Chapter 1 — Scope and Administration

Section 101.1 is amended to read as follows:

101.1 Title. This chapter shall be known as the "2025 California Fire Code," including the appendices and

may be cited and referred to as “this code”.

California Fire Code, Section 101.6, is added to read as follows:

101.6 Standards. Petaluma Fire Department Standards shall serve as a supplemental instruction and

 interpretation manual for this code and is hereby adopted by reference. The Zre code o\cial is

 responsible to amend these standards as necessary to maintain current instruction and interpretations.

The information contained in the standards shall not be construed to make new code requirements not

authorized by this ordinance.

Section 102.3 is amended to read as follows:

102.3 Change of Use or Occupancy. No change shall be made in the use or occupancy of any structure

 that would place the structure in a di]erent division of the same group or occupancy or in a di]erent

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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group of occupancies, unless such structure is made to comply with the requirements of this code, the

 California Building Code as adopted by the City of Petaluma City Council (City Council). Subject to the

approval of the Fire Code O\cial, the use or occupancy of an existing structure shall be allowed to be

changed and the structure is allowed to be occupied for purposes in other groups without conforming to

  all the requirements of this code, the California Building Code as adopted by the City Council for those

groups, provided the new or proposed use is less hazardous, based on life and Zre risk, than the existing

 use.

Section 102.7.3 is added to read as follows:

 102.7.3 Supplemental Rules, Regulations and Standards. The Fire Code O\cial is authorized to

render interpretations of this code and to make and enforce rules and supplemental regulations and to

develop Fire Prevention Standards to carry out the application and intent of its provisions.

Section 103.1.1 is added to read as follows:

 103.1.1 General. Where this code refers to the Department of Fire Prevention, the Fire Prevention

Bureau will be inserted. Where this code refers to the Fire Marshal, the Fire Code O\cial will be inserted.

Section 104.4 is amended to read as follows:

104.4 Right of Entry.

  (a) The Fire Chief, or his/her authorized representative in the performance of duties herein prescribed,

 shall have the right to enter upon and into any and all premises under his/her jurisdiction, at all

reasonable hours for the purpose of inspecting the same to determine whether or not the provisions of

 this code and all applicable laws or Ordinances pertaining to the protection of persons and property

from Zre, explosion or exposure to hazardous materials are observed therein. Provided, however, that

an inspection warrant, issued pursuant to Title 13, Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure be Zrst secured

where entry is refused, except in an emergency situation. No owner, occupant or any other person

having charge, care or control of any building or premises shall fail or neglect, after proper request is

made as herein provided to promptly permit entry therein by the Chief or his/her authorized

 representative for the purpose of inspection and examination pursuant to this code.

  (b) The Fire Chief, and his/her duly authorized representative, shall have the authority to enter any

 building, or premises for the purpose of extinguishing or controlling any Zre, performing rescue

 operations, investigating the existence of suspected or reported Zres, gas leaks or other hazardous

 conditions or taking any other action necessary in the reasonable performance of their duty.

Section 104.11.4 is added to read as follows:

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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104.11.4 Charges. The expense of securing any emergency that is within the responsibility for

enforcement of the Fire Chief as given in Section 104.11 is a charge against the person who caused the

emergency. Damages and expenses incurred by any public agency having jurisdiction or any public

agency assisting the agency having jurisdiction shall constitute a debt of such person to the City and shall

be collectable by the Fire Chief for proper distribution in the same manner as in the case of an obligation

under an expressed or implied contract. Expenses as stated above shall include, but not be limited to,

equipment and personnel committed and any payments required by the public agency to outside

business Zrms requested by the public agency to secure the emergency, monitor remediation and clean

up the site.

Section 104.11.5 is added to read as follows:

104.11.5 Cost recovery. Fire suppression, investigation, or emergency medical costs are recoverable in

accordance with California Health and Safety Code Sections 13009 and 13009.1, as may be amended

from time to time. Additionally, any person(s) who negligently, intentionally or in violation of law causes

an emergency response, including, but not limited to, a tra\c accident, spill of toxic or [ammable or

combustible [uids or chemicals is liable for the costs of securing such emergency, including those costs

pursuant to Government Code Section 53150, et seq, as may be amended from time to time. Any

expense incurred by the Petaluma Fire Department for securing such emergency shall constitute a debt

 of such person(s) and shall be collectable by the Petaluma Fire Department in the same manner as in the

case of an obligation under contract, expressed or implied.

Section 105.1.1.1 is added to read as follows:

 105.1.1.1 New Materials and Permits. The Fire Chief and the Fire Code O\cial may act as a committee

to determine and specify any new regulated materials, and shall establish processes or occupancies

 requiring permits in addition to those enumerated in this code. The Zre chief or designee shall post such

   list in a conspicuous place in the o\ce, and distribute copies thereof to interested persons. Permits

under this section shall be administered in accordance with Section 105.

Section 105.5.9 (Table 105.5.9) is amended to read as follows:

                             Table 105.5.9.  Permit Amounts for

                                Compressed Gases

                                         Amount (cubic
                             Type of Gas
                                                          feet at NTP)

                               Inert and simple asphyxiate         2,000

                            Oxidizing (including Oxygen)        200

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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Section 105.5.60 is added to read:

105.5.60 Local Permits. In addition to the permits required by section 105.6 and Section 105.5.59, the

 following permits shall be obtained from the Fire Prevention Bureau prior to engaging in the following

  activities, operations, practices or functions:

 1. Apartment, Hotel, or Motel. An operational permit is required to operate an apartment house, hotel,

or motel.

 2. Care Facilities. An operational permit is required to operate a care facility as listed: