REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Oliver Chi, City Manager
PREPARED BY: David A. Segura, Fire Chief
Subject:
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Adopt Ordinance No. 4189 amending Municipal Code Chapter 17.56 adopting the California Fire Code, 2019 Editions
Approved for introduction 10-21-2019 - Vote: 7-0
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Statement of Issue:
The City Council is requested to adopt an Ordinance amending Municipal Code, Chapter 17.56 adopting the California Fire Code, 2019 Edition.
Financial Impact:
Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Adopt Ordinance No. 4189, “An Ordinance of the City of Huntington Beach Amending Chapter 17.56 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code Adopting the California Fire Code,” 2019 edition.
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Alternative Action(s):
Not adopt the Ordinance.
Analysis:
The Fire Code (Code) is revised every three years to keep pace with current technologies and hazardous processes. The City of Huntington Beach, upon review and evaluation, traditionally adopts the revised edition. The 2019 California Fire Code is the latest model code revision published by the California Building Standards Commission in conjunction with the International Code Council. State law mandates that this Code be enforced by all California jurisdictions, effective January 1, 2020.
In order to amend this Code to meet local conditions and special hazards that do not exist in all jurisdictions, the City needs to officially adopt the Code by ordinance (Attachment 1), effective January 1, 2020. Therefore, it is important that all revisions be made at the time of this Ordinance introduction. If the Code is not adopted as such, it will become law by default without amendments.
Adopting the 2019 California Fire Code would coincide with the adoption of the 2019 California Building and Residential Code by the Community Development Department, scheduled to also take effect January 1, 2020. The 2019 California Building Code is also published by the California Building Standards Commission. It is a sister publication of the 2019 California Fire Code, which coordinates code references between the two publications to prevent conflicting code sections.
The California Building Standards Commission requires that local amendments to the California Fire Code be supported by express findings of fact. The proposed revisions to the Fire Code adoption acknowledges the local conditions that necessitate the changes. A summary of proposed local amendments for the 2019 Edition of the California Fire Code is included (Attachment 2).
If adopted, the ordinance will become effective January 1, 2020.
Environmental Status:
None.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Enhance and modernize public safety service delivery
Attachment(s):
1. “An Ordinance of the City of Huntington Beach Amending Chapter 17.56 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code Adopting the California Fire Code,” 2019 edition.
2. Ord 4189 Legislative Draft
3. Summary of proposed Local Amendments for the 2019 California Fire Code
4. PowerPoint Presentation