CFC · California Fire Code

Premises identification: address numbers and street/road signs

Most homeowners must display address numbers that are at least 4 inches tall with a 1/2‑inch stroke and contrast with the background so the house is visible from the street; if your home is down a private road or hidden by landscaping, place a monument or post with the address at the public way. Temporary street signs are required at intersections while new roads are being used. **§ 505.1** **§ 505.2**.

Ask a question free See coverage

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

What the code requires

New and existing buildings must display approved address identification that is legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property — characters must be Arabic numbers or letters, not spelled out, at least 4 inches (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch (12.7 mm). This is the primary rule in § 505.1. Street and road name signs must be approved, weather‑resistant, and maintained; temporary signs are required at intersections while new roadways are opened, per § 505.2. § 505.1 § 505.2

Make your address plainly visible from the public way — 4" tall, 1/2" stroke, contrasting with the background — and put temporary or permanent road signs at intersections during and after construction. § 505.1 § 505.2

Requirements in detail

Key definitions (first-use bolded)

  • Address identification — the visible characters used to identify a building or unit on a property. § 505.1
  • Street or road signs — name/number signs identifying streets and roads; must be approved and weather resistant. § 505.2

Decision‑relevant dimensions and values

Requirement Value / rule When it matters Code reference
Character height Minimum 4 inches (102 mm) Any address posted to be visible from the street § 505.1
Stroke width Minimum 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) Ensures legibility at distance § 505.1
Character format Arabic numbers or alphabetic letters — do not spell numbers out Compliance and clarity for emergency responders § 505.1
Contrast Characters must contrast with their background Readability day/night § 505.1
Visibility / placement Placed so visible from the street or road fronting the property; additional approved locations where required by the fire code official When property is set back, obstructed, or reached via private road § 505.1
Private road access Use monument, pole or other sign to identify structure when building cannot be viewed from the public way Homes down long private drives, gated entrances § 505.1
Street/road sign construction Approved size, weather resistant, maintained For permanent signs and temporary signs during construction § 505.2
Temporary signs Installed at each street intersection when new roadways allow vehicle passage; maintained until permanent signs in place During road construction / subdivision buildout § 505.2

Additional implementation notes

  • Address identification must be maintained — fading, overgrowth, or damage that impairs legibility is noncompliant. § 505.1
  • The fire code official may require additional approved locations for address identification to facilitate emergency response (for example: secondary signs at the driveway and at the building). § 505.1

Exceptions & special cases

  • Where the building cannot be seen from the public way because access is by a private road, the code requires a monument, pole or other sign to identify the structure from the public way (not necessarily on the structure). § 505.1
  • During construction of new roadways, temporary signs must be installed at each intersection and maintained until permanent signs are placed. § 505.2
  • The code gives the fire code official discretion to require extra signs or alternate placement to ensure emergency access — follow the local fire authority’s directions. § 505.1

(If you need specifications for sign reflectivity, exact sign dimensions, mounting heights, or visibility distances beyond what's in § 505.1 and § 505.2, those are not specified in these sections of the CFC and may be found in local ordinances or in the Wildland‑Urban Interface code and other model codes — see Related provisions below.)

Common mistakes

  • Installing numbers smaller than 4 inches or with stroke less than 1/2 inch. This fails the basic legibility requirement. § 505.1
  • Using spelled‑out numbers ("One Twenty‑Three") instead of Arabic numerals or letters. § 505.1
  • Painting numbers in low‑contrast colors or allowing landscaping to obscure them. The code requires contrasting characters and maintenance. § 505.1
  • Assuming mailbox numbers are sufficient when the building cannot be seen from the street — the code requires a separate monument/pole sign at the public way for private roads. § 505.1
  • Failing to install temporary intersection signs during new road construction. § 505.2

Worked example

Scenario: A single family home sits 300 feet back from the public road behind trees. The driveway is private and curves, so the house is not visible from the road.

What you must do:

  1. Post address identification readable from the road — characters at least 4 inches high with 1/2 inch stroke on a contrasting background. Place these on a monument or post at the road edge so the number can be seen from the public way. § 505.1
  2. If the subdivision is new and the road was recently opened, ensure a temporary road sign is placed at the intersection until the permanent sign is installed. § 505.2
  3. If the local fire marshal requires it, add a secondary sign near the driveway entrance or at the gate (the fire code official can require additional approved locations). § 505.1

Numbers example: Use characters at 4 in. height — at typical viewing distance from the roadway this is the minimum; larger is acceptable if your driveway is long or sight‑lines are poor. § 505.1

Related provisions

  • Fire apparatus access roads — § 503 (access routes and marking requirements)
  • Access to building openings and roofs — § 504 (visibility/marking context and roof access)
  • Key boxes (rapid entry) — § 506 (where required and mounting that can affect sign placement)
  • General scope and timing of installation — § 501 (timing of fire service feature installation; temporary street signs)
  • Wildland‑Urban Interface Code: road sign and address installation/detail (e.g., 1274.01–1274.04) — gives additional visibility and reflectorization guidance used by many jurisdictions.

Code references

Grounded in the retrieved California Fire Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

  • CFC § 504.4 High relevance — show source text

    504.4 Roof access. No person shall install or maintain any security barrier such as barbed wire fencing, razor wire fencing, chain link fencing or any other fencing material, cable, aerial, antenna or other obstruction on the roof of any commercial establishment in such a manner as to obstruct or render egress or access hazardous in the event of fire or other emergency.

    Exception: Guy wire, rods and aerial antenna masts may be attached to a roof structure having a slope of less than 30 degrees provided there is full clearance of 7 feet or more between the roof and said obstruction. Guy wire or rods required to support aerial or antenna masts may be attached to a roof structure a lateral distance from the mast not in excess of one-sixth the height of the mast.

    SECTION 505—PREMISES IDENTIFICATION

    505.1 Address identification. New and existing buildings shall be provided with approved address identification. The address identification shall be legible and placed in a position that is visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address identification characters shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Each character shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of [1] / 2 inch (12.7 mm). Where required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address identification shall be maintained.

    505.2 Street or road signs. Streets and roads shall be identified with approved signs. Temporary signs shall be installed at each street intersection when construction of new roadways allows passage by vehicles. Signs shall be of an approved size, weather resistant and be maintained until replaced by permanent signs.

    SECTION 506—KEY BOXES

    506.1 Where required. Where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or firefighting purposes, the fire code official is authorized to require a key box to be installed in an approved location. The key box shall be of an approved type listed in accordance with UL 1037, and shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the fire code official.

    506.1.1 Locks. An approved lock shall be installed on gates or similar barriers where required by the fire code official.

    2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 5-5

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    FIRE SERVICE FEATURES

    506.1.2 Key boxes for nonstandardized fire service elevator keys. Key boxes provided for nonstandardized fire service elevator keys shall comply with Section 506.1 and all of the following:

    1. The key box shall be compatible with an existing rapid entry key box system in use in the jurisdiction and approved by the fire code official.

    2. The front cover shall be permanently labeled with the words “FIRE DEPARTMENT USE ONLY—ELEVATOR KEYS.”

    3. The key box shall be mounted at each elevator bank at the lobby nearest to the lowest level of fire department access.

    4. The key box shall be mounted 5 feet 6 inches (1676 mm) above the finished floor to the right side of the elevator bank.

    5. Contents of the key box are limited to fire service elevator keys.

  • CFC § 1274.00. High relevance — show source text

    1274.00. Intent. To facilitate locating a fire and to avoid delays in response, all newly constructed or approved Roads and Buildings shall be designated by names or numbers posted on signs clearly visible and legible from the Road. This section shall not restrict the size of letters or numbers appearing on road signs for other purposes.

    1274.01 Road signs. (a) Newly constructed or approved Roads must be identified by a name or number through a consistent system that provides for sequenced or patterned numbering and/or non-duplicative naming within each Local Jurisdiction. This section does not require any entity to rename or renumber existing roads, nor shall a Road providing access only to a single commercial or industrial Occupancy require naming or numbering. (b) The size of letters, numbers, and symbols for Road signs shall be a minimum four (4) inch letter height, half inch (.5) inch stroke, reflectorized, contrasting with the background color of the sign.

    1274.02 Road sign installation, location, and visibility. (a) Road signs shall be visible and legible from both directions of vehicle travel for a distance of at least one hundred (100) feet. (b) Signs required by this article identifying intersecting Roads shall be placed at the intersection of those Roads. (c) A sign identifying traffic access or flow limitations, including but not limited to weight or vertical clearance limitations, dead- end roads, one-way roads, or single lane conditions, shall be placed: (1) at the intersection preceding the traffic access limitation, and (2) no more than one hundred (100) feet before such traffic access limitation. (d) Road signs required by this article shall be posted at the beginning of construction and shall be maintained thereafter.

    1274.03 Addresses for buildings. (a) All Buildings shall be issued an address by the Local Jurisdiction which conforms to that jurisdiction's overall address system. Utility and miscellaneous Group U Buildings are not required to have a separate address; however, each Residential Unit within a Building shall be separately identified. (b) The size of letters, numbers, and symbols for addresses shall conform to the standards in the California Fire Code, California Code of Regulations title 24, part 9. (c) Addresses for residential Buildings shall be reflectorized.

    1274.04 Address installation, location, and visibility. (a) All buildings shall have a permanently posted address which shall be plainly legible and visible from the Road fronting the property. (b) Where access is by means of a private Road and the address identification cannot be viewed from the public way, an unob- structed sign or other means shall be used so that the address is visible from the public way. (c) Address signs along one-way Roads shall be visible from both directions. (d) Where multiple addresses are required at a single driveway, they shall be mounted on a single sign or post. (e) Where a Road provides access solely to a single commercial or industrial business, the address sign shall be placed at the near- est Road intersection providing access to that site, or otherwise posted to provide for unobstructed visibility from that intersection.

    (f) In all cases, the address shall be posted at the beginning of construction and shall be maintained thereafter.

    Article 4 Emergency Water Standards

  • CFC § 504.2 High relevance — show source text

    Exception: Guy wire, rods and aerial antenna masts may be attached to a roof structure having a slope of less than 30 degrees provided there is full clearance of seven feet or more between the roof and said obstruction. Guy wire or rods required to support aerial or antenna masts may be attached to a roof structure a lateral distance from the mast not in excess of one-sixth the height of the mast.

    504.2 Maintenance of exterior doors and openings. Exterior doors and their function shall not be eliminated without prior approval. Exterior doors that have been rendered nonfunctional and that retain a functional door exterior appearance shall have a sign affixed to the exterior side of the door with the words “THIS DOOR BLOCKED.” The sign shall consist of letters having a principal stroke of not less than [3] / 4 inch (19.1 mm) wide and not less than 6 inches (152 mm) high on a contrasting background. Required fire department access doors shall not be obstructed or eliminated. Exit and exit access doors shall comply with Chapter 10. Access doors for high-piled combustible storage shall comply with Section 3206.7.

    504.3 Stairway access to roof. New buildings four or more stories above grade plane, except those with a roof slope greater than 4 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33.3-percent slope), shall be provided with a stairway to the roof. Stairway access to the roof shall be in accordance with Section 1011.12. Such stairway shall be marked at street and floor levels with a sign indicating that the stairway continues to the roof. Where the roof is a vegetative roof, includes a landscaped roof area, or is used or for other purposes, stairways shall be provided as required for such occupancy classification.

    504.4 Roof access. No person shall install or maintain any security barrier such as barbed wire fencing, razor wire fencing, chain link fencing or any other fencing material, cable, aerial, antenna or other obstruction on the roof of any commercial establishment in such a manner as to obstruct or render egress or access hazardous in the event of fire or other emergency.

    Exception: Guy wire, rods and aerial antenna masts may be attached to a roof structure having a slope of less than 30 degrees provided there is full clearance of 7 feet or more between the roof and said obstruction. Guy wire or rods required to support aerial or antenna masts may be attached to a roof structure a lateral distance from the mast not in excess of one-sixth the height of the mast.

    SECTION 505—PREMISES IDENTIFICATION

    505.1 Address identification. New and existing buildings shall be provided with approved address identification. The address identification shall be legible and placed in a position that is visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address identification characters shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Each character shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of [1] / 2 inch (12.7 mm). Where required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address identification shall be maintained.

  • CFC § 1273.09 Medium relevance — show source text

    Where security gates are installed, they shall have an approved means_ of emergency operation. Approval shall be by the local authority having jurisdiction. The security gates and the emergency operation shall be maintained operational at all times.

    [CCR, Title 14 §1273.09]

    403.2 Signing and building numbering.

    403.2.1 Intent. To facilitate locating a fire and to avoid delays in response, all newly constructed or approved Roads and Buildings shall be designated by names or numbers posted on signs clearly visible and legible from the Road. This section shall not restrict the size of letters or numbers appearing on road signs for other purposes. [CCR, Title 14 §1274.00]

    403.2.2 Road signs. (a) Newly constructed or approved Roads must be identified by a name or number through a consistent system that provides for sequenced or patterned numbering and/or nonduplicative naming within each Local Jurisdiction. This section does not require any entity to rename or renumber existing roads, nor shall a Road providing access only to a single commercial or industrial Occupancy require naming or numbering. (b) The size of letters, numbers and symbols for Road signs shall be a minimum four-inch letter height, half-inch stroke, reflector- ized, contrasting with the background color of the sign.

    [CCR, Title 14 §1274.01]

    403.2.3 Road sign installation, location, and visibility. (a) Road signs shall be visible and legible from both directions of vehicle travel for a distance of at least one hundred (100) feet. (b) Signs required by this article identifying intersecting Roads shall be placed at the intersection of those Roads. (c) A sign identifying traffic access or flow limitations, including but not limited to weight or vertical clearance limitations, dead- end roads, one-way roads, or single lane conditions, shall be placed: (1) at the intersection preceding the traffic access limitation, and (2) not more than one hundred (100) feet before such traffic access limitation. (d) Road signs required by this article shall be posted at the beginning of construction and shall be maintained thereafter.

    [CCR, Title 14 §1274.02]

    403.2.4 Addresses for Buildings. (a) All Buildings shall be issued an address by the Local Jurisdiction which conforms to that jurisdiction's overall address system. Utility and miscellaneous Group U Buildings are not required to have a separate address; however, each Residential Unit within a Building shall be separately identified. (b) The size of letters, numbers and symbols for addresses shall conform to the standards in the California Fire Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 9. (c) Addresses for residential Buildings shall be reflectorized.

    [CCR, Title 14 §1274.03]

    4-6 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS

    403.2.5 Address installation, location and visibility. (a) All buildings shall have a permanently posted address which shall be plainly legible and visible from the Road fronting the property. (b) Where access is by means of a private Road and the address identification cannot be viewed from the public way, an unob- _structed sign or other means shall be used so that the address is visible from the public way.

  • CFC § 5-1 Medium relevance — show source text

    1|||X|X||||||||||||||||||||| |Figure 5-1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |Table 504.3|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |Table 504.4|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |Table 506.2|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |506.2.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |506.2.2|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |508.2.4|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |508.3.3|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |Table 508.4|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |508.5||||X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |508.5, Item 2||||†|†|||||||||||||||||||| |508.5.3,Exception||||X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |508.5.7|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |508.5.8,Exception||||X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |508.5.9||||||X|X|||||||||||||||||| |508.5.10||||X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |508.5.11||||||X||||||||||||||||||| |Table 509.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |509.3|||X||||||||||||||||||||||

    The state agency does not adopt sections identified with the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.

    2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 5-1

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    5-2 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    5 GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS

    User notes:

    About this chapter: Chapter 5 establishes the limits to which a building can be built. Building height, number of stories and building area are specified in this chapter. Chapter 5 must be used in conjunction with the occupancies established in Chapter 3 and the types of construction established in Chapter 6. This chapter also specifies the impact that mezzanines, accessory occupancies and mixed occupancies have on the overall size of a building.

    ICC code development note: Code change proposals to sections preceded by the designation [F] or [BE] will be considered by a code development committee meeting during the 2024 (Group A) Code Development Cycle. All other code change proposals will be considered by a code development committee meeting during the 2025 (Group B) Code Development Cycle.

    SECTION 501—GENERAL

    501.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter control the height and area of structures hereafter erected and additions to existing

    structures.

    SECTION 502—BUILDING ADDRESS

    [F] 502.1 Address identification. New and existing buildings shall be provided with approved address identification. The address identification shall be legible and placed in a position that is visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address identification characters shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Each character shall be a minimum of 4 inches (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of [1] / 2 inch (12.7 mm).

  • CFC § 1274.03 Medium relevance — show source text

    1274.03 Addresses for buildings. (a) All Buildings shall be issued an address by the Local Jurisdiction which conforms to that jurisdiction's overall address system. Utility and miscellaneous Group U Buildings are not required to have a separate address; however, each Residential Unit within a Building shall be separately identified. (b) The size of letters, numbers, and symbols for addresses shall conform to the standards in the California Fire Code, California Code of Regulations title 24, part 9. (c) Addresses for residential Buildings shall be reflectorized.

    1274.04 Address installation, location, and visibility. (a) All buildings shall have a permanently posted address which shall be plainly legible and visible from the Road fronting the property. (b) Where access is by means of a private Road and the address identification cannot be viewed from the public way, an unob- structed sign or other means shall be used so that the address is visible from the public way. (c) Address signs along one-way Roads shall be visible from both directions. (d) Where multiple addresses are required at a single driveway, they shall be mounted on a single sign or post. (e) Where a Road provides access solely to a single commercial or industrial business, the address sign shall be placed at the near- est Road intersection providing access to that site, or otherwise posted to provide for unobstructed visibility from that intersection.

    (f) In all cases, the address shall be posted at the beginning of construction and shall be maintained thereafter.

    Article 4 Emergency Water Standards

    1275.00 Intent. Emergency water for Wildfire protection shall be available, accessible, and maintained in quantities and locations spec- ified in the statute and these regulations in order to attack a Wildfire or defend property from a Wildfire.

    1275.01 Application. The provisions of this article shall apply in the tentative and parcel map process when new parcels are approved by the Local Jurisdiction.

    APPENDIX H-14 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS

    1275.02 Water supply. (a) When a water supply for structure defense is required to be installed, such protection shall be installed and made serviceable prior to and during the time of construction except when alternative methods of protection are provided and approved by the Local Jurisdiction.

    (b) Water systems equaling or exceeding the California Fire Code, California Code of Regulations title 24, part 9, or, where a munic- ipal-type water supply is unavailable, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1142, “Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting,” 2017 Edition, hereby incorporated by reference, shall be accepted as meeting the require- ments of this article.

    (c) Such emergency water may be provided in a fire agency mobile water tender, or naturally occurring or man made containment structure, as long as the specified quantity is immediately available. (d) Nothing in this article prohibits the combined storage of emergency Wildfire and structural firefighting water supplies unless so prohibited by local ordinance or specified by the local fire agency. (e) Where freeze or crash protection is required by Local Jurisdictions, such protection measures shall be provided.

  • CFC § 5-3 Medium relevance — show source text

    503 Fire Apparatus Access Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3 504 Access to Building Openings and Roofs . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 505 Premises Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

    506 Key Boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 507 Fire Protection Water Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 508 Fire Command Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

    509 Fire Protection and Utility Equipment Identification and Access. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

    510 Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

    CHAPTER 6 BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . .6-3

    601 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

    602 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

    603 Electrical Equipment, Wiring and Hazards . . . . . . . . . 6-3 604 Elevator Operation, Maintenance and Fire Service Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5 605 Fuel-Fired Appliances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6 606 Commercial Cooking Equipment and Systems . . . . . 6-9 607 Commercial Cooking Oil Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10 608 Mechanical Refrigeration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10 609 Hyperbaric Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13 610 Clothes Dryer Exhaust Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13

    CHAPTER 7 FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION

    FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-3

    701 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3

  • CFC § 4.99 Medium relevance — show source text

    Parcels zoned for less than one acre – 800 feet (262 m)

    Parcels zoned for 1 acre to 4.99 acres – 1,320 feet (433 m)

    Parcels zoned for 5 acres to 19.99 acres – 2,640 feet (866 m)

    Parcels zoned for 20 acres or larger – 5,280 feet (1732 m) All lengths shall be measured from the edge of the road surface at the intersection that begins the road to the end of the road surface at its farthest point. Where a Dead-end Road crosses areas of differing zoned parcel sizes requiring different length limits, the shortest allowable length shall apply. (b) See Section 403.1.5 for Dead-end Road turnaround requirements.

    [CCR, Title 14 §1273.08]

    403.1.10 Gate entrances.

    (a) Gate entrances shall be at least two (2) feet wider than the width of the traffic lane(s) serving that gate and a minimum width of fourteen (14) feet unobstructed horizontal clearance and unobstructed vertical clearance of thirteen feet, six inches (13' 6”). (b) All gates providing access from a road to a driveway shall be located at least thirty (30) feet from the roadway and shall open to allow a vehicle to stop without obstructing traffic on that Road. (c) Where a one-way road with a single traffic lane provides access to a gated entrance, a forty-foot turning radius shall be used. (d) Security gates shall not be installed without approval. Where security gates are installed, they shall have an approved means of emergency operation. Approval shall be by the local authority having jurisdiction. The security gates and the emergency operation shall be maintained operational at all times.

    [CCR, Title 14 §1273.09]

    403.2 Signing and building numbering.

    403.2.1 Intent. To facilitate locating a fire and to avoid delays in response, all newly constructed or approved Roads and Buildings shall be designated by names or numbers posted on signs clearly visible and legible from the Road. This section shall not restrict the size of letters or numbers appearing on road signs for other purposes. [CCR, Title 14 §1274.00]

    403.2.2 Road signs. (a) Newly constructed or approved Roads must be identified by a name or number through a consistent system that provides for sequenced or patterned numbering and/or nonduplicative naming within each Local Jurisdiction. This section does not require any entity to rename or renumber existing roads, nor shall a Road providing access only to a single commercial or industrial Occupancy require naming or numbering. (b) The size of letters, numbers and symbols for Road signs shall be a minimum four-inch letter height, half-inch stroke, reflector- ized, contrasting with the background color of the sign.

    [CCR, Title 14 §1274.01]

    _**403.2.3 Road sign installation, location, and visibility.

  • CFC § 5-2 Medium relevance — show source text

    5-2 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    5 GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS

    User notes:

    About this chapter: Chapter 5 establishes the limits to which a building can be built. Building height, number of stories and building area are specified in this chapter. Chapter 5 must be used in conjunction with the occupancies established in Chapter 3 and the types of construction established in Chapter 6. This chapter also specifies the impact that mezzanines, accessory occupancies and mixed occupancies have on the overall size of a building.

    ICC code development note: Code change proposals to sections preceded by the designation [F] or [BE] will be considered by a code development committee meeting during the 2024 (Group A) Code Development Cycle. All other code change proposals will be considered by a code development committee meeting during the 2025 (Group B) Code Development Cycle.

    SECTION 501—GENERAL

    501.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter control the height and area of structures hereafter erected and additions to existing

    structures.

    SECTION 502—BUILDING ADDRESS

    [F] 502.1 Address identification. New and existing buildings shall be provided with approved address identification. The address identification shall be legible and placed in a position that is visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address identification characters shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Each character shall be a minimum of 4 inches (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of [1] / 2 inch (12.7 mm). Where required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means of a private road and the building address cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other approved sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address identification shall be maintained.

    SECTION 503—GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHT AND AREA LIMITATIONS

    503.1 General. Unless otherwise specifically modified in Chapter 4 and this chapter, building height, number of stories and building area shall not exceed the limits specified in Sections 504 and 506 based on the type of construction as determined by Section 602 and the occupancies as determined by Section 302 except as modified hereafter. Building height, number of stories and building area provisions shall be applied independently. For the purposes of determining area limitations, height limitations and type of construction, each portion of a building separated by one or more fire walls complying with Section 706 shall be considered to be a separate building.

    Exceptions: 1. [HCD 1] Limited-density owner-built rural dwellings may be of any type of construction which will provide for a sound struc- tural condition. Structural hazards which result in an unsound condition and which may constitute a substandard building are delineated by Section 17920.3 of the Health and Safety Code. 2. Other than structural requirements, solar photovoltaic panels supported by a structure with no use underneath shall not constitute additional story or additional floor area and may exceed the height limit when constructed on a roof top of a building provided the following conditions are met: 1. For all occupancies, the highest point of the structure/panel shall meet the lower of the two values below: _1.

  • CFC § 3.2 Medium relevance — show source text
    1. Be designed and constructed to resist flood loads and minimize transfer of flood loads to the building or structure, including foundation.

    Areas below stairways and ramps shall not be enclosed with walls below the elevation required in Section R306.3.2 unless such walls are constructed in accordance with Section R306.3.5.

    R306.3.8 Decks and porches. Attached decks and porches shall meet the elevation requirements of Section R306.3.2 and shall either meet the foundation requirements of this section or shall be cantilevered from or knee braced to the building or structure. Self-supporting decks and porches that are below the elevation required in Section R306.3.2 shall not be enclosed by solid, rigid walls, including walls designed to break away. Self-supporting decks and porches shall be designed and constructed to remain in place during base flood conditions or shall be frangible and break away under base flood conditions.

    R306.3.9 Construction documents. The construction documents shall include documentation that is prepared and sealed by a registered design professional that the design and methods of construction to be used meet the applicable criteria of this section.

    R306.3.10 Tanks. Underground tanks shall be anchored to prevent flotation, collapse and lateral movement under conditions of the base flood. Above-ground tanks shall be installed at or above the elevation required in Section R306.3.2. Where elevated on platforms, the platforms shall be cantilevered from or knee braced to the building or shall be supported on foundations that conform to the requirements of Section R306.3.

    SECTION R307—STORM SHELTERS

    R307.1 General. This section applies to the design, construction and installation of storm shelters where constructed as either separate detached buildings or rooms or spaces within buildings for the purpose of providing protection from tornadoes, hurricanes and other severe windstorms.

    R307.2 Construction. Storm shelters shall be constructed in accordance with this code and ICC 500.

    R307.2.1 Sealed documentation. The construction documents for all structural components and impact protective systems installed in storm shelters shall be prepared and sealed by a registered design professional indicating compliance with ICC 500.

    Exception: Storm shelters, structural components and impact-protective systems that are listed and labeled to indicate compliance with ICC 500.

    SECTION R308—SITE ADDRESS

    R308.1 Address identification. Buildings shall be provided with approved address identification. The address identification shall be legible and placed in a position that is visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address identification characters shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Each character shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm) in height with a stroke width of not less than 0.5 inch (12.7 mm). Where

    3-40 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    BUILDING PLANNING

    required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means of a private road and the building address cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address identification shall be maintained.

    SECTION R309—AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

    R309.1 Townhouse automatic sprinkler systems. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in townhouses.

  • CFC § 4-3 Medium relevance — show source text

    402 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

    403 Emergency Preparedness Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . 4-3 404 Fire Safety, Evacuation and Lockdown Plans . . . . . . 4-10 405 Emergency Evacuation Drills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13 406 Employee Training and Response Procedures. . . . . 4-15

    407 Hazard Communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15

    CHAPTER 5 FIRE SERVICE FEATURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3

    501 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

    502 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

    503 Fire Apparatus Access Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3 504 Access to Building Openings and Roofs . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 505 Premises Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

    506 Key Boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 507 Fire Protection Water Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 508 Fire Command Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

    509 Fire Protection and Utility Equipment Identification and Access. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

    510 Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

    CHAPTER 6 BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . .6-3

    601 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

    602 Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

  • CFC § 1274.02 Medium relevance — show source text

    [CCR, Title 14 §1274.02]

    403.2.4 Addresses for Buildings. (a) All Buildings shall be issued an address by the Local Jurisdiction which conforms to that jurisdiction's overall address system. Utility and miscellaneous Group U Buildings are not required to have a separate address; however, each Residential Unit within a Building shall be separately identified. (b) The size of letters, numbers and symbols for addresses shall conform to the standards in the California Fire Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 9. (c) Addresses for residential Buildings shall be reflectorized.

    [CCR, Title 14 §1274.03]

    4-6 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS

    403.2.5 Address installation, location and visibility. (a) All buildings shall have a permanently posted address which shall be plainly legible and visible from the Road fronting the property. (b) Where access is by means of a private Road and the address identification cannot be viewed from the public way, an unob- structed sign or other means shall be used so that the address is visible from the public way. (c) Address signs along one-way Roads shall be visible from both directions. (d) Where multiple addresses are required at a single driveway, they shall be mounted on a single sign or post. (e) Where a Road provides access solely to a single commercial or industrial business, the address sign shall be placed at the near- est Road intersection providing access to that site, or otherwise posted to provide for unobstructed visibility from that intersection.

    (f) In all cases, the address shall be posted at the beginning of construction and shall be maintained thereafter.

    [CCR, Title 14 §1274.04]

    SECTION 404—WATER SUPPLY

    404.1 General. An approved water source shall have an adequate water supply for the use of the fire protection service to protect buildings and structures from exterior fire sources or to suppress structure fires within the wildland-urban interface area of the jurisdiction in accordance with this section.

    404.2 Required water supply. 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 of the California Fire Code.

    404.3 Draft sites. Approved draft sites shall be provided at natural water sources intended for use as fire protection for compliance with this code. The design, construction, location, access and access maintenance of draft sites shall be approved by the code official.

    404.3.1 Access. The draft site shall have emergency vehicle access from an access road in accordance with Section 403.

    404.3.2 Pumper access points. The pumper access point shall be either an emergency vehicle access area alongside a conforming access road or an approved driveway not longer than 150 feet (45 720 mm). Pumper access points and access driveways shall be designed and constructed in accordance with all codes and ordinances enforced by this jurisdiction. Pumper access points shall not require the pumper apparatus to obstruct a road or driveway.

Frequently asked questions

What if my house is on a private lane — is the mailbox enough?

No. If the building cannot be viewed from the public way, the code requires a monument, pole, or other sign at the public way to identify the structure; mailbox numbers alone are not sufficient if they are not visible from the street. § 505.1

Do numbers have to be reflectorized?

§ 505.1 does not require reflectorization. The Wildland‑Urban Interface Code requires reflectorized addresses for residential buildings in some situations; check local adoption for reflectorization requirements. § 505.1

How big should street signs be?

§ 505.2 requires signs be of an approved size and weather resistant, but does not give specific dimensions; local jurisdictions or the Wildland‑Urban Interface Code commonly specify minimum 4‑inch letter heights for road signs. § 505.2

Who can require additional signs or locations?

The fire code official has authority to require additional approved locations for address identification to facilitate emergency response. Coordinate with your local fire marshal. § 505.1

When are temporary intersection signs required?

When construction of new roadways allows vehicle passage, temporary signs must be installed at each street intersection and maintained until permanent signs are in place. § 505.2

More in California Fire Code

Ask about the CFC

Get cited, plain-English answers on the California Fire Code for your project — any code section, any scenario.

Start Free Trial

Related in the CFC

Maintenance and required access to exterior doors and openings

Roof stair access, roof‑mounted obstructions and prohibited security barriers

Access to building openings and roofs, and premises identification

California Fire Code