San Luis Obispo County Municipal Code Ch. 16.20 Service Area No. 9, Zone B, Fire Code

For the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire or explosion, the board of supervisors adopts for and within San Luis Obispo County Service Area No. 9, zone B, the 1994 Edition of the Uniform Fire Code including Appendix Chapters II-A, II-B, II-C, II-D, II-E, II-F, II-H, II-I, III-A, III-B, III-C, III-D, IV-A, IV-B, V-A, VI-A, VI-B, VI-C, VI-D, VI-E, VI-F, VI-G, (Uniform Fire Code) and the 1994 Edition of the Uniform Fire Code Standards (Uniform Fire Code Standards), both published by the International Fire Code Institute, except such portions of said codes which are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended and the same are adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein.

(Ord. 2775 § 1 (part), 1996: Ord. 2661 § 1 (part), 1994)

(a) The Uniform Fire Code and Uniform Fire Code Standards shall be enforced by the San Luis Obispo County Service Area No. 9, Zone B, South Bay fire department (fire department) and specifically by the bureau of fire prevention of the fire department. The bureau of fire prevention is established and shall be operated under the supervision of the chief of the fire department.

(b) The fire marshal in charge of the bureau of fire prevention shall be appointed by the chief of the fire department.

(c) The chief of the fire department may detail such members of the fire department as inspectors as shall from time to time be necessary.

(Ord. 2775 § 1 (part), 1996: Ord. 2661 § 1 (part), 1994)

The following definitions shall be used in interpreting the Uniform Fire Code and the Uniform Fire Code Standards and to the extent that the following definitions are in conflict with any definitions contained in the Uniform Fire code and/or the Uniform Fire Code Standards, the following definitions shall prevail and be used:

(1) Whenever the word "administrator" is used, it shall mean the county engineer of the county.

(2) Whenever the words "building official" are used, they shall mean the director of planning and building of the county or his/her duly designated deputy.

(3) Whenever the words "building code" are used, they shall mean the building code set forth in Section 19.20.010 of this code.

(4) Whenever the words "chief" or "chief of the fire department" are used, they shall mean the chief of the San Luis Obispo County Service Area No. 9, Zone B, South Bay fire department.

(5) Whenever the words "chief of police" are used, they shall mean the sheriff of the county.

(6) Whenever the words "executive body" are used, they shall mean the board of supervisors of the county.

(7) Whenever the words "fire department" are used, they shall mean the San Luis Obispo County Service Area no. 9, zone B, South Bay fire department.

(8) Whenever the words "jurisdiction" or "jurisdictional area" are used, they shall mean that part of the unincorporated area of the county which lies within San Luis Obispo County Service Area No. 9, Zone B.

(Ord. 2775 § 1 (part), 1996: Ord. 2661 § 1 (part), 1994)

The limits referred to in Sections 7902.2.2.1 and 7904.2.5.4.2 of the Uniform Fire Code by which the storage of flammable or combustible liquids is restricted are established by the provisions of San Luis Obispo County Code Sections 22.06.126 and 23.06.126.

(Ord. 2775 § 1 (part), 1996: Ord. 2661 § 1 (part), 1994)

The limits referred to in Section 8204.2 of the Uniform Fire Code, by which storage of liquefied petroleum gas is restricted, are established by the provisions of San Luis Obispo County Code Sections 22.06.126 and 23.06.126.

(Ord. 2775 § 1 (part), 1996: Ord. 2661 § 1 (part), 1994)

The limits referred to in Section 7701.7.2 of the Uniform Fire Code regarding the storage of explosive materials are established by the provisions of San Luis Obispo County Code Sections 22.06.124 and 23.06.124.

(Ord. 2775 § 1 (part), 1996: Ord. 2661 § 1 (part), 1994)

The Uniform Fire Code is amended and changed in the following respects:

(a) Section 103.2.1.2, authority of fire personnel to exercise powers of police officers, is amended as follows:

The chief of the fire department and members of the fire prevention bureau shall have the authority of peace officers or public officers pursuant to California Penal Code sections 830.37(a) and 830.37(b) in performing their duties under the Uniform Fire Code. No member of the fire department is authorized to carry firearms.

(b) Section 902.2.1 is amended by adding Subdivisions (a) and (b) as follows:

(a) Driveway design and construction. Proposed driveways shall be designed and constructed as follows (these requirements are in addition to any applicable provisions of Chapter 13.08 of the San Luis Obispo County Code (Encroachments)):

(1) Driveway width. The width of driveway, as defined in Chapters 22.11 and 23.11 (Definitions—Driveway), providing access to building site(s) or a parking area from the public street or between separate parking areas on a site shall be a minimum width of 10 feet and shall also provide a fuel modification area, as defined by Chapters 22.11 and 23.11 (Definitions—Fuel Modification Area), where applicable.

(2) Exception to width standard. In high or very high fire hazard severity zones, the following standards will apply:

REQUIRED DRIVEWAY WIDTH IN FEET

Notes:

1. The driveway shall provide for a fuel modification area as defined in Chapters 22.11 and 23.11 (Definitions—Fuel Modification Area).

2. A turnout shall be provided near the midpoint.

3. For driveways exceeding 300 feet, a turn-around shall be at the building site and must be within 50 feet of the dwelling. For driveways exceeding 800 feet, turnouts shall be provided no more than 400 feet apart.

(3) Driveway grade. The minimum level of improvement is determined by the grade of driveway providing access from the road to the building site or parking area as follows:

Notes:

1. Surface shall be asphalt or concrete as specified in the San Luis Obispo County Standard Specifications and Improvement Drawings, including a nonskid finish.

2. A driveway with a grade greater than 16 percent and less than 20 percent may be authorized through an adjustment as set forth in Sections 22.05.104(6) and 23.05.104(6) (Adjustments). An adjustment may also be requested for a driveway that exceeds 20 percent grade and is designed by a Registered Civil Engineer.

(b) Road design and construction. Proposed roads or extensions of existing roads, as defined in San Luis Obispo County Code Chapters 22.11 and 23.11 (Definitions—Road), not associated with the approval of a subdivision application shall be designed and constructed as follows:

(1) Road width. The minimum width of applicable roads, as specified above, shall be as follows:

Notes:

1. The road shall also provide for a fuel modification area as defined in Chapters 22.11 and 23.11 (Definitions—Fuel Modification Area)

2. Fire lanes shall be provided as set forth in the Uniform Fire Code.

(2) Road grade. The minimum level of improvement is determined by the grade of the road providing access to the building site or parking area as follows:

Notes:

1. Surface shall be asphalt or concrete as specified in the San Luis Obispo County Standard Specifications and Improvement Drawings including a nonskid finish.

2. A road with a grade greater than 16 percent and less than 20 percent may be authorized through an adjustment as set forth in Sections 22.05.104(6) and 23.05.104(6) (Adjustments). An adjustment may also be requested for a road that exceeds grade and is designed by a Registered Civil Engineer.

(c) Section 903.3, Water supply, is amended by adding the following:

(a) Emergency Water Tanks: Emergency water storage tanks shall have an automatic fill, sight gage, venting system and a minimum four (4) inch plumbing for residential use and a minimum of six (6) inch plumbing for commercial or industrial use. Gravity systems must drain to fire hydrant water connection. Location of the fire department connections shall be approved by the chief.

(d) Article 77, Explosive Materials, is amended by adding thereto the following:

If any provision of this Article 77 conflicts with San Luis Obispo County Code Chapter 6.32, the provisions of Chapter 6.32 shall take precedence.

(e) Appendix VI-C is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

Authority.

(1) San Luis Obispo County Code Chapter 1.08 grants authority under certain circumstances to use citations for violations of any provision or section of the San Luis Obispo County Code.

(2) Uniform Fire Code Sections 103.4.1.1 and 103.4.2 provide that the chief of the fire department or his duly authorized representative is authorized to issue such orders or notices as may be necessary for the enforcement of the fire prevention laws and ordinances.

(3) California Penal Code Section 853.6 and California Vehicle Code Section 40202 provide authority for the issuance of citations under certain circumstances related to violations of any law relating to fire protection which are not felonies and/or violation of parking laws related to fire prevention and fire safety.

Penalty.

Penalties shall be as prescribed in San Luis Obispo County Code Section 1.04.010 and/or the California Vehicle Code.

(f) Section 16.10.080, Appeals.

If the chief of the fire department disapproves an application for a permit or when it is claimed that the provisions of Uniform Fire Code do not apply or that the true intent and the meaning of a provision or provisions of the Uniform Fire Code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decision of the chief to the board of appeals within thirty days from the date of the fire chief's decision. Except as otherwise provided, the decision of the Board of Appeals shall be final.

(Ord. 2775 § 1 (part), 1996: Ord. 2661 § 1 (part), 1994)