RESOLUTION NO. 25-J14
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE VENTURA COUNTY
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT ADOPTING EXPRESS FINDINGS REGARDING AMENDMENT AND ADOPTION OF THE 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE AND PORTIONS OF THE 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE WHEREAS, the state has adopted the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9, 2025 California Fire Code, and Title 24, Part 7, 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, both contained in the California Building Standards Code, which becomes effective on January 1, 2026;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 13869.7, the Ventura County Fire Protection District ("Fire District") may establish more stringent building standards than those adopted by the State Fire Marshal and contained in the California Building Standards Code that are reasonably necessary to provide fire protection for life and property because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions; WHEREAS, on October 14, 2025, the Fire District intends to adopt certain more stringent building standards, identified herein, in the 2025 Ventura County Fire Code 2025 VCFC"), and the 2025 Ventura County Wildland-Urban Interface Code ("2025 VCWUIC"), both contained in Fire District Ordinance No. 34; and WHEREAS, the remainder of the proposed modifications to the 2025 California Fire Code and 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code in the attached proposed Fire District Ordinance No. 34 are administrative and do not modify building standards; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board hereby finds that the following local climactic, geological, or topographical conditions exist in Ventura County:
A. Ventura County experiences periods of high temperatures accompanied by low humidity and high winds each year, as well as periods of limited rainfall and droughts. These conditions create an environment in which the Fire District commits large numbers of firefighting resources to the control and extinguishment of wildland fires. Additionally, wildland fires may impact emergency response routes throughout the county, creating delays in response times. Built in fire protection and reliable fire protection water supplies heighten levels of protection for structures and assist the limited firefighting resources in extinguishing or controlling of fires within structures and/or the wildland.
B. Ventura County is in a potential high activity seismic zone. After a large seismic event, the potential for multiple fires occurring simultaneously will tax the available firefighting resources. Additionally, seismic activity may impact emergency response routes throughout the county, creating delays in response times. Built in fire protection and reliable fire protection water supplies will assist in extinguishment or controlling of fires within structures and thus increase the availability of firefighting resources after seismic activity.
C. Ventura County has areas that are in wildland and wildland-urban interface areas. Due to topography, access to structures in these areas may be impacted causing delays in response time and delays in fire suppression efforts. An extended response time will allow fires to grow beyond the control of initial attach fire suppression resources. Structure fires in the hillside areas will have a greater likelihood of starting a wildland fire, which may expose additional structures to fire. As well, extended response times will delay structure defense operations during a wildland fire. Built in fire protection and reliable fire protection water supplies will assist in the extinguishment or controlling of fires within structures and/or the wildland.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it is reasonably necessary because of these local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions to modify Sections 903 andAppendix B of the California Fire Code and 604.11 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, and adopt the 2025 California Fire Code and 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code with those amendments as shown in the proposed 2025 VCFC and 2025 VCWUIC, attached hereto, as follows:
• Add Article 3, Sections 903.1.2, 903.1.3, and 903.1.4 • Amend Article 3, Sections 903.2 and 903.3.1.2.3
• Amend Article 3, Section B103.3
• Add Article 3, Section B103.4
• Add Article 4, Section 604.11
Lavere _, seconded by Supervisor
pamir of Supervisor , and duly carried, the Board hereby approves and adopts this resolution on the f6 In day of Sept..2025.
Tain sari
Chair, Board of Directors
Ventura County Fire Protection District
ATTEST:
Dr. SEVET JOHNSON
Clerk of the Board of Directors
County of Venti State of Calitornia.
LeAP
By:
Deputy Clerk of the Board