San Luis Obispo County Municipal Code Ch. 16.10 California Fire Code

Footnotes:

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Prior ordinance history: Ords. 2435, 2469, 2633, 2774, 2785, 2808, 2876 and 2979.

Except as amended in Section 16.10.60, Part 9 of the California Building and Standards Code, which is known as the 2025 California Fire Code, including Appendix, Chapter 4, Section 103, Section 503, Section 112 and Appendices B, BB C, CC, F and H. adopted by reference into this Chapter. All other Appendices to the 2025 Fire Code are expressly not adopted. All annual supplements and state amendments and errata are adopted by reference into this chapter; and Adopt Part 7 of the California Building and Standards Code, which is known as the 2025 California Wildland Urban Interface Code.

(Ord. 3134 § 2 (part), 2007)

(Ord. No. 3205, § 1, 12-7-10; Ord. No. 3249, § 1, 12-3-13; Ord. No. 3342, § 1, 12-6-16; Ord. No. 3401, § 3, 11-19-19; Ord. No. 3481, § 3, 11-8-22; Ord. No. 3554, § 1, 10-21-25)

(a) Wherever the word "jurisdiction" is used in the California Fire Code, it shall mean the unincorporated territory of the County of San Luis Obispo protected by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection/San Luis Obispo County Fire Department.

(b) Wherever the phrase "building department" is used in the California Fire Code, it shall mean the San Luis Obispo County Department of Planning and Building.

(c) Wherever the phrase "chief of police" is used in the California Fire Code, it shall mean the Sheriff of San Luis Obispo County.

(Ord. 3134 § 2 (part), 2007)

(Ord. No. 3205, § 1, 12-7-10; Ord. No. 3249, § 1, 12-3-13; Ord. No. 3342, § 1, 12-6-16; Ord. No. 3401, § 3, 11-19-19)

The limits referred to in Sections 5704.2.9.6.1 of the California Fire Code, "Locations where above-ground tanks are prohibited" by which the storage of flammable or combustible liquids is restricted are established by the provisions of San Luis Obispo County Code, including, but not limited to, Titles 22 and 23.

(Ord. 3134 § 2 (part), 2007)

(Ord. No. 3205, § 1, 12-7-10; Ord. No. 3249, § 1, 12-3-13; Ord. No. 3342, § 1, 12-6-16; Ord. No. 3401, § 3, 11-19-19)

The limits referred to in Section 6104.2 "Maximum capacity within established limits" of the California Fire Code, by which storage of liquefied petroleum gas is restricted are established by the provisions of San Luis Obispo County Code, including, but not limited to, Titles 22 and 23.

(Ord. 3134 § 2 (part), 2007)

(Ord. No. 3205, § 1, 12-7-10; Ord. No. 3249, § 1, 12-3-13; Ord. No. 3342, § 1, 12-6-16; Ord. No. 3401, § 3, 11-19-19)

The limits referred to in Chapter 56 of the California Fire Code regarding the storage of explosive materials are established by the provisions of San Luis Obispo County Code, including, but not limited to, Titles 22 and 23.

(Ord. 3134 § 2 (part), 2007)

(Ord. No. 3205, § 1, 12-7-10; Ord. No. 3249, § 1, 12-3-13; Ord. No. 3342, § 1, 12-6-16; Ord. No. 3401, § 3, 11-19-19)

The California Fire Code is hereby amended as follows:

Section 101.1 "Title", is amended to read as follows:

101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the County of San Luis Obispo, hereinafter referred to as "this code."

Section 103. "Department of Fire Prevention" is amended by addition thereto as follows:

103.5 Fire prevention Bureau Personnel and Police. "The chief of the fire department and certain other members of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection/San Luis Obispo County Fire Department have the authority of peace officers or public officers pursuant to California Penal Code sections 830.2(g), 830.7(d) and 836.5(a) in performing their duties under the California Fire Code."

Section 105.3.3 "Occupancy Prohibited Before Approval" is amended to read as follows:

105.3.3 Occupancy and use prohibited before approval. The building or structure shall not be occupied prior to the fire code official issuing a permit that indicates that applicable provisions of this code have been met. No appliance, device, equipment, or system shall be operated or used until the installation has been approved and permitted by the fire code official and all applicable provisions of this code have been met. It shall be the duty of the permit applicant or contractor or both to cause the work to remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes.

Section 112 "Board of Appeals Established" is amended to read as follows:

112 Board of Appeals Established. Appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the fire code official relative to the application and interpretation of this code, shall be heard and decided by the Fire Code Board of Appeals established by the Board of Supervisors on 10-9-1990 (Consent Agenda Item A-15 which is on file in the Office of the County Clerk-Recorder).

Section 202, "General Definitions" the definition of "Alteration" is amended to read as follows:

Alteration. Any construction change or renovation to an existing structure. Alterations include, but are not limited to, the addition or elimination of walls within the existing building envelope.

Floor area is amended to read as follows:

Floor Area. For the purpose of calculating square footage for the application of fire sprinkler requirements and fire flow requirements, the floor area shall include all combustible areas attached to the structure, including garages, patio covers, workshops and alterations, additions and remodel square footage will be considered a combined and cumulative sum of floor area.

Section 302.1, "Definitions", is amended to add the following definition:

SKY LANTERN. An airborne lantern typically made of paper with a wood frame containing a candle, fuel cell composed of waxy flammable material or other open flame which serves as a heat source to heat the air inside the lantern to cause it to lift into the air. Sky candles, fire balloons and airborne paper lanterns mean the same as sky lanterns.

Fuel modification definition is added to read as follows.

Fuel Modification: A method of modifying fuel load by reducing the amount of non-fire resistive vegetation or altering the type of vegetation to reduce the fuel load

Section 308.1.6.3 is added to read as follows:

308.1.6.3 Sky lanterns. The ignition and launching of sky lanterns is prohibited.

Exceptions:

Upon approval of the fire code official, sky lanterns may be used under the following conditions:

(a) When necessary for religious or cultural ceremonies and adequate safeguards have been taken in the discretion of the fire code official.

(b) Sky Lanterns shall be tethered in a safe manner to prevent them from leaving the area and must be constantly attended until extinguished.

Section 403 Public Assemblages and Events is amended by addition thereto to read as follows:

403.2.2 Procedures.

Prior to Fire Department Review, proposed event area must first complete all requirements pursuant to Title 22, the San Luis Obispo County Land Use Ordinance. This includes receiving any necessary land use permit approval and issuance of construction and Conditional Use Permit requirements.

A fire safety review is required to ensure public safety in a place of assembly, or any other place where people congregate, including, but not limited to; amusement buildings, carnivals and fairs, exhibits and trade shows, open burning, flames and torches, candles, places of assembly, temporary membranes structures and tents, pyrotechnics and special effects, live audiences and any event.

A written plan must be submitted to the fire code official 30 days prior to the event. Written submittal requirements will be in accordance with Section 404 Fire Safety and evacuation plans. A field inspection verifying compliance of fire and life safety conditions must be conducted prior to public occupancy of the event. If modifications or additions to the event areas are made, an updated permit & inspection must be completed.

All other provisions of section 403 remain unchanged without amendment.

Section 405.7 "Initiation" is amended to read as follows:

405.7 Initiation. Where a fire alarm system is provided, emergency evacuation drills shall be initiated by activating the fire alarm system. Prior to initiating an alarm, the person initiating the alarm shall contact the fire alarm monitoring company and advise the company's dispatcher of the fire drill. In cases where the fire alarm system is not monitored by a central station, notification shall be provided to the fire department dispatch center.

Section 503.1.2.1.1 is added to read as follows:

Section 503.1.2.1.1 Dwelling Units.

Developments of new dwellings units, where the number of dwelling units exceeds 30, shall be provided with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads when located in a state responsibility area or a very high fire hazard severity zone.

Section 503.2 "Specifications" is amended by addition there to as follows:

503.2.7 Grade. The grade for all roads, streets, private lands and driveways shall not exceed 20 percent. Design criteria shall be in accordance with San Luis Obispo County Public Works public improvement standards. Roads having a grade between 12% and 20% shall be a nonskid asphalt or concrete surface as specified in San Luis Obispo County public improvement standards, specifications and drawings. Any driveway with a proposed grade of between 16% and 20% must be approved by the San Luis Obispo County Fire Marshal.

503.2.9 Driveway is amended to read as follows:

503.2.9 Driveway. Driveway specifications shall be provided and maintained when serving no more than 4 dwelling units, and any number of accessory buildings.

503.2.9.1 Driveway width is amended to read as follows:

503.2.9.1 Driveway width:

503.2.9.2 Turnarounds is amended to read as follows:

503.2.9.2 Turnarounds. Turnarounds must be provided if driveway exceeds 300 feet, and shall be within 50 feet of the building. For driveways exceeding 300 feet, a turn-around shall be at the building site and must be within 50 feet of the dwelling.

503.2.9.3 Turnouts is amended to read as follows:

503.2.9.3 Turnouts. For driveways exceeding 800 feet, turnouts shall be provided no more than 400 feet apart. Driveways exceeding 150 feet in length, but less than 800 feet in length, shall provide a turnout near the midpoint of the driveway.

A turnout shall be provided near the midpoint and shall be a minimum of 10 feet wide and 30 feet long with a minimum 25-foot taper on each end.

503.2.9.4 Surfaces. Roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed load of fire apparatus weighing at least 75,000 pounds and provide aggregate base. Driveways and road and driveway structures shall be designed and maintained to support at least 40,000 pounds.

503.2.9.5 Special Purpose Roads. Roads designated to service non-habitable infrastructure to include specific group U occupancies including communication towers and water tanks. Road shall be designed to have a minimum 12-foot travel lane and 13 foot 6-inch vertical clearance. Special purpose roads exceeding 150 feet in length but less than 800 feet shall have a standard turnout near the midpoint of the driveway. Turnarounds shall be provided at the terminus of the roadway within 50 feet of infrastructure.

Section 503.4 "Obstruction of Fire Apparatus Access Roads is amended to read as follows:

503.4 Obstruction of Fire Apparatus Access Roads. Fire apparatus access roads shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles. Minimum required widths and clearances established under Section 503.2.1 shall be maintained at all times.

503.4.2 Authority to Remove Obstruction. The Fire Code Official and his authorized representatives shall have the power and authority to remove or cause to be removed, without notice, any vehicle or object parked or placed in violation of the California Fire Code or California Vehicle Code 22651. The owner of any item so removed shall be responsible for all towing, storage and other charges incurred.

504.3 Stairway access to roof. New buildings two or more stories above grade plane, except those with a roof slope greater than four units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33.3-percent slope), shall be provided with a stairway to the roof or other access to the roof for emergency personnel approved by the fire code official. Stairway access to the roof shall be in accordance with Section 1011. Such stairway or other approved access shall be marked at street and floor levels with a sign indicating that the stairway or access continues to the roof. Where roofs are used for roof gardens or for other purposes, stairways shall be provided as required for such occupancy classification.

505.1 is amended as follows:

505.1 Address Identification. New and existing buildings shall have approved address Identification. The address identification shall be legible and placed in a position that is visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address identification characters shall contrast with their back grounds and be reflective material. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Each character shall be a minimum of: 6" inches for residential, 8" inches for commercial, and 10" inches in height for industrial with a minimum stroke width on ½ inch. Where required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means of a private road and the building address cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other approved sign or means shall be used to identify the structure.

507.2.2.1 Water Tanks. Fire water tanks and exposed supply lines constructed of combustible materials to include polyethylene/plastic are required to have 30 feet of vegetation clearance. Readily flammable vegetation shall be cleared 30 feet in all directions.

Section 605.1.3 "Fuel Oil" is amended to read as follows:

605.1.3 Fuel Oil. The grade of fuel oil used in a burner shall be that for which the burner is approved and as stipulated by the burner manufacturer. Oil containing gasoline shall not be used.

Section 608.9 "Refrigerant Detection" is amended to read as follows:

608.9 Refrigerant Detection. Machinery rooms shall contain a refrigerant detector with an audible and visual alarm. The detector, or a sampling tube that draws air to the detector, shall be located in an area where refrigerant from a leak will concentrate. The alarm shall be actuated at a value not greater than the corresponding TLV-TWA values shown in the California Mechanical Code for the refrigerant classification. Detectors and alarms shall be placed in approved locations. In addition, emergency shutoff shall also be automatically activated when the concentration of refrigerant vapor exceeds 25 percent of LFL (Lethal Flammable Limits).

Section 903.1 "Where Required" is amended to read as follows:

TABLE 903.1 - AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION

References:

CRC: California Residential Code CFC: California Fire Code CBC: California Building Code LUO: Land Use Ordinance (San Luis Obispo County)

Footnotes:

1. For the purpose of calculating square footage for the application of fire sprinkler requirements and fire flow requirements, the floor area shall include all combustible areas attached to the structure, including garages, patio covers and workshops.

2. Automatic fire sprinklers installed at exterior locations shall be approved corrosion resistant devices when environmental or operational conditions warrant.

Exceptions:

1. Structures between the minimum and the maximum square footage must meet all the above table criteria and all the following are required in lieu of fire sprinklers: • no conditioned or habitable space, • no second stories (lofts 1/3 the floor area and open to below are allowed), • minimum two exits including one pedestrian door (side hinge swinging door), • workshops or offices limited to 10% of floor area, • structure complies with the California Wildland Urban-Interface Ignition Resistant Construction Requirements, • Cannot be used as a place of employment or for public assemblage/events. • Cannot be used as a commercial building.

2. A single-story building or commercial coach where floor area does not exceed 1,000 square feet and the occupancy is not a Group A, E Daycare, F1 Woodworking, group R, Group H, Group I occupancy or any occupancy where cellulose nitrate film, pyroxylin plastics or any hazardous materials manufactured, stored or handled in quantities in excess of Tables in CBC, CFC or within Los Osos CSD and the fire flow from a hydrant is less than 750gpm at 20psi.

3. Mobile/manufactured or factory-built homes or commercial coaches constructed or altered on or before March 12, 2011 which were not manufactured with automatic fire sprinklers.

4. Accessory dwelling units shall not be required to provide fire sprinklers if they are not required for the primary residence.

Section 903.2 Where required is amended to read as follows:

TABLE 903.2—Automatic Fire Sprinkler System Requirements EXISTING CONSTRUCTION

References:

CRC: California Residential Code CFC: California Fire Code CBC: California Building Code

Footnotes:

1. For the purpose of calculating square footage for the application of fire sprinkler requirements and fire flow requirements, the floor area shall include all combustible areas attached to the structure, including garages, patio covers and workshops.

2. Fire sprinklers are required when all ceiling coverings are removed, or a project reaches the threshold of 50% of addition or alteration; determination of fire sprinklers shall be made by one of the following methods: 1) By net floor area: Any room(s) or area(s) that are added, altered, rehabilitated or repaired shall have their net floor area calculated and compared to the total net floor area of the existing structure to find the calculated percentage. 2) By surface area: Surface area shall be defined as surfaces of walls and ceilings. Any room(s) or area(s) that are added, altered, rehabilitated or repaired shall have their surface area calculated compared to the total wall and ceiling surface area of the existing structure to find the calculated percentage.

Note: Change(s) in project scope after the plan review process shall require that the fire sprinkler calculation be revised and submitted for review and approval.

3. Automatic Fire Sprinklers installed at exterior locations shall be approved corrosion resistant devices when environmental conditions warrant.

4. Mobile/manufactured or factory-built homes or commercial coaches constructed or altered on or before March 12, 2011 which were not manufactured with automatic fire sprinklers are not subject to fire sprinkler requirements.

Exceptions:

1. Alterations limited to only one of the following: replacement of exterior coverings and windows, roofing, electrical services, sewer laterals, retaining walls, or routine plumbing, electrical and mechanical repairs.

2. A loft open to the floor below and no more than one third of the floor area of the room below may be added without requiring sprinklers.

3. REPAIR is the reconstruction or renewal for the purpose of maintenance.

4. Accessory dwelling units shall not be required to provide fire sprinklers if they are not required for the primary residence. Footnote 2 determination is required.

Section 903.3.8.6 Exterior notification. All fire sprinkler systems including NFPA 13, 13D, 13R shall provide a local water flow alarm.

Section 904.11 "Manual System Operation" is amended by addition thereto as follows:

904.12.1 Manual System Operation Training. It shall be the responsibility of the business owner to ensure that all employees are knowledgeable in the use of manually operated or activated fire-extinguishing systems within the occupancy.

Section 905.3 "Required Installations Standpipe Systems" is amended to read as follows:

905.3.1 Building height and area. Class III standpipe systems shall be installed throughout buildings where the floor level of the highest story is located more than 30 feet (9144 mm) above the lowest level of the fire department vehicle access, or where the floor level of the lowest story is located more than 30 feet (9144 mm) below the highest level of fire department vehicle access and in any parking structure.

A building that is greater than 20,000 square feet (1.858 m 2 ) of floor area and greater than 18 feet (5.49 m) in height shall have a dry or wet standpipe system with a 2 ½ inch (64 mm) outlet at the roof near the roof access. Location of the outlet and the fire department connection to the standpipe shall be labeled and approved by the fire code official.

Section 907.7.6.6 "Monitoring" is amended to read as follows:

907.6.6 Monitoring. Fire alarm systems required by this chapter or by the California Building Code shall be monitored by an approved supervising station listed by Underwriters Laboratory for receiving fire alarms in accordance with NFPA 72. The supervising station shall contact and notify the Fire Chief or their call receiving location immediately on notification of an alarm and prior to making contact with the protected premises.

Exception: Supervisory service is not required for:

1. Single- and multi-station smoke alarms required by Section 907.2.11

2. Smoke detectors in Group I-3 occupancies shall be monitored in accordance with Section 907.2.6.3.4.

3. Automatic sprinkler systems in one- and two-family dwellings.

Section 907.10.1. False alarms exceeding 3 per calendar year are subject to citation and cost recovery.

Section 4907.1.1 "Fuel modification on driveways" is added to read as follows:

Fuel modification on driveways: 10 feet of fuel modification is required on both sides of driveway on private parcels.

Exception:

Single specimens of trees, ornamental shrubbery, or cumulative groundcover such as green grass, ivy, succulents or similar plants used as groundcover provided they do not form a means of readily transmitting fire.

Chapter 50, "Hazardous Materials-General Provisions", is amended by addition thereto as follows:

If any provision of Chapter 50 as it pertains to Explosive Material is in conflict with San Luis Obispo County Code Chapter 6.32, the provisions of Chapter 6.32 shall control.

Chapter 56, "Explosives and Fireworks", is amended by addition thereto as follows:

If any provision of Chapter 56 conflicts with San Luis Obispo County Code Chapter 6.32. The most restrictive provision shall control.

Section 5609 is amended by addition thereto to read as follows:

5609.1 Fireworks Prohibited. The manufacturing, possession, storage, sale, use and handling of fireworks, including without limitation, "Safe and Sane" fireworks, is prohibited.

Exceptions:

1. Storage of fireworks in accordance with the requirements for low order explosives in Title 19, California Code of Regulations, Chapter 10.

2. Storage of fireworks, 1.4G in accordance with the Building Code.

3. Use and handling of fireworks for professional display in accordance with Title 19, California Code of Regulations, Chapter 6.

5609.2 Seizure of Fireworks. The fire code official shall have the authority to seize, take and remove fireworks stored, sold, offered for sale, used or handled in violation of the provisions of Title 19, California Code of Regulations, Chapter 6 and California Health and Safety Code, Chapter 9.

Section B103.3 "Areas Without Water Supply Systems" of Appendix B Fire-Flow Requirements for Buildings, is amended to read as follows:

B103.3 Areas without water supply systems. In areas without service water companies, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1142, current edition, is used to establish on-site storage capacities, except that in all cases a minimum storage capacity of 2,500 gallons of dedicated fire water is required if so authorized by the fire code official.

(Ord. 3134 § 2 (part), 2007)

(Ord. No. 3205, § 1, 12-7-10; Ord. No. 3240, §§ 1, 2, 5-7-13; Ord. No. 3249, § 1, 12-3-13; Ord. No. 3342, § 1, 12-6-16; Ord. No. 3401, § 3, 11-19-19; Ord. No. 3481, § 3, 11-8-22; Ord. No. 3554, § 1, 10-21-25)

Any appeals to the requirements of this section shall be heard in accordance with Section 112 of the California Fire Code.

(Ord. 3134 § 2 (part), 2007)

(Ord. No. 3205, § 1, 12-7-10; Ord. No. 3249, § 1, 12-3-13; Ord. No. 3342, § 1, 12-6-16; Ord. No. 3401, § 3, 11-19-19; Ord. No. 3554, § 1, 10-21-25)