Chapter 15.20 — CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

Prior ordinance history: Ordinances 386, 524 and 603.

Editor's Note: The title of Ch. 15.20 was amended by Ord. 689.

A certain document, one copy of which is on file in the office of the City of Patterson Fire Department, being marked and designated as the California Fire Code, 2025 edition, including Appendix Chapter 4, Appendices B, BB, C, CC, D, E, F, G, I, K and Division II Administration as published by the International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted as the Fire Code of the City of Patterson, 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 City of Patterson Fire Department 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 Section 15.20.020.

(Ord. 600 § 1 (part), 1999; Ord. 689 §§ 1–3, 2008; Ord. 763 § 1, 2014; Ord. 841 § 1, 2020; Ord. 885, 12/16/2025)

The following sections of the 2025 California Fire Code are hereby revised:

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

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

• B. Creation of agency. Section 103.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

103.1 Creation of agency. The City of Patterson Fire Department is hereby created and the official in charge thereof shall be known as the Fire Code Official. The function of agency shall be the implementation. Administration and enforcement of the provisions of this code.

• C. Permit Required for Certain Operations. Section 105.5.17 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby deleted.

• D. LP-gas. Section 105.5.30 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Exception:

1. Containers not exceeding five (5) gallon water capacity, used for "barbecue" cooking, when used and stored outside of buildings.

2. Approved containers not exceeding sixteen and four-tenths (16.4) ounces when displayed for sale in mercantile occupancies.

   3. Factory installed containers for recreational vehicles not exceeding ten (10) gallon water capacity.

   4. Factory installed tanks that are permanently attached to recreational vehicles. Distributors shall not fill an LP-gas container for which a permit is required unless the Fire Code Official has issued a permit for installation for that location.

• E. Emergency incident pre-plan. Section 106.5 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

106.5 Emergency incident pre-plan. An 8 1/2" x 11" document and an electronically submitted "detail" page for emergency responder data files shall be submitted to and approved by fire department before final inspection. Detail page shall include site plan showing:

• a. Property, site layout

• b. Roads, fire access lanes, and building access points including roof access

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

• d. Hydrants and Fire Department Connections (FDC) locations

• e. Knox product locations

• f. Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) locations

• g. Fire riser locations

• h. Hose valve locations

• i. Main electrical and main gas disconnect locations

• j. Hazardous materials storage

• F. Fees. Section 107.7 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added as follows:

108.7 Permit and Plan Check Fees

1. Permit Fee. The fee for any permit issued pursuant to the Fire Code will be that of which has been adopted from time to time by resolution by the City council of the City of Patterson.

2. Plan Check Fee. 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 which has been adopted from time to time by resolution by the City council of the City of Patterson.

• G. Means of Appeals. Section 112.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

112.1 Appeals. Applicant may appeal the decision of the Fire Code Official to the City Council within thirty (30) days from the date of the decision being appealed whenever the

Fire Chief:

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.

• H. Compliance with orders and notices. Section 113.3.2 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

113.3.2 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 Attorney of the City of Patterson, 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 one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than 180 days 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 two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) and for a second conviction or any subsequent conviction within a period of one year, by a fine of not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00). 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.

• I. Violation Penalties. Section 113.4 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

113.4 Violation penalties. Persons who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, install, alter, repair or do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the Fire Code Official, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding 180 days, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.

• J. Administrative Penalties. Section 113.5 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added as follows:

113.5 Administrative penalties. In addition to any other remedies set forth in this chapter, administrative penalties may be imposed against any person, as defined in Section 202 of this Code, for violating any of the requirements set forth in this code or who are in violation of section 12676 or 12677 of the California Health and Safety Code. Any administrative penalties assessed shall be as follows:

1. For violations of this Code or section 12676 or 12677 of the California Health and Safety Code, Possession, Sale, Use or Discharge of Dangerous Fireworks, the administrative penalty which has been adopted from time to time by resolution by the City council of the City of Patterson or as set by Patterson Municipal Code.

2. For all violations of this code, other than subsection (a) Possession, Sale, Use or Discharge of Dangerous Fireworks, the amount which has been adopted from time to time by resolution by the City council of the City of Patterson or as set by Patterson Municipal Code.

• K. Vegetation. Section 304.1.2 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended by adding the following:

304.1.2 Vegetation. The Fire Department may recover, from a 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 combustible waste material and has failed to do so.

• L. Open Burning, Recreational Fires and Portable Outdoor Fireplaces. Section 307.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

307.1 Open burning. 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 in compliance with all safeguards pursuant thereto including in accordance with Sections 307.1.1 through 307.5. Any such permitted burning shall be restricted to agricultural purposes and confined to areas of the City of Patterson in which agricultural uses are lawful.

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

312.2 Posts. Guard posts, bollards 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 (6) inches in diameter and concrete filled,

2. Spaced not more than thirty-six (36) inches between posts on center,

3. Set not less than thirty-six (36) inch deep in a concrete footing of not less than eighteen (18) inch diameter,

4. Set with the top of the posts not less than thirty-six (36) inches above ground, and

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

• N. Emergency Preparedness Requirements. Section 403.10.7 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

403.10.7 Buildings over 100,000 square feet. An approved fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with Section 404 and 406 shall be prepared and maintained for buildings over one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet in aggregate floor area.

• O. Access to Building Openings and Roofs. Section 504.5 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

504.5 Labeling of building access openings. To facilitate emergency response and or as required by the Fire Code Official, exterior doors leading to fire service features or rooms shall be labeled as 'ROOF ACCESS', 'ELECTRICAL ROOM', FIRE PUMP ROOM', 'FIRE ALARM CONTROL PANEL', 'FACP' 'FIRE RISER' or similar approved wording. Letters shall be a minimum of four (4) inch tall with a minimum stroke width of half (1/2) inch.

• P. Premises Identification. Section 505.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

505.1 Address identification. New and existing buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers or other approved building identification placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with the background and be illuminated either internally or externally between dusk and dawn daily. Where required by the Fire Code Official, address numbers shall be provided in additional locations to facilitate emergency response. Commercial address numbers shall be a minimum of six (6) inch tall Arabic numerals with a minimum stroke width of three quarter (3/4) inch. Larger numbers, suite and rear door identification, etc. may be required by Fire Code Official to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means of a private road or building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole, or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Residential address numbers shall be a minimum of four (4) inch tall with a minimum stroke width of half (1/2) inch. Address numbers shall be maintained.

• Q. Key Boxes. Section 506.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

506.1 Where required. All commercial projects (new, remodel, change of occupancy, addition or new business license inspection) shall install a Knox Key Box if one is not already installed. A Knox Key Box capable of containing Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and hazardous materials plans may be required for commercial sites with significant amounts of hazardous materials.

• R. Key Box Installation. Section 506.1.3 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

506.1.3 Key box installation. Key boxes shall be installed and secured in accordance with manufactures specifications and mounted to the right of the main entrance door with the top of box no higher than six (6) feet above finished grade or in an approved location by the Fire Code Official. Additional key boxes may be required for large facilities.

• S. Security Gates. Section 506.1.4 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

506.1.4 Security gates. When manually operated gates cross required fire access lanes, or prevent access to building premises, a Knox padlock or Knox Key Box shall be installed at access gates. Motorized operated gates shall be required to be equipped with a Knox Key Switch used by the Patterson Fire Department. A dual keyed switch to accommodate law enforcement may be required. An Opticom type strobe light detection system may also be used for such applications.

• T. Fire Protection Water Supplies. Section 507.3.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

507.3.1 Water supply for pallet yards. Fire protection water supply for pallets shall be in accordance with Section 2809.5.

• U. Fire Protection Water Supplies. Section 507.5.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

507.5.1 Where required. An approved water supply capable of supplying the required fire flow for fire protection shall be provided to premises upon which facilities, buildings or portions of buildings are hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction. When any portion of the facility or building protected is in excess of one hundred fifty (150) feet from a water supply on a public street, as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the faculty or building, on-site fire hydrants and mains capable of supplying the required fire flow shall be provided when required by the Fire Code Official. Fire hydrants shall be located on the supply side of the fire suppression system check valve. Fire hydrants shall be accessible to the Fire Department apparatus by roads meeting the requirements of Section 503 and Appendix D.

Exception: For Group R-3 and Group U occupancies equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3, the distance requirement shall be not more than 500 feet.

• V. Private Fire Service Mains and Water Tanks. Section 507.5.3 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended by adding:

Private fire service mains and water tanks shall also comply with the current edition of National Fire Protection Association Standard 25, California Edition.

• W. Private hydrants supported by fire pumps. Section 507.5.7 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

507.5.7 Private fire hydrants supported by fire pumps. Fire hydrants installed on a private fire main supported by a fire pump shall have signage or stenciling stating 'CONNECTED TO FIRE PUMP' or similar approved wording. Letters shall be a minimum of four (4) inch tall with a minimum stroke width of half (1/2) inch.

• X. Private water agreements. Section 507.5.8 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

507.5.8 Private water agreements. Private water agreements shall be required when a private fire protection water supply is required by this code. The agreement shall be entered into by the property owner and the City of Patterson.

• Y. Main Disconnects. Section 603.4.2 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

603.4.2 Main disconnects. The main electrical service to any commercial building shall be accessible for emergency shut off from the outside of the building. This may be accomplished by providing one (1) main disconnect, a Knox disconnect or shunt trip device. If, out of necessity, there is more than one main service disconnect, these disconnects shall be located in close proximity to each other as approved by the Fire Code

Official.

If a generator system activates automatically when a shunt trip or main disconnect shuts down, a control to stop the generator must be located with the main disconnect or shunt trip. Shunt trips, main disconnects and generator controls shall be identified by signs approved by the Fire Code Official.

Exception:

1. Electrical control room with a marked door that is directly accessible from the outside of the building.

• Z. Portable unvented heaters. Section 605.5 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read:

605.5 Portable unvented heaters. Portable listed unvented fuel-fired heating equipment shall be prohibited in all occupancies except S-2 and U occupancies.

• AA. Automatic Sprinkler Systems in New Construction. Section 903.2 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

903.2 New construction. An approved automatic fire sprinkler system is required in all new buildings and structures, notwithstanding the use and occupancy thereof, when the total aggregate floor area exceeds five thousand (5,000) square feet.

The means of measuring square footage used to determine if automatic fire sprinklers are required shall be as follows: The total aggregate floor area shall be determined by measuring and totaling the area within the outside walls of the structure for each floor, or mezzanine and basement; the area beneath all attached projections from the outside walls that are four (4) feet or larger. If the structure has no outside walls, the area shall be measured from the edge of the eaves projection. If structures are within six (6) feet of each other as measured from the outside walls, or any projection therefrom, or are attached by a breezeway or covered walkway, the measured floor area of each shall be aggregated. Area separation walls shall not be used for the purpose of eliminating automatic fire sprinkler systems.

Exception:

1. If the provisions of the 2025 California Fire Code sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.18 are more restrictive, then the more restrictive requirement shall apply.

• BB. Automatic Sprinkler Systems in Existing Buildings. Section 903.2.22 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

903.2.22 Existing buildings. An approved automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed in all existing buildings and structures when additions or alterations are made that cause said building or structure to exceed five thousand (5,000) square feet.

Exception:

1. Each portion of an existing building or structures is separated by one or more fire walls that limit each fire area to a maximum of five thousand (5,000) square feet.

• CC. Automatic Sprinkler Systems in Isolated Buildings. Section 903.2.23 of the 2025 California

Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

903.2.22 Isolated buildings. For isolated buildings or groups of buildings in rural areas where no water is available from a municipal water system, a fire sprinkler system meeting all of the following criteria shall be considered as an alternative to systems that are in full compliance with the applicable National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard.

1. Sprinklers will be designed and installed per the applicable NFPA Standards.

2. The required sprinkler demand (not including hose stream allowance) shall be provided by a hydro pneumatic tank for a minimum duration of fifteen (15) minutes. The tank may be pressurized by the domestic well pump and may serve both the fire supply and domestic supply for the building. The tank must have a capacity equal to or greater than the calculated sprinkler demand. Calculations shall be provided to determine the actual size of tank required for each project.

3. A separate storage tank or other water source acceptable to the Fire Code Official shall be provided to accommodate sprinkler and hose demand for an additional thirty (30) minutes beyond the storage required in 2 above.

• DD. Hose Threads. Section 903.3.6 of the 2025 California Fire Code shall be amended to read as follows:

903.3.6 Hose threads. Fire hose threads and fittings used in connection with automatic sprinkler systems shall be "National Hose" (NH).

• EE. Standpipe Systems. Section 905.3.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

905.3.1 Height. Occupancies three (3) or more stories in height shall be provided with a class one standpipe system approved by the Fire Code Official (Except R Division 3).

Occupancies less than three (3) stories in height but greater than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet per floor shall be required to install a class one standpipe system approved by the Fire Code Official.

Garden type apartment complexes may be required to install type one standpipe systems approved by the Fire Code Official.

• FF. Fire Alarm System Certification. Section 907.1.6 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

907.1.6 Certification. A certificate from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) shall be required on all commercial fire alarm systems installed after the effective date of this ordinance. UL certification is required to be maintained for commercial fire alarm systems throughout the life of the alarmed building.

• GG. False Alarms Section 907.1.7 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

907.1.7 False alarms. False alarms shall not be given, signaled or transmitted or caused or permitted to be given, signaled or transmitted. Reasonable fees to recover the costs associated with responses to building or structures that have excessive false alarms may collected in the amount as set by resolution from time to time by the City council of the

City of Patterson or as set by Patterson Municipal Code.

• HH. Fire Alarm Systems in Group S Occupancies. Section 907.2.30 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

907.2.30 Group S Occupancies. In group S occupancies larger than one hundred twentyfive thousand (125,000) square feet, an automatic and manual fire alarm system shall be installed.

• II. Fire Department Connections Distance to Public Hydrants. Section 912.2.3 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby added to read as follows:

Fire department connections (FDC's) shall be within seventy-five (75) feet of a public fire hydrant.

• JJ. Locking Fire Department Connection Caps. Section 912.4.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code shall be amended to read as follows:

912.4.1 Locking Fire Department Connection Caps. Knox locking caps for fire department connections (FDC's) shall be required on all new construction. The Fire Code Official is authorized to require Knox locking caps on existing fire department connections for water-based systems as deemed necessary.

• KK. Clearance to Property Line. Section 2810.6 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

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

• A. Section 5704.2.9.6.1. All R-1, R-2, and R-3 zoning designations as identified by the Title 18 of the City of Patterson Municipal Code.

• B. Section 5706.2.4.4. All R-1, R-2, and R-3 zoning designations as identified by Title 18 of the City of Patterson Municipal Code.

• C. Section 5806.2 to read as follows:

Storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits established by law as the limits of districts in which such storage is prohibited. All R-1, R-2, and R-3 zoning designations as identified by Title 18 of the City of Patterson Municipal Code.

• D. Section 6104.2. The incorporated boundary within the City of Patterson. (Ord. 763 § 3, 2014; Ord. 841 § 3, 2020; Ord. 885, 12/16/2025)