San Marino Municipal Code § 25.12 Fire Code

Except as hereinafter provided, the 2025 California Fire Code, including all appendices with errata, based on the 2024 International Fire Code, is hereby adopted by reference and incorporated herein as though fully set forth herein and shall constitute the Fire Code of the City. A copy of such code shall be located in the Planning and Building Department and shall be, at all times, maintained by the Planning and Building Department for use and examination by the public. For the purpose of this code, the Planning and Building Director shall be the building official.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; amd. Ord. O-22-1400, 1-11-2023; Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 25.12.01 of this article, Section 108.2 of the Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

108.2 Establishment of Fees. All fees pursuant to the fire code shall be established by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; amd. Ord. O-22-1400, 1-11-2023; Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 25.12.01 of this article, Section 108.2.3 is added to the Fire Code to read as follows:

108.2.3 Annual Inspection Required. All properties located in the high fire hazard severity zone as identified by the San Marino Fire Department shall be inspected as deemed necessary for compliance with state and local brush clearance requirements in Section 12.12.06 by the fire official.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; amd. Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

25.12.04: DELETION OF SECTION 111.1 AND ADDITION OF SECTION 112.5:

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 25.12.01 of this article, Section 111.1 of the Fire Code is deleted and Section 112.5 is added to the Fire Code to read as follows:

112.5 Appeals. Whenever the fire chief disapproves an application or refuses to grant a permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the fire code do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of the fire code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal the fire chief’s decision to the city manager within thirty (30) days from the date of the decision. If the city manager upholds the decision of the fire chief, the applicant may appeal the decision to the city council by filing a notice of appeal with the city clerk within ten (10) days from the date of the city manager’s decision.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; amd. Ord. O-22-1400, 1-11-2023; Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 25.12.01 of this article, Section 113.4 of the Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

113.4 Violation Penalties. 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 document or directive of the fire code official, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine as established by the city council or by imprisonment, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense. The imposition of one penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue; and all such persons shall be required to correct or remedy such violations or defects in a timely manner as specified by the chief or authorized representative. The application of the above penalties shall not be held to prevent the enforced removal of prohibited conditions.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; amd. Ord. O-22-1400, 1-11-2023; Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 25.12.01 of this article, Section 304.1.2.1 is added to the Fire Code to read as follows:

Section 304.1.2.1 Clearance of Hazardous Vegetation from Structures and Roads within the City of San Marino.

304.1.2.1.1 Statement of Legislative Intent and Purpose. It is the objective of this section to promote and protect the public health, safety and welfare by recognizing that there exists within the city of San Marino a potentially hazardous fire situation created by grass, weeds, shrubs, and trees which are in such condition and location as to provide a ready fuel supply to augment the spread or intensity of fire. It is the intent of this section to provide minimum standards to safeguard life, safety, property and the public welfare by insuring that hazardous vegetation or refuse is removed and that all grass, weeds, shrubs, and trees are properly maintained so as to not create a fire hazard within the community, while maintaining sufficient vegetation for aesthetic and soil erosion control purposes.

It is the further intent that this section apply on a year-round basis to insure the removal and/or proper maintenance of grass, weeds, shrubs, trees and refuse in order to prevent the spread or intensity of fire within the community. Of particular concern is the need to provide adequate defensible space in the urban/wildland interface area of the city, referred to as the high fire hazard severity zone. For purposes of this section, defensible space is that space within 100 feet (30.480 m) of a building or structure that is required for access by fire and other emergency personnel to defend the building or structure from the threat of fire.

304.1.2.1.2 Prohibition. No person who has any ownership or possessory interest in, or control of a parcel of land shall allow to exist thereon any hazardous refuse or hazardous grass, weeds, shrubs, trees, or other vegetation, which, by reason of proximity to a building or structure, constitutes a fire hazard. For purposes of this section, hazardous grass, weeds, shrubs, trees, or other vegetation are defined as grass, weeds, shrubs, trees, or other vegetation which are in such condition and location, or by the unique characteristics of a species, as to provide a ready fuel supply to augment the spread or intensity of a fire.

304.1.2.1.3 Specific Requirements. In order to provide sufficient defensible space, each person who has any ownership or possessory interest in, or control of, a parcel of land shall:

304.1.2.1.3.1 General. Remove from the property all hazardous vegetation, except as otherwise provided herein, if such vegetation is within 100 feet (30.480 m) of a building, within ten (10) feet (3.048 m) of a combustible fence, or within ten (10) feet (3.048 m) of any portion of any highway, street, alley, or driveway improved or used for vehicular travel or other vehicular purposes. Distances up to 200 feet (60.960 m) or greater from a building or structure may be necessary as determined by the chief. This requirement does not apply to the maintenance of trees, ornamental shrubbery or plants which are used as ground cover, provided such are landscape materials that are properly irrigated and maintained and do not provide a ready fuel supply to augment the spread or intensity of a fire.

304.1.2.1.3.2 Adjacent To Building. Keep all trees, shrubs, and other vegetation or portions thereof, adjacent to or overhanging any building or structure free of dead limbs, branches, and other combustible matter.

304.1.2.1.3.3 Roof Clearance. Maintain 5 feet (1.524 m) of vertical clearance between roof surfaces and portions of trees or shrubs overhanging any building or structure.

304.1.2.1.3.4 Chimney Clearance. Remove any portion of a tree or shrub which extends within 15 feet (4.572 m) of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe.

304.1.2.1.3.5 Roof Surface. Maintain the roofs of all buildings or structures free of leaves, needles, twigs, and other combustible matter.

304.1.2.1.3.6 Building Clearance--30 Feet. Maintain all hazardous grass, weeds, and small shrubs within 30 feet (9.144 m) of any building or structure.

Hazardous vegetation must be maintained less than 3 inches (76 mm) high; cut grass may be left on the slope to protect the soil if it lays down within 3 inches (76 mm) of the ground. Large native shrubs may be retained no closer than an average of 18 feet (5.486 m) apart, provided the lower branches have been trimmed a minimum of 3 feet (914 mm) above the ground, or at least thinned to reduce the available fuel volume.

304.1.2.1.3.7 Roads. Maintain trees and shrubs within 10 feet of that portion of any highway, street, alley, or driveway which is improved or used for vehicle travel or other vehicular purposes (except for designated fire roads), so that no leafy foliage, twigs, or branches are within six (6) feet (1.828 m) of the ground (but no more than 1/3 of the crown).

304.1.2.1.3.8 Combustible Fences. Maintain all hazardous grass, weeds and other vegetation located within 10 feet (3.048 m) of any combustible fence at a height of not more than 3 inches (76 mm). This shall not require the removal of trees, ornamental shrubbery or plants which are used as ground cover, provided such do not provide a ready fuel supply to augment the spread or intensity of a fire.

304.1.2.1.3.9 Building Clearance--100 Feet. Maintain all hazardous grass, weeds, shrubs and trees within 100 feet (30.480 m) of any building or structure. Grass and small shrubs may be retained on steep slopes to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion, but may not exceed a height of 18 inches (457 mm). Large native specimen shrubs should be retained where possible, but no closer than an average of 18 feet (5.486 m) apart. Remove all dead foliage, twigs or branches, or live branches within 3 feet (914 mm) of the ground, from mature trees and shrubs (but no more than 1/3 of the crown).

304.1.2.1.3.10 Cut Vegetation and Refuse. Remove and/or safely dispose of all cut vegetation and hazardous refuse.

304.1.2.1.3.11 Soil Erosion Control. If the abatement of hazardous vegetation results in the exposure of bare mineral soil, or the soil is exposed to such an extent that increased soil erosion would be likely, or the chief or his designee determines that the abatement has been excessive and poses a threat to the public health, safety or welfare, irrigation and landscaping or a suitable erosion control structure must be provided to establish effective soil erosion control.

304.1.2.1.3.12 Minimum Requirements. Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to preclude the chief from requiring more than the minimum specific requirements set forth above when the chief determines that conditions exist which necessitate greater fire protection measures.

304.1.2.1.5 Notice. The council finds that grass, weeds, shrubs, trees, or other vegetation prohibited under sec. 4908.3 increase the danger of fire and thus constitute a public nuisance. If such condition exists, the San Marino Fire Department shall give notice to the owner of record to abate the nuisance within 30 days. The notice shall state that the owner is required to abate the nuisance and that if the nuisance is not abated the city may take further action which can include,

(1) the city, or its contractor, may enter upon the parcel of land and remove or otherwise eliminate or abate the nuisance, (2) that upon completion of such work the cost thereof, including administrative costs, shall become a special assessment against that parcel, and (3) that upon council confirmation of the assessment and recordation of that order, a lien shall attach to the parcel to be collected on the next regular property tax bill levied against the parcel.

(Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 25.12.01 of this article, section 307.6 is added to the Fire Code to read as follows:

307.6 Outdoor Fireplaces, Fire Pits, And Decorative Fire Features. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and decorative fire features shall be installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and decorative fire features, as identified under this code section, shall be listed electric and/or gas fuel-fired.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; amd. Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 25.12.01 of this article, section 308.1.4.1 is added to the Fire Code to read as follows:

308.1.4.1 Open-Flame Cooking Devices. Solid fuel, gas fuel-fired barbeques and other open-flame cooking devices shall be installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. In the absence of manufacturer’s instructions, the fire chief or designee has the ability to determine proper installation location clearances and area of operation.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; amd. Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 25.12.01 of this article, section 506.1.3 is added to the Fire Code to read as follows:

506.1.3 Key Boxes and Switches. An approved key box or switch shall be installed on all commercial properties and all residential properties where the street access to the site is gated.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; amd. Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 25.12.01 of this article, section 903.2 of the Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

903.2 Where Required - All Buildings Except R-3 and U Occupancies.

a. An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed in every new building in the city, hereinafter constructed or moved into the city, regardless of an area separation or type of construction.

Exceptions:

1. New buildings less than 720 square feet may be exempt with the concurrence of the fire chief and building official.

b. Building Additions - An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed in the entire building when the addition, renovation, repair and/or remodeling of any existing building, when the value thereof exceeds more than fifty percent (50%) of the market value of the existing building. All such additions, renovations, repair or remodeling performed fewer than five (5) years prior to the effective date of this section shall be considered in determining the cumulative value under this section. The value of the proposed construction and of the existing building shall be determined by the building official based upon the latest edition of the “building valuation data” as published by the International Code Council (ICC).

c. Installation, approval and maintenance of automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association Standards and the California Fire Code, as adopted and amended by the City. (Reference the California Fire Code chapter 80 for other adopted standards and California amendments).

d. Automatic fire and fire sprinkler systems shall be installed and maintained at the owner’s expense.

e. If the fire chief and the building official determine access for fire apparatus and equipment to any building or structure, not otherwise required hereunder to install and maintain an automatic fire sprinkler system is unduly difficult, installation of an automatic fire-extinguishing system acceptable to the chief shall be required.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; amd. Ord. O-22-1400, 1-11-2023; Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 25.12.01 of this article, section 903.2.8.1 of the Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

903.2.8.1 Group R-3.

a. A fire sprinkler system shall be installed in all new buildings in the City hereinafter constructed or moved into the City.

Exceptions:

1. R-3 Occupancy Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) as defined by the Government Code Section 65852.2 shall not be required to install fire sprinklers, (pursuant to AB229 and/or SB 1069) when the existing main residence is not equipped with fire sprinklers and is not required to be equipped with automatic fire sprinklers. ADU’s greater than 1,200 square feet will require fire sprinklers.

2. New buildings less than 720 square feet may be exempted with the concurrence of the fire chief and building official.

b. Existing one- and two-family dwellings shall be required to install an automatic fire sprinkler system in the existing and new portions of the building when greater than 720 square feet is added or when additions, alterations, repairs, remodels or the combination thereof exceeds 40% of the existing square footage used for human occupancy.

c. Installation, approval and maintenance of automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association Standards and the California Fire Code, as adopted and amended by the City. (Reference the California Fire Code chapter 80 for other adopted standards and California amendments).

d. Automatic fire-extinguishing and fire sprinkler systems shall be installed and maintained at the owner’s expense.

e. If the fire chief and the building official determine access for fire apparatus and equipment to any building or structure, not otherwise required hereunder to install and maintain an automatic fire sprinkler system is unduly difficult, installation of an automatic fire-extinguishing system acceptable to the chief shall be required.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; amd. Ord. O-22-1400, 1-11-2023; Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 25.12.01 of this article, section 903.2.18 of the Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

903.2.18 Group U - Private Garages, Carports, Enclosed Patios and Storage Rooms. An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed in “U” occupancy whenever:

a. Any portion of said “U” occupancy is located beneath any portion of a building used for human occupancy.

b. The ceiling of said “U” occupancy is located fewer than seven (7) feet above the adjacent grade.

c. The “U” occupancy is located closer than 15' to an adjacent building on the same property used for human occupancy that is required to be equipped with fire sprinklers.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; amd. Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 25.12.01 of this article, Section 903.3.1.3.1 is added to the Fire Code to read as follows:

903.3.1.3.1 NFPA 13D Fire Sprinkler System Design and Installation Specifications. The following additional features and/or devices shall be incorporated into the design and installation of fire sprinkler systems in R-3/U occupancies designed per NFPA 13D and the California Fire Code Amendments.

1. A listed water flow switch with a delay feature

2. A 6" exterior bell

3. Spare sprinklers, one of each type as installed in the systems must be placed in the spare head box. The spare head box must be attached to the interior of the building.

• 4. Special tools as required to remove any head in the system
• 5. A single check valve. The water district may require additional backflow preventors.
• 6. The design must include 5 gpm allowance for the domestic demand.

7. The design of a hydraulically calculated fire sprinkler system shall not exceed 90% of the available water supply capacity.

8. Attics used for storage and attics equipped with fuel-burning appliances must be equipped with a “pilot” sprinkler head above the equipment and/or storage.

9. A water gauge above the check valve

10. An inspectors test valve

11. Sprinklers shall be installed in any closet that contains heating and/or air conditioning equipment, a washer, a dryer and/or a water heater regardless if the equipment is electric or gas fired.

12. An “in the bucket” acceptance test must be performed flowing water in the most hydraulically demanding areas for one minute into a factory graduated container with the capacity of the anticipated flow. The discharge must flow through the orifice of the heads as installed in the compartment. The test must be conducted by the installing contractor in the presence of the fire chief or his appointee during the rough or final inspections.

13. A 200 psi hydrostatic test must be performed for two hours during the rough piping inspection. The system must be pressurized at least one hour before the scheduled time of the inspection.

14. All NFPA 13D systems must be “Looped Passive Purge Sprinkler Systems” or a listed and acceptable Back-Flow Preventer device must be installed to protect the public water supply system.

15. All piping materials installed in NFPA 13D sprinkler systems must be certified as meeting NSF/ANSI Standard 61.25.12.14: AMENDMENT OF

SECTION 903.4.1: Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 25.12.01 of this article, Section 903.4.1 of the Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

903.4.1 All automatic sprinkler systems including those protecting single-family dwellings shall have the flow switch electrically supervised by a listed central station. Alarm, supervisory and trouble signals shall be distinctly different.

Exception: R3 Dwellings and their Accessory buildings equipped with NFPA 13D Sprinkler systems and a Household Fire Alarms System are permitted to be monitored by Remote Supervising Station, unless otherwise required by the fire chief.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; amd. Ord. O-22-1400, 1-11-2023; Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 25.12.01 of this article, section 903.4.1 of the Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

903.4.1 All automatic sprinkler systems including those protecting single-family dwellings shall have the flow switch electrically supervised by a listed central station. Alarm, supervisory and trouble signals shall be distinctly different.

Exception: R3 Dwellings and their Accessory buildings equipped with NFPA 13D Sprinkler systems and a Household Fire Alarms Systems are permitted to be monitored by Remote Supervising Station, unless otherwise required by the fire chief.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; amd. Ord. O-22-1400, 1-11-2023; Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 25.12.01 of this article, section 906.1.1 is added to the Fire Code to read as follows:

906.1.1 Minimum Requirement. Portable fire extinguishers of a 2A10BC type shall be installed in all occupancies and locations as set forth in the fire code and as required by the fire chief.

Exceptions:

1. Other portable fire extinguishers may be installed, if approved by the fire chief or designee.

2. Group R, division 3 and group U occupancies are exempt.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 25.12.01 of this article, section 907.2.A is added to the Fire Code to read as follows:

907.2.A Household Fire Alarm Required. A monitored household fire alarm system is required in all new single- family residences and accessory dwelling units that are being required to be equipped with a sprinkler system.

This required household fire alarm system is in addition of the single station smoke and carbon monoxide alarms required by the California Residential Code. The household fire alarm system shall be designed and installed in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association Standard 72. The devices installed as components of the household fire alarm system shall be installed in the following prescriptive manner:

1. A minimum of one photoelectric smoke detector on each level of living space.

2. Photoelectric smoke detectors in the hallways outside all sleeping areas.

3. A rate of rise heat detector in each accessible attic, kitchen, wok room, basements and in all “U” occupancies that are located closer than 15' to an adjacent building on the same property used for human occupancy.

4. A combination fire/security panel is permitted in R-3 and/or U occupancies. The fire alarm plans must account for the current draw of all devices in the battery calculations.

5. The household fire alarm system shall be designed to provide a local and remote signal with the following specific information for each fire alarm detection device:

• 1. Room and floor location.
• 2. Type of signal.
• 3. Type of device.
• 4. Zone identification number.

6. A minimum of one horn to sound an interior distinct fire alarm. Additional horns may be required.

7. The owner of the premises is required to maintain and have the fire alarm system supervised for the perpetuity of the building regardless if occupied.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; amd. Ord. O-22-1400, 1-11-2023; Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provision of section 25.12.01 of this article, section 907.2.9.1 is amended to read as follows:

907.2.9.1 Automatic Fire Alarm System. An automatic fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification circuit in accordance with section 907.5 shall be installed in all Group R-2 occupancies, the system shall be addressable with prescriptive initiation devices. (Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 25.12.01 of this article, section 907.6.6, exception 3, of the Fire Code is deleted.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; amd. Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 25.12.01 of this article, section 912.2 is amended to read as follows:

912.2 Fire Department connections shall be located within 150 feet of a public fire hydrant; the Fire Department connection and the fire hydrant must be located on the same side of the street of a divided road, unless otherwise approved by the fire chief.

(Ord. 0-19-1357, 11-13-2019; amd. Ord. O-22-1400, 1-11-2023; Ord. O-25-1423-U, 9-26-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 25.12.01 of this article, section 3103.2 of the Fire Code is amended to read as follows: