Santa Monica Municipal Code Ch. 8.40 Fire Code

That certain document entitled "California Fire Code, 2025 Edition," which adopts by reference the International Fire Code, 2024 Edition, as published by the California Building Standards Commission and the International Code Council (excluding Section 111), including Chapter 1, Division I, Chapter 1, Division II, D, P, and the most recent referenced version, adopted by the State of California, of the National Fire Codes as published by the National Fire Protection Association, are hereby adopted with the local amendments and provisions of this Chapter, and with Chapter 8.44 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code, as the Fire Code of the City of Santa Monica.

(Added by Ord. No. 1945CCS § 10, adopted 6/8/99; amended by Ord. No. 1948CCS, adopted 7/13/99; Ord. No. 2054CCS § 10, adopted 10/8/02; Ord. No. 2244CCS § 10, adopted 11/27/07; Ord. No. 2328CCS § 19, adopted 11/9/10; Ord. No. 2445CCS § 34, adopted 11/12/13; Ord. No. 2527CCS § 9, adopted 11/22/16; Ord. No. 2623CCS § 11, adopted 10/22/19; Ord. No. 2727CCS § 12, adopted 10/25/22; Ord. No. 2831CCS, 10/14/2025)

Notwithstanding any provisions of the California Fire Code, California Building Standards Code, State Housing Law or other codes adopted by any Chapter in Article 8 of the Municipal Code to the contrary, the following local amendments shall apply.

(a) Chapter 1, Section 103.1 is amended to read as follows:

103.1 Creation of agency. The Santa Monica Fire Chief, or designee, is hereby created and the official in charge thereof shall be known as the fire code official. The function of the agency shall be the implementation, administration and enforcement of the provisions of this code.

(b) Chapter 1, Section 105.5.54 of the California Fire Code is added to read as follows:

Temporary Sales Lots. An operational permit is required to operate a temporary sales lot, including but not limited to: Christmas Tree Lots and Pumpkin Patches.

(c) Chapter 1, Section 110.31 of the California Fire Code is added to read as follows:

109.3.1 Submission of Records. Contractors, engineers, test companies, and licensed and/or certified testers who perform inspection, testing and/or maintenance services on fire protection and life safety systems and equipment within the City of Santa Monica are required to electronically submit all compliant and non-compliant reports to the Santa Monica Fire Department via a method approved by the Fire Marshal.

(d) Chapter 5, Section 505.1.1 of the California Fire Code is added to read as follows:

505.1.1 Additional Requirements. Numbers shall be a minimum of 6 inches high for commercial structures and 4 inches high for interior suites, offices, rooms etc. and one- and two-family dwellings with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch. All buildings shall display the assigned address number so as to be visible from the street and alley upon which the address is based. Numbers shall be in contrast to their background.

(e) Chapter 9, Section 901.11 of the California Fire Code is added to read as follows:

901.11 Problematic Systems and Systems Out of Service. In the event of a failure or a faulty fire-protection system or an excessive number of accidental activations, the Fire Chief is authorized to require the building owner or occupant to provide fire watch personnel until the system is repaired. The Fire Chief is authorized to require the building owner or occupant to provide a fire watch or vacate the building.

(f) Chapter 9, Section 901.12 of the California Fire Code is added to read as follows:

901.12 Firewatch. The chief is authorized to require the building owner or occupant to provide a fire watch with personnel acceptable to the Fire Chief until documentation is provided that the system is repaired and is operational. Such individuals shall be provided with at least one approved means for notification of the fire department and their only duty shall be to perform constant patrols of the protected premises and keep watch for fires.

(g) Chapter 10, Section 1032.1.1 of the California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

1032.1.1 Pier. This section shall also apply to all areas of the Santa Monica Pier structure and include the surrounding area that provides exit access and discharge for the pier structure.

(h) Chapter 56, Section 5601.1.3 of the California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

5601.1.3 Fireworks. All fireworks shall be illegal in the City of Santa Monica including California State Fire Marshal "Safe and Sane" fireworks. No person shall possess, transport, sell, or offer for sale any such fireworks.

Exception:

1. Aerial public fireworks display as approved by City Council.

2. The use of fireworks for pyrotechnics special effects in motion picture, television, theatrical or group entertainment productions as authorized by State law.

3. Any use or transportation of fireworks by state or federal authorities pursuant to state or federal law.

(i) Chapter 56, Section 5601.7 of the California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

5601.7 Seizure. The Fire Marshal or his or her designee or any peace officer may remove or cause to be removed, destroy or otherwise dispose, at the expense of the owner, explosives, explosive materials or fireworks offered or exposed for sale, stored, possessed or used in violation of this Chapter.

(Added by Ord. No. 1945CCS § 10, adopted 6/8/99; amended by Ord. No. 2054CCS § 10, adopted 10/8/02; Ord. No. 2244CCS § 10, adopted 11/27/07; Ord. No. 2328CCS § 20, adopted 11/9/10; Ord. No. 2445CCS § 35, adopted 11/12/13; Ord. No. 2527CCS § 9, adopted 11/22/16; Ord. No. 2623CCS § 11, adopted 10/22/19; Ord. No. 2727CCS § 12, adopted 10/25/22; Ord. No. 2831CCS, 10/14/2025)