Pinole Municipal Code § 1.1 General

The purpose of this code is to establish minimum requirements to reduce the likelihood of life and property loss due to a wildfire through the use of performance and prescriptive requirements for construction and development in all Fire Hazard Severity Zones in State Responsibility Areas (SRA), and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Very High and High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, increase the ability of buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone within State Responsibility Areas (SRA), Local Responsibility Area (LRA), or Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Areas to resist the intrusion of flames or burning embers projected by a vegetation fire, and contribute to a systematic reduction in conflagration losses and reduce the likelihood of life and property loss due to a wildfire.

SECTION 101-SCOPE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Section 101.1 is amended to read:

101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code of Contra Costa County, the Crockett-Carquinez Fire Protection District, and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District hereinafter referred to as "this code."

Section [A]101.5 is amended to read:

[A] 101.5 - Additions or alterations. Additions or alterations shall be permitted to be made to any building or structure without requiring the existing building or structure to comply with all of the requirements of this code, provided that the addition or alteration conforms to that required for a new building or structure. Exception:

1. Provisions of this code that specifically apply to existing conditions are retroactive.

2. Substantial addition or alteration to any building or structure will require the existing building or structure to comply with all of the requirements of this code.

3. Additions or alterations shall not be made to an existing building or structure that will cause the existing building or structure to be in violation of any of the provisions of this code nor shall such additions or alterations cause the existing building or structure to become unsafe. An unsafe condition shall be deemed to have been created if an addition or alteration will cause the existing building or structure to become structurally unsafe or overloaded; will not provide adequate access in compliance with the provisions of this code or will obstruct existing exits or access; will create a fire hazard; will reduce required fire resistance or will otherwise create conditions dangerous to human life.

Section 202 is amended by adding the following definitions to that section:

Section 202 - Definitions

Substantial Addition. The addition of new gross floor area exceeds fifty percent of the existing gross floor area and the total new gross floor area is 5,000 square feet or greater.

Substantial Alteration. Where fifty percent or greater of the linear length of the wall of the building (exterior and interior) and fifty percent of the roof are removed or replaced within a one-year period.

Section 508 is added to read:

Section 508 - Non-Combustible Fences in Wild land-Urban Interface Fire Areas.

508.1 Scope.

This section applies to:

1. New residential subdivisions containing 30 or more dwelling units within a designated Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area.

508.2 General Requirement. All fences regulated by this section shall be constructed of non-combustible materials, or materials approved for a minimum one-hour fire-resistance rating.

508.3 Location.

1. In new developments of 30 or more dwelling units, all perimeter lots where any portion of the fence is located within 30 feet of a structure.

2. Fence posts, gates, and decorative features shall be constructed of non-combustible materials consistent with this section. Exceptions:

3. Fences located entirely outside a Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area.

4. Agricultural or open-space fencing (such as barbed wire, welded wire, or similar non-combustible designs) as approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

5. Temporary fencing for construction or erosion control, provided it is removed within 180 days.

(Ord. 2025-05 § 3 (part), 2025)