The California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, as adopted by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal, excluding sections 111 and 113.4 of Chapter 1, but including Appendix Chapters 4, B, BB, C, CC, H, and O, as published by the International Code Council, is adopted by reference as the fire code of the city (the "fire code"), for protecting the interests of health, life, and safety as they relate to the use or occupancy of buildings or premises. All of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, are referred to, adopted and made a part of this chapter as though fully set out in this chapter, excepting such portions as are added, deleted, modified or amended by this chapter. The California Fire Code is referred to in this chapter as the "CFC," and one copy is on file in the office of the city clerk.
(Ord. 5168, 11/18/2025)
[1]
Former § 15.56.010, enacted by Ord. 5139, was repealed by Ord. 5168, 11/18/2025.
Section 101.1 of the CFC is amended to read as follows:
101.1 Title. These regulations will be known as the Fire Code of the City of El Cajon, hereinafter referred to as "this code."
(Ord. 5094 § 4, 2019)
Section 105.1.1.1 of the CFC is added to read as follows:
105.1.1.1 Schedule of fees. The permit fees for all permits authorized by this code shall be as listed in the City of El Cajon Schedule of Miscellaneous Fees.
(Ord. 5094 § 4, 2019)
Section 105.3.1 of the CFC is amended to read as follows:
105.3.1 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 shall automatically become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within one year, or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of one year or more after the time the work is commenced. The maximum life of any construction permit is three years. If a final inspection is not obtained within the three-year time period, the permit will become invalid and a new permit will be required. Before such work recommences, a new permit shall be first obtained and the fee to recommence work, if any, shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original construction documents for such work, and provided further that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year. Permits are not transferable and any change in occupancy, operation, tenancy, or ownership shall require that a new permit be issued.
(Ord. 5094 § 4, 2019)
Section 112 of the CFC is amended to read as follows:
Appeals Board. Appeals to the decisions or determinations made by the building official/fire marshal, or fire code official relative to the application and interpretation of the fire code adopted by the City, shall be heard in accordance with the board of appeals procedure as outlined in the California Building Code as amended by Chapter 15.04 of the El Cajon Municipal Code.
(Ord. 5168, 11/18/2025)
[1]
Former § 15.56.050, enacted by Ord. 5139, was repealed by Ord. 5168, 11/18/2025.
Section 202 of the CFC is amended by adding the following definitions:
"Accessory Structure"
is a building or structure used to shelter or support any material, equipment, chattel, or occupancy other than a habitable building. (See "Structure" in Section 202 of the California Building Code.)
"Combustible Vegetation"
is material that in its natural state will readily ignite, burn and transmit fire from the vegetative growth to any structure; this includes ground fuels which are any native or landscape vegetation not considered a tree and generally in contact with the ground.
"Fire Authority Having Jurisdiction (FAHJ)"
is the designated entity providing enforcement of fire regulations as they relate to planning, construction, and development. This entity may also provide fire suppression and other emergency services.
"Fire Department"
is any regularly organized fire department, fire protection district, a legally formed volunteer fire department recorded with the County of San Diego, or fire company regularly charged with the responsibility of providing fire protection to the jurisdiction.
"Fire Hazard"
is anything that increases or could create an increase of the hazard or menace of fire to a greater degree than customarily recognized as normal by persons in the public service regularly engaged in preventing, suppressing or extinguishing fire or anything or act which could obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with the operations of the fire department or egress of occupants in the event of fire.
"Hazardous Fire Area"
is any geographic area mapped by the State or local jurisdiction as a high or very high fire hazard area, or as set forth by the FAHJ that contains the type and condition of vegetation, topography, weather, and structure density to potentially increase the possibility of vegetation conflagration fires shall be considered a hazardous fire area.
"Heavy Timber Construction"
as described in the California Building Code.
"Off-site Roadway"
is a road, street, public highway, or private road used for fire apparatus access from a publicly maintained road to the boundary of the subject property.
"On-site Roadway"
is a road, street, public highway, private road, or driveway used for fire apparatus access within the boundaries of the subject property or land division.
"Planning Authority Having Jurisdiction (PAHJ)"
is the identified authority regulating and enforcing planning and/or construction standards.
"Response Time"
is the elapsed time from the fire department's receipt of the first alarm to when the first fire unit arrives at the scene.
"Travel Time"
is the estimated time it would take for a responding agency to travel from the fire station to the furthest structure in a proposed development project, determined by measuring the safest, most direct, appropriate, and reliable route with consideration given to safe operating speeds for heavy fire apparatus.
"Vegetation Conflagration"
is an uncontrolled fire spreading through vegetative fuels, and exposing and consuming structures in the advancing path of fire.
(Ord. 5094 § 4, 2019)
Section 503.2.1 of the CFC is amended to read as follows:
503.2.1 Dimensions. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed improved width of not less than 20 feet, except that single-family residential driveways not exceeding 150 feet in length from the public right-of-way and serving no more than two single-family dwellings, shall have a minimum of 16 feet unobstructed improved width. Any of the following, which have separated lanes of one-way traffic: gated entrances with card readers; guard stations or center medians, are allowed, provided that each lane is not less than 14 feet wide. All fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than thirteen feet six inches (13′6″). Vertical clearance or road widths shall be increased when, in the opinion of the fire code official, vertical clearances or road widths are not adequate to provide fire apparatus access.
(Ord. 5139 § 10, 2023)
Section 503.2.2 of the CFC is added to read as follows:
503.2.2 Fire lane designation. Where the fire code official determines that it is necessary to ensure adequate fire access, the fire code official may designate existing roadways as fire access roadways as provided by Vehicle Code section 22500.1 (public) or 22658(a) (private).
(Ord. 5139 § 12, 2023)
Section 505.1 of the CFC is amended to read as follows:
Section 505.1 Address Identification; Address Numbers. Approved numbers and/or addresses shall be placed on all new and existing buildings and at appropriate additional locations as to be plainly visible and legible from the street or roadway fronting the property from either direction of approach. Said numbers shall contrast with their background, and shall meet the following minimum standards as to size: minimum three inches (3″) high with a one-half inch (½″) stroke for individual suites and apartments, minimum four inches (4″) high with a one-half inch (½″) stroke for residential buildings, minimum eight inches (8″) high with a one-half inch (½″) stroke for commercial, multi-residential buildings, and industrial buildings. Additional numbers shall be required where deemed necessary by the fire code official, such as rear access doors, building corners, and entrances to commercial centers. The fire code official may require larger address numbers based on visibility and the needs of emergency response personnel.
(Ord. 5094 § 4, 2019)
Section 5806.2 of the CFC is amended to read as follows:
5806.2 Limitations. Storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers outside of buildings is prohibited except for zones classified as commercial or industrial.
(Ord. 5094 § 4, 2019)
Section 6104.2 of the CFC is amended to read as follows:
6104.2 Maximum capacity within established limits. The geographic limits in which the bulk storage of liquefied petroleum gas is prohibited for the protection of heavily populated and congested areas is hereby established as jurisdiction limits of the City of El Cajon except for areas zoned for industrial use.
(Ord. 5094 § 4, 2019)
A violation of any provision of the California Fire Code as adopted and amended by this chapter is deemed to be a public nuisance and may be abated in accordance with Chapter 1.16 of the El Cajon Municipal Code.
(Ord. 5094 § 4, 2019)
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, remove, improve, convert or demolish, equip, use, occupy, or maintain any building or structure, or cause the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of the provisions of this chapter.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the provisions of the general penalty clause as set forth in Section 1.24.010 of this code, or any other penalty adopted by the City.
(Ord. 5094 § 4, 2019)