Resolution - No. 2023-58RESOLUTION NO. 2023-58
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, MAKING FINDINGS
REGARDING THE NEED FOR MODIFICATIONS TO
PROVISIONS OF THE 2022 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE DUE
TO LOCAL CLIMATIC, GEOLOGICAL OR
TOPOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Section 18938 makes certain
provisions published in the California Building Standards Code pursuant to California
Health and Safety Code Section 17922 applicable to all occupancies throughout the State
and effective 180 days after publication by the California Building Standards Commission
("Commission"), or at a later date established by the Commission; and
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Section 17958 permits cities to
amend the requirements of the California Building Standards Code, which includes the
California Fire Code, in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Sections
17958.5 and 17958.7; and
WHEREAS, Section 13143.5 of the California Health and Safety Code permits the
City, by ordinance, to make changes or modifications to the California Fire Code that are
more stringent than the requirements published in the California Fire Code, relating to fire
and panic safety; and
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5 permits cities in
adopting provisions of the California Fire Code to make such modifications in such
provisions as a city determines, pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section
17958.7, are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, ortopographical
conditions; and
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 requires that a
city, before making modifications pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section
17958.5, make an express finding that such modifications are reasonably necessary
because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions; and
WHEREAS, under California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7,
modifications pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5 may not
become effective until the required findings and the modifications have been filed with the
California Building Standards Commission; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of West Covina ("City Council") has
adopted an ordinance adopting by reference certain provisions of the 2022 California Fire
Code and making modifications to certain of those provisions pursuant to California
Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5 ("Fire Code Adoption Ordinance"); and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the attached Exhibit A, which sets forth
the reasons for the modifications to the 2022 California Fire Code contained in the Fire
Code Adoption Ordinance.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA,
CALIFORNIA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council finds and declares that the changes to the
provisions of the 2022 California Fire Code set forth in the Fire Code Adoption Ordinance
are reasonably necessary because of the local climatic, geological, or topographical
conditions set forth in Exhibit A in accordance with California Health and Safety Code
Section 17958.7.
SECTION 2. The City Council hereby repeals Resolution No. 2022-111, adopted
by the City Council on November 1, 2022.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall file a copy of this Resolution, including Exhibit
A, shall with the California Building Standards Commission in accordance with California
Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall
enter the same in the book of original resolutions and it shall become effective
immediately.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 18th day of July, 2023.
APPROV r S TO FORM
#"( k�
Thomas P. Duarte
City Attorney
�& l
osario Diaz
Mayor
ATTEST
4
Lisa Sherrick
Assistant City Clerk
I, LISA SHERRICK, Assistant City Clerk of the City of West Covina, California, do
hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2023-58 was duly adopted by the City
Council of the City of West Covina, California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the
18th day of July, 2023, by the following vote of the City Council:
AYES: Diaz, Cantos, Lopez-Viado, Tabatabai, Wu
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
UXQJQ�464 14al
Lisa Sherrick
Assistant City Clerk
EXHIBIT A
FINDINGS REGARDING THE NEED FOR AMENDMENTS TO PROVISIONS IN THE 2022
CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE DUE TO LOCAL CLIMATIC, GEOLOGICAL OR
TOPOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS
The City of West Covina makes the following findings regarding the need to amend the 2022
California Fire Code:
Finding No. 7 — Climatic Conditions: The City of West Covina experiences low humidity, high
winds, and warm temperatures throughout the year creating conditions which are particularly
conducive to the ignition and spread of grass, brush, and structure fires.
Finding No. 2 — Topographical Conditions: The hillside areas in the City along with long, narrow
roadways significantly impact the ability of emergency responders to extinguish or control wildland
or structure fires.
Finding No. 3 — Geographic Conditions: The City of West Covina is situated adjacent to active
earthquake faults capable of producing substantial seismic events. Should a significant seismic
event occur, uncontrolled hazardous materials releases and fires could pose the greatest threat
to the largest number of people. Since the City is divided by a freeway and highway, a major
earthquake would significantly impact the ability of fire crews to respond to emergencies should
one or more roadways be blocked or damaged due to bridge collapse or debris from falling
structures. Additionally, fire suppression capabilities will be severely limited should the water
system be extensively damaged during the seismic event.
Therefore, in order to minimize the risks to persons and property due to potential response delays
and compromised fire suppression capabilities, mitigation measures are necessary such as but
not limited to, automatic fire suppression systems, controls for hazardous materials, safety
provisions in buildings for firefighters and additional fire hydrants.
The table below sets forth the City of West Covina's amendments to the 2022 California Fire Code
and states which of the findings above make each amendment reasonably necessary.
Sections of the 2022 Fire Code
Added, Amended
or Deleted?
Findings
101.1 Title
Amended
Administrative
104.11 Fire Investigations)
Added
1, 2, 3
105.5 (Required Operational Permits
Amended
1, 2, 3
105.5.55 Christmas Tree Sales Lots
Added
1, 2, 3
105.5.55.1 Permits — Christmas Tree Sales Lots
Added
1, 2, 3
105.5.55.2 Fire Protection
Added
1, 2, 3
105.5.55.3 Tents or Canopies on Christmas Tree Lots
Added
1, 2, 3
105.5.55.4 (Display)
Added
1, 2, 3
105.5.55.5 Lot Closure
Added
1, 2, 3
111.1 Board of Appeals Established
Amended
Administrative
Appendix A - A101.3 (Membership of Board
Amended
Administrative
112.4 Violation Penalties
Amended
Administrative
304.1.2 (Vegetation)
Amended
1, 2, 3
304.1.2.1 (High Fire Hazard Designation)
Added
1, 2, 3
503.3 (Markings or Postings of Fire Apparatus Access
Roads
Amended
1, 2, 3
503.4 (Obstruction or Blocking of Fire Apparatus Access
Roads
Amended
1, 2, 3
503.5.1(Security Gates and Building Security Access
Amended
1, 2, 3
503.E(Security Gates and Building Security Access
Amended
1, 2, 3
505.1 Address Numbers
Amended
1, 2, 3
507.3 Fire Flow
Amended
1, 2, 3
Appendix B Fire Flow
Amended
1, 2, 3
901.4 Installation
Amended
1, 2, 3
901.4.1(Group R Occupancies)
Amended
1, 2, 3
901.4.2(Group R Occupancies - Si na a and Valves
Amended
1, 2, 3
901.6.1 Standards
Amended
1, 2, 3
903.2 Fire Sprinkler Systems - Where Required)
Amended
1, 2, 3
903.2.3(Group E
Amended
1, 2, 3
903.2.11 (Specific Buildings and Hazards
Amended
1, 2, 3
903.3.5.3 (Hydraulically Calculated Systems)
Added
1, 2, 3
903.4.2.1 Alarm Devices
Added
1, 2, 3
6601.1.3 Fireworks
Amended
1, 2, 3
5608.2 Permit Required)
Added
1, 2, 3
5609.2 Sale and Retail Display)
Added
1, 2, 3
6104.2 Maximum Capacity within Established Limits
Amended
1, 2, 3
Chapter 80 Referenced Standards
Amended
1, 2, 3
Appendix D
Added
1, 2, 3
Appendix E
Added
1, 2, 3
Appendix F
Added
1, 2, 3
Appendix G
Added
1, 2, 3
Appendix I
Added
1, 2, 3
Appendix K
Added
1, 2, 3
Appendix M
Added
1, 2, 3
Appendix N
Added
1, 2, 3
Appendix O
Added
1, 2, 3