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Agenda Report
March 23, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Public Safety Committee (March 18,2026)
FROM:Fire Department
SUBJECT: 2025 REPORT REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH STATE-MANDATED
FIRE INSPECTIONS
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RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the proposed action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3), the commonsense exemption; and
2. Adopt a resolution acknowledging receipt of the Pasadena Fire Department's report on its level of compliance with state-mandated annual fire inspections as required by Senate Bill 1205 and California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4.
BACKGROUND:
On December 2, 2016, a fire occurred in a warehouse, known as the Ghost Ship, that had been converted into an artist collective that included dwelling units, in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland, California. A total of 36 people were killed in the fire, and it became the deadliest fire in the history of the city. It is also recognized as the deadliest fire in the United States since The Station Nightclub Fire in 2003 and the deadliest in California since the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The tragedy that occurred at the Ghost Ship warehouse brought national attention and put a spotlight on fire safety laws as well as the performance of fire inspections in California.
On September 27, 2018, California Senate Bill 1205 (SB 1205) was signed into law, which amended preceding law such that an annual report on State mandated fire inspections is now required to be submitted to the governing body of each jurisdiction having authority for conducting fire inspections. The law also requires the report to be given when the administering authority discusses its annual budget and receipt of the MEETING OF 03/23/2026_AGENDA ITEM NO.8
Acknowledge Level of Compliance with California Health and Safety Code Sections 13146.2 and 13146.3 March 23, 2026
report must be acknowledged in a resolution or similar formal document as per California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4.
Annual fire inspections help mitigate known hazards, reduce community risk and ensure reasonable compliance with the California Fire Code. During inspections, Fire Department staff verify maintenance of fire protective construction, sufficient Fire Department access, adequate exiting systems, and fire protection systems. These inspections also provide an opportunity for Fire Department personnel to become familiar with the buildings we protect and respond to emergencies.
California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.2 mandates that all Group R Occupancy hoteis, motels and lodging houses, apartment buildings, condominiums, and other multi-famiiy residential occupancies (including some residential care facilities) are inspected annually by the local fire department. During calendar year 2025, the Pasadena Fire Department completed 2,105 of 2,105 of the initial fire inspections of these Group R occupancy buildings; this represents a compliance rate of 100%, an improvement from CY2024 when 98% of these inspections were completed.
The California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.3 mandates that all K-12 schools are inspected annually by the local fire department. During calendar year 2025, the Pasadena Fire Department completed 93 of 93 of the initial fire inspections of these Group E occupancy buildings; this represents a compliance rate of 100%, an improvement from CY2024 when 96% of these inspections were completed.
In total, the Fire Department conducted 2,197 of 2,197 of the mandated inspections (or 100%) during CY2025, an improvement from the 96% of inspections completed in CY2024. Attachment A, Fire Inspection Performance, provides summarized CY2025 Pasadena Fire Department inspection completion rates including the SB1205 mandated inspections and other fire inspections completed by the Fire Department.
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
This action of reporting on compliance with state mandated occupancy inspections provides transparency on compliance rates in support of the City Council's strategic goals of ensuring public safety, and support and promote the quality of life and the local economy.
ENViRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The proposed action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3), the commonsense exemption.
Acknowledge Level of Compliance with California Health and Safety Code Sections 13146.2 and 13146.3 March 23, 2026
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact as a result of acknowledging receipt of a report on the Pasadena Fire Department's compliance with certain State mandated fire inspections.
The report seeks to communicate with the governing authority about the level of compliance with State mandated fire safety inspections. This report should assist the Pasadena Fire Department and governing authority in planning and prioritizing available resources to appropriately staff and carry out State mandated fire inspections.
Respectfully submitted,
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CHAD AUGUSTIN
Fire Chief
Pasadena Fire Department
Prepared by:
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Timothy Sell
Deputy Fire Chief/ Fire Marshal
Pasadena Fire Department
Approved by:
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4ARQUEZ
City Manager
Attachment; (1)
Attachment A - Fire Inspection Performance