Sierra Madre Municipal Code Ch. 15.24 Fire Code

There is hereby adopted by the city council of the city of Sierra Madre for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire or explosion, that certain code known as the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code based on the 2024 Edition of the International Fire Code published by the International Code Council except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended by Section 15.24.070 of the Sierra Madre Municipal Code and portions of the International Fire Code. From the date on which this chapter shall take effect, the provisions of the 2025 California Fire Code shall be controlling within the limits of the city of Sierra Madre.

(Ord. 1272 § 1, 2007: Ord. 1196 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 1168 § 1, 1999: Ord. 1125 § 1, 1995: Ord. 1091 § 1, 1992: Ord. 1015 § 1, 1984: prior code § 4100)

(Ord. No. 1314, § 1, 1-11-11; Ord. No. 1346, § 1, 11-12-13; Ord. No. 1381, § 1, 11-8-16; Ord. No. 1417, § 1, 10-22-19; Ord. No. 1463, § 1, 10-25-22; Ord. No. 1469-A, § 1, 10-10-23; Ord. No. 1486, § 1, 12-9-25)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1417, § 1, adopted Oct. 22, 2019, changed the title of § 15.24.010 from "Adoption of the International Fire Code and the California Fire Code" to read as herein set out.

The California Fire Code shall be enforced by the bureau of fire prevention in the fire department of the city which is established and which shall be operated under the supervision of the chief of the fire department.

(Ord. 1272 § 2, 2007: Ord. 1185 § 2 (part), 2000; Ord. 1015 § 2, 1984: prior code § 4101)

(Ord. No. 1417, § 2, 10-22-19; Ord. No. 1463, § 2, 10-25-22; Ord. No. 1469-A, § 2, 10-10-23; Ord. No. 1486, § 2, 12-9-25)

As used in this chapter:

Whenever the word "renovation" is used in the fire code, it shall be held to mean reconstruction or renewal of framing and/or wall and ceiling coverings.

Whenever the words "existing square footage" are used in the fire code, they shall be held to mean all habitable space including permitted basements and permitted storage space except Group U.

Whenever the word "exposure" is used in the fire code, it shall be held to mean any building or vegetation by reason of proximity to another building or vegetation that would promote the spread of fire from one to the other.

(Ord. 1272 § 3, 2007: Ord. 1125 § 2, 1995: Ord. 1015 § 3, 1984: prior code § 4102)

The chief of the fire department and members of the fire prevention bureau shall have power to interpret any of the provisions of the Fire Prevention Code upon application in writing by the owner or lessee, or his/her duly authorized agent, when there are ambiguities, changes or circumstances or unnecessary hardship in carrying out the strict letter of the code; provided, that the interpretation shall not constitute the grant of a special privilege inconsistent with the purpose of the code. In all such cases, the spirit of the code shall be observed, public safety secured, and substantial justice done. The particulars of such interpretation when granted or allowed and the decision of the chief of the department thereon shall be entered upon the records of the department and signed copy shall be furnished the applicant. No such interpretation shall take effect for a period of fifteen days within such interim period, and within three days after such action, the chief of the fire department shall notify the city manager of such action; thereafter, and within the remainder of such fifteen-day period, the city manager may direct such action to be reversed.

(Ord. 1185 § 2 (part), 2000; Ord. 1091 § 2, 1992: Ord. 1015 § 4, 1984: prior code § 4103)

Whenever the chief disapproves an application or refuses to grant a permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the code do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of the code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decision of the chief to the city manager within thirty days from the date of the decision appealed.

(Ord. 1185 § 2 (part), 2000; Ord. 1015 § 5, 1984: prior code § 4104)

The city manager, the fire chief and the chief building official act as a committee to determine and specify, after giving affected persons an opportunity to be heard, any new materials, processes or occupancies for which permits are required in addition to those now enumerated in said code. The chief of the bureau of fire prevention shall have such list in his office, and distribute copies thereof to interested persons.

(Ord. 1185 § 2 (part), 2000; Ord. 1015 § 6, 1984: prior code § 4105)

A. Section 101.1 is amended to read as follows:

101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of Sierra Madre, hereinafter referred to as "this code."

B. Section 113.4 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 documents 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, and may be punishable by administrative, civil, or criminal action. An administrative, civil, or criminal action may be brought concurrently with any other process regarding the same violation. Each day such violation is committed or permitted is to constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such.

C. Section 114.4 is amended to read as follows:

114.4 Failure to comply. Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and may be punishable by administrative, civil, or criminal action. An administrative, civil, or criminal action may be brought concurrently with any other process regarding the same violation. Each day such violation is committed or permitted is to constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such.

D. Section 307.4.2 is amended to read as follows:

307.4.2 Recreational fires. Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet (760mm) of a structure or combustible material. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated.

Discontinuance. The fire code official or his representative is authorized to require that recreational fires be immediately discontinued if such fires are determined by the chief to constitute a hazardous condition or if atmospheric conditions reach critical levels as specified in the policies and procedures of the fire prevention bureau.

E. Section 503.2.1 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

503.2.1 Dimensions. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet (6096 mm), except for approved security gates in accordance with section 503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches (4115mm).

When fire hydrants are required, fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 26 feet (4114 mm) within a linear distance of 25 feet (7620 mm) each side of the hydrant.

F. Section 903.2.1.1 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.1.1 Group A-1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-1 occupancies in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

G. Section 903.2.1.2 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.1.2 Group A-2. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-2 occupancies in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

H. Section 903.2.1.3 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.1.3 Group A-3. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-3 occupancies in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

I. Section 903.2.1.4 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.1.4 Group A-4. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-4 occupancies in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

J. Section 903.2.1.5 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.1.5 Group A-5. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-5 occupancies in the following areas: concession stands, retail areas, press boxes, and other accessory use areas in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

K. Section 903.2.2 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.2 Group B. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group B occupancy in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

L. Section 903.2.3 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.3 Group E. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group E occupancy in accordance with Code section 15.24.120 (exception: For public school state-funded construction projects see Section 903.2.19).

M. Section 903.2.4 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.4 Group F-1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group F-1 occupancy in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

N. Section 903.2.5 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.5 Group H. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be provided in high-hazard occupancies as required in Sections 903.2.5.1 through 903.2.5.3.

903.2.5.1 General, An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in Group H occupancies, in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

O. Section 903.2.6 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.6 Group I. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings with a Group I in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

P. Section 903.2.7 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.7 Group M. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group M occupancy in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

Q. Section 903.2.8 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.8 Group R. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area and in accordance with Code section 15.24.110.

R. Section 903.2.9 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.9 Group S-1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group S-1 in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

S. Section 903.2.9.1 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.9.1 Repair garages. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings used as repair garages in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

T. Section 903.2.9.2 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.9.2 Bulk storage of tires. Buildings and structures with an area for the storage of tires shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

U. Section 903.2.10 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.10 Group S-2. 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 or where located beneath other groups.

V. Section 903.2.10.1 is amended to read as follows due to local topographical, geological and climatic conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

903.2.10.1 Commercial parking garages. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings used for storage of commercial motor vehicles in accordance with Code section 15.24.120.

W. APPENDIX D-Fire Apparatus Access Roads is adopted and amended to read as follows due to local topographical conditions as identified in the 2025 Fire Code Findings of Fact as filed with the California Building Standards Commission:

D103.1 Access road width with a fire hydrant. Where a fire hydrant is located on a fire apparatus access road, the minimum road width shall be 26 feet (7925 mm), within a linear distance of 25 feet (7620 mm) each side of the hydrant, exclusive of shoulders.

(Ord. 1272 § 4, 2007: Ord. 1196 § 2 (part), 2003: Ord. 1168 § 3, 1999: Ord. 1125 § 3, 1995: Ord. 1092 § 1, 1992; Ord. 1091 § 3, 1992: prior code § 4106)

(Ord. No. 1314, § 2, 1-11-11; Ord. No. 1346, § 2, 11-12-13; Ord. No. 1381, § 2, 11-8-16; Ord. No. 1417, § 3, 10-22-19; Ord. No. 1463, § 3, 10-25-22; Ord. No. 1469-A, § 3, 10-10-23; Ord. No. 1486, § 3, 12-9-25)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1463, § 3, adopted October 25, 2022, changed the title of § 15.24.070 from "Amendments to the 2019 California Fire Code" to read as herein set out. Subsequently, Ord. No. 1486, § 3, adopted Dec. 9, 2025, amended the title of § 15.24.070 to read as herein set out. The former § 15.24.070 title pertained to Amendments to the 2022 California Fire Code.

Fire retardant roofs shall be installed in accordance with Section.

(Ord. 1272 § 5, 2007: Ord. 1109 § 3, 1994: Ord. 1091 § 4, 1992: prior code § 4107)

(Ord. No. 1314, § 3, 1-11-11)

The sale, possession or discharge of all fireworks is prohibited within the city. The provisions of this section will not apply to public displays of fireworks conducted by a licensed pyrotechnic engineer.

(Ord. 1091 § 5, 1992: prior code § 4108 (part))

A. Dumping or Storage on Vacant Lots. It is unlawful for any person to deposit any grass, weeds, brush, debris, trash or other waste material upon any vacant lot or parcel of ground within the city.

B. Spark Arresters. All chimney, smoke stack or similar devices for conveying smoke and hot gases to the outer air will be equipped with a spark arrester. For the purpose of this section a "spark arrester" means a piece of not more than one-half-inch galvanized wire mesh placed over the outside opening of the chimney, smoke stack or other similar device.

(Ord. 1091 § 6, 1992: prior code § 4109)

An approved automatic life safety support sprinkler system shall be installed in all occupancies and locations as set forth in this section and shall meet all designated National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) code requirements, or Section R309 of the California Residential Code as adopted by the state of California and the policies and procedures of the Sierra Madre Fire Prevention Bureau as currently specified and amended by the Sierra Madre Municipal Code:

A. All newly constructed residential occupancies shall install an automatic life safety support sprinkler system as an integral aspect of their new construction.

B. All residential occupancies being renovated over seventy percent of their existing square footage in a twelve-month period shall install a life safety support sprinkler system throughout the entire occupancy.

C. All residential occupancies where an addition of fifty percent or more of the existing square footage is being accomplished in a twelve-month period shall install a life safety support sprinkler system throughout the entire occupancy.

(Ord. 1125 § 4, 1995: Ord. 1048 § 1, 1988: prior code § 4110)

(Ord. No. 1417, § 4, 10-22-19; Ord. No. 1463, § 4, 10-25-22; Ord. No. 1469-A, § 4, 10-10-23; Ord. No. 1486, § 4, 12-9-25)

An automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be installed in the following occupancies:

A. In all new buildings within the city of Sierra Madre except Group U.

B. All new Group U as classified in the International Fire Code, which are located within thirty five feet of any exposure.

C. All buildings classified as a Group A, B, E, F, H, I, M, S when renovated over seventy five percent of their existing square footage.

D. All buildings classified as a Group A, B, E, F, H, I, M, S when an addition of fifty percent of their existing square footage is being accomplished.

E. All Group R occupancies shall install an automatic life safety fire sprinkler system in accordance with Code Section 15.24.110.

(Ord. 1168 § 2, 1999)

(Ord. No. 1314, § 4, 1-11-11; Ord. No. 1417, § 5, 10-22-19; Ord. No. 1463, § 5, 10-25-22; Ord. No. 1469-A, § 5, 10-10-23; Ord. No. 1486, § 5, 12-9-25)