11-3-2025 by Ord. No. 1296]

The geographic limits referred to in certain sections of the 2025 California Fire Code are hereby established as follows:

Section 5704.2.9.6.1, Geographic limits in which the storage of Class I and Class II liquids in aboveground tanks outside of buildings is prohibited in all zones except General Commercial (C-2), Limited Industrial (L-M), Light Industrial (M-1), and Heavy Industrial (M-2).

Section 5706.2.4.4, Geographic limits in which the storage of Class I and Class II liquids in above-ground tanks is prohibited: In all zones except General Commercial (C-2), Limited Industrial (L-M), Light Industrial (M-1), and Heavy Industrial (M-2). Construction of new bulk plants are prohibited, in all zones except zone Limited Industrial (L-M).

Section 5806.2, Storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits established by law: In all zones except General Commercial (C-2), Limited Industrial (L-M), Light Industrial (M-1), and Heavy Industrial (M-2).

Section 6104.2, The incorporated boundary within the City of Oakdale.

[Ord. No. 1244-16; amended 12-2-2019 by Ord. No. 1265; 11-3-2025 by Ord. No. 1296]

Ordinance No. 1244 of City of Oakdale entitled Chapter 12, Fire Protection, and all other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

[Ord. No. 1244-16; amended 12-2-2019 by Ord. No. 1265; 11-3-2025 by Ord. No. 1296]

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional; such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter. The City Council of the City of Oakdale hereby declares that it would have passed this chapter, and each section, subsection, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more section, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional.

[Ord. No. 1244-16; amended 12-2-2019 by Ord. No. 1265; 11-3-2025 by Ord. No. 1296]

Nothing in this chapter or in the Fire Code hereby adopted shall be construed to affect any suit or proceeding impending in any court, or any rights acquired, or liability incurred, or any cause or causes of action acquired or existing, under any act or ordinance hereby repealed as cited in § 12-4 of this chapter; nor shall any just or legal right or remedy of any character be lost, impaired or affected by this chapter.

[Ord. No. 1244-16; amended 12-2-2019 by Ord. No. 1265; 11-3-2025 by Ord. No. 1296]

The City of Oakdale City Clerk is hereby ordered and directed to cause this chapter to be published.

[Ord. No. 1244-16; amended 12-2-2019 by Ord. No. 1265; 11-3-2025 by Ord. No. 1296]

This chapter and the rules, regulations, provisions, requirements, orders and matters established and adopted hereby shall take effect and be in full force and effect on January 1, 2026, from and after the date of its final passage and adoption.

[Ord. No. 1244-16; amended 12-2-2019 by Ord. No. 1265; 11-3-2025 by Ord. No. 1296]

Findings and Adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code.

The City Council of the City of Oakdale hereby finds and determines that the International Code Council is a private organization, which has been in existence for at least three years; that the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, and 2025 California Fire Code Standards, published by said organization, are nationally recognized compilation of proposed rules, regulations, and standards of said organization; that said 2025 California Fire Code and Fire Code Standards have 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 copy of the 2025 California Fire Code and one copy of the International Fire Code Standards, certified by the Clerk to be true copies, have been filed for use and examination by the public in the office of the Building Official; that the sections of said 2025 California Fire Code and California Fire Code Standards 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 Municipal Code and sections therein pertaining to said 2025 California Fire Code and Fire Code Standards; and that 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 Oakdale. 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 2025 California Fire Code is necessary so as to provide more stringent standards for fire extinguishing systems, fire hazard and hazardous materials controls necessary to serve the public interest by reducing the risk to life and property of the citizens of City of Oakdale because of the following local conditions:

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

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

Fire response is delayed by railroad tracks.

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 Oakdale expressly finds there are local climatic and topographical conditions that make the increased fire protection requirements set forth in this article reasonably necessary.

Title.

Section 101.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of City of Oakdale, hereinafter referred to as "this code."

General.

Section 103.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

The MODESTO FIRE DEPARTMENT official in charge shall be known as the fire code official. The function of the agency shall be the implantation, administration and enforcement of the provisions of this code.

Information on Construction Documents.

Section 105.3.7.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

New construction projects shall be required to submit an 8 1/2 inch by 11 inch document and an electronically submitted "detail" page for emergency responder data files for approval by the Building Official and/or Fire Code Official before final inspection. Detail page shall include a site plan showing:

a. Property, site layout.

b. Roads, fire access lanes, and building access points.

c. Premises identification (address, building identification, suites, room numbers, etc.).

d. Fire hydrant and Fire Department connection (FDC) locations.

e. Knox product locations.

f. Fire alarm control locations.

g. Fire riser locations.

h. Hose valve locations.

i. Main electrical and main gas disconnect locations.

j. Hazardous materials storage.

Permit Required for Certain Operations.

Fees.

Section 108.2 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read:

The City Council of the City of Oakdale may, by resolution adopted from time to time, set a fee for any permit issued pursuant to the Fire Code.

Plan Check Fee.

Section 108.2.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is added to read:

When a plan is required to be submitted the plan-checking fee shall be paid at the time of submitting plans and specifications for checking. Where plans are incomplete, or changed so as to require an additional plan check, an additional plan-check fee shall be charged at a rate shown in a schedule setting forth fees as adopted from time to time by resolution of the City of Oakdale.

Appeals.

Section 112.1-112.4 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

An applicant may appeal the decision of the Building Official and/or Fire Code Official to the City of Oakdale City Manager or his/her designee within 30 days from the date of the decision being appealed whenever the Building Official and/or Fire Code Official:

1. Disapproves an application for use of alternate materials, methods and/or types of construction;

2. Disapproves an application for permit or refuses to grant a permit applied for;

3. When it is claimed that the provisions of the code do not apply; or

4. That the true intent and meaning of the code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted.

Compliance with Orders, Notices and Tags.

Section 113.4 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision or to fail to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter. A violation of any of the provisions or failing to comply with any of the mandatory requirements of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor, except that notwithstanding any other provision of this code, any such violation constituting a misdemeanor under this code may, in the discretion of the City of Oakdale Attorney, be charged and prosecuted as an infraction. Any person convicted of a misdemeanor under the provisions of this chapter, unless provision is otherwise herein made, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than six months, or by both fine and imprisonment. Any person convicted of an infraction under the provisions of this code, unless provision is otherwise herein made, shall be punishable by a fine only as follows: Upon a first conviction, by a fine of not exceeding $250 and for a second conviction or any subsequent conviction within a period of one year, by a fine of not exceeding $500.

Each such person shall be charged with a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of any provision of this code is committed, continued or permitted by such person and shall, upon conviction, be punished accordingly.

Administrative Penalties.

Section 113.5 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

In addition to any other remedies set forth in this chapter, administrative penalties may be imposed against any person, as defined in Section 113.5 of this Code, for violating any of the requirements set forth in this chapter. Any administrative penalties assessed shall be as follows:

For violations of this Code, possession, sale, use or discharge of dangerous fireworks, the administrative penalty shall be 1,000 for each specific act found to be in violation of that section.

Failure to comply.

Section 114.4 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read:

Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop-work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be liable to a fine of not less than $500 or more than $1,000.

Authority to disconnect service utilities.

Section 111.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read:

The Building Official and/or Fire Code Official shall have the authority to authorize disconnection of utility service to the building, structure or system in order to safely execute emergency operations or to eliminate an immediate hazard. The Building Official and/or Fire Code Official shall notify the serving utility and, where possible, the owner or the owner's authorized agent and the occupant of the building, structure or service system of the decision to disconnect prior to taking such action. If not notified prior to disconnection, then the owner, the owner's authorized agent or occupant of the building, structure or service system shall be notified in writing as soon as practical thereafter.

Vegetation.

Section 304.1.2 304.1.3 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to by adding the following:

Vegetation abatement shall comply with the City of Oakdale Municipal Codes. The City of Oakdale may recover from the property owner those costs associated with the suppression costs incurred in fighting a fire and for providing rescue or emergency medical services should a fire occur on said property after the owner has been notified to abate such public nuisance and has failed to do so.

General Requirements: Open Burning, Recreational Fires and Portable Outdoor Fireplaces

Open Burning.

Section 307.1-307.5 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended by adding and deleting the following:

No person shall kindle, conduct, or maintain any burning of grass, weeds, agricultural trimmings, or other combustibles or authorize any such fire to be kindled, conducted, or maintained without a permit as required by the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District and compliance with all safeguards pursuant thereto. Any such permitted burning shall be restricted to agricultural purposes and confined to areas in the city limits in which agricultural uses are lawful or as regulated or prohibited by other municipal codes.

307.4.1 Deleted

307.4.2 shall be prohibited except for religious ceremonies and shall comply with other regulation or prohibitions of other city municipal codes or uses. Permit required.

307.4.3 add shall comply with other regulation or prohibitions of other city municipal codes or uses.

307.5 Open burning or use of portable outdoor fire places as used at one and two-family dwellings shall be constantly attended until the fire extinguished. Not fewer than one portable fire extinguisher complying with section 906 with a 4A minimum rating and a water hose, water truck or medium of dirt/sand shall be immediately available.

Forklifts.

Section 309.5 of the CFC is amended by adding Section 309.5.1 to read:

All LPG or natural gas driven equipment which operate inside shall have a minimum 1A:10BC fire extinguisher mounted to the equipment and shall comply with Section 906.

Posts.

Section 312.2 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Guard posts or other approved means shall be provided to protect storage tanks and connected piping, valves and fittings; dispensing areas; and use areas subject to vehicular damage. When guard posts are installed, the posts shall be:

1. Constructed of steel not less than six inches in diameter and concrete-filled;

2. Spaced not more than three feet between posts on center;

3. Set not less than three feet deep in a concrete footing of not less than a fifteen-inch diameter;

4. Set with the top of the posts not less than three feet above ground; and

5. Located not less than five feet from the protected object.

Surfaces.

Section 503.2.3 of the California Fire Code is hereby amended by adding:

All weather shall be concrete or asphalt only.

Address Identification.

Section 505.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended by adding:

Residential numbers shall be illuminated from dusk to dawn.

Section 505.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended by adding 505.1.1:

New commercial buildings, commercial buildings undergoing occupancy change and commercial buildings undergoing renovation shall have a minimum of 6 inch Arabic numerals or alphabet letters indicating the building's street address. The numerals and letters are to have a 3/4 inch stroke and contrast with their background. The address shall be internally or externally illuminated from dusk until dawn. The address shall face the street or road fronting the property. Buildings which set back from the road or street over 100 feet may be required to have larger numerals/letters as required by the Fire Chief. Rear addresses may be required due to property configuration.

Knox Access.

Section 506 of the California Fire Code is hereby amended by adding 506.3 to read as follows:

All commercial projects (new, remodel, addition and change of occupancy, or occupancy inspection) in the City may be required to provide a Knox Box (key box). A Knox Box capable of containing Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) sheets and Hazardous Materials plans will be required at commercial sites with significant amounts of hazardous materials. The Fire Chief may require additional Knox Boxes and padlocks to large buildings or projects.

Water Supplies and Fire Hydrants.

Section 507.5 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Fire hydrant systems. Fire hydrant systems shall comply with section 507.5.1 through 507.5.6 and Appendix C or by an approved method. Fire hydrants shall be located on the supply side of the fire suppression system check valve and accessible from the apparatus roads in compliance with Section 503.1 and Appendix D. Fire hydrants shall not be on the fire pump supply system unless supplied municipal pressures are in adequate for fire flow requirements. The fire code official my require a looped underground fire service for large projects when deemed necessary.

Section 507.5.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Where required. When a portion of the facility or building here after constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction is more than 300 feet from a hydrant on a fire apparatus access road, as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the facility or building, on-site fire hydrants and mains shall be provided where required by the fire code official.

Section 507.5.1.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Hydrants for Standpipe systems. Buildings equipped with a standpipe system installed in accordance with section 903 shall have a fire hydrant within 75 feet of the fire department connection.

Section 507.5.1.2 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

Spacing. Fire hydrants shall be spaced nominally every 500 liner feet in residential areas and 300 liner feet in commercial or industrial areas and shall comply with city building standards. Divided streets shall have hydrants on both sides of the street and shall, where applicable, be installed in alternative or staggered positions so that hydrants will not be directly opposite from each other.

Mulitple Supply Connections Marking.

Section 603.4.1 of the California Fire Code is hereby amended by adding the following:

The main electrical service to any commercial building must be accessible for emergency shut-off from the outside of the building. This may be accomplished by providing a (one) main disconnect or a shunt trip device. If a generator system activates automatically when the shunt trip or main disconnect is shut down, a control to stop the generator must be located with the main disconnect or shunt trip. Photovoltaic (PV) power disconnects shall be located with the main electrical disconnect. Shunt trips or main disconnects, PV and generator controls shall be identified by signs approved by the Fire Chief. All disconnects shall not be separated by obstruction or fences. Exception: Electrical control room with a marked door that is accessible from the outside of the building.

Incinerators.

Section 605.7 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to the following:

The use of incinerators is prohibited inside the city.

EXCEPTION: Incinerators used by state licensed facilities for the cremation of human or pet remains.

Section 903 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended by adding 903.7 to read the following:

Height.

Section 905.3.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

Occupancies three or more stories in height shall be provided with a Class 1 standpipe system approved by the Fire Chief. (Except Group R-3 and R-3.1) Garden type apartment complexes may be required to install Class 1 standpipe systems approved by the Fire Chief.

Section 907.1 of the CFC is hereby amended adding 907.1.6 to read as follows:

It shall be unlawful for a person to give, signal or transmit a false fire alarm. The City Council may adopt by resolution reasonable fees to recover the costs associated with responses to buildings or similar structures that have excessive false fire alarms. Excessive false alarms shall be defined as more than three (3) false alarms in twelve (12) consecutive months.

Supervision and Communication System.

Section 907.1.6 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended by adding the following:

a. All new fire alarm/monitoring systems shall be UL certified for which permits are required, on or after 1/1/2020.

b. Any existing fire alarm system in a commercial occupancy wherein the fire alarm control panel and alarm system components require replacement, shall be considered newly installed for the purposes of this section and shall require the system to be UL certified on or after 1/1/2026.

c. When UL certification is required by this code, it shall be maintained for commercial fire alarm/monitoring systems throughout the life of the alarmed/monitored building.

d. Central Station Service in accordance with NFPA 72 is required on all fire alarm/monitoring systems, existing or new.

Exception. Supervisory service is not required for:

i) Automatic sprinkler systems in one and two-family dwellings.

Section 907.2.1.4 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

Supervision. Places of assembly shall be under the constant supervision of a competent adult on the premises during the time that the premises are open to the public.

Communications. When required by the Building Official and/or Fire Code Official and/or Chief, places of assembly shall be provided with a method for notify the Fire Department in the event of an emergency. Such method can consist of a telephone, an alarm system connected to the Fire Department or other approved agency, or other approved means. Methods of notifying the Fire Department shall be readily available to the public.

False Alarms.

Section 907.8.5 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

False alarms shall not be given, signaled or transmitted or caused or permitted to be given, signaled or transmitted. The City of Oakdale may adopt by resolution reasonable fees to recover the costs associated with responses to building or structures that have excessive false alarms.

Location.

Section 911 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended by adding 912.8 to read as follows:

A fire hydrant shall be located within 75' of all required fire department connections (FDC). Fire department connections and hydrants shall be installed to prevent the FDC from pressurizing any hydrants.

Pallet Storage, Recycling, Manufacturing.

Section 1106.2 of the California Fire Code is hereby by adding to read as follows:

Pallet Storage, Manufacturing and/or Recycling Facilities shall be maintained in accordance with Section 2810 of the California Fire Code.

Scope.

Section 2401.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended by adding #6 to read as follows:

6. Flammable spraying, combustible spraying, bedliner spraying and powder coating operations shall be conducted in a listed spray booth. Existing operations to be upgraded at change of occupancy.

Spray Booth.

Section 2402 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended by adding 2402.2 to read as follows:

Fire Extinguisher.

Section 3504.2.6 of the CFC is amended to read as follows:

Not less than one portable fire extinguisher complying with section 906 and with a minimum 2-A:20BC rating shall be provided with ready access within 30 feet of the location where the hot works is being performed and without climbing stairs.