Solana Beach Municipal Code Ch. 5 Section 503, Fire Apparatus Access Roads

Section 503.2.1 Dimensions

Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed improved width of not less than 20 feet, except for single-family residential driveways; serving no more than two, single-family dwellings, shall have a minimum of 16 feet of unobstructed improved width.

EXCEPTION:

1. Fire access roadways, gated entrances with card readers, guard stations or center medians, which have separated lanes of one-way traffic, shall be not less than 14 feet wide per lane.

Section 503.2.3 Surface

Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus not less than 75,000 lbs. and shall be provided with an approved paved surface to provide all-weather driving capabilities.

Section 503.2.7 Grade

Maximum grades for fire apparatus access roads shall not exceed 16%. Minimal mitigation shall be a surface of Portland cement concrete (PCC), with a deep broom finish perpendicular to the entire direction of travel. Maximum grade shall not exceed 20%.

Section 503.2.7.1 Cross-Slope.

The standard cross-slope shall be 2 percent; minimum cross-slope shall be 1 percent; maximum cross-slope shall be 5 percent.

Section 503.2.8 Angles of Approach and Departure

The angle of approach and departure of a fire access roadway shall not exceed 12% or as approved by the fire code official.

Section 503.2.9 Roadway Turnouts

Turnouts shall be a minimum of 10 feet wide and 30 feet long with a minimum 25-foot taper on each end.

Section 503.3 Marking

When required by the fire code official, approved signs or other approved notices or markings shall be provided for all public and private fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads or prohibit obstruction thereof. Signs, notices or markings shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and shall be replaced or repaired when necessary to provide adequate visibility. All new public roads, all private roads within major subdivisions and all private roads serving four or more parcels shall be named. Road name signs shall comply with City of Solana Beach standards.

(Ord. 540 § 2, 2025; Ord. 527 § 2(B), 2022)

Sections 503.4.2 – 503.4.3 are added to the 2025 California Fire Code to read as follows:

503.4.2 Fire Lanes – No Parking

No person shall park, stand, or leave unattended any vehicles in any fire lane or fire apparatus access road designated and marked according to the provisions of this Section.

503.4.3 Fire Lanes – No Parking

The fire code official shall have the authority to designate fire lanes or fire apparatus access roads within the City, and to enforce the provisions of this Section. The fire code official may designate existing roadways as fire access roadways consistent with California Vehicle Code Section 22500.1, and 22685 (a) where it determined that such designation is necessary to provide adequate emergency apparatus access.

(Ord. 540 § 2, 2025; Ord. 527 § 2(B), 2022)

Section 503.6 of the 2025 California Fire Code is revised to read as follows:

No person shall install a security gate or security device across a fire access roadway without approval of the fire code official.

1. An automatic gate across a fire access roadway or driveway shall be equipped with an approved emergency key-operated switch overriding all command functions and opening the gate.

2. A gate accessing more than four residences or residential lots or a gate accessing hazardous institutional, educational or assembly occupancy group structure, shall also be equipped with an approved emergency traffic control-activating strobe light sensor or other device approved by the fire code official, which will activate the gate on the approach of emergency apparatus with a battery back-up or manual mechanical disconnect in case of power failure.

3. An automatic gate shall meet fire department policies deemed necessary by the fire code official for rapid, reliable access.

4. An automatic gate serving more than one dwelling or residential lot in existence at the time of adoption of this chapter is required to install an approved emergency key-operated switch and/or an approved emergency traffic control-activating strobe light sensor approved by the fire code official, at an approved location, which overrides all command functions and opens the gate. A property owner shall comply with this requirement within 90 days of receiving written notice to comply.

5. Where this section requires an approved key-operated switch, it may be dual-keyed or equipped with dual switches provided to facilitate access by law enforcement personnel.

6. Electric gate openers, where provided, shall be listed in accordance with UL 325. Gates intended for automatic operation shall be designed, constructed and installed to comply with the requirements of ASTM F2200.

(Ord. 540 § 2, 2025; Ord. 527 § 2(B), 2022)

Section 503.7 of the 2025 California Fire Code shall be revised to read as follows:

Additional Access: New single-family and multiple-family residential developments where any and all portion of the parcel, or for parcels proposed for subdivision, were part of a parcel mapped within very high or high fire hazard severity zones, as designated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) on May 7, 2025, shall provide secondary access as follows:

1. Developments or projects within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, a project with 30 or more homes or units;

2. Developments or project within the High and Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones a project with 50 or more homes or units.

3. Commercial or industrial developments require secondary access when the buildings or facilities have a gross building area of more than 100,000 square feet.

4. Where two fire apparatus access roads are required, the location of each access road shall be located at two separate public rights-of-way, with two unique directions for circulation at each access point and no common immediate intersections.

5. Remoteness. Where two fire apparatus access roads are required, they shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one-half of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the property or area to be served, measured in a straight line between accesses.

6. The additional access shall be reviewed by both the Community Development Director and the Fire Code Official.

(Ord. 540 § 2, 2025)

The following sections of Chapter 5 – Section 507, Fire Protection Water Supplies, in the 2025 California Fire Code shall be revised to read as follows:

Chapter 5 Fire Service Features

Section 507.2.2 Water Tanks

Section 507.2.2A Water Tanks Table 507.2.2A – Water storage tanks, when permitted by the fire code official, shall comply with Table No. 507.2.2A.

WATER STORAGE TANKS Table No. 507.2.2A

TABLE NO. 507.2.2A

1. Tank elevation shall be equal to or higher than the fire department connection on the premises. Regardless of domestic use, all tanks shall be equipped with a device that will ensure that the tank contains the designated amount of water for fire flow duration as determined by the fire department. Tank size may be increased to serve multiple structures on a single parcel.

2. Supply outlet shall be at least 4 inches in diameter from the base of the tank to the point of outlet at the fire department connection. The fire department connection shall provide an approved means of controlling water flow.

3. The outlet shall be located along an access roadway and shall not be closer than 50 feet or further than 150 feet from the structure.

4. All exposed tanks and supply pipes shall be of an alloy or other material listed for above ground use. Adequate support shall be provided.

Section 507.5.1 Where Required

The location, type and number of fire hydrants connected to a water supply capable of delivering the required fire flow shall be provided on the public or private street, or on the site of the premises to be protected or both. Fire hydrants shall be accessible to fire department apparatus by roads meeting the requirements of section 503.

Section 507.5.1.01 Requirements for single family dwellings

In zones other than industrial, commercial, and multi-family, fire hydrants shall be installed in accordance with Table No. 507.5.1.1A.

Table No. 507.5.1.1A

TABLE 507.5.1.1A

Section 507.5.1.02 Requirements for multi-family, commercial and industrial zones

In multi-family zones and in commercial and industrial zones, fire hydrants shall be installed at intersections, at the beginning radius of cul-de-sacs, or as approved by the fire code official and every 300 feet of fire access roadways, regardless of parcel size.

(Ord. 540 § 2, 2025; Ord. 527 § 2(B), 2022. Formerly 15.32.210)

The following sections of Chapter 9 – Fire Protection Systems, in the 2025 California Fire Code shall be revised to read as follows:

Section 902.1 Definitions – Revised Definition

LIFE SAFETY SPRINKLER SYSTEM shall meet National Fire Protection Association Standards 13-D and 13-R latest edition, and City of Solana Beach installation policies as appropriate.

Section 903 – Automatic Sprinkler Systems

Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in sections 903.2.01.1 through 903.2.12, and may be required in additions and remodels of existing structures as described in section 903.2.01.

Section 903.2.01 Additions, Remodels and Reconstruction

An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with 903.3 may be required to be installed throughout structures when the addition is more than 50% of the existing building or where the scope of work meets the definition of significant remodel/addition, new construction, or reroof.

Exceptions:

1. If the cost of the installation exceeds 15 percent of the valuation of the project. Formal bids shall be provided to the fire prevention bureau to be reviewed for acceptance.

2. If the addition to the existing building is strictly for the creation of a new Accessory Dwelling Unit; no additions or remodels to the existing building is permitted.

903.2.02 New Commercial and Group U

An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with section 903.3 shall be required in new and remodeled buildings and structures where the required fire flow exceeds 1,500 gallons per minute as calculated by section 507.3, or when the square footage of a new commercial building exceeds 5,000 square feet or where the fire area has an occupant load of 100 or more.

Exception:

Agricultural buildings constructed of wood or metal frame, over which fabric or similar material is stretched, which are specifically used as green houses are exempt from the automatic sprinkler requirements unless physically connected to other structures.

Section 905 Standpipe Systems – Required Installations

Standpipe systems shall be installed where required by Sections 905.3.01 through 905.3.11.1. Standpipe systems are allowed to be combined with automatic sprinkler systems.

Exception: Standpipe systems are not required in Group R-3 occupancies.

Section 905.3 Standpipes for New Commercial Buildings:

A Class I standpipe with 2.5-inch hose valves shall be provided for all new commercial buildings three levels or more in height, regardless of occupancy type. Hose valves and connections shall be located in each stairway and on each floor level, including the roof. For single story buildings or parking structures with large floor areas, class I standpipes may be required.

(Ord. 540 § 2, 2025; Ord. 527 § 2(B), 2022)

The following sections of Chapter 56 – Explosives and Fireworks, in the 2025 California Fire Code shall be added to read as follows:

Chapter 56 Explosives and Fireworks

Section 5608.2 Fireworks

Fireworks shall not be sold, manufactured, disposed or discharged within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Solana Beach, except when all necessary permits have been issued by all the relevant agencies, including a permit for public display, theatrical purposes and/or group entertainment issued by the fire department, to a California State Fire Marshal licensed pyro-technician and the minimum requirements of Title 19, California Code of Regulations, Chapter 6, fireworks are met. The San Diego County Regulatory Ordinance, Title 3, Division 2, Chapter 1, sections 32.101 through 32.108 may be used as a guide when enforcing these requirements.

Section 5608.3 Fireworks Penalty

Any person violating any provisions or failing to comply with this Chapter or the requirements of Title 19 California Code of Regulations, chapter 6, and/or San Diego County Regulatory Ordinance, Title 3, Division 2, Chapter 1, sections 32.101 through 32.108, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed One Thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment in the County jail for a period of not more than one year or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(Ord. 540 § 2, 2025; Ord. 527 § 2(B), 2022)

All residential buildings, including new construction, remodels, alterations, additions, and re-roofs, shall be equipped with vents that are approved as wildfire flame- and ember-resistant in accordance with Section 504.3. This requirement applies regardless of the extent of work performed and includes replacement or modification of existing vents.

(Ord. 540 § 2, 2025)