The 2025 California Residential Code is hereby adopted by reference as the residential code of the city of Buena Park, together with the amendments, additions, deletions and exceptions set forth in this chapter.
(Ord. 1764, 12/9/2025)
Note: Ord. 1712 was repealed by Ord. 1764, 12/9/2025.
A.
Section R202 Definitions is hereby revised by adding "OCFA" and "Spark Arrester" as follows:
OCFA. Orange County Fire Authority, the fire authority having jurisdiction.
SPARK ARRESTER. A listed device constructed of noncombustible material specifically for the purpose of meeting one of the following conditions:
1. Removing and retaining carbon and other flammable particles/debris from the exhaust flow of an internal combustion engine in accordance with California Vehicle Code Section 38366.
2. Fireplaces that burn solid fuel in accordance with California Building Code Chapter 28.
B.
Chapter 3 Building Planning is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments and additions:
1.
Section R301.9 Fuel modification requirements for new construction is hereby added as follows:
R301.9 Fuel modification requirements for new construction. All new structures and facilities adjoining land containing hazardous combustible vegetation shall be approved and in accordance with the requirements of OCFA Guideline C-05 "Vegetation Management Guideline - Technical Design for new Construction Fuel Modification Plans and Maintenance Program."
2.
Section R309.6 Fire sprinkler attached garages, and carports with habitable space above is hereby amended by modifying the exception to read as follows:
Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required when additions or alterations are made to existing carports and/or garages that do not have an automatic fire sprinkler system installed unless a sprinkler system is required in accordance with California Fire Code Section 903.2.8.
3.
Section R313.1 Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems is hereby amended by modifying the exception to read as follows:
Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required when additions or alterations are made to existing townhouses that do not have an automatic fire sprinkler system installed unless a sprinkler system is required in accordance with California Fire Code Section 903.2.8.
4.
Section R313.2 One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems is hereby revised to read as follows:
1. Existing Buildings. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout any existing building when the floor area of the alteration within any two-year period exceeds 50% of area of the existing structure and the building area exceeds 5,500 square feet. When the cost of installing an approved automatic sprinkler system exceeds 5% of the cost of the alteration, with the approval of the fire code official, the required automatic sprinkler system may be omitted.
Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required for additions or alterations to existing buildings that are not already provided with an automatic sprinkler system unless a sprinkler system is required in accordance with California Fire Code, OCFA Local Amendments, Section 903.2.8.
5.
Section R313.3.6.2.2 Calculation procedure is hereby revised to read as follows:
R313.3.6.2.2 Calculation procedure. Determination of the required size for water distribution piping shall be in accordance with the following procedure and California Fire Code Section 903.3.5.
(The remainder of the section is unchanged)
6.
Section R319.1 Address identification is hereby revised to read as follows:
R319.1 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. For R-3 occupancies, each character shall be not less than 6 inches in height with a stroke width of not less than 1 inch. Where required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response. Where access is by means of a private road and the building address 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.
7.
Section R902.1 Roofing covering materials is amended by revising it to allow only class A or B roofs, and to read as follows:
R902.1 Roofing covering materials. Roofs shall be covered with materials as set forth in Sections R904 and R905. A minimum Class A or B roofing shall be installed in areas designated by this section. Classes A or B roofing required by this section to be listed shall be tested in accordance with UL 790 or ASTM E 108.
Exceptions:
1. Class A roof assemblies include those with coverings of brick, masonry and exposed concrete roof deck.
2. Class A roof assemblies also include ferrous or copper shingles or sheets, metal sheets and shingles, clay or concrete roof tile, or slate installed on noncombustible decks.
8.
Section R902.1.3 Roofing covering materials is amended by revising it to require a minimum Class B roof, and to read as follows:
R902.1.3 Roof coverings within all other areas. The entire roof covering of every existing structure where more than 50 percent of the total roof area is replaced within any one-year period, the entire roof covering of every new structure, and any roof covering applied in the alteration, repair or replacement of the roof of every existing structure, shall be a fire-retardant roof covering that is at least Class B.
9.
Section R1001.13 Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, fire rings, or similar devices is hereby added as follows:
R1001.13 Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, fire rings, or similar devices. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, fire rings, or similar exterior devices shall comply with this section.
Exception: Barbeques, grills, and other portable devices intended solely for cooking.
10.
Section R1001.13.1 Gas-fueled devices is hereby added as follows:
R1001.13.1 Gas-fueled devices. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and similar devices fueled by natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas are allowed when approved by the Building Division and the device is designed to only burn a gas flame and not wood or other solid fuel. At R-3 occupancies, combustible construction shall not be located within three feet of an atmospheric column that extends vertically from the perimeter of the device. Where a permanent Building Division approved hood and vent is installed, combustible construction may encroach upon this column between the bottom of the hood and the vent opening. Where chimneys or vents are installed, they shall have a spark arrester in accordance with Section R1003.9.2.
11.
Section R1001.13.2 Devices using wood or fuels other than natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas is hereby added as follows:
R1001.13.2 Devices using wood or fuels other than natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas. Fireplaces burning wood or other solid fuel shall be constructed in accordance with Section R1001. Fires in a fireplace shall be contained within a firebox with an attached chimney. The opening in the face of the firebox shall have an installed and maintained method of arresting sparks. The burning of wood or other solid fuel in a device is not allowed within 15 feet of combustible structures, unless within a permanent or portable fireplace.
12.
Section R1001.13.3 Devices using wood or fuels other than natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas is hereby added as follows:
R1001.13.3 Where prohibited. The burning of wood and other solid fuels shall not be conducted within a fuel modification zone. Wood and other solid fuel burning fires in devices other than permanent fireplaces are not allowed within Wildfire Risk Areas (WRA) and adopted Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) or in locations where conditions could cause the spread of fire to the WRA or FHSZ, unless determined by the Fire Code Official that the location or design of the device should reasonably prevent the start of a wildfire.
C.
Chapter 44 Referenced Standards is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments: (R-3 Occupancy related standards are included):
1.
NFPA 13,2025 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems is hereby amended as follows:
a.
Section 8.15.1.2.7 is hereby revised as follows:
8.15.1.2.7. Concealed spaces filled with noncombustible insulation shall not require sprinkler protection when approved by fire code official.
b.
Section 11.1.1.1 is hereby added as follows:
11.1.1.1. When fire sprinkler systems are required in buildings of undetermined use other than warehouses, they shall be designed and installed to have a fire sprinkler density of not less than that required for an Ordinary Hazard Group 2 use, with no reduction(s) in density or design area. Warehouse fire sprinkler systems shall be designed to Figure 16.2.1.3.2(d) curve "G". Use is considered undetermined if a specific tenant/occupant is not identified at the time the sprinkler plan is submitted. Where a subsequent use or occupancy requires a system with greater capability, it shall be the responsibility of the occupant to upgrade the system to the required density for the new use or occupancy.
c.
Section 11.2.3.1.1.1 is hereby added as follows:
11.2.3.1.1.1 The available water supply for fire sprinkler system design shall be determined by one of the following methods, as approved by the fire code official:
1) Subtract the project site elevation from the low water level for the appropriate pressure zone and multiply the result by 0.433;
2) Use a maximum of 40 psi, if available;
3) Utilize the OCFA water-flow test form/directions to document a flow test conducted by the local water agency or an approved third party licensed in the State of California.
2.
NFPA 13D 2025 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes is hereby amended as follows:
a.
Section 7.1.2 is hereby revised as follows:
7.1.2. The sprinkler system piping shall not have separate control valves installed unless supervised by a central station, proprietary or remote station alarm service.
(Ord. 1764, 12/9/2025)