Chapter 5 — Fire Service Features

Section 501.1 is amended to read as follows:

501.1 Scope. Fire Service Features for buildings, structures and premises shall comply with this chapter.

 This section applies to residential and commercial developments.

 Floor Area. The [oor area used for calculating the required Zre [ow shall be the total [oor area of all

[oor levels within the exterior walls of a structure that are under the horizontal projection of the roof,

except as modiZed in Appendix Section B104 of the 2025 California Fire Code.

Section 503.2.6 is amended to read as follows:

 503.2.6 Bridges and Elevated Surfaces. Where a bridge or an elevated surface is part of a Zre

apparatus access road, the bridge shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the American

 Association of State Highway and Transportation O\cials (AASHTO) Standard SpeciZcations, and

AASHTO’s Load and Resistance Factor Design. Bridges and elevated surfaces shall be designed for a live

load su\cient to carry the imposed loads of Zre apparatus. Vehicle load limits shall be posted at both

entrances to bridges when required by the Fire Code O\cial. Where elevated surfaces designed for

emergency vehicle use are adjacent to surfaces which are not designed for such use, approved barriers,

approved signs or both shall be installed and maintained when required by the Fire Code O\cial.

Section 503.2.6.1 is added to read:

 503.2.6.1 Evaluation. All existing private bridges and elevated surfaces shall be evaluated by a California

 licensed civil engineer experienced in structural engineering or a California licensed structural engineer

 for the purposes of safety and weight rating. The vehicle load limits shall be posted at both entrances to

 bridges. These evaluations shall be performed at the direction of the Fire Code O\cial.

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

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Section 503.2.6.2 is added to read:

 503.2.6.2 Bridge Maintenance. All new and existing bridges and elevated structures providing

emergency access shall be routinely evaluated and maintained in accordance with the American

 Association of State Highway and Transportation O\cials (AASHTO) Manual: "The Manual for Bridge

 Evaluation," 3rd Edition, 2018, published by the American Association of State Highway and

Transportation O\cials; or other approved standard.

Section 503.2.7.1 is added to read as follows:

 503.2.7.1 Grade Angles. The maximum allowable grade for driveways and roadways used for Zre

apparatus access is twelve percent (12%). Special allowances up to a maximum of eighteen percent (18%)

may be granted with the approval of the Fire Code O\cial and City Engineer.

Section 503.3 is amended to read as follows:

503.3 Marking. Where required by the Fire Code O\cial, approved signs or other approved notices or

markings that include the words "NO PARKING – FIRE LANE" in accordance with the California Vehicle

Code, shall be provided for Zre apparatus access roads to identify such roads or prohibit the obstruction

 thereof. The means by which Zre lanes are designated shall be maintained in a clean and legible

 condition at all times and be replaced or repaired when necessary to provide adequate visibility.

Section 505.1 is amended to read as follows:

505.1 Address IdentiKcation. New and existing buildings shall be provided with approved illuminated

or other approved means of illuminated address identiZcation. The address identiZcation shall be legible

and placed in a position that is visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address

 identiZcation characters shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numerals

or alphabetic letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Character size and stroke shall be in accordance

with Section 505.1.1 through 505.1.2. Where required by the Zre code o\cial, address identiZcation shall

be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response in accordance with this

code and Section 505.1.3. Where access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed

from the public way or when determined by the Zre code o\cial, a monument, pole, or other approved

 sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address identiZcation shall be maintained.

Section 505.1.1 is added to read as follows:

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

Title 17 Building and Construction | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 65 of 170

 505.1.1 One- and Two-Family Dwellings. Numbers for one- and two-family dwellings shall be not less

than four inches (4") (101.6 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inches (12.7 mm).

Section 505.1.2 is added to read as follows:

 505.1.2 Numbers for Other Than One- and Two-Family Dwellings. Each address identiZcation

 character shall not be less than twelve inches (12") high with a minimum stroke width of one inch (1").

 Suite and unit directional numbers shall be not less than six inches (6") in height with a minimum stroke

width of three-quarter inch (0.75"). Individual unit numbers shall not be less than four inches (4") in

 height with a minimum stroke width of one-half inch (1/2").

Section 505.1.3 is added to read as follows:

 505.1.3 Complex Directory. Where two (2) or more buildings cannot be viewed from the public way or

when determined by the Fire Code O\cial, an approved illuminated complex directory, monument pole,

or other approved sign or means shall be used to identify the structures at the main entrances to the

 property.

Section 506.1 is amended to read as follows:

Section 506.1 Key Boxes. When access to or within a structure or area is determined by the Fire Code

O\cial to be unduly di\cult because of secured openings (doors or gates) or due to the presence of

hazardous materials or Zre protection systems, a key box shall be required to be installed at an

 accessible location. The key box shall be an approved type and contain those keys necessary to gain

 access.

Section 507.5 is amended to read as follows:

507.5 Fire Hydrant Systems. Fire hydrant systems shall comply with Sections 507.5.1 through 507.5.6

and Appendix C as amended.

Section 507.5.1 is amended to read as follows:

 507.5.1 Where Required. Where a portion of the facility or building hereafter constructed or moved into

or within the jurisdiction is more than 150 feet (45.179 m) from a hydrant on a Zre apparatus access

 road, as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the facility or building, on-site Zre

hydrants and mains shall be provided where required by the Fire Code O\cial.

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

Title 17 Building and Construction | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 66 of 170

Section 507.5.1: the exception is deleted.

Section 507.5.1.2 is added to read as follows:

 507.5.1.2 Additional Requirements.

  (a) Upon review of site conditions by the Fire Department, Zre hydrant spacing requirements may be

reduced or modiZed. Fire hydrants shall be placed along all adjoining public and private streets and Fire

Department access drives.

  (b) Divided streets shall have hydrants located as required by the Fire Code O\cial on both sides of the

 street and they shall be staggered to prevent a hydrant being placed directly across the divided street

from another hydrant.

  (c) Types of Hydrants: Hydrants shall conform to the City of Petaluma Sewer and Water Design and

Construction Standards.

510.1 Responder Communications Enhancement Systems.

Section 510.1 exception 1 is deleted.