Note: Prior history: Prior code §§ 3100 and 3100.01 and Ords. 757 and 840.
With the exception of the additions, deletions and amendments set forth in this Chapter, Part 9 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, comprising the California Fire Code 2025 Edition, which incorporates and amends the International Fire Code 2024 Edition, published by the International Code Council, including Appendices Chapter 4, B, C, D, and I, and the International Fire Code standards, is hereby adopted by reference as the Fire Code of the city of La Verne.
A copy of such code is now on file in the office of the city clerk.
(Ord. 873 § 1, 1995; Ord. 935 § 1, 1999; Ord. 985 § 1, 2006; Ord. 1001 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1042 § 9, 2013; Ord. 1075 § 9, 2016; Ord. 1088 § 8, 2019; Ord. 1101 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1114 § 7, 2022; Ord. 25-1137, 12/15/2025; Ord. 26-1139, 1/20/2026)
Wherever the word "jurisdiction" is used in the California Fire Code (2025 Edition), it is the city of La Verne. Wherever the words "fire code official" are used they shall be held to mean the fire chief or his or her lawful designee.
(Ord. 873 § 1, 1995; Ord. 935 § 3, 1999; Ord. 985 § 2, 2006; Ord. 1001 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1042 § 9, 2013; Ord. 1075 § 9, 2016; Ord. 1088 § 8, 2019; Ord. 1101 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1114 § 7, 2022; Ord. 25-1137, 12/15/2025; Ord. 26-1139, 1/20/2026)
The storage of explosive material and blasting agents, as defined in Chapter 2 of the California Fire Code (2025 Edition), is prohibited in all areas of the city.
(Ord. 873 § 1, 1995; Ord. 935 § 3, 1999; Ord. 985 § 2, 2006; Ord. 1001 § 3, 2007; Ord. 1042 § 9, 2013; Ord. 1075 § 9, 2016; Ord. 1088 § 8, 2019; Ord. 1101 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1114 § 7, 2022; Ord. 25-1137, 12/15/2025; Ord. 26-1139, 1/20/2026)
The sale, possession or use of all types of fireworks is prohibited throughout the city except when a permit is issued, in advance, by the fire chief or his or her designee for such uses as special effects, group entertainment or other uses in accordance with Chapter 56 of the California Fire Code (2025 Edition). Fireworks are defined in Chapter 2 of the California Fire Code (2025 Edition) and include all forms of the devices, including, but not limited to, "safe and sane fireworks," firecrackers, sky rockets, sparklers, fountains and other common fireworks.
(Ord. 873 § 1, 1995; Ord. 935 § 3, 1999; Ord. 985 § 2, 2006; Ord. 1001 § 4, 2007; Ord. 1042 § 9, 2013; Ord. 1075 § 9, 2016; Ord. 1088 § 8, 2019; Ord. 1101 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1114 § 7, 2022; Ord. 25-1137, 12/15/2025; Ord. 26-1139, 1/20/2026)
Standardized access for locked gate developments:
A. 
All vehicular security gates shall be automatic and accessible for the fire department by using a radio control device and a master key for overriding the system in the event of a radio failure. The design of the gates and controls shall be in accordance with city standards and approved by the fire and police departments.
B. 
All pedestrian security gates for residential complex with three or more units shall be accessible for the fire department by using a master key. The type of lock shall be in accordance with city standards and approved by the fire and police departments.
C. 
A master key shall be provided as outlined above and meet provisions of California Fire Code 506. An additional "blue" colored key box shall be provided for police department access in addition to the fire department key box.
(Ord. 873 § 1, 1995; Ord. 1042 § 9, 2013; Ord. 1075 § 9, 2016; Ord. 1088 § 8, 2019; Ord. 1101 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1114 § 7, 2022; Ord. 25-1137, 12/15/2025; Ord. 26-1139, 1/20/2026)
Emergency responder radio coverage shall be provided to the police and fire department as outlined in California Fire Code Section 510. Approval from both fire and police shall be approved that they meet coverage and technical requirements outlined in California Fire Code Section 510.
(Ord. 1088 § 8, 2019; Ord. 1101 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1114 § 7, 2022; Ord. 25-1137, 12/15/2025; Ord. 26-1139, 1/20/2026)
Whenever the fire chief disapproves an application or refuses to grant a permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the code 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 of the fire chief to the La Verne city council within thirty days from the date of the decision appealed as provided for in Section 108 of the California Fire Code (2025 Edition).
(Ord. 873 § 1, 1995; Ord. 1001 § 5, 2007; Ord. 1042 § 9, 2013; Ord. 1075 § 9, 2016; Ord. 1088 § 8, 2019; Ord. 1101 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1114 § 7, 2022; Ord. 25-1137, 12/15/2025; Ord. 26-1139, 1/20/2026)
The city manager, the fire chief and the chief of the bureau of fire prevention shall act as a committee as required in Section 108 of the California Fire Code (2025 Edition) to determine and specify, after giving affected persons an opportunity to be heard, any new materials, processes or occupancies for which permits are required in addition to those now enumerated in said code. The chief of the bureau of fire prevention shall post such list of new materials, processes and occupancies requiring permits in a conspicuous place at the bureau of fire prevention and shall distribute copies thereof to interested persons.
(Ord. 873 § 1, 1995; Ord. 1001 § 6, 2007; Ord. 1042 § 9, 2013; Ord. 1075 § 9, 2016; Ord. 1088 § 8, 2019; Ord. 1101 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1114 § 7, 2022; Ord. 25-1137, 12/15/2025; Ord. 26-1139, 1/20/2026)
Every person violating any provision of the California Fire Code (2025 Edition) as adopted by reference by Section 15.32.010, or of any permit or license granted there under, for any rules or regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon conviction thereof he shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars or imprisonment not to exceed six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. The imposition of such penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue. Each day that a violation occurs shall constitute a separate offense. In addition to any other remedies or penalties, the fire department may bring a civil suit to enjoin any violation of the provisions of the Fire Code.
(Ord. 873 § 1, 1995; Ord. 935 § 2, 1999; Ord. 1001 § 7, 2007; Ord. 1042 § 9, 2013; Ord. 1075 § 9, 2016; Ord. 1088 § 8, 2019; Ord. 1101 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1114 § 7, 2022; Ord. 25-1137, 12/15/2025; Ord. 26-1139, 1/20/2026)
A fee shall be payable to the fire department upon submittal of any request as described in the city's Comprehensive Fee Schedule for review and approval by the fire department. The amount of the fee shall be based on the city's currently adopted Comprehensive Fee Schedule relating fire department fees.
(Ord. 1101 § 2, 2021)
Permits shall be required as set forth in Los Angeles County Fire Code Section 105.7, with the exception of any differences which may be specified in this chapter or by the fire code official. A fuel modification plan shall be submitted and have preliminary approval prior to any subdivision of land; or, have final approval prior to the issuance of a permit for any permanent structure used for habitation; where, such structure, or subdivision is located within areas designated as a fire hazard severity zone within state responsibility areas or very high fire hazard severity zone within the local responsibility areas, according to applicable fire hazard zone maps, and Appendix P of the Los Angeles County Fire Code at the time of application.
A. 
Preliminary approval is required for:
1. 
Subdivisions (under five lots).
2. 
Tentative tract maps (five lots or greater).
3. 
Coastal development permits (CDP).
B. 
Final approval is required for:
1. 
New Construction.
a. 
Any enclosed structure over one hundred twenty square feet;
b. 
Any structure enclosed on three sides or more and greater than or equal to two hundred square feet (18.5 m2).
2. 
Remodel, Reclassification, Modification or Reconstruction.
a. 
Any remodeling, modification, or reconstruction that increases the square footage of the existing structure or footprint by fifty percent or more within any twelve-month period;
b. 
Any structure that changes occupancy classification from any other class to Group R (residential) occupancy.
3. 
Exemptions.
a. 
Structures that do not require a building permit; or
b. 
Are constructed of non-combustible materials, open on all sides, and not used for storage or habitation.
C. 
Every fuel modification plan shall be reviewed by the fire marshal of the fire department for defensible space, fire safety, and compliance with Sections 325.2.1, 325.2.2, 325.10, and 503.2.1 of the Los Angeles County Fire Code, the fire department's fuel modification guidelines, and California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, subchapter 2. Before such final plan has been approved by the fire department, a signed and notarized copy of the provided covenant and agreement (and/or previously reviewed and approved association CC&Rs that include the necessary fuel modification information) shall be recorded at the county of Los Angeles registrar-recorder/county clerk's office and a copy given to the fire department fuel modification unit.
An on-site inspection must be conducted by the personnel of the fire department and a final approval of the fuel modification plan issued by the fire department prior to a certificate of occupancy being granted by the building official. The fuel modification inspection ensures compliance with applicable requirements of this code, the Building Code, Section 701A.5 (Vegetation management compliance), and the Residential Code, Section R337.1.5 (Vegetation management compliance).
(Ord. 1101 § 3, 2021)
A plan check fee shall be payable to the fire department, upon the submission of any fuel modification plan, landscape plan, or irrigation plan for review and approval by the fire department. For the purpose of this section, any tent, yurt, or trailer subject to fuel modification plan review will be considered a structure and fees will be based on the intended use. The amount of the plan check fee, for each such plan, shall be calculated based on the fire department fees as described in the city's currently adopted Comprehensive Fee Schedule.
(Ord. 1101 § 4, 2021)
Appendix P – Local Agency Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones of the Fire Code – of the Los Angeles County Code is amended by deleting Sections P101 General, P101.1 – Scope, P101.2 – Definitions, P102 – Local Agency Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, P102.1 – General, P102.2 Designation of Local Agency Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, P102.3 Designation of Local Agency Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, P102.4 – Parcel identification, P102.5 – Periodic Review, P103 – Malibu – Santa Monica Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains South face Areas, P103.1 – General, P103.2 – Malibu – Santa Monica Mountain Area and P103.3 – San Gabriel Mountain South face Area.
(Ord. 1101 § 6, 2021)