San Leandro Municipal Code Art. 8 Fire Code

(Legislative History: Ord. No. 2025-016, 12/1/2025 (Sections 7-5-800, 7-5-810)[1])

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Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed Ord. No. 2019-018 and Ord. No. 2022-014.

Except as hereafter specifically set forth, the "California Fire Code, 2025 Edition," published by the International Code Council with Sections 101, 103.2, 104, 105.2.3, 108.503 and Appendix Chapters B and C is hereby adopted as the Fire Code of the City of San Leandro. However, in accordance with California Government Code Section 50022.4, no penalty clauses are adopted by reference. In the event an amendment to the California Building Standards Code results in differences between these building standards and the California Building Standards Code, the text of these building standards shall govern. In accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7, express findings that modification to the California Building Standards Code are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological or topographical conditions are either already on file with the California Building Standards Commission, or will be filed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Article. In accordance with California Government Code Section 50022.6, at least one true copy of the California Fire Code has been on file with the San Leandro City Clerk 15 days prior to the enactment of the ordinance codified in this Chapter. While this Chapter is in force, a true copy of the California Fire Code shall be kept for public inspection in the office of the San Leandro City Clerk.

(a) 101.1 Title—Amended.

These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of San Leandro, hereinafter referred to as "this code."

(b) 103.2 Appointment—Amended.

The fire code official shall be appointed by the fire chief serving the City of San Leandro.

(c) 104.7 Official records—Amended.

The City of San Leandro shall keep official records as required Sections 104.7.1, 104.7.2, 104.7.4, 104.7.5, and 107.4.7.6. Such official records shall be retained for not less than five years or for as long as the structure or activity to which such records relate remains in existence, unless otherwise provided by other regulations.

104.7.1 Approvals. A record of approvals shall be maintained by the City of San Leandro Building Department and shall be available for public inspection during business hours in accordance with applicable laws.

104.7.2 Inspections. The City of San Leandro Building Department shall keep a record of each inspection made, including notices and orders issued, showing the findings and disposition of each.

104.7.3 Fire records. The fire department shall keep a record of fires occurring within the City of San Leandro and of facts concerning the same, including statistics as to the extent of such fires and the damage caused thereby.

104.7.4 Code alternatives and modifications. Application for modification, alternative methods or materials and the final decision of the fire code or building official shall be in writing and shall be officially recorded in the permanent records of the City of San Leandro.

104.7.5 Tests. The City of San Leandro shall keep a record of tests conducted to comply with Sections 104.2.2.4 and 104.2.3.5.

104.7.6 Fees. The City of San Leandro shall keep a record of fees collected and refunded in accordance with the City San Leandro Master Fee Schedule.

(d) 105.1.2 Types of permits—Amended.

There shall be two types of permits as follows:

1. Operational permit. An operational permit allows the applicant to conduct an operation or a business for which a permit is required by Section 105.5 until said permit is revoked by the fire department.

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.

(e) 108.2 Schedule of permit fees—Amended. Fees shall be assessed for permits and associated plan review in accordance with the fee schedule established by the San Leandro City Council as set forth in Chapter 4 of the San Leandro Administrative Code.

(f) 108.6 Refunds—Amended. Shall be in accordance with the provisions in Section 109 of the San Leandro Building Code.

(g) 113.4 Violation penalties—Amended. 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 subject to penalties as prescribed by law.

113.4.1 Abatement of violation. In addition to the imposition of the penalties herein described, the fire code official is authorized to institute appropriate action to prevent unlawful construction or to restrain, correct or abate a violation; or to prevent illegal occupancy of a structure or premise; or to stop an illegal act, conduct of business or occupancy or a structure on or about any premise.

(h) 903.2.1.1 Group A-1—Amended. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for fire areas containing Group A-1 occupancies and intervening floors of the building where one of the following conditions exists:

1. The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (697 m2), or

2. The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more, or

3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies, or

4. The Fire area contains a multi-theater complex, or

(i) 903.2.1.2 Group A-2—Amended. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for fire areas containing Group A-2 occupancies and intervening floors of the building where one of the following conditions exists:

1. The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (465 m2), or

2. The fire area has an occupant load of 100 or more, or

3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies, or

(j) 903.2.1.3 Group A-3—Amended. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for fire areas contain Group A-3 occupancies and intervening floors of the building where one of the following conditions exists:

1. The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (697 m2), or

2. The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more, or

3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies, or

(k) 903.2.1.4 Group A-4—Amended. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for fire areas containing Group A-4 occupancies and intervening floors of the building where one of the following conditions exists:

1. The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (697 m2, or

2. The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more, or

3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exist discharge serving such occupancies, or

(l) 903.2.2 Group B Occupancies—Amended. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in Group B occupancies where the floor area exceeds 5,000 square feet (697 m2). and as required is Sections 903.2.2.1 and 903.2.2.2.

(m) 903.2.3 Group E—Amended. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group E occupancies as follows:

1. Throughout all Group E fire areas greater than 5,000 square feet (697 m2) in area.

2. Throughout every portion of educational buildings below the lowest level of exit discharge serving that portion of the building.

3. In rooms or areas with special hazards such as laboratories, vocational shops and other areas where hazardous materials in quantities not exceeding the maximum allowable quantity are used or stored.

(n) 903.2.4 Group F-1—Amended. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group F-1 occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:

1. A Group F-1 fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (697 m2).

2. A Group F-1 fire area is located more than three stories above the grade plane.

3. A Group F-1 occupancy is used to manufacture lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries.

4. A Group F-1 occupancy is used to manufacture vehicles, energy storage systems or equipment containing lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries where the batteries are installed as part of the manufacturing process.

5. Throughout a Group F-1 fire area that contains woodworking operations in excess of 2,500 square feet (232 m2).

6. A Group F-1 occupancy used for the manufacture of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 2,500 square feet (232 m2).

7. Throughout a Group F-1 fire area used for the manufacture of distilled spirits.

(o) 903.2.7 Group M—Amended. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group M occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:

1. A Group M fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (697 m2), or

2. A Group M fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane, or

3. When the overall height of the building exceeds 30 feet.

(p) 903.2.7.1 High-piled storage—Amended. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided as required in Chapter 32 in all buildings of Group M where storage of merchandise is in high-piled or rack storage arrays.

903.2.7.3 Lithium-ion or lithium metal battery storage. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in a room or space within a Group M occupancy where required for the storage of lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries by Section 320 or Chapter 32.

(q) 903.2.9 Group S-1—Amended. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group S-1 occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:

1. A Group S-1 fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (697 m2).

2. A Group S-1 Fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.

3. A Group S-1 occupancy used for the storage of lithium-ion or lithium metal powered vehicles where the fire area area exceeds 500 square feet (46.4 m2).

903.2.9.1 Repair garages. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings used as repair garages in accordance with Section 406.8 of the California Building Code, as shown:

4. 903.2.9.2 Bulk storage of tires. Buildings and structures where the area for the storage of tires exceeds 20,000 cubic feet (566 m3) shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

903.2.9.3 Group S-1 distilled spirits or wine. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout a Group S-1 fire area used for the bulk storage of distilled spirits or wine.

903.2.9.4 Group S-1 upholstered furniture and mattresses. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout a Group S-1 fire area where the area used for the storage of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 2,5000 square feet (232 m2).

(r) 903.2.10 Group S-2 enclosed parking garages—Amended.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings classified as enclosed parking garages in accordance with Section 406.6 of the California Building Code where one of the following conditions exists:

1. Where the fire area of the enclosed parking garage exceeds 5,000 square feet (697m2).

2. Where then enclosed parking garage is located beneath other groups.

903.2.10.1 Commercial parking garages. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings used for storage of commercial motor vehicles where the fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (465 m2).

903.2.10.2 Mechanical-access enclosed parking garages. An approved automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings used for the storage of motor vehicles in a mechanical-access enclosed parking garage. The portion of the building that contains the mechanical-access enclosed parking garage shall be protected with a specially engineered automatic sprinkler system.

(s) 903.6 Where required in existing buildings and structures—Amended.

The provisions of this section are in addition to those requirements set forth in Chapter 11. Fire sprinklers shall be installed in existing commercial occupancies when any of the following exist:

1. Whenever an addition is made to an existing building causing the total square footage of the building to exceed 5,000 square feet (697 m2). The entire building shall be equipped with sprinklers.

2. When a change in occupancy or use to more hazardous occupancy type occurs, the structure will be required to meet the requirements as set forth for new construction for the new occupancy classification. In residential occupancies, fire sprinklers shall be installed when there is an addition that result in the fire area square footage exceeding 3600 square feet (334 m2) including any attached U occupancies or garages.

Storage is prohibited in areas designated as residential within the San Leandro city limits.