Victorville Municipal Code Ch. 8.08 City of Victorville Fire Code

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 2460, § 2, adopted Dec. 2, 2025, amended Chapter 8.08 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Chapter 8.08, §§ 8.08.010—8.08.050, pertained to similar material. See Code Comparative Table for full derivation.

(a) Findings. The Victorville City Council hereby finds and determines:

(1) That the International Code Council (ICC) is a private organization, which has been in existence for a period of at least three years.

(2) That the International Fire Code (IFC), 2024 Edition, published by said organization, is a nationally recognized compilation of proposed rules, regulations, and standards of said organization.

(3) That said International Fire Code has been printed and published as a code in book form within the meaning of Section 50022.2 et seq., of the California Government Code.

(4) That the California Fire Code (CFC), also known as the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9, a portion of the "California Building Standards Code" as defined in the "California Building Standards Law" commencing with Section 18901 of the California Health and Safety Code, is assigned to the California Building Standards Commission, which by law is responsible for approving all building standards within the state of California. The 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code incorporates by reference the 2024 Edition of the International Fire Code, with necessary California amendments.

(5) That certain amendments to the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code are necessary and desirable for the city due to the following local climatic, geological, and/or topographical conditions in order to provide sufficient and effective protection of life, health, and property:

(A) Local climatic conditions.

(i) The city is located on the western edge of the Mojave Desert and is therefore subject to extremely strong winds, commonly known as "Santa Ana Winds" which can reach speeds in excess of ninety miles per hour. Extensive damage frequently accompanies these winds, such as blowing sand and debris, downed power lines, fallen trees, overturned vehicles and structural damage to buildings. These conditions result in increased demand for fire services, blocked or delayed emergency vehicle access, impaired water supplies, and building emergency systems.

(ii) During the summer months, the Santa Ana Winds produce periods of extremely low humidity, with prolonged periods of temperatures in excess of 100°F, thereby reducing the fuels moisture and increasing the possibility and severity of fire from dry vegetation and other common combustibles, increasing the threat from rapidly moving wildfires. During such periods, the limited available firefighting resources may have great difficulty in controlling fires in structures that are not provided with built-in fire protection systems and features.

(iii) During the winter months, heavy rains can cause damage to roadways, rendering them completely impassible or with limited access due to flooding, sometimes for extended periods.

(iv) During winter months, snow and ice conditions can exist in hill areas, resulting in increased demand for fire services and limiting or delaying emergency vehicle access. In some cases, emergency vehicle access roads may be completely impassible or have limited access, sometimes for extended periods.

(B) Local geological conditions.

(i) The city is in a potentially high activity seismic zone, subject to moderately strong to severe shaking and surface ruptures resulting from numerous known earthquake faults located throughout the area surrounding the city. These local earthquake faults have the potential to cause severe property damage, utility interruptions, fire hazards, and hazardous materials releases. After a large seismic event, the potential for multiple fires occurring simultaneously will exhaust available firefighting resources. Built-in fire protection will assist in extinguishing or controlling fires in larger structures, thus increasing the availability of firefighting resources after seismic activity.

(ii) Additionally, significant roadway, bridge structure, water supply, and communications systems are subject to failure, thereby causing a detriment to emergency services response.

(iii) Unstable slopes in several areas throughout the city have experienced soil movement as a result of heavy or soaking rains, resulting in damage to roadways, structures, and utilities.

(iv) The city's geographical area and diverse topography results in numerous water pressure zones throughout the response areas. This results in many areas having limited, unreliable or unavailable water supplies available for firefighting purposes.

(v) The city has areas with rich deposits of minerals, resulting in the presence of subsurface and strip mining operations. These operations pose special problems due to confined access and large quantities of fuels and explosive materials.

(C) Local topographical conditions.

(i) The city is situated in the high desert, approximately two thousand five hundred to three thousand feet above sea level. The city is isolated from the population centers of the Los Angeles basin by the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains. The only access to timely mutual aid response is through the Cajon Pass. In the event of a major earthquake in the pass, there will be no way for assistance to reach the City from the south and west. In addition, the city covers an area of seventy square miles, which in many cases results in extended response times. Built-in fire protection systems will assist in extinguishing or controlling incipient fires, which would otherwise grow beyond the capabilities of local fire resources.

(ii) The topography of the city is exceptionally diverse, ranging from relatively flat desert and valley areas to foothill areas and heavy brush canyon areas. This results in some areas that are inaccessible to radio communications, which hampers emergency response capabilities.

(iii) The city is traversed by several State and Interstate highways, which provide for limited under or over crossing access points for emergency vehicles to cross to adjacent areas. These highways also restrict the ability of the local water supply grids to provide water from multiple points to all areas and necessitate the use of dead-end water mains in many areas adjacent to highways.

(iv) Major active railroad systems traverse the city. These rail systems are used for both commuter and large freight trains, including the transportation of large quantities of hazardous materials. These rails provide for limited under or over crossing access points for emergency vehicles to cross to adjacent areas. Emergency vehicles experience frequent delays at grade crossings until passenger and/or lengthy freight trains clear the grade crossings.

(v) Due to the size and topography of the city, it is traversed by several high voltage electrical transmission lines which cross over inaccessible desert and foothill brush-covered areas, and steep mountain areas. High winds have caused damage to these lines, resulting in vegetation fires. Access to many of these areas is unavailable to vehicles, making response to these fires unusually difficult.

(vi) Large, high-pressure natural gas transmission lines traverse the city to transport natural gas at pressures exceeding 500 p.s.i. These lines pass through, under, or over steep terrain and wildfire-prone areas, and are also subject to damage due to flooding or seismic events.

(vii) Large petroleum product pipelines cross the city to transport large quantities of gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuels under extremely high pressures. While generally underground, these pipelines pass through, under, or over steep terrain and areas prone to wildfires. Damage to these pipelines has been experienced during rail accidents and flooding conditions. Additionally, these pipelines and their pumping and valve stations are subject to damage from seismic events.

(viii) These local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions found herein together present increased hazard potentials that create a reasonable necessity for the City to establish more restrictive building and fire protection standards, as well as to prevent and discourage egregious and other fire safety violations where the public is at higher risk.

(b) These facts and findings are made pursuant to Sections 17958, 17958.5, 17958.7, and 18941.5 of the California Health and Safety Code and in accordance with the requirements of the California Building Standards Commission.

(Ord. No. 2460, § 3, 12-2-25)

(a) One copy of the 2025 California Fire Code and Appendices, known as the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9; and the 2024 International Fire Code, published by the International Code Council, with California amendments, having been filed in the office of Victorville City Clerk; said code and Appendices adopted by the state, as well as Appendices B, BB, C, CC, D, H, and the Victorville Fire Prevention Standards per the authority granted by CFC section 1.1.8, are designated by the City Council and adopted by reference as the City of Victorville Fire Code, along with those additions, amendments and deletions as set forth in this chapter or otherwise in the Victorville Municipal Code. This chapter shall be known as the "City Fire Code" and shall be referred to in this chapter as "this Code."

(b) When used in this chapter, "CFC" means the 2025 California Fire Code, with such amendments as adopted by the State of California and the 2024 International Fire Code, as adopted, and amended in this chapter.

(c) Where no applicable standards or requirements are set forth in the above-mentioned codes, or contained within other laws, codes, regulations, or ordinances adopted by the city, compliance with applicable standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or other nationally recognized fire safety standards as are approved shall be deemed as prima facie evidence of compliance with the intent of this chapter.

(d) References in documents and continuing legal effect. References to prior editions of the County Fire Code or the Victorville Municipal Code sections amended herein that are cited on notices issued by the city or the agency enforcing the city's fire regulations or other documents of ongoing or continuing legal effect, including specifically resolutions adopting or imposing fees or charges, until converted, are deemed to be references to the new counterpart 2025 Fire Code or amended Municipal Code sections for the purposes of notice and enforcement. The provisions adopted herein shall not in any manner affect deposits, established fees or other matters of record which refer to, or are otherwise connected with, ordinances which are specifically designated by number, code section or otherwise, but such references shall be deemed to apply to the corresponding provisions set forth in the 2025 California Building Standards and the Fire Code adopted hereby. Any fee authorized by the above-referenced fire codes which was in effect at the time of the adoption of this title need not be re-adopted by resolution, and shall continue in effect, and remain unadjusted in amount unless and until a resolution is adopted repealing the fee or establishing a different fee.

(Ord. No. 2460, § 3, 12-2-25)

Wherever any of the names or terms defined in this section are used in the California Fire Code, each term or name shall have the meaning ascribed to it in this section.

(1) "Appointing authority" shall mean the City Manager of the City of Victorville

(2) "City" or "the city" or "jurisdiction" shall mean the City of Victorville, California. All other names or terms shall apply to the appropriate officer of the City of Victorville.

(3) "Fire Department" shall mean the City of Victorville Fire Department.

(4) "Governing body" means the City Council of the City of Victorville.

(5) "Should" or "it is recommended" is intended to be read as mandatory, not discretionary.

(Ord. No. 2460, § 3, 12-2-25)

The following designated portions of the 2025 California Fire Code (CFC) are amended as set forth in the following subsections:

(1) Section 1.11.2.1 1. of CFC Chapter 1 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

1.11.2.1 1. Enforcement. The City of Victorville hereby delegates the enforcement of the building standards relating to fire and panic safety and other regulations of the State Fire Marshal as they relate to Group R-3 occupancies, as described in Section 310.1 of Part 2 of the California Building Standards Code, to the Building Official, who shall obtain any required certification(s) to perform such enforcement.

(2) Section 101.1 of CFC Chapter 1 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Victorville Fire Code and shall be referred to herein as "this Code."

(3) Section 103.1 of CFC Chapter 1 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

103.1 General. This Code shall be enforced by the Division of Fire Prevention of the Fire Department of the City, which is hereby established to be operated under the oversight of the Fire Code Official or his/her designee, under the supervision of the Fire Chief or his/her designee.

(4) Section 103.2 of CFC Chapter 1, "Appointment" is hereby deleted in its entirety without replacement.

(5) Section 104.1.1 is added to CFC Chapter 1 to read as follows:

104.1.1 Design Standards. For the purpose of clarifying fire-related access and site design requirements, the Fire Code Official is hereby authorized to establish design standards which shall be known as "Victorville Fire Prevention Standards" and shall be referred to as "standards". These standards shall be made available to members of the public and shall be updated as required to remain in compliance with current adopted codes.

(6) Section 104.1.2 is added to CFC Chapter 1 to read as follows:

104.1.2 Building Standards Enforcement. The Fire Code Official, or when applicable the Building Official, and their duly authorized deputies as set forth in Section 1.01.050 of the Victorville Municipal Code shall enforce City ordinances regulating maximum occupancy load, fire exits, aisles and fire equipment in buildings and structures in accordance with the regulations and standards adopted by the City.

(7) Section 104.3.1 is added to CFC Chapter 1 to read as follows:

104.3.1 Applications for Permits; Fees. The Fire Chief and/or his/her designee may establish a schedule of fees, as approved from time to time by resolution of the City Council in accordance with Government Code section 66016, to be charged and collected for plan checking, required inspection services, and for the issuance of permits pursuant to CFC Section 105. A copy of the fee schedule shall be kept in the office of the City Clerk and the Office of the Fire Code Official and shall be available for public inspection.

(8) Section 105.2 of CFC Chapter 1 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

105.2 Applications. All applications for a permit required by this Code shall be made to the Fire Department, or the Certified Unified Program Agency ("CUPA") where applicable, in such form and detail as they shall prescribe. Application for permits shall be accompanied by such plans as required by the Fire Department.

(9) Section 109.1.2 is added to CFC Chapter 1 to read as follows:

109.1.2 Inspections - Other Than Dwellings. The Fire Chief and/or his/her designee is hereby authorized to inspect all buildings and premises other than single-family residential dwellings annually to identify and order the correction of hazardous conditions that may exist in violation of this Code. For purposes of these inspections, the Fire Chief and/or his/her designee is authorized to enter such buildings and premises at any reasonable hour, and in accordance with the provisions of CFC Section 104.3.

(10) Section 112.1 of CFC Chapter 1 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

112.1 Board of Appeals.

(a) In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the Fire Code Official relative to the application and interpretation of this Code, there shall be and is hereby created a board of appeals. The board of appeals shall be the City of Victorville Planning Commission (the "Planning Commission"). Within ten (10) calendar days of the date such order, decision, or determination is made, or issued, such appeal shall be made in writing to the Planning Commission by filing such appeal with the Fire Code Official. Such appeal shall state concisely the grounds for the appeal. The Planning Commission shall set and conduct a hearing on the matter and issue their decision or determination thereon in writing. Such decision shall be final unless timely appealed to the City Council as set forth in subsection (b), below.

(b) Any person aggrieved by a decision or determination of the Planning Commission issued under subdivision (a) of this section, may, within ten (10) calendar days of the date the Planning Commission issues their written decision or determination, appeal in writing to the City Council for a hearing by filing such appeal with the City Clerk. The decision of the City Council following such appeal hearing shall be final and conclusive but may be subject to judicial review.

(11) Section 112.3 of CFC Chapter 1, "Qualifications", is deleted in its entirety.

(12) Section 113.4 of CFC Chapter 1 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

113.4 Violations and Penalties.

(a) Misdemeanors. 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 a Fire Code Official, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this Code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor as prescribed in Chapter 1.04 the Victorville Municipal Code. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.

(b) Administrative citations. Administrative citations may also be issued and civil penalties assessed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 1.05 of the Victorville Municipal Code.

(13) Section 503.2.1 of CFC Chapter 5 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

503.2.1 Dimensions. Fire Apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 26 feet, exclusive of shoulders, except for approved security gates in accordance with Section 503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of no less than 14 feet 6 inches, unless otherwise approved by the Fire Code Official.

(14) Section 503.6 of CFC Chapter 5 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

503.6 Security gates. The installation of security gates across a fire apparatus access road shall be approved by the fire code official. Where security gates are installed, they shall have an approved means of emergency operation. The security gates and the emergency operation shall be maintained operational at all times. Electric gate operators, 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 and shall provide an approved preemption and key override devices as approved by Fire Code Official. Pre-existing non-compliant electric and/or automatic gates shall comply with preemption and key override devices within twelve months from the time of discovery.

(15) Section 507.5.1.1 of CFC Chapter 5 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

507.5.1.1 Hydrant for standpipe systems. Buildings equipped with a standpipe system or Fire Department Connection installed in accordance with Section 905 shall have a fire hydrant within 50 feet of the fire department connections.

Exception: The distance shall be permitted to exceed 50 feet if approved by the Fire Code Official.

(16) Section 903.2 of Chapter 9 of the CFC is revised to read as follows:

903.2 Where Required; Authority. Approved Automatic Sprinkler Systems shall be installed in any newly constructed buildings or structures, that exceed 5000 square feet in area, regardless of firewall separation, except where more restrictive requirements are specified in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.12 and Sections 903.2.14 through 903.2.21. With respect to new and modified fire suppression and/or alarm systems, the Building Official shall have authority over one-family and two-family dwellings, while the Fire Code Official shall have authority over new and modified fire suppression and/or alarm systems for multi-family, commercial, and industrial development.

(17) Section 912.2 of Chapter 9 of the CFC is revised to read as follows:

912.2 Location. With respect to hydrants, driveways, buildings and landscaping, fire department connections shall be within 50 feet and so located where fire apparatus and hose connected to supply the system will not obstruct access to the buildings for other fire apparatus. The location of fire department connections shall be approved by the fire code official.

(18) Section 5307.3 of CFC Chapter 57 is revised in its entirety to read as follows:

5307.3 Insulated liquid carbon dioxide systems used in beverage dispensing applications. Insulated liquid carbon dioxide systems with more than 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of carbon dioxide used in beverage dispensing applications shall comply with Section 5307.3.1. Existing non-conforming locations shall comply with Section 5307.3.1 and/or 5307.3.2 within twelve months of discovery.

(19) Sections 5704.2.9.6.1 and 5706.2.4.4 of CFC Chapter 57 are revised in their entirety to read as follows:

5704.2.9.6.1 and Section 5706.2.4.4 Locations where above-ground tanks are prohibited. The storage of flammable and combustible liquids in outside above-ground unprotected tanks and below-grade vaulted tanks is prohibited in all commercial occupancy areas, developed residential areas, and other areas where the Fire Code Official determines that the installation of flammable and combustible liquid in above-ground storage tanks or below-grade vaulted tanks will create a hazard to occupants and property owners in the area. Deviation from these requirements may be allowed only upon specific documented findings by the Fire Code Official. The foregoing provisions notwithstanding, nothing in this section exempts such uses from compliance with any applicable provisions of the City's Development Code (Title 16).

(20) Sections 5806.2 of CFC Chapter 57 are revised in their entirety to read as follows:

5806.2 Limitations. Flammable cryogenic fluids shall not be stored, dispensed, or used unless a written plan, submitted by a Fire Protection Engineer, licensed by the State of California, detailing engineering controls for preventing fires and explosions is approved by the Fire Code Official. The foregoing provisions notwithstanding, nothing in this section exempts such use from compliance with any applicable provisions of the City's Development Code (Title 16).

(21) Section 6104.2 of CFC Chapter 61 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

6104.2 Maximum capacity within established limits. The aggregate capacity of any one installation for the bulk storage of liquefied petroleum gases shall not exceed 2,000 water gallons in residential areas. In non-residential areas, when, in the opinion of the Fire Code Official, the location of bulk storage of liquefied petroleum gases would create a threat to the occupants and property owners, the aggregate storage capacity of liquefied petroleum gas shall also be limited to 2,000 water gallons. Nothing in this section exempts such use from compliance with any other applicable provisions of the City's Development Code (Title 16), and the Fire Code Official shall be guided by the appropriate provisions of Title 16 when permitting the storage of liquefied petroleum gas in excess of 2,000 water gallons at any one installation.

(22) Table B105.2 of Appendix B the CFC is revised to read as follows:

TABLE B105.2 REQUIRED FIRE FLOW FOR BUILDINGS OTHER THAN ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3 AND R-4 BUILDINGS AND TOWNHOUSES

For SI: 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m.

a. The reduced fire flow shall be not less than 1,000 gallons per minute.

b. The reduced fire flow shall be not less than 1,500 gallons per minute.

(23) Section BB105 of Appendix BB of the CFC is revised to read as follows:

BB105.1 Exception: A reduction of the required fire flow of up to 50 percent is allowed when the building is provided with an approved automatic sprinkler system. When a reduction in fire flow is used, fire flow shall not be less than 1500 GPM.

(24) Section 103.3 of Appendix C of the CFC is amended to read as follows:

C103.3 Maximum Spacing. The maximum spacing between fire hydrants shall be no more than 300 feet in all commercial areas and no more than 600 feet in all residential areas.

(25) Section 104.1 of Appendix D of the CFC is amended to read as follows:

D104.1 Buildings exceeding three stores or 30 feet in height. In all commercial and industrial development, a minimum of two or more separate points of fire access into a site or premises, which meet the requirements of the City Engineering Department for unrestricted motor vehicle access as well as all the other requirements of this standard, shall be provided whenever fire apparatus access roadways are required on-site. The Fire Code Official is authorized to require more than two means of fire access based on the potential for impairment of roadways by vehicle congestion, condition of terrain, climatic conditions or other factors that could limit access.

(26) Section D104.2 of Appendix D is deleted in its entirety without replacement.

(27) Section 105.3 of Appendix D of the CFC is amended to read as follows:

D105.3 Proximity to building. In all development except single-family residential, where required, fire apparatus access roadways shall be provided on at least one (1) side of every building or structure, which shall be the side with the greatest length. The access road shall run parallel to the entire length of the building. The roadway shall not be closer than ten (10) feet or farther than thirty (30) feet from the building, as measured from the face of the curb or edge of the access roadway to the exterior wall or projection of the building or structure and shall be located as per the following:

(a) Buildings less than 50,000 square feet and greater than 100 feet in depth shall be provided with fire access roadways on two (2) sides, one of which shall be on the longest side.

(b) Buildings that are 50,000 square feet or larger shall have fire access roadways provided on three (3) sides, two (2) of which will be on the longest sides.

(c) Buildings which exceed 100,000 square feet shall have fire access roadways provided on all sides.

(d) Buildings that are four (4) or more stories in height shall have fire access roadways provided on all sides.

(28) Section D106.1 of Appendix D "Exception" is deleted in its entirety without replacement.

(29) Section D106.2 of Appendix D is deleted in its entirety without replacement.

(30) Section D107.1 of Appendix D "Exceptions" is deleted in its entirety without replacement.

(Ord. No. 2460, § 3, 12-2-25)

(a) The Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshal, fire inspectors, and fire investigators, and appointed designees ("designated officials") shall have authority to arrest without a warrant or issue a citation to any person when the designated official has reasonable cause to believe that the person to be arrested has committed in said designated official's presence a violation of the California Fire Code as adopted in this chapter, any of the provisions of this title that concern issues of fire prevention or fire control, or the provisions of the California Building Code which concern issues of fire prevention or fire control or life safety. Said authority shall only be exercised:

(1) Following satisfactory completion of the course of training described in California Penal Code Section 832(a) by each designated official; and

(2) In the manner provided for the arrest or release on citation and notice to appear set forth in section 1.04.040 of the Victorville Municipal Code.

(b) The Victorville City Council intends that the immunities provided in Penal Code Section 836.5 be applicable to aforementioned Designated Officials exercising their arrest or citation authority within the course and scope of their employment pursuant to this title.

(c) The Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshal, and members of any arson investigation unit of the Fire Department may act as peace officers only as permitted by Section 830.37 of the California Penal Code. Satisfactory completion of the courses of training required by Section 832 of the Penal Code and prior designation by the Fire Chief is also required.

(Ord. No. 2460, § 3, 12-2-25)