Note: Former Ch. 8.20, 2022 California Fire Code Adopted, adopted by Ord. 004-2023, was repealed by Ord. 024-2025, 12/16/2025.
For the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire or explosion, those certain codes and standards known as the 2025 California Fire Code, California Code of Regulations. Title 24, Part 9, including Chapter 1 and all appendices are hereby adopted. Further, these codes and standards are hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein, unless expressly amended herein, and collectively shall be known as the fire code of the city of Rio Vista.
(Ord. 024-2025, 12/16/2025)
Section 202 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to add the following:
A. 
Whenever the word "jurisdiction" is used in the 2025 California Fire Code, it shall mean the City of Rio Vista.
B. 
Whenever the term "Fire Code Official" is used in the 2025 California Fire Code, it shall mean the Fire Chief or designee.
C. 
Whenever the term "Fire Watch: Qualified individual(s)" is used in the 2025 California Fire Code, it shall mean an employee of an acceptable security guard/patrol service or employee approved by the Fire Code Official.
D. 
Whenever the term "all weather driving surface" is used in the 2025 California Fire Code, it shall mean a roadway designed to carry the imposed weight loads of fire apparatus complete with all underground utilities, curbs, gutters, and a minimum surface finish of one layer of asphalt or concrete or road pavers. (Topographic)
(Ord. 024-2025, 12/16/2025)
Section 1.11.4. of the 2025 Fire Code is amended as follows:
In addition to any fees expressly authorized under state law, the City may establish fees sufficient to recover its costs in administering this code. The schedule of fees shall be those established and adopted from time to time by resolution of the City Council, based on recommendations by the Fire Chief. Failure to pay any fee imposed in connection with this chapter within the time period specified in the schedule of fees shall render such permit null and void. Moreover, such fees shall not be refunded upon failure of applicant to receive the permit. (Topographic)
(Ord. 024-2025, 12/16/2025)
Section 103.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended as follows:
The Rio Vista Fire Department is established within the City of Rio Vista under the direction of the Fire Chief. The function of the Department shall include the implementation, administration and enforcement of the provisions of this code, the National Fire Codes and, where necessary and appropriate any fire or life safety provisions under state law, including the California Health and Safety Code and the California Penal Code, or the laws of the City of Rio Vista, not already covered by this Chapter. (Topographic)
(Ord. 024-2025, 12/16/2025)
Section 104.10 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended as follows:
The Fire Chief, Fire Code Official, and other members of the Fire Department designated by the Fire Chief shall have the authority to investigate the cause, origin, and circumstances of any fire, explosion, or other hazardous condition. Information that could be related to trade secrets or processes shall not be made part of public records, except as required by any Court. Assistance to the Fire Department may be provided as allowable by Section 104.10.1. All sworn members designated by the Fire Chief to perform Fire Prevention Bureau or Fire Investigation Unit duties are hereby assigned as Fire/Arson Investigators and as such shall enforce the provisions of the California Penal Code as it pertains to arson. These members have peace officer status under Section 830.37(a) and (b) of the California Penal Code. (Climatic)
(Ord. 024-2025, 12/16/2025)
Section 1.11.4.4 of the 2025 Fire Code is amended as follows:
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to operate a business unless a fire clearance inspection has been made and such businesses are in compliance with all fire department requirements. (Climatic)
(Ord. 024-2025, 12/16/2025)
Section 105.4 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended as follows:
The following sentences shall be added after item #7 in Section 105.4 of the 2025 California Fire Code:
The Fire Code Official is further authorized to revoke any permit issued under the provisions of this code for any of the following reasons:
(a) 
When deemed necessary for the protection of life, limb, or property; or
(b) 
For the violation of any provisions of this code; or
(c) 
Since the time the permit was issued, the occupancy, equipment, materials, processes, or other conditions have changed in such a manner as to create a greater danger of fire or explosion or less protection than was present at the time the permit was issued. (Topographic)
(Ord. 024-2025, 12/16/2025)
Section 105.6 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to add the following:
8.20.090.010 Haunted houses. To operate a temporary or permanent haunted house.
8.20.090.020 Christmas tree lots. To operate a temporary or permanent Christmas Tree lot with or without flame-proofing services.
8.20.090.030 Special events. To conduct a special event which is not otherwise listed and in the opinion of the Fire Code Official poses a fire or life safety concern to the public. (Topographic)
(Ord. 024-2025, 12/16/2025)
Section 112.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended as follows:
A person appealing a decision under this chapter shall file a request with the Fire Chief who is responsible for processing the appeal. The appeal shall be in writing, stating the factual and legal grounds, and shall be filed within ten calendar days following the order, decision, or determinations made by the Fire Code Official relative to the application and interpretation of this code. The Fire Chief shall notify the City Manager of the appeal. The City Manager shall set the matter for hearing before the City Council and notify the person appealing in writing of the time and place. The City Council shall conduct a hearing, prepare written findings of fact and issue a written decision on the matter, and preserve the complete administrative record of the proceeding. The City Council shall consider all relevant evidence presented by the appellant, the Fire Chief, or other interested party(ies). The decision of the City Council is final; it is reviewable by a court of competent jurisdiction. (Topographic)
(Ord. 024-2025, 12/16/2025)
Section 112.2 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended as follows:
An application for appeal shall be based on a claim that the intent of this code or the rules legally adopted hereunder have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully apply, or an equivalent method of protection or safety is proposed. The City Council shall have no authority to waive requirements of this code. (Topographic)
(Ord. 024-2025, 12/16/2025)
Section 114.4 of the 2025 California Fire Code amended as follows:
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 to a fine of not less than $100 or more than $1,000. (Topographic)
(Ord. 024-2025, 12/16/2025)
Section 5001.5.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code amended as follows.
The following sentences shall be added after the final sentence in Section 5001.5.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code.
When a business which handles hazardous materials is required to complete a HMMP, the Fire Code Official may require the installation of a secured box containing a copy of the HMMP at the primary facility entrance or fire control room as required by the Fire Code Official. This box shall be waterproof and capable of holding the document in a rolled condition without folding. Other characteristics of the box may be approved by the Fire Code Official. Businesses which handle an "extremely hazardous substance" as defined in Section 25532 of the California Health and Safety Code must install a HMMP box in accordance with this section.(Climatic)
(Ord. 024-2025, 12/16/2025)
Section 307.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code amended to add the following.
Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, fire rings, or similar exterior devices used for recreational heating at residential occupancies shall comply with this section.
(a) 
Gas-fueled devices. Permanent outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and similar devices fueled by natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas are allowed when approved by the Building Department and the device is designed to only burn a gas flame and not wood or other solid fuel. At one- and two-family dwellings, combustible materials and vegetation shall not be located within three feet of the device. At other residential occupancies, the minimum distance shall be ten feet.
(b) 
Devices using wood or fuels other than natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas. Permanent outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and similar devices designed to burn wood shall be approved by the Building Department. Fire in fireplaces shall be contained in a firebox with an attached chimney with a spark arrestor.
(c) 
Portable outdoor fireplaces using gas or wood fuel used at one- and two-family dwellings shall be used in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions.
(d) 
Open burning in devices other than permanent fireplaces are prohibited within 20 feet of structures and 15 feet of combustible materials, with the following exceptions:
(1) 
Open burning in fire rings/pits equipped with a spark arrester that are located at least 15 feet from combustible structures and material at one- and two-family dwellings.
(2) 
Open burning in portable fireplaces, and fire pits/rings equipped with a spark arrester that are located at least 15 feet from combustible structures and material at all other residential occupancies.
(3) 
Home-built outdoor portable fireplaces, fire pits, and similar devices used at one- and two-family dwellings shall be constructed of non-combustible materials and have a total fuel area of three (3) feet or less in diameter and two (2) feet or less in height. These devices shall be provided with a cover or spark arrestor with openings no greater than 1/4" and be operated no closer than 15 feet from combustible materials or structures.
(4) 
Open burning, including recreational fires and fires within portable outdoor fireplaces, shall not be permitted on "red-flag" or other days which pose a high fire risk as determined by the Fire Code Official. (Climatic).
(5) 
Only clean, dry, seasoned firewood may be burned for recreational use.
(6) 
Burning of trash, household debris, construction material, treated lumber, or yard waste is prohibited. (Climatic)
(Ord. 024-2025, 12/16/2025)
Section 503.4 of the 2025 California Fire Code is amended to add the following:
8.20.180.010 Access-Parking Prohibited. It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle in front of, or otherwise obstruct or block any Fire Lane, general access road to any building or complex, fire department connection, access roads, alleys or areas to any open space, no parking zones at fire stations, or within 10 feet of any fire hydrant. (Topographic)
8.20.180.020 Access to Open Spaces. When access to open land/space or fire trail systems maintained for public or private use is obstructed by vehicles of any kind, or other obstructions both within the access or the road or street access to the open space, the City may act to remove the vehicle or obstruction, and the cost of such removal will be assessed to the responsible party or vehicle owner. If it is obstructed by a new development of any kind, the developer shall provide an alternate means of access into the area this is sufficient to allow access for fire personnel and apparatus. The alternate means of access must be approved by the Fire Code Official (Topographic).
(Ord. 024-2025, 12/16/2025)