30-58 (903.2.7) Group M
30-58 (903.2.8) Group R-1 and R-2
30-58 (903.2.9) Group S-1
30-58 (903.2.10) Group S-2
30-61 Appeals
30-88 Fireworks
38-24.2 Definitions
ADMINISTRATION
(A) The 2025 California Fire Code (CFC), which was drafted in the image of the 2025 International Fire Code (IFC), and which is found in California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9, including Appendices A through J; and
(B) The most current additions of the following National Standards:
(1) NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems; (2) NFPA 13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes;
(3) NFPA 13R, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and including Four Stories in Height;
(4) NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems; (5) NFPA 20, Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection; (6) NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water Based Fire Protection Systems;
(7) NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code;
(8) NFPA 96, Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations;
(9) NFPA 101, Life Safety Code
Section 30-56 of the Sanger Municipal Code is amended to read:
30-56. Adoption of the California Fire Code.
The 2025 California Fire Code, (as promulgated by the California Building Standards Commission, which incorporates the adoption of the 2025 International Fire Code as amended with necessary California amendments, and the 2025 International Fire Code, including Appendix Chapters E and F), and hereby adopted and amended by the City of Sanger for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property protection from fire, hazardous materials, or explosions, except such portions as fully as if set out at length herein. The Council does hereby find it is reasonably necessary to make certain changes and modifications to the requirements contained in the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to Sections 17922 et seq. and 18935 et seq. of the California Health and Safety Code; such changes
or modifications are herein more particularly set forth in this article as amendments to the 2025 California Fire Code.
Section 30-58 of the Sanger Municipal Code is amended to read:
30-58. Amendments.
Section 101.1 of the California Fire Code is amended to read:
101.1. Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of Sanger, hereinafter referred to as “this Code”. When used here “CFC” means the 2025 California Fire Code, with such amendments as adopted by the State of California and the 2025 International Fire Code, including appendix Chapters E and F, as adopted and amended in this article.
Section 103.1 of the California Fire Code is amended to read:
103.1. Creation of agency. The Sanger Fire Department is hereby created and the official in charge thereof shall be known as the fire code official. The function of the agency shall be the implementation, administration and enforcement of the provisions of this code. Whenever the terms “department of fire prevention,” “fire prevention bureau” or “fire prevention division” are used in this Code or the City of Sanger Municipal Code, the terms shall mean “Fire Prevention Division.”
Section 108 of the California Fire Code is amended to read:
108.4.1 Business license inspections. Before any business is licensed in the City, fire clearance of the business premises must be obtained from the fire department. All fire hazards shall be removed from the premises before a license is issued to conduct business on such premises.
Section 108 of the California Fire Code is added to read:
108.7 Cost recovery fees. Cost recovery fees may be charged to any person, firm, corporation or business that through negligence, violation of the law, or as a result of carelessness, is responsible for an incident resulting in Fire Department response. (Health and Safety Code §13916)
Section 113.3.1 of the California Fire Code is amended to read:
113.3.1. Service. A notice of violation issued pursuant to this code shall be served upon the owner, operator, occupant, or other person responsible for the condition of violation either by personal service, mail, or by delivering the same to, and leaving it with, some person of responsibility upon the premises. For unattended or abandoned properties, a copy of such notice of violation shall be posted on the premises in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance to such premises and the notice of violation shall be mailed by certified mail with return receipt requested or a certificate of mailing, to the last known owner, the owner’s authorized agent, or
occupant. The fire code official is authorized to issue an administrative citation for abatement of violations of this code in accordance with the City of Sanger Municipal Code.
Section 113.4 of the California Fire Code is amended to read:
113.4. 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 issued used under provisions of this code shall be guilty of an infraction or an administrative citation. Upon failure to comply with a written notice of violation, the fire code official is authorized to impose penalties or seek legal action in accordance with the City of Sanger Municipal Code. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.
113.4.1. 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 construction 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. Such action is subject to the cost recovery provisions of Section 108.7.
Section 114 of the California Fire Code is amended to read:
114.1. Failure to Comply. Any person who shall continue any work after 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 subject to an administrative citation or other judicial or administrative action in accordance with Section 113.4.
Section 506 of the California Fire Code is amended to read:
506.1. Where required. Where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or firefighting purposes, the fire code official is authorized to require a key box or other pre-approved security device to be installed in an approved location. The key box or other pre-approved security device shall be of an approved type listed in accordance with UL 1037 and shall provide the ability to gain necessary access as required by the fire code official.
Section 903.1 of the California Fire Code is added to read:
903.1.2. Applicability to Existing Buildings. For existing buildings an automatic fire extinguishing system shall be installed in those circumstances described in this subsection.
Installation requirements shall be set forth for new buildings by Section 903 in the California Fire Code and Section R309 of the California Residential Code.
1. Building Additions. When additions exceed 25% of the existing building square footage or the total proposed building area exceeds 5,000 square feet, an automatic fire sprinkler system
shall be installed throughout the building. The 25% threshold shall be cumulative over the life of the building.
Exception: Building additions of non-combustible construction and non-combustible uses such as covered pedestrian walkways.
2. Change of Occupancy. In existing buildings over 5,000 square feet, when a Change of Occupancy, in accordance with the California Building Code, is made and the proposed new occupancy is more hazardous to life and safety than the existing occupancy an automatic fire extinguishing system shall be installed throughout the building.
Exceptions:
(a) If the area in which the Change of Occupancy occurs is less than 25 percent of the actual floor area of the existing building and the area of the new occupancy is 5,000 square feet or less and fire sprinklers are not required based on occupancy by Section 903, an automatic fire sprinkler system is not required for any portion of the building. The 25% limit is cumulative over the life of the building.
(b) If the area in which the Change of Occupancy occurs exceeds 25% but is less than 50% of the actual floor area of the existing building, only that portion of the building changing occupancy is required to have an automatic fire extinguishing system installed. An approved fire separation shall be required between portions of the building with fire sprinklers and those portions without.
(c) If individual or cumulative Change of Occupancies exceeds 50% of the overall floor area of the existing building, then the entire building shall have an automatic fire extinguishing system installed throughout.
3. Fire Damage Repairs. An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed as a condition of damage fire damage repair building permit as follows:
(a) When a fire occurs in any existing occupancy, and the building permit repair costs exceed 50% of the current building valuation, an automatic fire extinguishing system shall be installed throughout the building as required for a new building in Section 903. (b) Fire damage repair costs and building valuation shall be based on the ICC Building Valuation Tables in use by the Development and Resource Management Department at the time of the issuance of the fire damage repair permit.
4. R-2 Condominium Conversions. Existing R-l or R-2 buildings proposed for conversion to condominiums shall have an automatic fire sprinkler systems installed as a condition of approval.
This Standard is promulgated in accordance with Section 903 of the California Fire Code, which regulates the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems.
Section 903 of the California Fire Code is amended to add the following sub-sections:
Section 903.2 of the California Fire Code is amended to read:
903.2 Where required. Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be required in all new buildings and structures when the total floor area exceeds five thousand (5,000) square feet as outlined in this Code. Area separation walls shall not be considered to create separate buildings for the purpose of automatic fire sprinkler system requirements.
Section 903.2.1 of the California Fire Code is amended to read:
GROUP A.
903.2.1.1. Group A-l. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-l occupancies where one of the following conditions exists:
1. The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
2. The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.
3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.
4. The fire area contains a multi-theater complex.
903.2.1.2. Group A-2. An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be provided throughout stories containing Group A-2 occupancies and throughout all stories from the Group A-2 occupancy to and including the levels of exit discharge serving that occupancy where one of the following conditions exist:
1. The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
2. The fire area has an occupant load of 100 or more.
3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.
4. The structure exceeds 5,000 square feet, contains more than one fire area containing exhibition and display rooms, and is separated into two or more buildings by fire walls of less than 4-hour fire resistance rating without openings.
903.2.1.3. Group A-3. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-3 occupancies where one of the following conditions exists:
1. The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
2. The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.
3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.
4. The structure exceeds 5,000 square feet, contains more than one fire area containing exhibition and display rooms, and is separated into two or more buildings by fire walls of less than 4-hour fire resistance rating without openings.
903.2.1.4. Group A-4. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-4 occupancies where one of the following conditions exists:
1. The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
2. The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.
3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.
GROUP B.
Section 903.2.2 of the California Fire Code is added to read:
903.2.2.3 All Other Group B Occupancies. An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all other B occupancies where the fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
GROUP E.
Section 903.2.3 of the California Fire Code is amended to read:
903.2.3. Group E. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group E occupancies as follows:
1. Throughout all Group E fire areas greater than 5,000 square feet in area.
2. The Group E fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.
3. The Group E fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.
4. In rooms are areas with special hazards such as laboratories, vocational shops and other such areas where hazardous materials in quantities not exceeding the maximum allowable quantity are used or stored.
5. Throughout any Group E structure greater than 5,000 square feet in area, and which contains more than one fire area, and which is separated into two or more buildings by fire walls of not less than 4-hour fire resistance rating without openings.
6. For public school state-funded construction projects, see Section 903.2.19.
7. For public school campuses, Kindergarten through 12th grade, see Section 903.2.20.
GROUP F.
Section 903.2.4 of the California Fire Code is amended to read:
903.2.4. Group F. An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group F occupancy where one of the following conditions exist:
1. A Group F-1 fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
2. A Group F-1 fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.
3. The combined area of all Group F-1 fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 10,000 square feet.
4. A Group F-1 occupancy is used to manufacture lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries.
5. A Group F-1 occupancy is used to manufacture vehicles, energy storage systems or equipment containing lithium-ion or lithium metal batteries where the batteries are installed as part of the manufacturing process.
GROUP M.
Section 903.2.7 Of the California Fire Code is amended to read:
903.2.7. Group M. Automatic fire sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group M occupancy where one of the following conditions exist:
1. A Group M fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
2. A Group M fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.
3. The combined area of all Group M fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 10,000 square feet.
4. The structure exceeds 5,000 square feet, contains more than one fire area containing a Group M occupancy, and is separated into two or more buildings by fire walls of not less than 4- hour fire resistance rating without openings.
GROUPS R-l and R-2.
Section 903.2.8 of the California Fire Code is amended to read:
903.2.8. Group R. An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group R-l and R-2 occupancy with a fire area over 5,000 square feet. All Group R-l and R-2 occupancies, except hotels, will be required to install an NFPA 13R system. The installation of a complete NFPA 13 system shall be required for all new Group R-l and R-2 hotels.
GROUP S-l.
Sections 903.2.9 of the California Fire Code are amended to read:
903.2.9. Group S-l. An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group S-l occupancy where one of the following conditions exist:
1. A Group S-l fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
2. A Group S-1 fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.
3. The combined area of all Group S-1 fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 10,000 square feet.
4. A Group S-1 fire area used for the storage of commercial motor vehicles where the fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet.
5. A Group S-1 occupancy used for the storage of lithium-ion or lithium metal powered vehicles where the fire area exceeds 500 square feet.
903.2.10. Group S-2. An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings classified as parking garages where any of the following conditions exist:
1. Where the fire area of the enclosed parking garage, in accordance with Section 406.6 of the California Building Code, exceeds 10,000 square feet.
2. Where the enclosed parking garage, in accordance with Section 406.6 of the California Building Code, is located beneath other groups.
3. Where the fire area of the open parking garage, in accordance with Section 406.6 of the California Building Code, exceeds 24,000 square feet.
Section 30-61 of the Sanger Municipal Code is amended to read:
30-61. Appeals.
Whenever the chief of the fire prevention bureau shall disapprove an application or refuse to grant a permit, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the code adopted by this article do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of the code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decision to the city manager within 30 days after the date of the final decision of the chief of the bureau of fire prevention. In all cases where it is claimed that the provisions of the code do not apply, accepted practices as set forth in the standards of the National Fire Protection Association shall be considered binding authority.
Section 30-88 of the Sanger Municipal Code is amended to read:
In addition to any other remedy available at law, and person or entity who possesses, uses, stores, sells and/or displays dangerous or illegal fireworks or any person or entity who possesses, uses, stores, sells and/or displays Safe and Sane fireworks on or at dates, times, or locations other than those permitted by this Section are subject to an administrative fine of one thousand, fivehundred dollars ($1,500) for each day of violation.
Section 38-24.2 of the Sanger Municipal Code is amended to read:
Overgrown vegetation means land that is covered with grass, grain, brush or forest, whether privately or publicly owned, which is so situated or is of such inaccessible location that a fire originating upon it would present an abnormally difficult job of suppression or would result in a great or unusual damage through fire or such areas designated by the fire code official, as defined in the California Fire Code Section 1, that are:
1. Over 6 inches long or any ground covering plant material that extends over 6 inches onto a public street, curb, gutter or sidewalk or;
2. Over six inches long or any ground covering plan material that extends over six inches onto the public street, curb, gutter or sidewalk when the condition exists in combination with one or more violations under this Code.
Section 38-24.2 of the Sanger Municipal Code is added to read:
Rubbish means combustible and noncombustible waste materials, including residue from the burning of coal, wood, coke or other combustible material, paper, rags, cartons, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass crockery, dues and discarded refrigerators, and heating, cooking or incinerator-type appliances.
Sanger Fire Department
Adoption of 2025 California Fire Code
Summary of Administrative Changes
SMC Section Title Description Reason
30-56 Adoption of the California Fire Code Adopts the current 2025 Fire Code. Administrative language
30-58 (101.1) Title
Existing SMC language defining
the California Fire Code and
amendments.
Administrative language
30.58 (103.1) Creation of agency
Existing SMC language on
establishment of a department of
fire prevention.
Adminstrative language
30-58 (108.4.1) Business license inspections
Existing SMC Amendment on
requiring fire clearance before a
business license is issued
Administrative language
30-58 (108.7) Cost Recovery
Adds a requirement allowing cost
recovery in enforcing public
nuisance abatement
Recovery of costs for staff time
spent on legal actions under SMC
Chapter 1 is administrative
30-58 (113.3.1) Service
Adds language defining
responsibility and authority of
fire code official.
Adminstrative language
30-58 (113.4) Violation Penalities Minor modification clarifying code violation penalities
Coordinates and comports the
administration of penalities with
existing provisions
30-58 (113.4.1) Abatement of Violation Identifies actions that are subject to cost recovery
Administrative language
30-58 (114.1) Failure to Comply
Adds amendment on local
penalities and administrative
citations for failure to comply
with stop work orders
Administrative citations are
administrative issues
30-66 Fireworks Ordinance
Adds SMC amendment regulating
the sale of safe and sane
fireworks, permit revocation,
administrative fines and seizure
of illegal fireworks.
Coordinates and comports the
Fire Code with Government Code
Section 53069.4 and Health and
Safety Code Section 12557; the
enforcement, collection and
review of fines is administrative