FROM:
Development Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Adoption of the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code and Appendices and Amendments Thereto.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
1. Determine that the adoption of the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code, known as the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9, based on the 2024 International Fire Code is exempt from further environmental review under Section 15061 (b)(3) of the State CEQA guidelines and Section 3.07 of the local CEQA guidelines (2006), projects with no possibility of significant effects upon the environment, and direct staff to file a notice of exemption.
2. Read by title only and waive further reading and introduce Ordinance No. FFD-006, and ordinance of the Fontana Fire Protection District adopting the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition and appendices and amendments thereto; and that the reading of the title constitute the first reading thereof.
End
COUNCIL GOALS:
• To improve public safety by maximizing fire and emergency medical service resources.
DISCUSSION:
Per applicable provisions in the California Health and Safety Code (HSC) section 13897, local Fire Districts are allowed to make amendments to the 2025 California Fire Code, also referred to as Part 9 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, based on a justification of topographical, climatic, or geological findings. Ordinance FFD-006, adopting and amending the 2025 California Fire Code, was introduced, first read and a public hearing was held by the Fontana Fire Protection District board on July 14, 2026. Subsequently the second reading for the Ordinance will be held at the subsequent Council meeting but no less than 5 days from the July 14th meeting.
Significant local amendments include:
• Additional operational and construction permit requirements for activities and systems that present elevated fire and life safety risks.
• Maintaining local standards for fire apparatus access roads to ensure adequate emergency vehicle access.
• Updating minimum building address signage requirements based on building size.
• Clarifying fire flow and fire hydrant spacing requirements for commercial, industrial, and multi-family developments.
• Updating fire sprinkler requirements for buildings 5,000 square feet or greater.
• Strengthening fire access gate requirements by requiring exit loops and infrared automatic gate systems.
• Adopting Appendix P to establish fire and life safety requirements for temporary haunted houses, ghost walks, and similar amusement uses.
• Increasing the maximum administrative penalty for the transportation and storage of dangerous fireworks from $1,250 to $15,000.
Per the HSC section 13869.7 (b) any incorporated City that lies within a Fire Protection District shall have thirty (30) days to review and ratify or reject the ordinance and proposed action of the Fire District Board. After such ratifying by all affected local cities, counties, and districts with the Fontana Fire Protection District, the ordinance is required to be filed with the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) whereupon will take full legal effect.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
MOTION:
Approve staff recommendation.