373-UURGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 373-U
AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS AMENDING CHAPTER
15.04 (BUILDING CODE) TO ADOPT THE LOS ANGELES
COUNTY FIRE CODE BY REFERENCE AND MAKE
LOCAL AMENDMENTS THERETO; AND DETERMINING
THE ORDINANCE TO BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA
RECITALS
A. The California Building Standards Code, Title 24 of the California Code of
Regulations, establishes the minimum regulations for the design and construction of buildings and
structures in California; and
B. California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958.7, 18941.5, and 13143.5
authorize cities to adopt the California Building Standards Code with modifications determined to
be reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions; and
C. The City Council desires to adopt by reference Title 32, of the Los Angeles County
Code, as amended and in effect on January 1, 2020, adopting the California Fire Code, 2019
Edition (Part 9 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations) and the International Fire Code,
2018 Edition ("California Fire Code with Local Amendments"); this adoption with such local
amendments is reasonably necessary to assure the fire code is tailored to the particular safety needs
of the City as required by its unique climatic, geological, and topographical conditions; and
D. The City Council also desires to adopt additional local amendments to the
California Fire Code with Local Amendments to specifically address the threats of wildfire by
establishing more restrictive fire-safety mitigation measures on lots and structures with projects
proceeding under Senate Bill 9 ("SB 9"), which adds Government Code sections 65852.21 and
66411. 7 to allow up to five units on a lot that previously allowed one primary dwelling; such local
amendments are reasonably necessary to assure the fire code is tailored to the particular safety
needs of the City as required by its unique climatic, geological, and topographical conditions.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Rolling Hills does ordain as follows:
Ordinance f\Jo. 373-U
Section 1. Chapter 15.04 (Building Code) of Title 15 of the Rolling Hills Municipal
Code is hereby amended as follows:
15.20.010 -Adoption of Fire Code
Except as hereinafter provided in this chapter, Title 32 Fire Code of the Los Angeles County
Codes, as amended and in effect on February 24, 2017January 1, 2020, which constitutes an
amended version of the California Fire Code, ~2019 Edition and an amended version of the
International Fire Code, 2Q.M2018 Edition is hereby adopted by reference and shall constitute and
may be cited as the Fire Code of the City of Rolling Hills.
In the event of any conflict between provisions of the California Fire Code, ~2019Edition, Title
32 of the Los Angeles County Code, or any amendment to the Fire Code contained in the Rolling
Hills Municipal Code, the provision contained in the later listed document shall control.
A copy of Title 32 of the Los Angeles County Code, along with a copy of the California Fire Code,
~2019 Edition has been deposited in the office of the City Clerk and shall be at all times
maintained by the Clerk for use and examination by the public.
15.20.020 Short title.
This chapter shall be known as the "Fire Code of the City of Rolling Hills" and may be cited as
such.
15.20.025 Very high fire hazard severity zone (VHFHSZ).
The entire City of Rolling Hills is designated as a very high fire hazard severity zone, as
prescribed by the Director of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and as
designated on a map titled City of Rolling Hills VHFHSZ dated July 1, 2008 and which shall be
retained on file in the City Clerk's office at the Rolling Hills City Hall.
15.20.030 Permits.
Any permit heretofore issued by the County of Los Angeles pursuant to the Fire Code of said
County, for work within the territorial boundaries of the City of Rolling Hills, shall remain in full
force and effect according to its terms.
15.20.040 Local Amendments
The followin u: provisions of the Los An geles Countv Fire Code are hereb y amended as follows:
1. Section C105.2 (One-and two-family dwellings, and Group R-2 buildings) is amended to
read as follows:
Section C105.2 (One-and two-family dwellings, and Group R-2 buildings)
Ordinance ~Jo. 373-U 2
A. For one-and two-family dwellings, and Group R-3 buildings, fire hydrants
shall be spaced no more than 600 feet (182.88 m) apart. For properties with more
than one dwelling unit per acre, no portion of lot frontage should be more than
450 feet (137.16 m) away, via fire apparatus access, from a public hydrant. For
properties less than one dwelling unit per acre, no portion of a fire apparatus
access roadway shall be farther than 750 feet (228.6 m) away, via fire apparatus
access, from a properly spaced public hydrant that meets the required fire-flow.
B. Notwithstanding paragra ph A above. for pro jects under Chapters 16.50
(SB 9 Urban Lot S plits ) and 17.45 (SB 9 Two-Unit Pro jects). fire h ydrants shall
be s paced no more than 600 feet (182.88 m ) ap art. For prop erties with more than
one dwellin unit er acre no ortion oflot fronta e should be more than 360 feet
away, via fire apparatus access . from a hy drant. For pro perties less than one
dwellin g unit p er acre . no portion of a fire apparatus access road shall be farther
than 600 feet away, via fire a pp aratus access . from a properl y sp aced h y drant that
meets the required fire-flow.
2. Section C 106.1 (Required on-site hydrants) is set forth below without amendments for
purposes of reference only:
C106.1 -Required on-site hydrants.
When any portion of a proposed structure exceeds the allowable distances from a public
hydrant, via fire apparatus access, on-site hydrants shall be provided. The spacing
distance between on-site hydrants shall be 300 to 400 feet (91.44 to 121.92 m). All on-
site fire hydrants shall have, at a minimum, a fire-flow of 1,250 gallons per minute (4,732
L/min) at 20 psi (137.895 kPa) for a duration of two hours. If more than one on-site fire
hydrant is required, the fire flow shall be 2,500 gallons per minute (9,463.53 L/min) at 20
psi (137.895 kPa) for a duration of two hours. All on-site hydrants shall be installed a
minimum of 25 feet (7,620 mm) from a structure or protected by a two-hour firewall.
Exception: For fully sprinklered multifamily residential structures, on-site hydrants may
be installed a minimum of 10 feet (3.05 m) from the structure.
3. Section 503.1.1 (Buildings and facilities) is amended to read as follows:
503.1.1 -Buildings and facilities.
A. Approved fire apparatus access roads shall be provided for every facility, building
or portion of a building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the
jurisdiction. The fire apparatus access road shall comply with the requirements of
this section and shall extend to within 150 feet (45,720 mm) of all portions of the
facility and all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of the building as
measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or facility.
Exceptions:
1. The fire code official is authorized to increase the dimension of 150 feet
(45,720 mm) where any of the following conditions occur:
Ordinance No. 373-U 3
B.
1.1. The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic
sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3 .1.2
or 903.3.1.3.
1.2. Fire apparatus access roads cannot be installed because of location on
property, topography, waterways, nonnegotiable grades or other similar
conditions, and an approved alternative means of fire protection is
provided.
1.3 . There are not more than two Group R-3 or Group U occupancies.
2. Where approved by the fire code official, fire apparatus access roads shall be
permitted to be exempted or modified for solar photovoltaic power generation
facilities and a stand-alone battery energy storage structure.3.Exterior walls of
interior courts that are enclosed on all sides.
Notwithstanding paragr a ph A above , for p ro jects under Chapters 16.50 (SB 9
Urban Lot S p lits ) and 17.45 (SB 9 Two-Unit Pro jects ), a lot must have its own
paved driveway with a width of at least 30 feet connecting with direct access to a
p aved ri ght of way or fire a pp aratus access road with a width of at least 40 feet ,
exclusive of shoulders. No dwellin g unit shall be within 30 feet of an y other
dwellin g unit or any other enclosed structure on such lot.
4. Section 503.1.2 (Additional access) is amended to read as follows:
503 .1.2 -Additional access.
_A_. __ The fire code official is authorized to require more than one fire apparatus access
road based on the potential for impairment of a single road by vehicle congestion,
condition of terrain, climatic conditions or other factors that could limit access.
Such additional access must also comply with Title 21 of the Los Angeles County
Code.
B. Notwithstanding para graph A above , for p rojects under Chapters 16.50 (SB 9
Urban Lot Sp lits ) and 17.45 (SB 9 Two-Unit Projects ). a lot must access a p aved
ri ght of way or fire a pp aratus access road with at least two inde pendent p aved
p oints of access for fire and life safet y to access and for residents to evacuate.
5. Section 503.2.1 (Dimensions) is amended to read as follows:
Section 503.2.1 Dimensions
=-=A:.;_. ----'Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20
feet (6,096 mm), exclusive of shoulders, except as specified in Sections 503.2.1.1
through 503 .2.1.2.2.2, and for approved security gates in accordance with Section
503.6. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed vertical clearance
clear to the sky.
Exception: A minimum vertical clearance of 13 feet 6 inches (4,114.8 mm) may
be allowed for protected tree species adjacent to access roads. Any applicable
tree-trimming permit from the appropriate agency is required.
Ordinance No. 373-U 4
B. Notwithstanding para graph A above , for pro jects under Chapters 16.50 (SB 9
Urban Lot Sp lits ) and 17.45 (SB 9 Two-Unit Pro jects ), a lot must have direct
access through its own paved driveway with a width of at least 30 feet connecting
with direct access to a paved ri ght of way or fire a pp aratus access road with a
width of at least 40 feet , exclusive of shoulders.
6. Section 903.3.1.3 (NFPA 13D sprinkler systems) is amended to read as follows:
Section 903.3.1.3 NFPA 13D sprinkler systems.
A.
B.
Automatic sprinkler systems installed in one-and two family dwellings, Group R-
3, and townhouses shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance
with NFPA 13D as amended in Chapter 35
For all pro jects under Chapters 16.50 (SB 9 Urban Lot Splits ) and 17.45 (SB 9
Two-Unit Pro jects), all enclosed structures on site must have automatic sprinkler
sy stems installed in accordance with NFPA 13D as amended in Chap ter 35.
15.20.050 Violations.
Every person violating any provision of the Fire Code or of any permit or license granted
hereunder, or any rule, regulation or policy promulgated pursuant hereto, is guilty of a
misdemeanor unless such violation is declared to be an infraction by Section 5101.1 of the Fire
Code. Each such violation is a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of
which such violation is committed, continued or permitted, and conviction of any such violation
shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars or by imprisonment in the
County Jail for a period not to exceed six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
15.20.060 Responsibility.
Any person who personally or through another willfully, negligently, or in violation of law sets a
fire, allows a fire to be set, or allows a fire kindled or attended by such person to escape from his
or her control, allows any hazardous material to be handled, stored or transported in a manner not
in accordance with nationally recognized standards, allows any hazardous material to escape
from his or her control, neglects to properly comply with any written notice of the Chief, or
willfully or negligently allows the continuation of a violation of the Fire Code and amendments
thereto is liable for the expense of fighting the fire or for the expenses incurred during a
hazardous materials incident, and such expense shall be a charge against that person. Such
charge shall constitute a debt of such person and is collectible by the public agency incurring
such expense in the same manner as in the case of an obligation under a contract, expressed or
implied.
Section 2. Justification for Modification. Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code
Sections 17958.7, 18941.5, and 13143.5, the City Council hereby finds that the changes and
modifications to the California Building Standards Code adopted herein through amendments are
reasonably necessary because of following specified local climatic, geological or topographical
conditions:
Ordinance No. 373-U 5
1. Climate. The City is located in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone in Southern
California where the local climate is characterized by hot, dry summers, often
resulting in drought conditions, followed by strong Santa Ana winds, often
resulting in hazardous fire conditions, as well as heavy winter rains, often resulting
in expansive soil conditions. This climate predisposes the area to large destructive
fires ( conflagration).
2. Topography / Geology. The City is comprised of an almost entirely residential
community built on hills, with narrow and winding roadways which tend to slow
response times for fire apparatus and complicates firefighter access to buildings.
This same terrain tends to slow resident evacuation time. The City is heavily treed
with thick vegetative undergrowth, creating increased fuel loading during the
summer months. The City contains canyons and steep slopes, which influence how
fires behave. Canyons provide narrow openings that accelerate winds, making fires
spread more quickly and easily. Further, when a fire ignites at the bottom of a steep
slope, it spreads more quickly upwards because it can preheat the upcoming fuels
with rising hot air. Lastly, the hilly topography is characterized by geological
instability.
These topographical/geological conditions combine to create a situation, which
places fire department response time and resident evacuation time at risk, and
makes it necessary to provide increased fire safety measures to protect occupants
and property especially when considering the increased density of persons and
structures afforded by SB 9.
Section 3. Statement of Urgency The City Council declares that it is necessary to the
public peace, safety, and welfare that this ordinance be adopted as an urgency measure, to take
effect immediately by a four-fifths vote of the Council. It is essential that the City have in effect
at the earliest possible date building standards which contain those modifications necessitated by
the area's local topographic, geologic, and climatic conditions. In the absence of immediate
effectiveness, building permits may be issued for construction that does not adhere to the necessary
modified standards, to the detriment of the public health, safety, and welfare.
Section 4. CEQA. The City Council finds that this Ordinance is not a "project" subject
to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Ordinance does not qualify as a
project because it has no potential to result in either a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect,
physical change in the environment. (State CEQA Guidelines, § 15378, subd. (a).) In the
alternative, the City Council finds that the Ordinance falls within the "common sense" exemption
set forth in State CEQA Guidelines section 15061, subdivision (b )(3), which exempts activity
from CEQA where "it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in
question may have a significant effect on the environment." The City Council also finds that the
Ordinance No. 373-U 6
Ordinance is exempt under CEQA Guidelines sections 15307 and 15308 as an action taken to
protect the environment and natural resources. Here, the amendments are more restrictive than the
California Building Standards Code and are necessary to address the particular safety needs of the
City, including the need to facilitate the necessary and proper evacuation of persons and their
animals in the event of a uncontrolled wildfire and to significantly reduce the risk of flame or heat
transmission sufficient to ignite structures and buildings in the event of a uncontrolled wildfire
within the City.
Section 5. Effective Date. Pursuant to Government Code section 36937, this ordinance
shall take effect upon adoption by a four-fifths vote of the city council.
Section 6. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or its application to any person
or circumstance is held to be invalid, such invalidity has no effect on the other provisions or
applications of the ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application,
and to this extent, the provisions of this resolution are severable. The City Council declares that it
would have adopted this resolution irrespective of the invalidity of any portion thereof.
Section 7. Notice and Filing. The City Clerk shall certify as to the adoption of this
ordinance and post a certified copy of this ordinance, including the vote for and against the same,
in the office of the City Clerk, in accordance with Government Code Section 36933 and shall file
a certified copy of this Ordinance with the California Building Standards Commission.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of Rolling Hills, California, at an
adjourned regular meeting of the City Council held on the 14th day of December, 2021.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
Ordinance No. 373-U 7
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) §§
CITY OF ROLLING HILLS )
I certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 373-U entitled as follows:
AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ROLLING HILLS AMENDING CHAPTER
15.04 (BUILDING CODE) TO ADOPT THE LOS ANGELES
COUNTY FIRE CODE BY REFERENCE AND MAKE
LOCAL AMENDMENTS THERETO; AND DETERMINING
THE ORDINANCE TO BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA.
was approved and adopted at an adjourned regular meeting of the City Council on December 14,
2021 by the following roll call vote:
A YES: COUNCILMEMBERS BLACK, PIEPER, MIRSCH, WILSON AND MAYOR
DIERINGER.
NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE.
and in compliance with the laws of California was posted at the following:
Administrative Offices.
CITY CLERK
Ordinance No. 373-U 8