Vacaville Municipal Code Ch. 15.20.258 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code Adopted

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the City does hereby adopt, for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from wildland fire that certain code known as the "California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, 2025 Edition," Part 7 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, and adopts by reference the following specific provisions of said code: Division 2 of Chapter 1; Section 402, of Chapter 4; and Appendices A, B, F, G, H, as amended herein. The foregoing provisions of said code are adopted in their entirety, except as otherwise provided in § 15.20.271.040. The following portions of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are not adopted: Appendices C, D, H, and I.

(Ord. 2006, 11/19/2025)

One copy of the Wildland-Urban Interface Code shall be kept on file with the City Clerk for examination by members of the public.

(Ord. 2006, 11/19/2025)

Enforcement of the Wildland-Urban Interface Code adopted by this chapter shall be made in accordance with § 15.20.270.050.

(Ord. 2006, 11/19/2025)

The California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, 2025 Edition, is amended as follows:

A. Appeals. Section 112 is replaced to read in full as follows:

Section 112 Appeals.

When a person claims that the provisions of this code do not apply, or that the intent, purpose, or meaning of this code has been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted by the Chief Building Official or the Fire Chief, such person may appeal the matter in accordance with the provisions of Subsection 15.20.270.060.B, Denial and Appeal Process, of this Chapter. The appeal process shall be governed in accordance with the provisions as set forth in Subsections 15.20.270.060.B, C, and D, of this Chapter.

B. Abatement of Hazards. Section 109.3.5.5.1 is added to Section 109.3.5.5 of Chapter 1 to read in full as follows:

109.3.5.5.1 Abatement of hazards. In situations where the immediate abatement of a fire hazard or other potentially hazardous condition is required, the Chief Building Official or Fire Chief shall have the authority to abate such hazard or condition immediately. Abatement measures may include, but are not limited to, confiscation or removal of the item(s) causing or contributing to the fire hazard or potentially hazardous condition; temporary closure of a building, structure, or occupancy threatened by the hazard or potentially hazardous condition; extinguishing unsafe or illegal fires; or utilization of any other method of abatement deemed appropriate by the Chief Building Official or Fire Chief under the circumstances. At the Chief Building Official or Fire Chief's discretion, the cost of abatement may be charged to the owner of the property affected and, if not paid, may become a special assessment/nuisance abatement lien upon the property or the affected property confiscated, provided the owner thereof is given prior notice of the action to be taken and afforded due process of law pursuant to the procedures of Chapter 8.10 of the Vacaville Municipal Code regarding special assessments/nuisance abatement liens.

C. Infraction Citations. Section 109.3.7.1 is added to Section 109.3.7 of Chapter 1 to read in full as follows:

109.3.7.1 Issuance of citation. Any person who operates or maintains an occupancy that is a hazard and in conflict with the provisions of Title 24 and who fails to take immediate action to abate such hazard when ordered to do so by the Fire Chief or other Fire Department official or employee who is authorized to issue citations shall be subject to citation.

D. Unsafe Buildings/Evacuation. Section 109.3.5.6.1 is added to Section 109.3.5.6 of Chapter 1 to read in full as follows:

109.3.5.6.1 Unsafe buildings. It shall be unlawful to leave or maintain any building in an unsafe condition or maintain any building in a manner that is a public nuisance, a threat to life, safety, or property, or a fire hazard. The Chief Building Official or Fire Chief may order or cause the abatement of such nuisance, threat, or hazard as specified in Section 113.3 of this code.

E. Creation of Code Compliance Agency. Pursuant to section 103.1, the City of Vacaville is deemed the Code Compliance Agency under this code and the official in charge thereof shall be known as the Building Code Official and/or Fire Code Official. The function of the Code Compliance Agency shall be the implementation, administration, and enforcement of the provisions of this code.

F. Definitions. Section 202 of Chapter 2 is amended to include the following definitions:

1. AREA SEPARATION WALL. For the purposes of calculating the total building floor area square footage specific to the local fire sprinkler requirements, an area separation wall shall be a fire wall dividing a building into separate areas, each of which may be considered a separate building provided the area separation walls meet the requirements of the CBC.

2. FIRE TRAIL. An approved dirt road not less than 20 feet wide, or as required by the Fire Chief, whichever is greater in width, installed for the purpose of providing Fire Department access to wild land and open space areas during the dry seasons of the year.

3. FIREBREAK. A strip devoid of flammable vegetation, such as a strip of bare mineral soil or irrigated landscaping (e.g. green belt), which can be used as a barrier to the spreading of fire without modification or improvement.

4. MEMBER. Any person involved in performing the duties and responsibilities of the Fire Department, under the auspices of the Fire Department organization for the purposes of this code. A Fire Department member may be a full-time or a part-time employee, a paid or unpaid volunteer may occupy any position or rank within the Fire Department, and may or may not necessarily engage in emergency operations.

G. Abatement of Waste Material, Weeds, and Dry Grass. Section 304.1.5 is added to Section 304.1 of Chapter 3 to read in full as follows:

304.1.5 Accumulation of combustible materials. It shall be unlawful to accumulate or allow to accumulate or exist on any property any combustible waste matter, rubbish, weeds, dry grass, or other matter that creates a public nuisance, poses a threat to life, safety, or property, or creates a fire hazard. The Chief Building Official and/or Fire Chief may order or cause the abatement of such hazard or nuisance in the manner specified in Section 113 and 113.4.1.3 of this code.

H. Fire Apparatus Road Dimensions. Section 403.1.7 is added to Section 403.1 of Chapter 4 to read in full as follows:

403.1.7 Dimensions. The required width of any fire apparatus access road, EVA (emergency vehicle access) fire trail, fire lane, or driveway marked in accordance with Section 503, 503.3 and Appendix D of the California Fire Code, as amended and adopted by the City of Vacaville, shall not be obstructed in any manner, including, but not limited to, by vehicles that are parked or left standing. Minimum required widths and clearances established under this Section shall be maintained at all times. Any obstructions in violation of this Section may be removed in the manner specified in Subsection 15.20.271.040.B, Abatement of Hazards, of this Chapter 15.20.271.

I. Fire Apparatus Access Roads. Section 403.1.8 is added to Section 403.1 of Chapter 4 to read in full as follows:

403.1 Parking. Parking may be prohibited on or along a fire apparatus access road if, in the judgment of the Fire Chief, it is necessary to maintain clear and unobstructed access. The Fire Chief may require the owner, lessee, or other person in charge of the premises to paint the curbs red, install signs, or give other appropriate notice that parking is prohibited. It shall thereafter be unlawful for any such owner, lessee, or other person in charge of the premises to fail to install and maintain in good condition the painted curbs, signs, or other appropriate notice so prescribed.

J. Fire Protection Water Supplies. Section 404.2 of Chapter 4 is amended to read in full as follows:

404.2 Where required.

An approved water supply capable of supplying the required fire flow for structural fire protection and wildland fire exposure shall be provided to the premises on which facilities, buildings, or portions of buildings are hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction in accordance with section 507 and Appendix B in the California Fire Code as amended and adopted.

(Ord. 2006, 11/19/2025)