On January 1, 2026, there was filed in the office of the City Clerk one (1) copy of the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition including Appendices A, B, BB, C, CC, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, and Q (see California Fire Code Section 101.2.1, 2025 Edition), as published by the International Code Council. Said code is hereby adopted and incorporated in this code by reference, regulating and governing the safeguarding of life and property from fire and explosion hazards arising from the storage, handling, and use of hazardous substances, materials, and devices, and from conditions hazardous to life or property in the occupancy of buildings and premises as herein provided; providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor; and each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions, and terms of said Fire Code on file in the office of the City of Stockton and hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in this chapter, with the additions, insertions, deletions, and changes, if any, prescribed in this chapter.
(Ord. 2019-11-19-1102-02 § 2; Ord. 2022-11-15-1203 C.S. § 2; Ord. 2025-03-04-1204, 3/4/2025; Ord. 2025-11-18-1206, 11/18/2025)
A. 
Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of Stockton, hereinafter referred to as "this code."
B. 
Additional Permits. In addition to the permits required by Section 105.5, the following permits shall be obtained from the Stockton Fire Department, Fire Prevention Bureau prior to engaging in the following activities, operations, practices, or functions:
1. 
Medical Gas Systems. An operational fire permit is required for any medical gas system installed in a commercial building.
2. 
Christmas Tree Lot. An operational fire permit is required to operate a seasonal outdoor Christmas tree lot and/or conduct Christmas tree sales at any site.
3. 
Multi-Family Dwelling. An operational fire permit is required to operate a multi-family dwelling of three units or more.
4. 
Hood and Duct. An operational fire permit is required for a hood and duct fire extinguishing system in a building.
5. 
Rubber Tire Storage. An operational fire permit is required for the storage of tires indoors/outdoors more than 1,000 cubic feet.
6. 
Monitored Fire Sprinkled Buildings. An operational fire permit is required for buildings that have an automatic fire sprinkler system and no other operational fire permits.
7. 
General Cannabis (Retail Sales). An operational fire permit is required for businesses conducting retail sales of cannabis products.
8. 
Electric Fences. An operational fire permit is required for any business and/or property that has an electrified fence installed.
9. 
Self-Storage/Mini-Storage Facilities. An operational fire permit is required for any self-storage or mini-storage facility.
10. 
Private Fire Hydrants. An operational fire permit is required for any fire hydrant located on private property or supplied by a private water main.
11. 
Carbon Dioxide Systems for Beverage Dispensing. An operational fire permit is required for carbon dioxide systems for beverage dispensing with more than 100 pounds of carbon dioxide inside and/or outside of a building.
12. 
Pallet Yards (Wood/Plastic). An operational fire permit is required for any commercial pallet yard that stores, manufacturers and refurbishes or otherwise handles combustible plastic or wood pallets in an outdoor yard.
C. 
Bundled Permits. For specific businesses requiring multiple permits, operational fire permits are allowed to be combined as one permit:
1. 
Auto Wrecking Yard/Junk Yard—Cutting/Welding/Hot Works/Flammable and Combustible Liquid Storage.
2. 
Auto Body Shop—Cutting/Welding/Hot Works/Flammable and Combustible Liquid Storage/Spray Painting.
3. 
Repair Garage/Service Garage—Cutting/Welding/Hot Works/Flammable and Combustible Liquid Storage.
4. 
Food Service (B Occupancy)—Hood and Duct Fire Extinguishing System/Carbon Dioxide Beverage Dispensing System.
5. 
Place of Assembly (A Occupancy)—Assembly/Hood and Duct Fire Extinguishing System/Carbon Dioxide Beverage Dispensing System.
6. 
Self-Service Motor Fuel Dispensing Facility with Convenience Store—Motor Fuel Dispensing/Carbon Dioxide Beverage Dispensing System/LP-Gas Storage/Hood and Duct Fire Extinguishing System.
7. 
High Pile Storage with Idle Wood/Plastic Pallets (Indoors).
8. 
Miscellaneous Combustible Storage with Idle Wood/Plastic Pallets (Indoors).
9. 
Cutting and/or Welding with Compressed Gases.
D. 
Violation Penalties. Persons who violate a provision of this code or fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who 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 used under provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than fines based on the current fee schedule or by imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense (excludes weekends and holidays).
E. 
False Alarms.
1. 
It is unlawful for any property owner, licensed contractor, or other responsible party to fail to notify the Fire Department Emergency Communications Division prior to any test, installation, repair, modification, addition, or maintenance of any fire alarm or fire extinguishing system which could result in the transmission of a false alarm.
2. 
The Fire Department may charge fees that reasonably constitute the cost of response to false alarms when it is determined that the reported alarm is: (a) malicious; or (b) results from failure to maintain the alarm system; or (c) failure to properly notify the Fire Department that the system is being tested or worked on. The Fire Department will bill the property owner, licensed contractor, or other responsible party for the third and any subsequent false alarm responses in a calendar year.
F. 
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 liable for a fine of not more than fines based on the current fee schedule.
(Ord. 2019-11-19-1102-02 § 2; Ord. 2022-11-15-1203 C.S. § 2; Ord. 2025-11-18-1206, 11/18/2025)
A. 
Address Identification. New and existing buildings shall be provided with approved address identification. The address identification shall be legible and placed in a position that is visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address identification characters shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Numbers shall be a minimum of four inches high for single-family residential properties. Commercial and Industrial properties shall be a minimum of 12 inches high on the building and six inches high on the suite. Where required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations and/or required to be larger than 12 inches to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address identification shall be maintained.
B. 
Electric (Automated) Gates. Newly installed electric (automated) gates as of the inception date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall be equipped with battery back-up.
(Ord. 2019-11-19-1102-02 § 2; Ord. 2022-11-15-1203 C.S. § 2; Ord. 2025-11-18-1206, 11/18/2025)
A. 
Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in all new construction, regardless of occupancy classification, where the total floor area is 6,000 square feet or more. Exception. Mini-storage facilities of any size shall be protected with an automatic sprinkler system designed per extra hazard and conforming to National Fire Protection Standard 13. This does not include occupancy classes of A-2/H, I, F-1 (Upholstered Furniture and Mattress Manufacturing and/or Wood Working Operations) and S-1 (Upholstered Furniture and Mattress Storage, Storage of Commercial Motor Vehicles, Repair Garages for Commercial Motor Vehicles). These occupancies shall be protected as per the California Building and Fire Codes.
B. 
Basements. A fire protection system shall be required in basements, regardless of square footage, of all buildings when the basement is used for any purpose other than service to the building. Service to the building includes utilities such as electricity, gas, telephone, cable TV, elevator equipment, HVAC equipment, and water heaters. In lieu of the requirements for basement sprinklers, alternative fire protection may be provided in existing buildings if approved by the Chief.
C. 
NFPA 13R Sprinkler Systems. Wherever in the code an NFPA 13R sprinkler system is allowed, an NFPA 13 sprinkler system shall be used.
D. 
NFPA 13D Sprinkler Systems. Automatic fire sprinkler systems installed in one- and two-family dwellings; Group R3; and townhouses shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13D, as amended in Chapter 80.
1. 
Pre-manufactured homes shall not apply.
2. 
Fire damage repair or other naturally caused damage to R3 occupancies shall not require an automatic fire sprinkler system unless the structure is to be demolished and rebuilt.
3. 
Residential additions that exceeds 50% of the overall area of the existing structure shall require an automatic fire sprinkler system be installed throughout the building per NFPA 13D.
4. 
Attic spaces in Group R3 occupancies shall have pilot heads installed in each roof pitch of a compartmentalized attic in addition to the forced air unit (FAU).
5. 
Passive purge connection required in lieu of a backflow prevention device. CPVC piping shall be brought down to the toilet stub out.
6. 
Spare sprinkler head box shall be required with minimum three spare sprinkler heads, and/or one each per type of sprinkler head provided and a wrench.
7. 
An electric bell shall be installed on the exterior of the building and have a dedicated circuit with lockout on breaker.
8. 
Fire sprinkler heads shall be required under any stairwell where a compartment, room, and/or closet is located.
9. 
Newly constructed single-family homes: Covered and enclosed patios, California rooms and/or similar outdoor rooms or living spaces where a natural gas line for a fuel-fired appliance is permanently installed shall have fire sprinkler protection.
E. 
Quick-Response and Residential Sprinklers. Where automatic sprinkler systems are required by this code, quick-response or residential automatic sprinklers shall be installed in the following areas in accordance with Section 903.3.2 of the California Fire Code (2025 Edition) and their listings:
1. 
Throughout all spaces within a smoke compartment containing patient sleeping units in Group 1-2 in accordance with the California Building Code.
2. 
Throughout all spaces within a smoke compartment containing treatment rooms in ambulatory care facilities.
3. 
Dwelling units and sleeping units in Group R occupancies.
4. 
Light-hazard occupancies as defined in NFPA 13.
F. 
Existing Group R1 and R2 Buildings.
1. 
Upon an improvement requiring a building permit and the valuation exceeds 50% of the assessed property value, an automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed in accordance with the most currently adopted edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13 "Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems."
G. 
Commercial/Industrial Building Additions.
1. 
Any new addition to an existing building that places the building's total square footage above 6,000 square feet shall require an automatic fire sprinkler system. This does not include the occupancy classes of A-2, H, I, F-1 (Upholstered Furniture and Mattress Manufacturing and/or Wood Working Operations) and S-1 (Upholstered Furniture and Mattress Storage, Storage of Commercial Motor Vehicles, Repair Garages for Commercial Motor Vehicles). Fire sprinklers will not be required for the existing building or the addition if a fire wall (generally four hours) without openings is installed.
2. 
Change of Use. In an existing building where a change of use occurs and the new use is more restrictive than the previous use or the original intended use of the building changes, an automatic sprinkler system shall be installed.
3. 
Valuation of Project. In existing buildings where the valuation of improvement is more than 50% of the assessed valuation of the property, an automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed.
H. 
Fire Alarm Systems.
1. 
Where Required—New and Existing 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 and existing buildings and structures in accordance with Sections 907.2.1 through 907.2.29 of the California Fire Code (2025 Edition) and provide occupant notification in accordance with Section 907.5, unless other requirements are provided by another section of this code.
a. 
All fire alarm and detection systems required by subsection H.1 above, shall require central station service monitoring as defined by and in accordance with the 2025 Edition of NFPA 72, Chapter 26. An Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Certificate or Factory Mutual (FM) Placard, in accordance with 2025 Edition of NFPA 72, Chapter 26, shall be issued by the UL Listed or FM Approved prime contractor for all newly installed fire alarm systems in commercial occupancies. This regulation shall apply to all fire alarm systems that are newly installed in commercial occupancies for which permits are required by the Stockton Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division, on or after, January 1, 2026.
b. 
Any existing fire alarm system in a commercial occupancy wherein the fire alarm control panel and alarm system components require replacement, shall be considered newly installed for the purposes of this section and shall require central station service in accordance with the 2025 Edition of NFPA 72, Chapter 26.
c. 
Any existing fire alarm system where four or more "faulty" false alarms, determined to be from a system malfunction, occur in a one (1) month period shall be subject to the same certification requirement as a new fire alarm system or replacement of an existing alarm system—Central station service in accordance with the 2025 Edition of NFPA 72, Chapter 26.
d. 
Central Station service in full compliance with the 2025 Edition of NFPA 72, Chapter 26, shall be maintained at the protected property, so long as the requirement for the fire alarm system exists.
e. 
Exception. Supervisory service is not required for:
i. 
Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms required by California Fire Code Section 907.2.11.
ii. 
Smoke detectors in Group I-3 occupancies.
iii. 
Automatic sprinkler systems in one- and two-family dwellings.
f. 
Definitions.
i. 
A faulty false alarm is an alarm caused by a malfunction of a system or accidental setoff and such an alarm will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Fire Marshal or designee.
ii. 
Commercial occupancies are defined as those occupancies in use groups A (Assembly); B (Business); E (Educational); F (Factory); H (High Hazard); I (Institutional); R-1, R-2, R-4 (Residential).
iii. 
R-3 (Residential) is defined as one- and two-family dwellings.
2. 
In new and existing buildings, manual pull stations are required at every publicly accessible door and every employee service door within a building to initiate a fire alarm signal for fire alarm systems employing automatic fire detectors or fire sprinkler water-flow detection devices.
3. 
Groups A, B, E, F, M, and R occupancy exceptions that indicate omissions of manual fire alarm boxes shall not apply.
4. 
In new and existing buildings, one exterior approved audible/visual device, located on the exterior of each building in an approved location, shall be connected to each automatic sprinkler system. Such sprinkler waterflow alarm devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Where a fire alarm system is installed, actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall actuate the building fire alarm system. Visible alarm notification appliances shall be required.
I. 
Remote Test Switches. Where in-duct smoke detectors are installed in concealed locations more than 10 feet (three meters) above the finished floor or in arrangements where the detector's alarm indicator is not visible to responding personnel, the detectors shall be provided with remote alarm indicators and test switch plates. Remote alarm indicators and test switch plates shall be installed in an accessible location and shall be clearly labeled to indicate both their functions and the air-handling unit(s) associated with each detector and test switch plate (for example, in-duct smoke detector alarm and test switch plate for in-duct smoke detector).
J. 
Private Fire Hydrants. All private fire hydrants shall be annually inspected, maintained, and tested in accordance with NFPA 25 and the 2025 California Fire Code Sections 507.5.2 and 507.5.3. Additionally, all private hydrants shall receive a five-year inspection and flow test. The inspection, maintenance, testing, and repair of all private fire hydrants shall be the sole responsibility of the owner of the property where the private fire hydrants are located.
(Ord. 2019-11-19-1102-02 § 2; Ord. 2022-11-15-1203 C.S. § 2; Ord. 2025-11-18-1206, 11/18/2025)
A. 
Pallets, palletized packing boxes, and bin boxes shall be piled with due regard to stability of piles and in no case higher than 12 feet. All outdoor pallet stacks shall be arranged to form stable piles. Individual pallet piles shall not exceed a cover area greater than 400 square feet. All pallet storage will comply with the separation distances identified in the California Fire Code, Section 315.7.6. All stacks of pallets shall not be stored within 10 feet of property lines.
B. 
Driveways between and around pallets, bin boxes, and palletized packing boxes shall be a minimum of 20 feet wide and maintained free from accumulations of rubbish, weeds, machinery, or other articles that would block access or add to the fire hazard.
C. 
Pallets, palletized packing boxes, and bin box storage operating under a permit shall be enclosed by a suitable fence of at least six feet in height, unless storage is in a building.
D. 
An approved water supply and fire hydrants capable of supplying the required fire flow shall be provided within 150 feet of all portions of the storage, manufacturing, and repair areas in accordance with Section 507.5, California Fire Code.
(Ord. 2019-11-19-1102-02 § 2)
A. 
The limits referred to in Section 5001 and Table 5003.1.1(1) of the California Fire Code in which storage of explosive and blasting agents is prohibited, are hereby established as follows: All areas in the City except those areas zoned IG (Heavy Industrial District) and PT (Port District) as defined in Title 16, Stockton Municipal Code.
B. 
The limits referred to in Section 5604 and Table 5604.3 of the California Fire Code in which storage amounts and magazine requirements for explosives, explosive materials and fireworks, 1.3G maximum allowable quantity per control area shall be applied.
(Ord. 2019-11-19-1102-02 § 2)
A. 
The limits referred to in Section 5704 of the California Fire Code, in which storage of flammable or combustible liquids in outside aboveground tanks or vaults is prohibited, are hereby established as follows: storage of Class I and II liquids in above-ground tanks outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits established by law as the limits of districts in which such storage is prohibited. All areas in the City except those areas zoned IG and PT for Class I liquids and CG, CD, CL, IL, IG, and PT for Class II liquids as defined in Title 16, Stockton Municipal Code.
B. 
The limits referred to in Section 5704 of the California Fire Code, in which new bulk plants for flammable liquids are prohibited, are hereby established as follows: the storage of Class I and II liquids in above-ground tanks is prohibited within the limits established by law as the limits of districts in which such storage is prohibited. All areas in the City except those zoned IG (Industrial General) and PT (Port District) as defined in Title 16, Stockton Municipal Code. Zones referred to in this section shall also be subject to approval by the Fire Chief.
(Ord. 2019-11-19-1102-02 § 2)
Limitations. Storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits established by law as the limits of districts in which such storage is prohibited, except those zoned IG or PT.
(Ord. 2019-11-19-1102-02 § 2)
Maximum Capacity Within Established Limits. Within the limits established by law restricting the storage of liquefied petroleum gas for the protection of heavily populated or congested areas, the aggregate capacity of any one installation shall not exceed a water capacity of 2,000 gallons. Exception: areas of the City of Stockton zoned CG, CD, CL, IL, IG, and PT as defined in Title 16, Stockton Municipal Code.
(Ord. 2019-11-19-1102-02 § 2)
A. 
Refer to City of Stockton Standards for hydrant spacing.
B. 
Where new water mains are extended along streets where hydrants are not needed for protection of structures or similar fire problems, fire hydrant spacing shall average 500 feet on each side of the street and be arranged on an alternating basis.
(Ord. 2019-11-19-1102-02 § 2)