San Joaquin County Municipal Code Ch. 1 General Regulations

That certain document in book form entitled California Fire Code, 2025 Edition including Appendix B, Appendix BB, Appendix C, Appendix CC, and Appendix P, published by the California Building Standards Commission, 2525 Natomas Park Drive, Suite 130, Sacramento, California 95833-2936, and incorporates by adoption the 2024 International Fire Code of the International Code Council, one (1) copy of which is available at the Community Development Department, 1810 East Hazelton Ave for examination and review by the public, is hereby adopted and enacted by the Board of Supervisors as the Fire Code of the County of San Joaquin including those portions which are specifically amended or added hereinafter.

4.1000.1 Adoption of Appendix B of the 2025 California Fire Code

That certain document in book form entitled Appendix C of the 2025 California Fire Code published by the California Building Standards Commission, 2525 Natomas Park Drive, Suite 130, Sacramento, California 95833-2936, one (1) copy of which is available at the Community Development Department, 1810 East Hazelton Ave for examination and use by the public, is hereby adopted and enacted by the Board of Supervisors as part of the Fire Code of the County of San Joaquin.

Appendix B Fire-Flow Requirements for Buildings provides a tool for the use of jurisdictions in establishing a policy for determining fire-flow requirements in accordance with Section 507.3. The primary tool used in this appendix is a table that presents fire flow based on construction type and building area based on the correlation of the Insurance Services Office (ISO) method and the construction types used in the California Building Code.

4.1000.2 Adoption of Appendix BB of the 2025 California Fire Code

That certain document in book form entitled Appendix C of the 2025 California Fire Code published by the California Building Standards Commission, 2525 Natomas Park Drive, Suite 130, Sacramento, California 95833-2936, one (1) copy of which is available at the Community Development Department, 1810 East Hazelton Ave for examination and use by the public, is hereby adopted and enacted by the Board of Supervisors as part of the Fire Code of the County of San Joaquin.

Appendix BB Fire-flow Requirements for Buildings. The procedures determining fire-flow requirements for any school buildings or portions of buildings hereafter constructed for which review and approval is required under Subdivision(a) of Section 17280 of the Government Code shall be in accordance with this appendix as amended by the state fire marshal.

4.1000.3 Adoption of Appendix C of the 2025 California Fire Code

That certain document in book form entitled Appendix C of the 2025 California Fire Code published by the California Building Standards Commission, 2525 Natomas Park Drive, Suite 130, Sacramento, California 95833-2936, one (1) copy of which is available at the Community Development Department, 1810 East Hazelton Ave for examination and use by the public, is hereby adopted and enacted by the Board of Supervisors as part of the Fire Code of the County of San Joaquin.

Appendix C Fire Hydrant Locations and Distribution. Appendix C focuses on the location and spacing of fire hydrants, which is important to the success of firefighting operations. This particular appendix gives one methodology based on the required fire flow that fire departments can work with to set a policy for hydrant distribution around new buildings and facilities in conjunction with Section 507.5.

4.1000.4 Adoption of Appendix CC of the 2025 California Fire Code

That certain document in book form entitled Appendix C of the 2025 California Fire Code published by the California Building Standards Commission, 2525 Natomas Park Drive, Suite 130, Sacramento, California 95833-2936, one (1) copy of which is available at the Community Development Department, 1810 East Hazelton Ave for examination and use by the public, is hereby adopted and enacted by the Board of Supervisors as part of the Fire Code of the County of San Joaquin.

Appendix CC Fire Hydrant Locations and Distribution. Fire hydrants shall be provided in accordance with this appendix for the protection of any school buildings, or portions thereof, hereafter constructed for which review and approval are required under Subdivision(a) of Section 17280 of the Government Code.

4.1000.5 Adoption of Appendix P of the 2025 California Fire Code

That certain document in book form entitled Appendix C of the 2025 California Fire Code published by the California Building Standards Commission, 2525 Natomas Park Drive, Suite 130, Sacramento, California 95833-2936, one (1) copy of which is available at the Community Development Department, 1810 East Hazelton Ave for examination and use by the public, is hereby adopted and enacted by the Board of Supervisors as part of the Fire Code of the County of San Joaquin.

Appendix P Temporary Haunted Houses, Ghost Walks and Similar Amusement Uses. These regulations shall apply to temporary haunted houses, ghost walks or similar amusement uses, where decorative materials and confusing sounds and/or visual effects are present and shall be in accordance with this appendix.

(Ord. No. 4687, § 1, 1-13-2026)

The San Joaquin County Bureau of Fire Prevention is created under the direction of the County Fire Warden as directed by the Community Development Director.

(Ord. No. 4687, § 1, 1-13-2026)

(a) The County Fire Warden is the Director of the Community Development Department, or designated representative, and is the fire code official responsible for the administration and enforcement of the California Fire Code.

(b) The County Fire Warden and members of the Fire Prevention Bureau shall have the powers of a peace officer in performing their duties under this Code. When requested by the County Fire Warden, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office is authorized to assign such available officers as necessary to assist the County Fire Warden in enforcing the provisions of this Code. The County Fire Warden may appoint deputies to assist in the enforcement of said laws, and such deputies shall include the Chief of all Fire Districts, and their authorized representatives within the County.

(Ord. No. 4687, § 1, 1-13-2026)

Section 105 of Chapter 1, Division II of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read:

Section 105.1.2 Types of Permits. There shall be two types of permits as follows:

1. Operational Permit. Operational Permits required by this Code shall be obtained from the County Fire Warden in such form, detail and procedures as the County Fire Warden may prescribe. Permit fees shall be paid prior to the issuance of such operational permits. Issued permits shall be kept on the premises designated therein at all times and shall be readily available for inspection by the County Fire Warden. Such permits shall be issued on an annual basis unless otherwise noted. If a rural fire protection district has established a Bureau of Fire Prevention, it may issue permits and collect fees subject to this Code if it complies with County procedures set forth pursuant to this section.

2. Construction Permit. A construction permit allows the applicant to install or modify systems and equipment for which a permit is required by Section 105.6.

Every construction permit issued by the County Fire Warden under the provisions of this Code shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the building or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 180 days from the date of such permit, or if the building or work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 180 days. Work shall be considered abandoned if an inspection has not been recorded and approved within 180 days.

Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit shall be first obtained to do so, and the fee, therefore, shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work; and provided further that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year.

Any permittee holding an unexpired permit may apply for an extension of the time within which he may commence work under that permit when he is unable to commence work within the time required by this section for good and satisfactory reasons. The County Fire Warden may extend the time for action by the permittee for a period not exceeding 180 days upon written request by the permittee showing that circumstances beyond the control of the permittee have prevented actions from being taken. A Notice of Code Violation may be recorded when a Fire construction permit is expired.

Section 105.5.31 Miscellaneous Combustible Storage.

An operational permit is required to store in any building or on any premises in excess of 2,500 cubic feet (71 m 3 ) gross volume of combustible empty packing cases, wood or plastic palletized packing boxes, wood or plastic bin boxes, boxes, barrels or similar containers, combustible pallets, rubber tires, rubber, cork or similar combustible material.

Section 105.6 Required Construction Permits.

Construction Permits required by this Code shall be obtained from the San Joaquin County Building Division in such form, detail and procedures as the County Fire Warden may prescribe. Fire plan check and inspection permit fees shall be paid prior to the issuance of a building permit. The fire plan check and inspection fees for construction permits associated with building permits and this Code shall be set by a board resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Joaquin. The County Fire Warden shall certify plans of all occupancies requiring a permit from this Code.

(Ord. No. 4687, § 1, 1-13-2026)

Section 111 of Chapter One (1), Division II of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

4-1004.1. Building Board of Appeals. Section 8-1011 Building Board of Appeals of Division 1 of Title 8 of the Ordinance Code of San Joaquin County shall be used to determine the suitability of alternate materials and types of construction, and to provide a reasonable interpretation of the provisions of the 2025 California Fire Code.

(Ord. No. 4687, § 1, 1-13-2026)

The following definitions shall be added to Section 202 of the 2025 California Fire Code.

1. Code shall mean the 2025 California Fire Code, Title 24, California Code of Regulations, Part 9, incorporating the 2024 Edition of the International Fire Code of the International Code Council with necessary California amendments.

2. Chief or Fire Code Official shall mean the County Fire Warden or designated representative as defined in 4-1002.

(Ord. No. 4687, § 1, 1-13-2026)

Section 503.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read:

Section 503.1 Where Required:

Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Section 503 and the San Joaquin County Fire Chiefs Association, Fire Apparatus Access Road Standard.

(Ord. No. 4687, § 1, 1-13-2026)

Sections 315 and 2810 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read:

Section 315.7.5 Pallet Types.

Pallets shall be all wood, with slatted or solid top or bottom, with metal fasteners, or shall be plastic or composite pallets, listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2335 or FM 4996, or wood or plastic palletized packing boxes, or wood or plastic bin boxes. Plastic pallets shall be both solid and gridded deck, independent of the pallet manufacturing process, type of resin used in fabrication or geometry of the pallet.

Section 315.8 Pallets and Palletized packing boxes and bin boxes.

In addition to the requirements contained in Section 315, the following requirement shall also apply:

1. Pallets, palletized packing boxes, and bin boxes shall be piled with due regard to stability of piles and in no case higher than 12 feet. All outdoor pallet stacks shall be arranged to form stable piles. Individual pallet piles shall not exceed a cover area greater than 400 square feet. All pallet storage will comply with the separation distances identified in the California Fire Code, Section 315.7.6. All stacks of pallets shall not be stored within 10 feet of property lines.

2. Driveways between and around pallets, bin boxes, and palletized packing boxes shall be a minimum of 20 feet wide and maintained free from accumulations of rubbish, weeds, machinery, or other articles that would block access or add to the fire hazard.

3. Pallets, palletized packing boxes, and bin box storage operating under a permit shall be enclosed by a suitable fence of at least six (6) feet in height, unless storage is in a building.

4. An approved water supply and fire hydrants capable of supplying the required fire flow shall be provided within 150 feet of all portions of the storage, manufacturing, and repair areas in accordance with Section 507.5, California Fire Code.

Section 2810.1 General.

The outside storage of wood pallets, wood composite pallets, wood or plastic palletized packing boxes, or wood or plastic bin boxes on the same site as a pallet manufacturing or pallet recycling facility shall comply with Sections 2810.2 through 2810.11.

Section 2810.12 Pallets and Palletized packing boxes and bin boxes.

In addition to the requirements contained in Section 2810, the following requirements shall also apply:

1. Pallets, palletized packing boxes, and bin boxes shall be piled with due regard to stability of piles and in no case higher than 12 feet. All outdoor pallet stacks shall be arranged to form stable piles. Individual pallet piles shall not exceed a cover area greater than 400 square feet. All pallet storage will comply with the separation distances identified in the 2025 California Fire Code, Section 315.7.6. All stacks of pallets shall not be stored within 10 feet of property lines.

2. Driveways between and around pallets, bin boxes, and palletized packing boxes shall be a minimum of 20 feet wide and maintained free from accumulations of rubbish, weeds, machinery, or other articles that would block access or add to the fire hazard.

3. Pallets, palletized packing boxes, and bin box storage operating under a permit shall be enclosed and screened by a suitable fence of at least six (6) feet in height, so as not to be visible from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way, unless storage is in a building.

4. An approved water supply and fire hydrants capable of supplying the required fire flow shall be provided within 150 feet of all portions of the storage, manufacturing, and repair areas in accordance with Section 507.5, 2025 California Fire Code.

Section 2810.13 Secured Storage of Pallets. In addition to the requirements contained in Section 2810, the following requirements shall also apply:

1. Definitions

a. "Pallet" means any wooden, composite, or plastic platform used for the storage or transport of goods, whether active, idle, or discarded.

b. "Commercial Property" means any property zoned for or occupied by a business or industrial use.

c. "Secured Storage" means storage that is enclosed by a locked fence, gated enclosure, or indoor facility not accessible to the general public.

2. Secured Storage Requirement

All commercial or industrial establishments must store pallets in a secured storage area.

No pallets may be left in areas accessible to the public, including alleys, driveways, loading docks, or any unfenced portions of a parcel, outside of active loading or unloading operations.

Pallets shall not remain in unsecured areas for longer than ninety (90) consecutive minutes during normal business hours unless they are actively being used for loading or unloading.

3. Visibility from the Public Right-of-Way

Pallets shall not be stored in locations visible from public streets, sidewalks, or alleys unless fully screened and secured in accordance with Section 2810.12 item 3..

4. Exceptions: This Section shall not apply to:

a. Pallets stored indoors or within fully enclosed and locked dock bays, provided such storage comply with all applicable fire and building codes, including California Fire Code requirements for egress, clearance, and combustible storage;

b. Construction sites with active building permits, provided the pallets are associated with on-site construction materials.

c. Emergency situations authorized by the Fire Warden.

Section 5601.1 of Chapter 56, of the 2025 California Fire Code, is hereby amended by adding the following:

a) Definitions. The following words and phrases shall, for the purposes of this Chapter, have the following meanings ascribed to them:

"Fireworks" has the same meaning as in California Health and Safety Code Section 12511 and includes any combustible or explosive composition or any substance or combination of substances or articles prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation, including, but not limited to, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, bombs, sparklers, chasers, snakes, or other fireworks containing any explosive or flammable substance. Fireworks include "dangerous fireworks" (as defined in Health and Safety Code Sections 12505 and 1256) and "safe and sane fireworks" (as defined in Health & Safety Code Sections 12529 and 12562). These definitions do not include ammunition used for target shooting or hunting, nor does it include what is ordinarily known as cap pistol caps.

"Public Display of Fireworks" means an entertainment feature where the public or a private group is admitted or permitted to view the display or discharge of dangerous fireworks, as defined in Section 12505 of the Health and Safety Code.

"Salute Fireworks" means fireworks designed to produce an explosive sound as their primary effect.

"Aerial Salute Fireworks" means a salute firework that functions as an aerial shell.

"Ground Salute Fireworks" means a salute firework that functions from a stationary or secured position.

"Response costs" means those reasonable and necessary costs directly incurred by the County and/or public safety personnel for a response to a violation of this Chapter, and include the cost of providing law enforcement, firefighting, medical or other emergency services at the scene of the violation, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Salaries and benefits of public safety personnel for the amount of time spent responding to, remaining at, or otherwise dealing with the violation, and the administrative costs attributable to the response(s); and

(2) The cost of any medical treatment to or for any public safety personnel injured responding to, remaining at, or leaving the scene of the violation; and.

(3) The cost of repairing any County or public safety equipment or property damage, and the cost of the use of any such equipment, in responding to, remaining at, or leaving the scene of the violation.

(4) Any other costs related to enforcement of this Section.

"Social Host" means a person who either:

(1) Is in charge of private property, including, but not limited to, an owner, tenant, landlord, or property manager; or

(2) Organizes, supervises, officiates at, conducts, controls, or is otherwise in charge of the activity on a property.

b) Fireworks Prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to possess, use, discharge, display, give away, sell, offer for sale, transport, or cause to be transported, any fireworks as defined in this Code in the unincorporated areas of San Joaquin County.

c) Exception-Certain Public Displays. This Code shall not prohibit public fireworks displays providing a permit is obtained from the County Fire Warden as prescribed in 4-1003 of this Code. Public displays shall be performed under the direct supervision of a California State Licensed Pyrotechnic Operator.

Salute fireworks shall be prohibited in Public Display of Fireworks, including single-break aerial salute shells, multi-break shells with salutes and shells, and ground salutes.

Public displays shall be performed in accordance with Section 5608 of the California Fire Code 2025 Edition. This Code shall not prohibit the use by railroad or other transportation agencies, for signal or illumination purposes, torpedoes, flares, or fuses; nor the sale of blank cartridges for theatrical or ceremonial purposes, athletic events or military ceremonials or demonstrations.

d) Seizure and Destruction of Fireworks. The County Fire Warden or designated representatives including the San Joaquin County Sheriff and Fire Chiefs or their designated representatives in the unincorporated portions of San Joaquin County shall seize, take, remove or cause to be removed and arrange for destruction at the expense of the owner, all stocks of fireworks offered for sale or exposed for sale, stored, possessed or transported or otherwise in violation of this Code.

e) Violations-Penalties.

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to violate or to permit the violation of any provisions of this chapter. All owners, occupants and other persons at or on the property or premises where Fireworks are possessed, sold, ignited, exploded, discharged, projected, or otherwise fired or used may be cited for and convicted of violations of this chapter.

(2) Social Host Liability.

a) Any social host shall be strictly liable for any unlawful ignition, use, discharge, or display of any dangerous fireworks or safe and sane fireworks in violation of 4-1008(b) at their property or gathering; except that:

1. No owner of private property shall be liable under this Subsection (e) for a violation of this chapter occurring on the owner's property if the owner can demonstrate that, at the time of such violation:

(i) The owner had either rented or leased the property to another or the violation was committed by an individual who was unlawfully present or had trespassed on the owner's property;

(ii) The owner was not present; and

(iii) The owner had no prior knowledge the violation was going to occur.

b) No social host shall be liable under this subsection who initiates contact with law enforcement or fire officials to assist in removing any person from the property or terminating the activity in order to comply with this chapter, if the request for assistance is made before the arrival of law enforcement or fire officials to the property and before any other person contacts law enforcement or fire officials to complain about the violation of this chapter.

c) No person who has the right to use, possess, or occupy a unit in a multifamily residential property under a lease, rental agreement, or contract shall be liable under this Subsection (e) for violations of this chapter occurring in the common areas of the property.

d) Nothing in this Subsection (e) shall limit the liability of any social host for a violation of this chapter by the social host.

e) Violations in the Right-of-Way. No social host shall aid or abet another person's violation of a provision of this chapter in a public right-of-way adjacent to the social host's property. A social host aids and abets another person's violation of a provision of this chapter if he or she knows of the other person's unlawful purpose and the social host specifically intends to, and does in fact, aid, facilitate, promote, encourage, or instigate the other person's commission of that violation.

f) Ignition, Use, Discharge, or Display by Minors. Any person having the care, custody, or control of a person under 18 years of age shall be strictly liable for any unlawful ignition, use, discharge, or display of dangerous fireworks or safe and sane fireworks in violation of 4-1008(b).

(3) A violation of this Chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor, provided, however, that in the discretion of the District Attorney, may be charged and prosecuted as an infraction. Each conviction of a misdemeanor under this Chapter shall be punishable as set forth in California Health and Safety Code Section 12700, as may be amended from time to time. Every violation determined to be an infraction is (shall be) punishable by (1) a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00) for a first violation; (2) a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200.00) for a second violation of the same ordinance within one (1) year; (3) a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each additional violation within one (1) year.

(4) Violations of this Chapter shall be prosecuted by the District Attorney.

f) Enforcement. The provisions of this Chapter shall be enforced by the County Fire Warden or designated representatives including the San Joaquin County Sheriff and Fire Chiefs or their designated representatives in the unincorporated portions of San Joaquin County. All such persons are authorized to enter upon, inspect, and examine any property or premises to determine whether a violation of this Chapter exists or has occurred. If the Owner or Occupant of the property or premises refuses to permit entrance, inspection or examination pursuant to this Chapter, the County Fire Warden or designated representatives including the San Joaquin County Sheriff and Fire Chiefs or their designated representatives may seek an inspection warrant pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1822.50, et seq., as may be amended from time to time.

g) Application of State Law. Nothing in this Chapter shall limit any of the penalties provided in the Health and Safety Code or the California Penal Code with regard to the offer for sale, exposing for sale, sale at retail, or the use or discharge of any fireworks.

h) Response costs.

(1) A person who has violated this chapter may be liable for response costs incurred in responding to the unpermitted use, discharge or storage of fireworks.

(2) If a person who violated this chapter is a minor charge, the responsible guardian(s) of the minor charge and the minor charge shall be jointly and severally liable for the response costs incurred pursuant to this chapter.

(3) To incur liability for response costs imposed by this chapter, a person who violates this chapter need not be present at the event that causes the response giving rise to the imposition of response costs.

(4) Response costs imposed by this chapter are in addition to any other costs that may be recovered under this Code.

(5) Violations of this chapter may be served by first class or certified mail.

(6) Payment of violations of this chapter shall be remitted to the Fire Prevention Bureau within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of the notice. Payment of any such costs may be stayed upon the filing of a timely appeal.

(7) A person charged under this chapter may, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of the notice, may appeal in accordance with 4-1004.1 of this ordinance. Failure to timely file an appeal constitutes a failure to exhaust available administrative remedies and bars any further review or appeal of the violation.

i. Concurrent Authorities. This Chapter is not the exclusive regulation for fireworks within the unincorporated area of the County. It shall supplement and be in addition to the other regulatory codes, statutes, and ordinances heretofore and hereafter enacted by the County, State, or any other legal entity or agency having jurisdiction. In the event of any conflict between the penalties set forth in this chapter and any penalties set forth in State law, the maximum penalties allowable under State law govern.

(Ord. No. 4687, § 1, 1-13-2026)

Section 108 of Chapter 1, Division II of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:

Permit Fees: The fee for each permit shall be as set forth from time to time by resolution of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors. The County may establish fees sufficient to recover its costs in administering this Code. No permit shall be issued until such fees have been paid.

(a) Public Agencies. Fees shall be required, pursuant to this Section, of a municipal corporation, State of California, political subdivisions of the State of California, or the United States of America.

(b) Fee Refund. The County Fire Warden may authorize refunding of any fee paid hereunder, which was erroneously paid or collected. The County Fire Warden may authorize refunding of not more than eighty percent (80%) of the permit fee paid when no work has been done under a permit issued in accordance with this Code. Except that no refunds will be processed for permits 360 days from date of issue with no work done or for permits of $100.00 or less.

(c) Fees for Applications to Correct Violations. Applications made to correct violations of the requirements of this Code shall pay a fee equal to two (2) times the application fee normally charged for the application, up to a maximum of five hundred dollars ($500.00) over the application fee normally charged.

(d) Disposition of Fees. All fees collected under the provisions of this Code shall be paid into the Country Treasury, to credit of the General Fund.