Building permit applications may be reviewed by the local fire agency to verify California Fire Code & California Building Code requirements as amended by that agency. It is highly recommended to contact the local fire agency to preview and/or discuss plans prior to submittal to the Planning Department. The fire agency is the authority for determinations related to fire access, fire flow, fire sprinklers, or similar. Information shown below is subject to change and should be verified for applicability for the specific project with the local fire agency.
YOUR LOCAL FIRE AGENCY URGES YOU TO CONTACT THEM ABOUT THESE REQUIREMENTS BEFORE APPLYING FOR A BUILDING PERMIT
| (831) 726-3130 |
Aromas Tri-County Fire Protection District |
| (831) 338-7222 |
Boulder Creek Fire Protection District |
| (831) 336-5495 |
Ben Lomond Fire Protection District |
| (831) 423-8856 |
Branciforte Fire Protection District |
| (831) 685-6698 |
Central Fire Protection District |
| (831) 335-4422 |
Felton Fire Protection District |
| (831) 722 0125 |
Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District |
| (831) 438-0211 |
Scotts Valley Fire Protection District |
| (831) 335-5100 |
Zayante Fire Protection District |
| (831) 335-6748 |
County Fire |
NEW OR REPLACEMENT SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS
- FIRE SPRINKLERS- An automatic sprinkler system approved by your local fire agency must be installed in all new and replacement single family dwellings.
- REQUIRED ACCESS- A fire access road is required when any portion of the building is more than 150 feet from the public road, as measured along an approved access route from the public road to the building.
- WATER STORAGE- An approved water supply capable of supplying the required water flow for fire protection must be provided. This may be accomplished by various means such as water tanks, reservoirs, or hydrants, but must be approved by the Fire Agency in any case. Contact your local Fire Agency for details. When a portion of the building is more than 150 feet from a water supply on a public street, an approved hydrant is required on the site.
The following California Building Code requirements apply to single family dwellings, additions, remodels, and accessory structures and are verified by the building Inspector.
- ALARMS- Listed smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms or combination alarms shall be installed as required by code. Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements
- HOUSE NUMBERS- House numbers a minimum of 4 inches in height with a contrasting background showing the address must be placed in such a position as to be plainly visible from the street adjoining the property.
- SPARK ARRESTORS- Spark arrestors are required on all chimneys. Spark arrestors must have openings 1/2 inch in diameter.
- ROOFS- Roofs must have a minimum Class B Fire Resistive rating, and Class A is required in some areas of the County.
EXISTING STRUCTURES
An automatic sprinkler system and review by the fire department shall be required in existing structures when any of the following apply:
- There is an existing automatic sprinkler system serving the remodeled structure.
- Additions to residential garages (Group U occupancies) result in a 1001 square feet or more structure.
EXISTING ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS
An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in existing one- and two-family dwellings, when a building permit is issued to allow additions to be made, as follows:
- Any addition is made which increases the total existing square footage by 50% or more.
- The proposed total floor area exceeds the available fire flow as specified in Section 507.1 or APPENDIX B.
- Any addition to a one- or two-family dwelling that contains an automatic fire sprinkler system requires that the automatic fire sprinkler system be extended/modified to the area of proposed work, thus, creating fire sprinkler protection throughout the entire dwelling.
EXCEPTIONS: Additions of 500 square feet or less when the proposed total floor area does not exceed the available fire flow are exempt from fire sprinklers unless the dwelling is already protected by a fire sprinkler system.