CITY OF FAIRFIELD
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-11
AMENDING CHAPTER 8 (FIRE PROTECTION) OF THE FAIRFIELD CITY CODE, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 24, PART 7, PART 9, KNOWN AS THE 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, WITH AMENDMENTS TO REFLECT LOCAL CONDITIONS, AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRFIELD DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 8, Article I of the Fairfield City Code is repealed in its entirety and replaced and amended as follows:
“Article I. Fire Prevention Code
Sec. 8.1 Adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code.
For the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire or explosion, those certain Codes and Standards known as the 2025 Building Standards Code, Title 24, California Code of Regulations, Part 7, Part 9 (20 25 California Fire Code) in its entirety including Division II of Chapter 1, and including Appendices Chapters 4, A, B, BB, C, CC,D, H, & I are hereby adopted. Further, to the extent not inconsistent with the 2025 California Fire Code, Chapters 3, 5, 8, an d Appendix D of the 2024 International Fire Code published by the International Code Council, Inc. are hereby adopted. These Codes and Standards are hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein, save and except such portions as are deleted, modified, or amended by Section 8. 3 of this City Code. Said Codes and Standards are adopted by reference pursuant to Section 50022, et seq., of the Government Code of the State of California, and collectively shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of Fairfield.
8.2 Enforcement of the Fire Code.
The Fire Code shall be enforced by the Fire Chief or his or her designee.
8.3 Amendments, Additions and Deletions.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.1 of this City Code, the following sections and appendices of the Fire Code are amended as follows:
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Chapter 1
Administration
Chapter 1, Administration, is amended as follows:
Section 101. 1 is amended to read as follows:
Section 101. 1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Prevention Code of the City of Fairfield, hereinafter referred to as " this code."
Section 102. 1 is amended by adding item (5) to state the following:
5. Where not otherwise limited by law, the provisions of this code shall apply to vehicles, ships, boats, trains, and mobile vehicles when said vehicles are fixed in a specific location within the boundaries of this jurisdiction.
Subsection 102. 7. 3 — Supplemental rules and regulations, is added to read as follows:
102.7. 3 Supplemental Rules and Regulations. The Fire Chief is authorized to render interpretations of this code and to make and enforce rules and supplemental regulations in order to carry out the application and intent of its provisions. Such interpretations , rules and regulations shall be in conformance with the intent and purpose of this code and shall be available to the public during normal business hours. These rules and regulations shall be contained in the Fairfield Fire Department Prevention Standards , which shall hereinafter be referred to in this code as "Standards."
Subsection 103. 3. 1— Fire Prevention Division Personnel and Police, is added to read as follows:
103. 3. 1 Fire Prevention Division Personnel and Police. The Fire Chief and personnel assigned to the Fire Prevention Division shall have the powers of a police officer in performing their duties under the following codes: California Fire Code, National Fire Codes, any fire or life safety sections of the California Building Code, Health and Safety Code, Public Resources Code, and other city, county, or state fire related laws or codes not specifically covered in any part of this code. When requested to do so by the Chief, the Chief of Police is authorized to assign such available police offi cers as necessary to assist the fire department in enforcing the provisions of this code.
Subsection 103. 3. 2 — Peace Officers, is added to read as follows:
103. 3. 2 Peace Officers. The Fire Chief is authorized to designate a member, or members, of the fire department as a peace officer as described in Section 830. 37 and 853. 5 of the ORD. NO. 2025-11
California Penal Code who shall enforce the Penal Code and California Fire Code. These police powers include the issuance of citations (Notice to Appear), powers of arres t and detention.
Subsection 104.2.1 – Fees, is added to read as follows:
104.2.1 Fees. The Fire Chief may establish a schedule of fees, as approved by the City Council, to be charged and collected for plan checking, required inspection services, and for the issuance of permits pursuant to Section 105 of this Code. In addition, this schedule may include a fire service fee to be charged to any person, firm, corporation or business that through negligence, violation of the law or as a result of carelessnes s is responsible for the cause of any fire service response to the scene of such an incident. A copy of the fee schedule shall be kept in the office of the City Clerk and the Office of the Fire Marshal and shall be available for public inspection.
Section 104. 2. 2 - Development Requirements, is added to read as follows:
Section 104. 2. 2. Development Requirements. This section shall be applicable whenever any land is developed, or a building is constructed or improved which would require:
1. Provision of a water supply for fire protection.
2. Provision of access for fire apparatus.
3. An occupancy for the storage, handling, or use of any hazardous substance, material process or device.
4. Occupancies for which a fire department has responsibility for enforcement of laws or ordinances for fire safety or for the preservation of property or lives; or
5. Provisions to control the spread of fire
Subsection 105. 6 — Required construction permits, is amended in its entirety as follows:
105. 6 Required construction permits. The fire code official is authorized to issue permits for work as set forth in Chapter 1, Sections 105. 6. 1 through 105. 6. 24. Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, a penalty fee may be assessed in addition to the regular permit fees.
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Subsection 105. 6. 11 — Gates and barricades across fire apparatus access roads, is amended to read as follows:
105. 6. 11 Security gates. A construction permit is required to install any gate, vehicular or pedestrian, that obstructs emergency access to a building or property.
Subsection 108. 2. 1— Inspection requests, is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
108. 2. 1 Inspection Requests. It shall be the duty of the perm it holder to request an inspection not less than two business days before such inspection is desired. Such requests shall be submitted to the fire code official via writing, telephone, or email. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to provide access t o and the means for inspection of such work that are required by this code.
Subsection 111. 1— Means of Appeals, is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
111. 1 Appeals. When it is claimed that the provisions of this code do not apply, or that the true intent and meaning of this code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal the decision of the Chief of the Fire Department to the City Manager within 30 days from the date of the decision of the Chief of the Fire Department.
The15(c Manager shall conduct the hearing within 30 days of receipt of any appeal and shall follow the hearing procedures outline in Fairfield Municipal Code sections 1.15(b),
1.15(c), 1.15(d), 1.15(e), and the entirety of section 1. 16.
Subsections 111. 2 and 111. 3 shall be deleted in their entirety.
Subsection 111. 4 – Administration, is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
111. 4 Administration. The fire code official shall take immediate action in accordance with the decision of the hear ing officer appointed by the City Manager as outline in section 111.1.
Subsection 112.4, Violation penalties is amended in its entirety to read as follows: and 112. 4 Violation penalties. Persons who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, install, alter, repair or do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the fire code official, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this code, may be charged with either an infraction or misdemeanor at the discretion of the City Attorney or District Attorney of Solano County. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served may be deemed a separate offense.
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Subsection 112. 4. 1, Abatement of violation, is amended to read as follows:
112. 4. 1 Abatement of violation. In addition to the imposition of the penalties herein described, the fire code official is authorized to institute appropriate action to prevent unlawful constru ction or to restrain, correct or abate a violation; or to prevent illegal occupancy of a structure or premises; or to stop an illegal act, conduct of business or occupancy of a structure on or about any premises. Cost of abatement is the responsibility of the property owner and steps to recover those costs will be taken, up to and including a lien against the property. Property owners shall be notified of any action taken as soon as possible.
Subsection 112. 4. 2 — Infraction, is added in its entirety to read as follows:
112. 4. 2 Infraction. Persons operating or maintaining any occupancy, premises, or vehicle subject to this code that shall permit any fire or life safety hazard to exist on premises under their control shall be guilty of an infraction.
Subsection 112. 4.3— Misdemeanor, is added in its entirety to read as follows:
112. 4. 2 Misdemeanor. Persons who fail to take immediate action to abate a fire or life safety hazard when ordered or notified to do so by the Chief or a duly authorized representative, or who violate the following sections of this code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor:
112. 3. 2 Compliance with Orders and Notices
109. 6 Overcrowding
104. 12. 2 Obstructing operations
104. 12. 3 Systems and Devices
113. 4 Failure to comply
305. 4 Deliberate or negligent burning
308. 1. 2 Throwing or placing sources of ignition
310.7 Burning Objects
3107.4 Open or exposed flame
Section 113. 4 is amended to read as follows:
113. 4 Failure to comply. Any person who shall continue any work aft er having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be liable for an infraction of not less than 100 dollars or more than $ 500 dollars, or a misdemeanor.
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Chapter 2
Definitions
Section 202 — General Definitions, is amended as follows:
Add the following definitions:
FIRE BREAK —A continuous strip of land, devoid of flammable vegetation, intended to prevent the spread of fire from one area to another.
FIRE TRAIL — An approved access road, including any concrete -lined erosion control or drainage ditch that allows fire personnel and equipment to suppress and prevent a surface extension of fire. Such trails shall be a minimum of 16 feet wide and shall not exceed a gradient determined to be unsafe by the Fire Chief.
Chapter 3
General Precautions against Fire
Subsection 304.1 – Waste Accumulation prohibited is amended by adding the following:
All properties shall be maintained in accordance with Chapter 23 of the Fairfield City Code – Weeds and Rubbish and with Fairfield Fire Prevention Standard #19-24 – Vegetation Management.
Subsection 307.6 is added to read as follows:
307.6 Materials. All materials used for bonfires, recreational fires, or in portable outdoor fireplaces shall be clean, uncontaminated wood, manufactured wood logs, or other such approved materials. Unapproved materials include, but are not limited to, contaminated wood, waste construction materials, garbage, yard waste and leaves, or other such materials that produce offensive or objectionable smoke emissions and are prohibited from use.
Section 324 — Unattended Vehicles, is added to read as follows:
Section 324 Unattended Vehicles. It shall be unlawful for anyone to leave unattended any vehicle loaded with hazardous materials ( as defined in Section 2402. 7 CVC), explosives, cryogens, compressed gas, flammable or combustible liquids in excess of 60 gallons, (not including fuel tank for engine) within 2, 000 feet of any residential or commercial area or any other area that is deemed unsafe in the opinion of the Fire Chief.
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Chapter 5
Fire Service Features
Subsection 503.1.2 is added to read as follows:
503.1.2.1 Access to open spaces. When access to open land/space or fire trail systems maintained for public or private use is obstructed by development of any kind, the developer/property owner shall provide alternate acceptable access into the area(s), a s approved by the fire code official, for fire personnel and apparatus. The developer/property owner shall be responsible for maintaining this access in drivable condition at all times.
Subsection 503.2.4 -Turning radius is amended in its entirety as follows:
503.2.4 Minimum turning radius. A fire department access road shall have a minimum standard turning radius of 28 feet (8.5 m) inside and a 48-foot (14.6 m) outside diameter.
Subsection 503.2.7 Grade, is amended in its entirety as follows:
503.2.7 Grade. Fire department access roads shall have a maximum grade of 15% in accordance with City of Fairfield Public Works Standards relating to public streets.
Subsection 503.3 – Marking is amended by adding the following to the end of the paragraph:
All markings shall be in accordance with Fairfield Fire Prevention Standard #01-24-Fire Access Roads & Fire Lanes.
Subsection 503.6 – Security gates is amended by adding the following to the end of the paragraph:
Vehicular access gates or barriers shall be in accordance with Fairfield Fire Prevention Standard #02-24 – Access Gates.
Section 505 – Premises Identification.
Subsection 505.1 – Address numbers, is amended to add the following:
Any business which affords vehicular access to the rear through a driveway, alleyway, or parking lot, shall also display the building identification or address numbers on the rear of the building.
Address numbers shall be in accordance with Fairfield Fire Prevention Standard #11-24 – Building Identification.
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Subsection 505.3 is added to read as follows:
505.3 - Multi-family dwellings. At the main entrance driveway to each newly constructed multiple dwelling complex there shall be positioned an illuminated diagram (map) of the complex that lists all individual addresses of each unit in the complex. The design and location of the map shall be approved by the fire marshal.
Section 506 – Key Boxes. Subsection 506.3 is added to read as follows:
506.3 Business Plans. Facilities that are required to submit hazardous materials business plans may be required to install an approved document storage cabinet in a location approved by the fire code official.
Chapter 6
Building Services and Systems
Subsection 608.11.1.2 – Manual operation, is amended by adding the following:
The manual valves shall be located in an approved location immediately outside of the machinery room, in a secure metal box and marked as Emergency Controls.
Chapter 9
Fire Protection Systems
Subsection 901. 4.8 is added to read as follows:
901.4. 8 - Fire Control Room. An approved fire control room shall be provided for all buildings protected by an automatic fire extinguishing system. Fire control rooms shall meet the following requirements:
1. Fire control rooms shall contain only fire system control valves, fire alarm control panels and other related fire system equipment.
2. The location of the fire control room shall be approved by the fire code official.
3. Fire control rooms shall have minimum dimensions of five feet by seven feet.
4. Fire control rooms shall be constructed with a one-hour fire rating.
5. Fire control rooms shall be provided with an exterior access door approved by the fire code official.
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6. Durable signage shall be provided on the exterior side of the access door.
7. Storage of materials in fire control rooms is prohibited.
Exception: Group R- 3 Occupancies.
Subsection 903. 2 — Where required, is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
903. 2. Required locations. Regardless of any exception listed above or in the remainder of this code or the California Building Code, all buildings greater than three thousand -six hundred ( 3,600) square feet, shall be equipped, throughout, with an approved fully automatic fire sprinkler system.
Any existing building which was not required to be protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system, according to codes in effect at the time of its construction, shall have installed throughout the building, in accordance with NFPA 13, an automatic fire sprinkler system whenever any of the following conditions are met:
1. Alterations, repairs, or remodels. When the floor area of an alteration, repair or remodel exceeds 50% of the gross floor area of the existing building.
2. Additions. When the floor area of the addition shall increase the gross floor area of the existing building by 50%.
3. Change of occupancy. When there is a change in occupancy type, use or character of the building that results in an increased life safety or fire risk as determined by the Fire Chief.
Exception: Non- combustible, detached canopies open on four sides, not exceeding the basic allowable square footage in CBC Table 503, used exclusively for the parking or storage of private or pleasure vehicles and non- combustible storage (includes fuel islands).
Section 903. 3. 1. 2 NFPA 13R Sprinkler Systems, is deleted in its entirety.
Subsection 903. 3. 5. 1 Domestic services, is amended in its entirety as follows:
903. 3. 5. 1 Domestic water services shall only be used to supply NFPA 13D automatic sprinkler systems.
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Subsection 903. 3. 5. 2 Residential combination services, is deleted in its entirety.
Subsection 903. 4. 2 - Alarms, is amended to read as follows:
903. 4. 2 Alarms. One exterior approved audible alarm and visual st robe device, located on the exterior of the building in an approved location, shall be connected to each automatic sprinkler system. Such sprinkler water -flow alarm devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Where a fire alarm system is installed, actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall actuate the building fire alarm system. Visible alarm notification appliances shall not be required except when required by Section 907. A single approved audible alarm and visual strobe device shall be provided in the interior of the building in a normally occupied location within each space or dwelling unit and floor level, unless otherwise required by the California Fire Code.
Subsection 903. 6 Where required in existing buildings and structures, is amended in its entirety as follows:
903. 6 Any existing building which was not required to be protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system, according to codes in e ffect at the time of its construction, shall have installed throughout the building, in accordance with NFPA 13, an automatic fire sprinkler system whenever any of the following conditions are met:
1. Alterations, repairs or remodels. When the floor area of an alteration, repair or remodel exceeds 50% of the gross floor area of the existing building.
2. Additions. When the floor area of the addition shall increase the gross floor area of the existing building by 50%.
3. Change of occupancy. When there is a change in occupancy type, use or character of the building that results in an increased life safety or fire risk as determined by the Fire Chief.
Section 907. 6. 6 - Monitoring, is amended in its entirety as follows:
907. 6. 6 Monitoring. Fire alarm systems required by this chapter or by the California Building Code shall be monitored by a Central Station Service ( UUFX) that is listed in the current edition of the UL Online Certifications Directory unless otherwise required by the California Fire Code.
Combination Alarm Systems. Combination fire and burglar alarm systems are not ORD. NO. 2025-11
permitted. Exception: Group R- 3 and R- 3. 1. ( Ord. 5758 § 5, 2016; Ord. 5258 § 6, 2013.) Chapter 56
Explosives and Fireworks
Subsection 5601.1.6 is added to read as follows:
5601.1.6 Prohibition. The use, sale and discharge of fireworks are prohibited.
1. Findings. The City Council finds that the sale, use and/or discharge in the City of Fairfield, whether classified as "dangerous fireworks" and/or "safe and sane fireworks" (pursuant to Health and Safety Code Sections 12500 et seq.), will endanger life and property, and may encourage the use and/or discharge of fireworks in neighboring jurisdictions where their sale, use and/or discharge are prohibited unless prohibited and/or regulated as set forth in this chapter.
2. Definitions. Any and all terms used in this chapter shall have the same meaning as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 12500 et seq. and shall govern the construction of this chapter.
3. Applicability of State Law. This chapter does not supersede State law, but is intended to supplement the provisions of Division 11, Part 2, of the Health and Safety Code (Sections 12500 et seq.) and the administrative regulations adopt ed pursuant to law, and to prohibit and/or regulate by local authority, as authorized by Health and Safety Code Section 12541, the sale, use, and/or discharge of fireworks in the City.
4. Sale, Use, Possession and/or Discharge Prohibited. No person or o rganization shall sell, use, possess and/or discharge in the City any fireworks, including, but not limited to, dangerous fireworks and safe and sane fireworks subject to the following exceptions:
a). A public display of fireworks, including, but not limi ted to, dangerous fireworks and safe and sane fireworks in the City provided that the person or organization is properly licensed and strictly complies with all applicable provisions of this chapter, all regulations adopted by the Fire Chief, all City reso lutions and ordinances, all provisions of the Health and Safety Code, and receives authorization of the fire code official for the public displays of fireworks.
b). Any special item containing pyrotechnic compositions which the State Fire Marshal, with the advice of the State Advisory Board, has investigated and determined to be limited to industrial, commercial, agricultural use, or religious ceremonies when authorized by a permit granted by the fire code official and is classified as "exempt fireworks" in the Health and Safety Code.
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Appendix D
Fire Apparatus Access Roads
Subsection D103. 2 - Grade, is amended in its entirety as follows:
D103. 2 Fire apparatus access roads shall not exceed 15 percent in grade. Exception:
Grades steeper than 15 percent must be approved by the fire code official.
Subsection D103. 6 - Signs, is amended in its entirety as follows:
D103. 6 Signs. Where required by the fire code official, fire apparatus access roads shall be marked with permanent NO PARKING — FIRE LANE signs complying with Fairfield Fire Prevention Standard #01-24 —Designated Fire Lanes.
Subsection D107. 1 - One- or two -family dwelling residential developments, is amended as follows:
D107. 1 One- or two-family dwelling residential developments. Developments of one- or two-family dwellings where the number of dwelling units exceeds 30 shall be provided with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads or approved by the fire code official.
SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall be effective 30 days following its adoption by the City Council or January 1, 2026, whichever is later.
SECTION 3. A summary of this Ordinance shall, within fifteen (15) days after passage, be published in accordance with Section 36933 of the Government Code of the State of California with the names of the City Councilmembers voting for and against it.
INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairfield on the 21st day of October 2025; and
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this 18th day of November 2025, by the following vote:
AYES: MEMBERS: MOY/BERTANI/CARR/PANDURO/SANDHU/TONNESEN/WILLIAMS NOES: MEMBERS: _____________________________________________________ ABSENT: MEMBERS: _____________________________________________________ ABSTAIN: MEMBERS: _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
MAYOR
ATTEST:
_____________________
CITY CLERK