Agenda Item Wording:
title
Ordinance Adoption - Public hearing and first reading of ordinance 2025-14 to adopt the 2025 California Fire Code as published by the International Code Council and amended by the State of California and the City of Visalia.
body
Prepared by: Corbin Reed, Fire Marshal, corbin.reed@visalia.gov, (559)713-4272, Dan Griswold, Fire Chief, dan.griswold@visalia.gov, (559)713-4220
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends City Council receives the presentation, hold a public hearing and introduce the first reading of Ordinance No. 2025-14, amending Visalia Municipal Code 8.20.
Summary:
Every three years, the State of California updates and adopts a new fire code edition. The last update to the fire code was in 2022. The attached ordinance is being passed to update the references in the Visalia Municipal Code 8.20 to the applicable statewide standards including all local amendments.
Background Discussion:
Every three years, the State of California updates and adopts a new fire code edition. The last update to the fire code was in 2022. The attached ordinance is being passed to also update the references in the Visalia Municipal Code 8.20 to the applicable statewide standards including all local amendments. On July 1, 2025, the State of California Building Standards Commission published the 2025 California Fire Code (CFC). Local jurisdictions are required by State law to implement these State of California mandated codes along with any local amendments by January 1, 2026.
To comply with State law, Staff recommends adopting the California Fire Code, Title 24, California Code of Regulations, Part 9, 2025 Edition, together with the California Fire Code Standards referenced; additionally, Staff recommends adopting the local amendments as outlined in attached VMC 8.20 and the following sections as published by the International Code Council:
• 104.4 Right of Entry- Provides additional authority to obtain an inspection warrant if entry is denied to an unsafe structure.
• 111.1 Authority to disconnect service utilities- Provides additional authority to disconnect utilities in the event of an emergency or when a structure is deemed unsafe to occupy.
• 112 Means of Appeals- Outlines the requirements of a board of appeals to rule on appeals of the interpretation and/or enforcement of the California Fire Code.
• 311 Vacant Premises- Provides additional authority to require maintenance of vacant structures throughout the community. Provides additional authority to secure vacant structures if a property owner fails to do so and or demolish abandoned structures that are deemed hazardous.
• 503 Fire Apparatus Access Roads- Outlines minimum fire apparatus road construction requirements including dimensions and marking requirements. Additionally, section 503 provides the ability to require multiple access points to large commercial projects that may otherwise only have one point of access/egress.
• Appendix Chapters D (Fire Apparatus Access Roads as amended by section L)- Provides additional fire apparatus access road requirements including turnaround dimensions and templates. Appendix D has been modified to require multi-family projects be provided with a minimum of two access/egress points when more than 100 dwellings are built, single family residential projects are required to have two access points when more than 30 homes are to be constructed. These requirements prevent bottlenecking of traffic at a singular point that may be blocked by emergency apparatus. Having two access/egress points supports Police Department operations in the event and necessitates expedient egress from an area due to a potential or actual threat.
• I (Fire Protection Systems- Non-compliant Conditions)- Consolidates applicable code references from NFPA for the enforcement non-compliant fire protection system conditions and maintenance requirements, primarily fire sprinklers and fire alarm systems.
• N (Indoor Trade Shows and Exhibitions)- Provides applicable code sections for indoor trade shows and exhibitions.
• P (Temporary Haunted Houses, Ghost Walks and Similar Amusement Uses)- Provides applicable code sections for haunted houses and similar amusement buildings that pose a unique hazard due to a large number of occupants in a building that may be designed to purposefully confuse or disorientate the occupants.
Fiscal Impact: Unknown
Prior Council Action: The City Council adopted the 2022 California Fire Code and local amendments on Dec 5th, 2022.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Take no action- State adopted sections of the 2025 California Fire Code will be effective on January 1st, 2026, without local amendments.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to approve the first reading of Ordinance 2025-14 for the adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code and all local amendments.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 11/17/2025
Attachments: Visalia Municipal Code 8.20, 2025 California Fire Code Adoption Power Point.