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Ratify the proposed consensus ordinance on behalf of the Cordelia, Dixon, Montezuma, Suisun and Vacaville fire protection districts that adopts the 2025 California Fire Code together with local amendments
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends the Board of Supervisors ratify the proposed consensus ordinance on behalf of the Cordelia, Dixon, Montezuma, Suisun and Vacaville fire protection districts that adopts the 2025 California Fire Code together with local amendments (Attachments A and B).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The State Fire Code is updated every three years and local fire protection districts are required to implement the updated statewide minimum standards along with any updated regulations enacted by the State Fire Marshall. Pursuant to Health and Safety Code, §13869.7, local fire districts also have the authority to adopt local modifications to the State Fire Code into their local ordinance to assist in implementation of the State minimum standards or further protect the public. When a fire protection district adopts an ordinance that modifies State Fire Code, the fire district must submit the ordinance to the Board of Supervisors for ratification.
In Solano County, fire protection in the unincorporated area is provided by the Cordelia, Dixon, East Vallejo, Montezuma, Suisun and Vacaville fire protection districts. The East Vallejo Fire Protection District receives service from the City of Vallejo. Rather than having different ordinances, these districts, with County assistance, developed a single consensus fire protection ordinance adopted by each of these jurisdictions, the first of which the Board ratified by resolution, in 2013. Since then, the Board has routinely ratified the updates to the consensus ordinance adopted by the fire districts serving the unincorporated area to implement current State fire code requirements and adding necessary local amendments. The last update to the consensus ordinance was ratified by the Board on March 28, 2023.
The Board of Directors for the districts have recently adopted updates to their local fire protection ordinances to implement the 2025 Fire Code, along with local amendments (Attachment C) and are now submitting the consensus ordinances attached to this report for ratification by the Board. The proposed ordinance includes several amendments to specific sections of the adopted fire code. These amendments are necessary to ensure the code reflects the unique operational needs, geographic conditions, and community risks within the fire districts. While the California Fire Code establishes a strong statewide standard, it is designed to allow local jurisdictions to strengthen requirements where local circumstances warrant additional safeguards. (Attachment D).
In the local fire districts, factors such as extended emergency response times in rural areas, limited water supply in certain zones, aging infrastructure, and increased wildfire exposure require enhanced fire and life safety measures. The amendments presented are intended to close identified gaps in the base code, provide clearer enforcement authority, and ensure consistency with Solano County standards and District operational practices.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to ratify the proposed consensus ordinance; however, this is not recommended as these Districts have all adopted the 2025 California Fire Code and local amendments determined necessary to provide services to protect the public in unincorporated Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Cordelia, Dixon, Montezuma, Suisun, and Vacaville Fire Protection Districts have each adopted the underlying ordinance, which the Solano County Building Official reviewed and approved.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION