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Home My WebLink About1998-05-12 - ORDINANCES - FIRE ZONES MUNICODE AMEND (2)ORDINANCE NO. 98-5 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, RELATING TO FIRE ZONES AND AMENDING CHAPTER 18.02 OF THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, DOES FIND AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND INTENT. WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clarita's topography consists of many canyons, hillsides and natural brush areas which are susceptible to the spread of fire; and, WHEREAS, the purpose of the Ordinance is to identify areas in the City that are most vulnerable to fire hazard from natural brush areas and require specific building requirements within those natural brush areas. NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 2. Title 18, Chapter 18.02 is hereby amended to add Section 18.02.010(J) to read as follows: "Sections 6401 through 6403.8 are added to read as follows: "Section 6401. Fire Hazard Zones ("Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones") For the purpose of this Code, Fire Hazard Zones are those zones that pose a significant threat of fire from adjoining natural brush hillside area(s). Fire Hazard Zones in Santa Clarita are defined as those areas within 1,000 feet of a natural brush hillside area, which poses a significant threat to fire as established by the Fire Department. A reference map showing the fire zone locations in the City is to be kept and maintained by the Building and Safety office and the Fire Department for review by the public at all times. Section 6402. (Reserved) Section 6403. Construction Requirements for Buildings and Structures in Fire Hazard Zones. Section 6403.1. General. Buildings or structures hereafter erected, constructed, moved within or into a Fire Hazard Zone shall comply with the requirements of this Section. Exception: Greenhouses constructed as specified in Appendix Chapter 3. Division It, when approved by the Building Official. Section 6403.2. Roof covering. Roof coverings for all new construction shall have a Class "A" rating as specified in Section 1504.1. Tile roofs shall be fire stopped at the eave ends. Roofs being repaired or replaced with a cumulative area greater than 50% of the roof area shall comply with the Class "A" rating requirements in their entirety. Roof repairs with a cumulative area greater than 10%, but less than 50% of the roof area are required to comply with the Class "A" rating requirements in the areas of repair only. Wood shakes and wood shingles shall be Fire Retardant as defined by Section 1502 of the State Building Code, and have a Class "A" rating. Section 6403.3. Exterior Walls. All exterior walls of buildings or structures located in a Fire Hazard Zone shall be constructed of non-combustible materials. Roof eaves in buildings located in a Fire Hazard Zone shall be enclosed with non-combustible finish materials. Exterior walls being repaired or replaced with a cumulative area greater than 50% of the total wall area are required to be constructed of non-combustible finish materials in their entirety. Wall repairs with a cumulative area greater than 10%, but less than 50% of the total wall area are required to be constructed with non-combustible finish materials in the areas of repair only. Section 6403.4. Exterior Doors. All exterior doors other than vehicular access doors to garages shall be solid core construction of not less than 13/8 inches (35mm) thick or shall be of not less than double -pane glazing. Exception: 1) Multiple glazing may be omitted when the opening for a window or other light forming a part of the enclosure of a building is less than 150 square inches (0.0968 -sq. m). 2) Multiple glazing may be omitted for lights less than 900 square inches (0.0968 -sq. m) within doors, which form part of the enclosure of the building. Section 6403.5. Protection of Openings. Openings into attics, underfloor areas or other enclosed unusable areas shall be covered with corrosion -resistant wire mesh with mesh openings having a '/a inch (6.4 mm) in any dimension except where such openings are equipped with a sash or doors. Openings shall not exceed 10% of the area of the wall in which they are located. Chimneys shall have spark arrestors with openings of not more than '/2 inch (12.7 mm) in any dimension. Section 6403.6. Underfloor Areas. Decks and buildings with raised floors shall have all unusable underfloor areas enclosed to the ground with construction as required for exterior walls. Exception: Complete enclosure may be omitted where the underside of all exposed floors and all exposed structural columns, beams and supporting walls are protected as required for exterior one-hour fire resistive construction. Section 6403.7. Accessory Structures. Accessory structures such as carports, decks or patio covers that are attached to, or within 20 feet (6.1 m) of a habitable building, must be of not less than 2x nominal framing in its smallest dimension. Trellises of less than 2x nominal framing in any direction are not permitted within 20 feet (6.1 m) of habitable structures. Section 6403.8. Pool Identification Signage. Every building constructed in a Fire Hazard Zone on a property having a pool or spa with a capacity of 5,000 gallons or greater shall be identified by a permanent sign indicating the presence of an emergency water source for fire- fighting purposes. Such sign shall depict a white water -and -swimmer icon, with a blue background and securely fastened to the building or post. The sign shall be rectangular with dimensions of not less than 10 inches high by 7-1/2 wide and be retro -reflective, fade resistant and able to withstand the elements. The sign shall be placed and maintained in such a location as to be plainly visible from the street or road fronting the property. Exception: Where curb address numbers exist, pools and spas may be identified by painting a rectangular 4 -inch by 4 -inch pool graphic next tothe curb address numbers. The graphic shall depict a white water -and -swimmer icon against a blue background and shall be maintained in a distinguishable condition. SECTION 3. SEVERABILITY. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance, and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, phrases, or portions be declared invalid or unconstitutional. SECTION 4. That the City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this ordinance and shall cause the same to be published as required by law. PASSED AND APPROVED this 19th day of may , 1998. ATTEST: CITY CLERK STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES CITY OF SANTA CLARTTA I, Sharon Dawson, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 98-5 was regularly introduced and placed upon the first reading at a regular meeting of the City Council on the —28t -b- day of _A„-; + , 1998. That thereafter, said Ordinance was duly adopted and passed at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 12th day of May , 1998 by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Ferry, Weste, K-Iaj c, Darcy, Hezdt NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS : None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS - bone ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS : None CITY CLERK s 1pbsXcounciltord%-5.doc