R 5044 RESOLUTION NO. 5044
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE ADOPTING FINDINGS SUPPORTING
AMENDMENTS AND CHANGES TO 2019 CALIFORNIA
FIRE CODE, 2019 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, THE
2019 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE AND THE 2018
INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
PURSUANT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTIONS
17958.5, 17958.7 and 18941.5
WHEREAS, the Arroyo Grande City Council intends to pass an ordinance adopting and
making amendments to the 2019 California Fire Code, the 2019 California Building
Code, the 2019 California Residential Code, and the 2018 International Property
Maintenance Code; and
WHEREAS, California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958.5, 17958.7, and 18941.5
require the governing body of a city, before making any modifications or changes to the
California Building Standards Codes, to make express findings that such modifications
or changes are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geographic, or
topographic conditions; and
WHEREAS, the Arroyo Grande City Council finds that amendments to the 2019
California Fire Code, the 2019 California Building Code, the 2019 California Residential
Code, and the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code are reasonably necessary
because of local climatic, geographic, or topographic conditions, as described further
below.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande
as follows:
1. Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958.7 and 18941.5, the
City of Arroyo Grande ("City") modifies and makes amendments to the 2019
California Fire Code, the 2019 California Building Code, the 2019 California
Residential Code, and the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code as further
set forth in Ordinance No. 710 (collectively referred to herein as "Amendments"),
which Amendments are more restrictive in nature than those found in those sections
adopted by the State of California and are based on the local climatic, geological, or
topographical conditions and findings (collectively "Findings") referenced herein
below.
The Amendments address the fire problem(s) and building problem(s), concern(s),
and future direction(s), by which the City can establish and maintain an environment
which will afford an adequate level of fire and life safety protection to its citizens and
guests. The Findings contained herein shall address each of the Amendments and
RESOLUTION NO. 5044
PAGE 2
shall present the local situation, which either singularly or in combination, creates the
need for the Amendments to be adopted.
2. The City Council hereby makes the following Findings:
1. CLIMATIC:
Climatically, the City has dry warm summer and early fall conditions (as well as
moderate late fall and winter conditions) with dry winds which remove moisture
from vegetation. Further, the City frequently experiences Santa Ana wind
conditions which exacerbate fire hazards and potential spread of fire within the
area, both in rural and urban settings.
Coastal ground fog is a common occurrence. This climatic condition could obscure
vision, compromising early detection of fire as well as impeding radio deployment
of fire equipment to and at the scene of the emergency.
2. GEOGRAPHIC:
Geographically, the City is located in an area prone to frequent seismic activity
which has a high potential for large scale, simultaneous building and infrastructure
damage, including fire. A major seismic event would create a community-wide
demand on fire protection services, which would be beyond the response capability
of the Fire Authority. This potential problem can be partially mitigated by requiring
initial fire control through the installation of automatic fire protection systems.
Further, the City has numerous older and historic buildings and structures which
can often fail due to moderate seismic activity. Additions, alterations, and repairs
of these antiquated structures need to be properly addressed.
Additionally, the many foothills and surrounding mountains are prime sites for
residential development. These hillside residential sites, together with isolated
rural and semi-rural settings of the City, create difficult conditions in which to
provide immediate fire response.
The City is heavily vegetated throughout and encourages native wildlife protection
and enhancement. As the community is developing and housing densities
increase, the planting of shrubs and trees and other landscape is encouraged to
beautify and enhance City living conditions. However, this increased density
results in much higher fuel loads that, together with increased planting and
combined with native vegetation, significantly increases fire hazards and fire
spreading from one dwelling or structure to another.
3. TOPOGRAPHIC:
The topographic element of these findings is closely associated with the
geographical elements noted above. While the geographic features create the
RESOLUTION NO. 5044
PAGE 3
topographic conditions, the findings in this section are, for the most part, a result
of the construction and design of the City.
Highway 101 completely traverses and bisects the City. There are only three
over/underpasses allowing access to either side of the City. These physical
barriers create barriers to emergency response.
3. The Findings that are made for the local amendments to the 2019 California Fire
Code, the 2019 California Building Code, 2019 the California Residential Code and
the 2018 International Property Maintenance shall be filed with the State of California
Building Standards Commission.
On motion by Mayor Ray Russom, seconded by Council Member Paulding, and on the
following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Mayor Ray Russom, Council Members Paulding, George, Barneich, and Storton
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
The foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 10th day of November, 2020.
RESOLUTION NO. 501/If
PAGE 4
i
CAREN RAY R - •M, MAYOR
ATTEST:
1
KELLY T •RE, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
.• a
WHITNEY M •NALD, C MANAGER
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
4,7
TIMOTHY J. CARMEL, CITY ATTORNEY
OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION
I, KELLY WETMORE, City Clerk of the City of Arroyo Grande, County of San Luis
Obispo, State of California, do hereby certify under penalty of perjury, that the attached
Resolution No. 5044 was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council
of the City of Arroyo Grande on the 10th day of November, 2020.
WITNESS my hand and the Seal of the City of Arroyo Grande affixed this 13th day of
November, 2020.
/
KELLY T RE, CITY CLERK