Agenda Item Wording:
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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.
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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 ...
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