CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code

Water supply, hydrants, draft sites and reliability

This hub summarizes CWUIC Section 404: required water supplies, hydrants and draft sites plus testing, identification and reliability provisions (including standby power).

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

This part of the California Wildland‑Urban Interface Code (CWUIC) sets the minimum requirements for water supplies used to protect buildings and support fire department operations in WUI areas — including required water sources and flows, fire hydrant systems, pumper drafting sites, identification, testing/maintenance and system reliability. Chapter 4 frames these requirements as part of the wildland‑urban interface area provisions and ties them to fire‑service access and subdivision applicability (see Chapter 4 overview and applicability) .

Key operational rules include requirements for approved water sources and required fire flows (§404.1–§404.5), mandatory provision and design/access for draft sites at natural water sources (§404.3 and §404.3.1–§404.3.2), and standards for hydrant design, spacing and identification (§404.4 and §404.8) . The code also requires periodic testing and maintenance of water sources and hydrants (§404.9) and addresses supply reliability — including defensible‑space clearance around supply equipment and standby power for pumps/controllers (§404.10 and §404.10.1–§404.10.3) — with limited exceptions where primary service is underground or the supply serves a single dwelling .

For quick reference, the CWUIC collects the water‑supply provisions under Section 404 and cross‑references related California Fire Code/Title 14 requirements; see the code index and matrix for which subsections are adopted and where to find the detailed provisions (e.g., §404.1, §404.2, §404.3, §404.4, §404.5, §404.8–§404.10) .

In this section

Code references

Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

  • CWUIC § 404.5 High relevance — show source text

    404.5 Adequate water supply. Fire-flow requirements shall be determined in accordance with Appendix B or BB of the California Fire Code, as applicable.

    404.6 Reserved.

    404.7 Obstructions. Access to water sources required by this code shall be unobstructed at all times. The fire department shall not be deterred or hindered from gaining immediate access to water source equipment, fire protection equipment or hydrants.

    404.8 Identification. Water sources, draft sites, hydrants and fire protection equipment and hydrants shall be clearly identified in a manner approved by the code official to identify location and to prevent obstruction by parking and other obstructions. Each fire hydrant and access to a water supply shall be identified in accordance with one of the following: 1. Where located along a driveway, a reflectorized blue marker with a minimum dimension of 3 inches (73 mm) shall be located on the driveway address sign and mounted on a fire-retardant post. 2. Where located along an access road: 2.2. A reflectorized blue marker with a minimum dimension of 3 inches (73 mm) shall be mounted on a fire-retardant post. The signpost shall be within 3 feet (914 mm) of said fire hydrant with the sign not less than 3 feet (914 mm) nor greater than 5 feet (1524 mm) above ground, in a horizontal position and visible from the driveway. 2.3. As specified in the State Fire Marshal’s Guidelines for Fire Hydrant Markings Along State Highways and Freeways, May 1988.

    404.9 Testing and maintenance. Water sources, draft sites, hydrants and other fire protection equipment required by this code shall be subject to periodic tests as required by the code official. Such equipment installed under the provisions of this code shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and shall be repaired or replaced where defective. Additions, repairs, alterations and servicing of such fire protection equipment and resources shall be in accordance with approved standards.

    404.10 Reliability. Water supply reliability shall comply with Sections 404.10.1 through 404.10.3.

    404.10.1 Objective. The objective of this section is to increase the reliability of water supplies by reducing the exposure of vegetative fuels to electrically powered systems.

    404.10.2 Clearance of fuel. Defensible space shall be provided around water tank structures, water supply pumps and pump houses in accordance with Section 603.

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    WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS

    404.10.3 Standby power. Standby power shall be provided to pumps, controllers and related electrical equipment so that stationary water supply facilities within the wildland-urban interface area that are dependent on electrical power can provide the required water supply. The standby power system shall be in accordance with Section 2702 of the California Building Code and Section 1203 of the California Fire Code . The standby power source shall be capable of providing power for not less than 2 hours.

  • CWUIC § 4-1 High relevance — show source text

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    4 WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS

    User notes:

    About this chapter: Chapter 4 provides requirements that apply to all occupancies in the wildland-urban interface and pertain to all of the following:

    1. Fire service access to the property that is to be protected, including fire apparatus access roads and off-road driveways.

    2. Premises identification.

    3. Key boxes to provide ready access to properties secured by gated roadways or other impediments to rapid fire service access.

    4. Fire protection water supplies, including adequate water sources, pumper apparatus drafting sites, fire hydrant systems and system reliability.

    5. Fire department access to equipment such as fire suppression equipment and fire hydrants.

    SECTION 401—GENERAL

    401.1 Scope. Wildland-urban interface areas shall be provided with emergency vehicle access and water supply in accordance with this chapter.

    401.2 Objective. The objective of this chapter is to establish the minimum requirements for emergency vehicle access and water supply for buildings and structures located in the wildland-urban interface areas.

    401.3 General safety precautions. General safety precautions shall be in accordance with this chapter. See also Appendix A.

    SECTION 402—APPLICABILITY

    402.1 Subdivisions. Subdivisions shall comply with Sections 402.1.1 and 402.1.2.

    402.1.1 Access. New subdivisions, as determined by this jurisdiction, shall be provided with fire apparatus access roads in accordance with the California Fire Code; the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Article 2; and access requirements in accordance with Section 403.

    402.1.2 Water supply. New subdivisions as determined by this jurisdiction shall be provided with water supply in accordance with Section 507 of the California Fire Code; California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Article 4; and Section 404.

    402.1.2.1 Parcel map approval. Water supply requirements shall apply in the tentative and parcel map process when new parcels are approved by the local jurisdiction.

    402.2 Individual structures. Individual structures shall comply with Sections 402.2.1 and 402.2.2.

    402.2.1 Access. Individual structures hereafter constructed or relocated into or within wildland-urban interface areas shall be provided with fire apparatus access in accordance with the California Fire Code; the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Subsection 1273; and Section 403 .

    402.2.2 Water supply. Individual structures hereafter constructed or relocated into or within wildland-urban interface areas shall be provided with a conforming water supply in accordance with the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Article 4; California Fire Code Section 507; and Section 404.

  • CWUIC § 1274.04 High relevance — show source text

    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.

    404.4 Hydrants. Hydrants shall be designed and constructed in accordance with nationally recognized standards. The location and access shall be approved by the code official. The number and spacing of fire hydrants shall be in accordance with Appendix C or CC of the California Fire Code, as applicable.

    404.5 Adequate water supply. Fire-flow requirements shall be determined in accordance with Appendix B or BB of the California Fire Code, as applicable.

    404.6 Reserved.

    404.7 Obstructions. Access to water sources required by this code shall be unobstructed at all times. The fire department shall not be deterred or hindered from gaining immediate access to water source equipment, fire protection equipment or hydrants.

    404.8 Identification. Water sources, draft sites, hydrants and fire protection equipment and hydrants shall be clearly identified in a manner approved by the code official to identify location and to prevent obstruction by parking and other obstructions. Each fire hydrant and access to a water supply shall be identified in accordance with one of the following: 1. Where located along a driveway, a reflectorized blue marker with a minimum dimension of 3 inches (73 mm) shall be located on the driveway address sign and mounted on a fire-retardant post. 2. Where located along an access road: 2.2. A reflectorized blue marker with a minimum dimension of 3 inches (73 mm) shall be mounted on a fire-retardant post. The signpost shall be within 3 feet (914 mm) of said fire hydrant with the sign not less than 3 feet (914 mm) nor greater than 5 feet (1524 mm) above ground, in a horizontal position and visible from the driveway. _2.3.

  • CWUIC § 404.9 High relevance — show source text

    May_ 1988.

    404.9 Testing and maintenance. Water sources, draft sites, hydrants and other fire protection equipment required by this code shall be subject to periodic tests as required by the code official. Such equipment installed under the provisions of this code shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and shall be repaired or replaced where defective. Additions, repairs, alterations and servicing of such fire protection equipment and resources shall be in accordance with approved standards.

    404.10 Reliability. Water supply reliability shall comply with Sections 404.10.1 through 404.10.3.

    404.10.1 Objective. The objective of this section is to increase the reliability of water supplies by reducing the exposure of vegetative fuels to electrically powered systems.

    404.10.2 Clearance of fuel. Defensible space shall be provided around water tank structures, water supply pumps and pump houses in accordance with Section 603.

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    WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS

    404.10.3 Standby power. Standby power shall be provided to pumps, controllers and related electrical equipment so that stationary water supply facilities within the wildland-urban interface area that are dependent on electrical power can provide the required water supply. The standby power system shall be in accordance with Section 2702 of the California Building Code and Section 1203 of the California Fire Code . The standby power source shall be capable of providing power for not less than 2 hours.

    Exceptions:

    1. Where approved by the code official, a standby power supply is not required where the primary power service to the stationary water supply facility is underground.
    2. A standby power supply is not required where the stationary water supply facility serves not more than one singlefamily dwelling.

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    CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

    CHAPTER 5 – SPECIAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS

    (Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

  • CWUIC § 402.1.1 High relevance — show source text


    Title 19, Division 1]|||||||||||||||||||||||| |Chapter / Section|||||||||||||||||||||||| |402|||†||||||||||||||||||||| |402.1.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |402.1.2|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |402.1.2.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |402.2.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |402.2.2|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |402.3|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |404.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |404.2|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |404.4|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |404.5|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |404.6_Reserved_|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |404.7|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |404.8|||X|||||||||||||||||||||

    • The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by 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.

    The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Division 1.5 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are not listed in the Matrix Adoption Tables as they are not within the State Fire Marshal’s authority to adopt. These provisions are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 14, Division 1.5 text for the code user’s convenience only and are identified in the body of the code by square brackets containing references to applicable Title 14 sections.

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    4 WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS

    User notes:

    About this chapter: Chapter 4 provides requirements that apply to all occupancies in the wildland-urban interface and pertain to all of the following:

    1. Fire service access to the property that is to be protected, including fire apparatus access roads and off-road driveways.

    2. Premises identification.

    3. Key boxes to provide ready access to properties secured by gated roadways or other impediments to rapid fire service access.

    4. Fire protection water supplies, including adequate water sources, pumper apparatus drafting sites, fire hydrant systems and system reliability.

    5. Fire department access to equipment such as fire suppression equipment and fire hydrants.

    SECTION 401—GENERAL

    401.1 Scope. Wildland-urban interface areas shall be provided with emergency vehicle access and water supply in accordance with this chapter.

    401.2 Objective. The objective of this chapter is to establish the minimum requirements for emergency vehicle access and water supply for buildings and structures located in the wildland-urban interface areas.

  • CWUIC § 1.5 High relevance — show source text


    Division 1.5
    Section|Title 19,
    Division 1
    Section|Gov Code
    Section|PRC
    Section|HSC
    Section| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Section|Title|Title|Title|Title|Title|Title|Title|Title|Title|Title| |Chapter 4|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements|Wildland-urban interface area requirements| |403.2.5|Address installation,
    location, and visibility|Y||||1274.04(a)
    1274.04(b)
    1274.04(c)
    1274.04(d)
    1274.04(e)
    1274.04(f)||||| |404|Water supply|Y||||1275.02||||| |404.1|General|Y|||507|1275.02(b)||||| |404.2|Required water supply|Y||||1275.02(c)||||| |404.3|Draft sites|Y||||||||| |404.3.1|Access|Y|||507.5.4|||||| |404.3.2|Pumper access points|Y|404.3.2|||||||| |404.4|Hydrants|Y|||507.5|||||| |404.5|Adequate water
    supply|Y|||507.3|1275.02(b)||||| |404.6|Reserved|N||||||||| |404.7|Obstructions|Y|||507.5.4|||||| |404.8|Identification|Y||||1275.04(a)||||| |404.9|Testing and
    maintenance|Y|||507.5.2|||||| |404.10|Reliability|Y|||507.5.2|||||| |404.10.1|Objective|Y|404.10.1|||||||| |404.10.2|Clearance of fuel|Y|||4907.1|||||| |404.10.3|Standby power|Y|||507.5.2|||||| |Chapter 5|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations| |501|General|Y||701A||||||| |501.1|Scope|Y||701A.3||||||| |501.2|Objective|Y||701A.2||||||| |501.3|Fire-resistance-rated
    construction|Y||703.2.1.5||||||| |501.4|Noncombustibility
    tests|Y||703.3||||||| |501.4.1|Noncombustible
    materials|Y||703.3.

  • CWUIC § 1-2 High relevance — show source text
    CHAPTER TOPICS Col2
    CHAPTER SUBJECT
    1-2 Administration and Definitions
    3-4 Wildland-Urban Interface Area Designation and Requirements
    5 Building Construction Regulations
    6 Fire Protection Requirements
    7 Referenced Standards
    Appendices A-I Adoptable and Informational Appendices

    Chapter 1 Scope and Administration.

    Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.

    Chapter 2 Definitions.

    Chapter 2 is the repository of the definitions of terms used in the body of the code. The user of the code should be familiar with and consult this chapter because the definitions are essential to the correct interpretation of the code and because the user may not be aware that a term is defined.

    Chapter 3 Wildland-Urban Interface Areas.

    Chapter 3 provides for the fundamental aspect of applying the code—the legal declaration and establishment of wildland-urban interface areas within the adopting jurisdiction, mapping of the area, periodic review and updates.

    Chapter 4 Wildland-Urban Interface Area Requirements.

    The requirements of Chapter 4 apply to all occupancies in the wildland-urban interface and pertain to all of the following:

    1. Fire service access to the property that is to be protected, including fire apparatus access roads and off-road driveways.

    2. Premises identification.

    3. Key boxes to provide ready access to properties secured by gated roadways or other impediments to rapid fire service access.

    4. Fire protection water supplies, including adequate water sources, pumper apparatus drafting sites, fire hydrant systems and system reliability.

    5. Fire department access to equipment such as fire suppression equipment and fire hydrants.

    Chapter 5 Special Building Construction Regulations.

    The regulations in Chapter 5 establish minimum standards for the location, design and construction of buildings and structures based on construction within a Fire Hazard Severity Zone or a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Area.

    The construction provisions of Chapter 5 are intended to supplement the requirements of the California Building Code and Califor- nia Residential Code and address mitigation of the unique hazards posed to buildings by wildfire and to reduce the hazards of building fires spreading to wildland fuels. This is accomplished by requiring ignition-resistant construction materials.

    Chapter 6 Fire Protection Requirements.

    Chapter 6 contains additional requirements for development and construction in Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and areas designated by the State Fire Marshal as State Responsibility Areas (SRA). While many of these provisions are found in Title 14 and Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, they are replicated here for the code user. The local jurisdiction has the authority to apply the same regulations to LRA when the regulations are adopted by local ordinance.

    The requirements in this chapter reference the process for adoption of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the LRA; criteria for evaluating existing subdivisions that are at significant fire risk and are without an adequate secondary egress; and criteria for fire safety provisions required in the Safety Element of a city or county General Plan.

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  • CWUIC § 603.4.2 High relevance — show source text

    Trees 603.4.2

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    INDEX

    Undeveloped Ridgeline 202 Unenclosed Accessory Structure 202

    Vegetation Control Appendix A, A102 Vegetation management compliance 106.4 Vegetation Management Plan Appendix B Vents 504.10

    Vertical Curve 202

    Water Supply Adequate water supply 404.5 Applicability 402 Draft sites 404.3 Hydrants 404.4 Identification 404.8

    Obstructions 404.7 Reliability 404.10 Required water supply 404.2 Subdivisions 402.1 Testing and maintenance 404.9 Water sources 404.2

    Wildfire 202

    Wildland 202

    Wildland-Urban Interface Area 202

    Wildland-Urban Interface Area Designations 302 Declaration 302.1

    Mapping 302.2 Review 302.3

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    HISTORY NOTE APPENDIX

    2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 7

    HISTORY:

    1. (SFM 08/24)—Adoption by reference of the 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code with necessary amendments relocated from the California Building Code, California Residential Code and California Fire Code to become the 2025 Califor- nia Wildland-Urban Interface Code . Approved by the California Building Standards Commission on February 26, 2025, filed with Secretary of State on March 7, 2025, and effective on January 1, 2026.

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  • CWUIC § 104.2.2.7 Medium relevance — show source text

    Outbuilding 202

    Peer Review 104.2.2.7, 202 Permits

    Application 105.4 Approval 105.5 Expiration 105.8 Issuance 105.6 Preliminary inspection 105.4.1 Refusal to issue 105.6.1

    Required 105.2 Retention 105.9

    Revocation 105.10 Validity 105.7 Work exempt from permit 105.3 Placarding as Unsafe 109.3.5.3 Powers and Duties of the Code

    Official 104.1

    Practical Difficulties 104.2.3 Protection of Pumps and Water Storage Facilities Appendix A, A107

    Rafter Tail 202 Referenced Standards 102.4, Chapter 7 Registered Design Professional 104.2.1.2, 104.2.2.6.2, 106.1, 202 Residential Unit 202 Retroactivity 101.4 Ridgelline 202 Road 202 Roof Covering 202 Roof Covering System 202 Roof Coverings, Replacement or Repair of 507

    Roof Deck 202

    Scope 101 Self-Defense Mechanism Appendix G Service Utilities 111

    Slope 202 Spark Arrestors 605 Stop Work Order 113 Storage of Firewood and Combustible Materials 607 Strategic Ridgeline 202 Structure 202

    Subdivision 202

    Technical Assistance 104.2.1 Temporary Uses, Equipment and Systems 107 Tree Crown 202

    Trees 603.4.2

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    INDEX

    Undeveloped Ridgeline 202 Unenclosed Accessory Structure 202

    Vegetation Control Appendix A, A102 Vegetation management compliance 106.4 Vegetation Management Plan Appendix B Vents 504.10

    Vertical Curve 202

    Water Supply Adequate water supply 404.5 Applicability 402 Draft sites 404.3 Hydrants 404.4 Identification 404.8

    Obstructions 404.7 Reliability 404.10 Required water supply 404.2 Subdivisions 402.1 Testing and maintenance 404.9 Water sources 404.2

    Wildfire 202

    Wildland 202

    Wildland-Urban Interface Area 202

    Wildland-Urban Interface Area Designations 302 Declaration 302.1

    Mapping 302.2 Review 302.3

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    HISTORY NOTE APPENDIX

    2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 7

    HISTORY:

  • CWUIC § 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]

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    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.

  • CWUIC § 3.2 Medium relevance — show source text

    3.2|||||||| |404.4|Hydrants|Y|||507.5|||||| |404.5|Adequate water
    supply|Y|||507.3|1275.02(b)||||| |404.6|Reserved|N||||||||| |404.7|Obstructions|Y|||507.5.4|||||| |404.8|Identification|Y||||1275.04(a)||||| |404.9|Testing and
    maintenance|Y|||507.5.2|||||| |404.10|Reliability|Y|||507.5.2|||||| |404.10.1|Objective|Y|404.10.1|||||||| |404.10.2|Clearance of fuel|Y|||4907.1|||||| |404.10.3|Standby power|Y|||507.5.2|||||| |Chapter 5|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations|Special building construction regulations| |501|General|Y||701A||||||| |501.1|Scope|Y||701A.3||||||| |501.2|Objective|Y||701A.2||||||| |501.3|Fire-resistance-rated
    construction|Y||703.2.1.5||||||| |501.4|Noncombustibility
    tests|Y||703.3||||||| |501.4.1|Noncombustible
    materials|Y||703.3.1||||||| |502|RESERVED|N||||||||| |503|Ignition-resistant
    construction and
    material|Y||704A||||||| |503.1|General|Y||701A.3||||||| |503.2|Ignition-resistant
    building material|Y||707A.3 #2||||||| |503.2.1|Noncombustible
    material|Y||704A.4 #1||||||| |503.2.2|Fire-retardant-
    treated wood|Y||704A.4 #2||||||| |503.2.3|Fire-retardant-
    treated wood roof
    coverings|Y||705A.1||||||| |503.2.4|Other ignition-
    resistant building
    material|Y||704A.3||||||| |503.2.4.1|Flame spread|Y||704A.3 #1||||||| |503.2.4.2|Flame front|Y||704A.3 #2||||||| |503.2.4.3|Weathering|Y||703A.5.1||||||| |503.2.4.3.1|Evaluation require-
    ments for weathering|Y||703A.5.2
    703A.5.2.1||||||| |503.2.4.3.2|Wood-plastic
    composite materials|Y||703A.6|||||||

    APPENDIX H-28 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE

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

    APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS

  • CWUIC § 1.7 Medium relevance — show source text

    1.7_|Turnouts|Y||||1273.06||||| |403.1.8|Road and driveway
    structures|Y||||1273.07(a)
    1273.07(b)
    1273.07(c)
    1273.07(d)||||| |403.1.9|Dead-end roads|Y||||1273.08(a)
    1273.08(b)||||| |403.10|Gate Entrances|Y||||1273.09(a)
    1273.09(b)
    1273.09(c)
    1273.09(d)||||| |403.2|Signing and Building
    Numbering|Y||||Article 3||||| |403.2.1|Intent|Y||||1274.00||||| |403.2.2|Road signs|Y||||1274.01||||| |403.2.3|Road Sign
    Installation, Location
    and Visibility|Y||||1274.02(a)
    1274.02(b)
    1274.02(c)
    1274.02(d)||||| |403.2.4|Addresses for
    Buildings|Y||||1274.03(a)
    1274.03(b)
    1274.03(c)||||| ||||||||||||

    2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX H-27

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

    APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS

    2025 CWUIC—continued Col2 Adopted
    Yes/No    		 IWUIC
    Section    		 CBC
    Section    		 CFC
    Section    		 Title 14,
    Division 1.5
    Section    		 Title 19,
    Division 1
    Section    		 Gov Code
    Section    		 PRC
    Section    		 HSC
    Section
    Section Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title
    Chapter 4 Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements Wildland-urban interface area requirements
    403.2.5 Address installation,
    location, and visibility    		 Y 1274.04(a)
    1274.04(b)
    1274.04(c)
    1274.04(d)
    1274.04(e)
    1274.04(f)
    404 Water supply Y 1275.02
    404.1 General Y 507 1275.02(b)
    404.2 Required water supply Y 1275.02(c)
    404.3 Draft sites Y
    404.3.1 Access Y 507.5.4
    404.3.

Frequently asked questions

What CWUIC sections set the basic water‑supply requirements for new construction and subdivisions?

The primary water‑supply rules are in Section 404 (notably §404.1–§404.5) and Section 402 (applicability for subdivisions and individual structures), which require an approved supply capable of the required fire flow and tie CWUIC requirements to California Fire Code provisions for fire flow and hydrant spacing .

Are standby generators required for water pumps and supply equipment?

Yes — §404.10.3 requires standby power for pumps, controllers and related electrical equipment that the stationary water supply depends upon, sized for not less than 2 hours, with limited exceptions (e.g., underground primary service or a supply serving only one single‑family dwelling) .

What does the code require for draft sites and pumper access?

Approved draft sites must be provided at natural water sources and their design, location and access must be approved by the code official; draft sites must have emergency vehicle access (§404.3, §404.3.1) and pumper access points must be alongside a conforming access road or an approved driveway (not longer than 150 feet) so pumpers need not obstruct roads (§404.3.2) .

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