CHAPTER 14
FIRE PREVENTION
Sections:
14.1 Fire hazard severity zones and special provisions related to roof types.
14.3 Fire code administration.
14.4 Fire code adopted—Where filed.
14.6 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, adopted—Where filed.
14.1 Fire hazard severity zones and special provisions related to roof types.
1. The Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones map for the city of South Pasadena dated March 24, 2025, as identified by the State Fire Marshal, is hereby adopted by the city of South Pasadena and incorporated herein for all purposes (“State Map”). The State Map is available for inspection in the office of the city clerk.
2. The parcels located in the area south of Monterey Road, extending to the city border, and west of Meridian Avenue, extending to the city border as shown in the map dated August 20, 2025, identified as the “South Pasadena Local Designation Fire Hazard Severity Zone,” are hereby designated as a high fire hazard severity zone. As such, the parcels located in this area are subject to the requirements set forth in Government Code Section 51179. The map is available for inspection in the office of the city clerk.
3. Certain parcels located on the State Map are designated as in the very high fire hazard severity zone, but also have a portion of the same parcel designated in the high hazard severity zone. These parcels as shown in the map dated August 20, 2025, identified as the “South Pasadena Local Designation Fire Hazard Severity Zone,” are hereby designated as located in the very high fire hazard severity zone. The map is available for inspection in the office of the city clerk.
4. Special Provisions Related to Roof Types. Except as permitted below, roof covering assemblies shall be Class A for any structures located in the high fire hazard severity zone. The following exceptions shall only apply to structures not located within the very high or high fire hazard severity zone area as defined in subsections (2) and (3) of this section:
Exceptions:
a. Replacements within any 12-month period of time that are not more than 25 percent of the total roof area of any individual structure shall be not less than Class C;
b. Replacements within any 12-month period of time that are not more than 50 percent of the total roof area of any individual structure shall be not less than Class B;
c. Entirely noncombustible roof assemblies of masonry or concrete construction;
d. Clay or concrete roof tile installed on an entirely noncombustible substructure;
e. Roof assemblies of ferrous or copper shingles or sheets installed on an entirely noncombustible substructure;
f. Where the fire chief makes a written finding that a less fire resistive roof covering is permissible based on existing conditions.
In no case shall any roof covering be less fire resistive than required by Chapter 15 of the current South Pasadena building code or Chapter 9 of the current South Pasadena residential code. (Ord. No. 2368, § 2, 2022; Ord. No. 2404, § 5, 2025.)
14.2 Fireworks—Prohibited.
The manufacturing, possession, storage, sale, use and handling of all fireworks, including, without limitation, “safe and sane” fireworks, is prohibited.
Exception: Fire official is authorized to permit special events pyrotechnics with fire department supervision when the event is permitted by the city. (Ord. No. 2368, § 2, 2022.)
14.3 Fire code administration.
14.3.1 Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish certain administrative procedures for the enforcement of fire code standards specific to the City. All other administrative provisions not addressed herein shall be governed by Chapter 1, Division II of the California Fire Code, as incorporated by reference by section 14.4 of this code.
14.3.2 Time limitation of application. An application for a permit for any proposed work or operation shall be deemed to have been abandoned one year after the date of filing, unless such application has been diligently prosecuted or a permit shall have been issued.
14.3.3 Action on application. When requested in writing by the applicant prior to or not more than 90 days after the expiration of application, the fire official may extend the time for action by the applicant.
14.3.4 Permit Expiration. An operational permit shall remain in effect until reissued, renewed or revoked, or for such a period of time as specified in the permit. Construction permits issued by the fire official under the provisions of this Code shall expire automatically by limitation and become null and void one year after the date of the last required inspection approval by the fire official, or if work authorized by such permit is not commenced within one year from the issuance date of such permit. Before such work can be commenced or recommenced, a new permit shall be first obtained.
14.3.5 Fees. Plan review fees, permit fees, services and inspections required by the provisions of the codes adopted in this chapter, shall be as adopted by separate resolution and/or ordinance. Plan review fees shall be paid at the time of plan review submittal. In addition to the aforementioned fees, the fire code official may require additional charges for review required by changes, additions or revisions of approved plans or reports, and for services beyond the first and second check due to changes, omissions or errors on the part of the applicant. Permit fees shall be paid at the time of permit issuance.
14.3.6 Board of Appeals Fees. A filing fee established by separate fee resolution or ordinance shall be paid to the fire official whenever a person requests a hearing or a rehearing before the appeals boards provided for in this section. All requests to appeal determinations, orders or actions of the fire official or to seek modifications of previous orders of the appeals boards shall be presented in writing.
14.3.7 Investigation Fees for Failure to comply with Stop Work Order. 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, be liable to pay an investigation fee of not less than five hundred ($500.00) dollars or more than one thousand ($1,000.00) dollars.
14.3.8 Definitions. In addition to the definitions specified in Chapter 2 of the Fire Code as adopted by reference by this code, the following certain terms, phrases, words and their derivatives shall be construed as specified in this section. Terms, phrases and words used in the masculine gender include the feminine, and the feminine includes the masculine. In the event of conflicts between these definitions and definitions that appear elsewhere in this Code, these definitions shall govern and be applicable.
BUILDING CODE shall mean the City of South Pasadena Building Code.
ELECTRICAL CODE shall mean the City of South Pasadena Electrical Code.
FIRE CHIEF shall mean the Chief Officer of the City of South Pasadena Fire Department.
FIRE CODE shall mean the California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 9, as adopted and amended by the City of South Pasadena, depending on the context.
FIRE CODE OFFICIAL shall mean the Fire Chief or other member of the fire service appointed by the Fire Chief, charged with the administration and enforcement of this Code.
MECHANICAL CODE shall mean the City of South Pasadena Mechanical Code.
PLUMBING CODE shall mean the City of South Pasadena Plumbing Code.
RESIDENTIAL CODE shall mean the City of South Pasadena Residential Code.
WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE (WUI) shall mean the California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 7 as adopted and amended by the City of South Pasadena depending on the context.
(Ord. No. 2408, § 2, 2025; Ord. No. 2410, § 2, 2025.)
14.4 Fire code adopted—Where filed.
The 2025 California Fire Code and Appendices B, BB, C, CC, D, H, I, K, and N set forth in Title 24 Part 9 of California Code of Regulations, as published by the California Building Standards Commission, are hereby adopted by reference pursuant to the provisions of Sections 50022.1 through 50022.10 of the Government Code of the State of California as though fully set forth herein and made a part of the South Pasadena Municipal Code with the same force and effect as though set out in full, including all of the regulations, revisions, conditions and terms contained therein except as revised in this chapter.
In accordance with Section 50022.6 of the California Government Code, not less than one copy of said California Fire Code together with any and all amendments thereto proposed by the city, has been and is now filed in the office of the fire department, shall remain on file with the fire chief, and shall collectively be known as the city of South Pasadena fire code and may be cited as Chapter 14, Section 14.4 of the city of South Pasadena Municipal Code. (Ord. No. 2368, § 2, 2022; Ord. No. 2408, § 3, 2025; Ord. No. 2410, § 3, 2025. Formerly 14.3.)
14.5 Fire code—Modified.
Chapter 1 Division II, Chapter 6 and Chapter 9 of Title 24, Part 9 of the California Code of Regulations (2025 California Fire Code) adopted by reference as the fire code of the city of South Pasadena are hereby amended, deleted or added as follows:
1. Section 101.1 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of South Pasadena hereinafter referred to as “this code.”
2. Sections 105.2.3, 105.2.4, 105.3.1, 105.3.2, 108.1 are amended to read as follows:
105.2.3 Time limitation of application. The administration of this section shall be as set forth in Section 14.3 of Chapter 14 of this Code.
105.2.4 Action on application. The administration of this section shall be as set forth in Section 14.3 of Chapter 14 of this Code.
105.3.1 Expiration. The administration of this section shall be as set forth in Section 14.3 of Chapter 14 of this Code.
105.3.2 Extensions. The administration of this section shall be as set forth in Section 14.3 of Chapter 14 of this Code.
108.1 Fees. The administration of this section shall be as set forth in Section 14.3 of Chapter 14 of this Code.
3. Section 605.7.2 is amended in its entirety to read:
605.7.2 Spark Arrestor. Each chimney and incinerator in conjunction with any fireplace or heating appliance in which solid or liquid fuel is used shall be maintained with an approved spark arrestor having openings not larger than one-half inch and constructed of iron, heavy wire mesh or other noncombustible material.
4. Section 903.2.1.1 Group A-1, Item number 1 is amended in its entirety to read:
The fire area exceeds 6,000 square feet.
5. Section 903.2.1.2 Group A-2, Item number 1 is amended in its entirety to read:
The fire area exceeds 2,250 square feet.
6. Section 903.2.1.3 Group A-3, Item number 1 is amended in its entirety to read:
The fire area exceeds 6,000 square feet.
7. Section 903.2.1.4 Group A-4, Item number 1 is amended in its entirety to read:
The fire area exceeds 6,000 square feet.
8. Section 903.2.3 Group E, Item number 1 is amended in its entirety to read:
Throughout all Group E fire areas greater than 6,000 square feet in fire area or with a calculated occupant load of 100 persons.
9. Section 903.2.4 Group F-1, Item numbers 1 and 3 are amended in its entirety to read:
1. A Group F-1 fire area exceeds 6,000 square feet.
3. The combined area of all Group F-1 fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 12,000 square feet.
10. Section 903.2.7 Group M, Item numbers 1 and 3 are amended in their entirety to read:
1. Group M fire area exceeds 6,000 square feet.
3. The combined area of all Group M fire areas on all floors including, any mezzanines, exceeds 12,000 square feet.
11. Section 903.2.8 Group R, Exceptions, numbers 1 through 4 are deleted.
12. Section 903.2.9 Group S-1, Item numbers 1 and 3 are amended in its entirety to read:
1. A Group S-1 fire area exceeds 6,000 square feet.
3. The combined area of all Group S-1 fire areas on all floors including, any mezzanines, exceeds 12,000 square feet.
13. Section 903.2.9.1, Repair Garages, Item numbers 1 and 2 are amended in its entirety to read:
1. Buildings having two or more stories above grade plane, including basements, with a fire area containing a repair garage exceeding 5,000 square feet.
2. Buildings no more than one story above grade plane, with a fire area containing a repair garage exceeding 6,000 square feet.
14. A new section 903.2.11.7 added to read:
903.2.11.7 Buildings three or more stories in height. Regardless of occupancy type, an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all buildings or structures three or more stories in height above grade plane.
Exception: Open parking structures.
15. A new section 903.2.11.8 added to read:
903.2.11.8 Structures exceeding 6,000 square feet in fire area. Regardless of occupancy type, an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all buildings or structures, exceeding 6,000 square feet in total fire area.
Exception: Open parking structures.
16. A new section 903.2.11.9 added to read:
903.2.11.9 Additions and alterations. All existing buildings and structures, regardless of the type of construction, type of occupancy or area, shall be provided with an automatic sprinkler system conforming to Section 903.3 and this code upon the occurrence of any of the following conditions:
1) An addition of over 750 square feet to any building or structure which creates a fire area large enough that if the existing building or structure plus proposed work were being built new today, an automatic sprinkler system would be required under this code.
2) Any addition to an existing building which has fire sprinklers installed.
3) Within any twelve (12) calendar month period of time, any alteration, including repairs, to any existing building or structure, where the valuation of the proposed work exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the valuation of the entire building or structure, as determined by the Building Official, and where such alteration, including repairs, creates or alters a fire area large enough that if the existing building or structure were being built new today, an automatic sprinkler system would be required by this code.
4) Within any twelve (12) calendar month period of time, combination of any addition and alteration to any existing building or structure where the valuation of the proposed work exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the valuation of the entire building or structure, as determined by the Building Official, and where such addition and alteration creates or alters a fire area large enough that if the existing building or structure were being built new today, an automatic sprinkler system would be required by this code.
5) An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout any existing Group R Occupancy building when the floor area of the Alteration or Combination of an Addition and Alteration, within any twelve (12) calendar month, is 50% or more of area and or valuation of the existing structure and where the scope of the work exposes building framing and facilitates sprinkler installation and is such that the Fire Code Official determines that the complexity of installing a sprinkler system would be similar as in a new building.
17. Section 907.2 is amended in its entirety to read:
907.2 Where required—new buildings and structures. An approved fire alarm system installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72 shall be provided in new buildings and structures in accordance with Sections 907.2.1 through 907.2.29 and provide occupant notification in accordance with Section 907.5, unless other requirements are provided by another section of this code.
Regardless of the Occupancy Group an approved manual, automatic or manual and automatic fire alarm system complying with Sections 907.2.1 through 907.2.29 shall be provided in all new buildings with a fire area exceeding 3,000 square feet and where other sections of this code allow elimination of fire alarm system, such exceptions shall not apply.
A minimum of one manual fire alarm box shall be provided in an approved location to initiate a fire alarm signal for fire alarm systems employing automatic fire detectors or water-flow detection devices. Where other sections of this code allow elimination of fire alarm boxes due to sprinklers or automatic fire alarm systems, a single fire alarm box shall be installed at a location approved by the enforcing agency.
(Ord. No. 2368, § 2, 2022; Ord. No. 2408, § 4, 2025; Ord. No. 2410, § 4, 2025. Formerly 14.4.)
14.6 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, adopted—Where filed.
The 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (WUI) and its Appendices set forth in Title 24 Part 7 of California Code of Regulations, as published by the California Building Standards Commission, are hereby adopted by reference pursuant to the provisions of Sections 50022.1 through 50022.10 of the Government Code of the state of California as though fully set forth herein and made a part of the South Pasadena Municipal Code with the same force and effect as though set out in full, including all of the regulations, revisions, conditions and terms contained therein except as revised in this chapter.
In accordance with Section 50022.6 of the California Government Code, not less than one copy of said California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (WUI) together with any and all amendments thereto proposed by the city, has been and is now filed in the office of the fire department, shall remain on file with the fire chief, and shall collectively be known as the city of South Pasadena wildland-urban interface code (WUI) and may be cited as Chapter 14, Section 14.8 of the city of South Pasadena Municipal Code. (Ord. No. 2368, § 2, 2022; Ord. No. 2408, § 5, 2025; Ord. No. 2410, § 5, 2025. Formerly 14.5.)
14.7 Penalty—Violations.
1. Any person, firm or corporation violating any provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable in accordance with Chapter 1 SPMC. The issuance or granting of a permit or approval of plans and specifications shall not be deemed or construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this code. No permit presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code shall be valid, except insofar as the work or use which is authorized is lawful.
2. Violations Including Aiding, Abetting, and Concealing. Every person who causes, aids, abets or conceals the fact of a violation of any provisions of this chapter is guilty of violating this code.
3. Enforcement by Civil Action. In addition to the penalties provided herein, the provisions of this chapter may be enforced by civil action. Any condition existing in violation of this code is a public nuisance and may be summarily abated by the city. (Ord. No. 2368, § 2, 2022; Ord. No. 2408, § 6, 2025; Ord. No. 2410, § 6, 2025. Formerly 14.6.)