Ontario Municipal Code Ch. 4 Fire Code

*Sections 4-4.01 through 4-4.13, codified from Ordinance No. 1650, eff. July 6, 1967, repealed by Ordinance No. 1834, effective June 20, 1974. Sections 4-4.01 through 4-4.14, codified from Ordinance No. 1834, repealed by Ordinance No. 2112, effective December 18, 1980. Sections 4-4.01 through 4-4.43, codified from Ordinance No. 2341, eff. March 20, 1986, repealed by Ordinance No. 2624, effective October 31, 1996. Sections 4-4.01 through 4-4.04, codified from Ordinance No. 2624, repealed by Ordinance No. 2692, effective July 1, 1999. Sections 4-4.01 through 4-4.35, repealed and reenacted by § 2, Ordinance No. 2768, effective January 16, 2003. Sections 4-4.01 through 4-4.38, repealed by § 2, Ordinance No. 2881, effective January 3, 2008. Sections 4-4.01 through 4-4.23 enacted by § 2, Ordinance No. 2881, effective January 3, 2008. Sections 4-4.01 through 4-4.23, repealed by § 2, Ordinance No. 2976, effective December 19, 2013. Sections 4-4.01 through 4-4.29 enacted by § 2, Ordinance No. 2976, effective December 19, 2013. Sections 4-4.01 through 4-4.29, repealed and reenacted by § 2, Ordinance No. 3062, effective December 15, 2016. Sections 4-4.01 through 4-4.29 repealed by § 2, Ordinance No. 3147, effective December 19, 2019. Sections 4-4.01 through 4-4.26 enacted by § 2, Ordinance No. 3147, effective December 19, 2019. Sections 4-4.01 through 4-4.25 amended by § 2, Ordinance No. 3226, effective January 5, 2023 rewritten in its entirety by § 2, Ordinance No. 3320, effective February 19, 2026.

The City Council of the City of Ontario hereby adopts by reference with certain amendments, additions, deletions and exceptions, the 2025 California Fire Code with errata, incorporating therein the 2024 International Fire Code, also referred to as Part 9 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, including the following sections in the CFC (not adopted by the state agency): 103.1, 103.2, 104.1, 104.1.1, 104.2, 104.2.1, 104.2.2, 104.2.2.1, 104.2.2.2, 104.2.2.3, 104.2.2.4, 104.2.3.1, 104.2.4, 104.4, 104.4.1, 104.9, 104.10, 104.10.1, 104.11, 104.11.2, 104.12, 105.2.3, 105.3.2, 105.5.22, 105.5.36, 105.5.60, 105.6.2, 106 in its entirety, 108.2.1, 108.4, 110 in its entirety, 111.1, 112.1, 113 in its entirety, 305 in its entirety, 307.1, 311, 503 in its entirety, 506.1, 507.5.1.2, 510.2, 903.4.2.1, 904.3.5, 1103.2, Appendices B, C, D, E, F, G, M, N, and P, as published by the International Code Council and adopted by the California State Building Standards Commission, (hereinafter also "this Code", "Fire Code," "CFC", or the "Ontario Fire Code",) for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire, hazardous materials or explosion.

(§ 2, Ord. 3320, eff. February 19, 2026)

(a) Designated portions of the 2025 California Fire Code (CFC) and 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) are amended, added and changed as set forth in §§ 4-4.04 through 4-4.74.

(§ 2, Ord. 3320, eff. February 19, 2026)

Section 102.7 of the CFC is amended to read as follows:

102.7 Referenced codes and standards. The codes and standards referenced in this code shall be those that are listed in Chapter 80, and such codes and standards shall be considered to be part of the requirements of this Code to the prescribed extent of each such reference and as further regulated by Sections 102.7.1 and 102.7.2. The Fire Chief also herby authorizes the use of the Ontario Fire Department Fire Protection Standards for the purposes of interpreting and clarifying requirements of this Code and its referenced codes and standards.

(§ 2, Ord. 3320, eff. February 19, 2026)

Existing buildings other than Group R-3 that do not have approved in-building emergency response communications enhancement for emergency responders in the building based on existing coverage levels of the public safety communication systems, shall be equipped with such coverage according to one of the following:

1. Where an existing wired communication system cannot be repaired or is being replaced, or where not approved in accordance with Section 510.1, Exception 1.

2. Within a timeframe established by the adopting authority.

Exception: Where it is determined by the fire code official that the in-building emergency responder communications enhancement system is not needed.

(§ 2, Ord. 3320, eff. February 19, 2026)

Section 2808.1 of the CFC is amended to read as follows:

The storage and processing of wood chips, hogged materials, fines, compost, solid biomass feedstock, and raw product produced from yard waste, debris, argo industrial, recycling, and green waste processing facilities shall comply with Sections 2808.2 through 2808.10.

(§ 2, Ord. 3320, eff. February 19, 2026)

Section 2808.3 of the CFC is amended to read as follows:

Piles shall not exceed 15 feet in height, 50 feet in width and 250 feet in length.

Exception: The fire code official is authorized to allow the pile size to be increased when in accordance with section 2808.3.1.

(§ 2, Ord. 3320, eff. February 19, 2026)

Section 2808.5 of the CFC is amended to read as follows:

The storage, accumulation and handling of combustible materials and control of vegetation shall comply with Chapter 3. All incoming materials shall be ground or incorporated within ten days. All incoming materials shall be incorporated into windows within 15 days. Internal temperatures of stockpiles shall be continuously monitored.

(§ 2, Ord. 3320, eff. February 19, 2026)

Section 2808.10 of the CFC is amended to read as follows:

The owner or operator shall develop a plan for monitoring, controlling and extinguishing spot fires and submit the plan to the Ontario Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau for review and approval. The plan shall include, but not be limited to methods and policies for:

1. Monitoring, controlling and extinguishing spot fires.

2. Emergency contact information for personnel who are able to respond to location 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

3. Onsite equipment to assist with firefighting operations, such as dozers, water tenders, and large tractors.

4. Special considerations for fire safety during extreme weather conditions.

5. Method of providing adequate onsite water supply for firefighting operation. Water system shall have a minimum delivery/replenish capability of 250 gallons per minute for two hours.

(§ 2, Ord. 3320, eff. February 19, 2026)

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

TABLE B 105.2 - REQUIRED FIRE FLOW FOR BUILDINGS OTHER THAN ONE- AND TWO- FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3 AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES

For SI: 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m.

a. The reduced fire flow shall be not less than 1,500 gallons per minute.

b. The reduced fire flow shall be not less than 1,500 gallons per minute.

(§ 2, Ord. 3320, eff. February 19, 2026)

The limits referred to in Sections 5704.2.9.6.1 and 5706.2.4.4 of the 2025 California Fire Code in which the storage of flammable or combustible liquids in outside aboveground unprotected tanks or permanent or temporary tanks are prohibited are hereby established as follows:

(a) In all areas of the City unless upon specific written findings, the Chief determines that the installation of flammable and combustible unprotected aboveground storage tanks or below grade vaulted tanks will not create a hazard to occupants and property owners in the surrounding area.

(§ 2, Ord. 3320, eff. February 19, 2026)

The limits referred to in Section 5806.2 of the 2025 California Fire Code in which the storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers is prohibited are hereby established as follows:

(a) All areas and zoning districts of the City except the General Industrial District of the City Development Code, and with the specific approval of the Fire Chief.

(§ 2, Ord. 3320, eff. February 19, 2026)

The limits referred to in Section 6104.2 of 2025 California Fire Code, in which storage of liquefied petroleum gas is restricted, are hereby established as follows:

(a) All areas and zoning districts of the City except the General Industrial District of the City zoning ordinance, and with the specific approval of the Fire Chief.

(§ 2, Ord. 3320, eff. February 19, 2026)

(a) In addition to any other remedy available at law, any person in violation of this chapter is subject to an administrative fine as defined below:

(1) A fine not exceeding $100 for the first occurrence of each separate violation of the Ontario Fire Code;

(2) A fine not exceeding $200 for a second violation of the same Ontario Fire Code provision within one year from the date of the first violation; or

(3) A fine not exceeding $1,000 for a third or more violation(s) of the same Ontario Fire Code provision within one year from the date of the first violation.

(b) The provisions and procedures concerning administrative citations set forth in Chapter 5 of Title 1 of the Ontario Municipal Code shall apply to administrative citations issued for violations of this chapter. To the extent there are any conflicts between the provisions of the two chapters, the provisions of this chapter shall supersede and control administrative citations issued for violations of this chapter.

(§ 2, Ord. 3320, eff. February 19, 2026)