R 5256 RESOLUTION NO. 5256
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE ADOPTING FINDINGS SUPPORTING
AMENDMENTS AND CHANGES TO THE 2022
CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, 1997 UNIFORM
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, 2022 CALIFORNIA BUILDING
CODE, 2022 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, 2022
CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, 2022 CALIFORNIA
PLUMBING 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 2022 California Fire Code, 1997 Uniform Administrative
Code, 2022 California Building Code, 2022 California Electrical Code, 2022 California
Mechanical Code, 2022 California Plumbing 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 2022 California
Fire Code, 1997 Uniform Administrative Code, 2022 California Building Code, 2022
California Electrical Code, 2022 California Mechanical Code, 2022 California Plumbing
Code, and the 2018 International Property Maintenance are reasonably necessary
because of local climatic, geographic, or topographic conditions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande
as follows:
Section 1. Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958.7 and
18941.5, the City of Arroyo Grande ("City") modifies and make amendments to the 2022
California Fire Code, 1997 Uniform Administrative Code, 2022 California Building Code,
2022 California Electrical Code, 2022 California Mechanical Code, 2022 California
Plumbing Code, and the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code as further set
forth in Ordinance No. XXXX (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
RESOLUTION NO. 5256
PAGE 2
will afford an adequate level of fire and life safety protection to its residents and guests.
The Findings contained herein shall address each of the Amendments and shall present
the local situation, which either singularly or in combination, create the need for the
Amendments to be adopted.
Section 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 impedes 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
Department. 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
and together with increased planting, and when combined with native vegetation,
significantly increases fire hazards and fire spreading from one dwelling or structure to
another.
RESOLUTION NO. 5256
PAGE 3
3. TOPOGRAPHIC:
The topographic element of these Findings is closely associated with the
geographical elements noted above. While the geographic features create the
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 significant barriers to emergency response.
With limited parking and as the community grows and commercial activity
increases in the City, delivery and other vehicles tend to double park. When added to
already narrow streets, cars parked on the sides of streets and traffic congestion
(especially around rush hour), emergency response times are significantly affected.
The City encourages and emphasizes affordable housing development. This
creates buildings that provide minimum required clearances between structures and
maximum allowable height. Although these buildings are built with more stringent
standards, the reality is that this type of development creates significant barriers in terms
of access and fuel load for firefighting purposes.
Section 3. The Findings that are made for the local amendments to the 2022 California
Fire code, 1997 Uniform Administrative Code, 2022 California Building code, 2022
California Electrical Code, 2022 California Mechanical Code, 2022 California Plumbing
Code, and the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code shall be filed with the State
of California Building Standards Commission.
On motion by Council Member George, seconded by Council Member Barneich, and on
the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Members George, Barneich, Guthrie, Secrest, and Mayor Ray Russom
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
The foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 10th day of January, 2023.
RESOLUTION NO.5D54,
PAGE 4
7') 0
CARE - Y RU S• , MAYOR
ATTEST:
J SSICA MATSON, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
Fri
W`ITNEY M,i'I ONALD, TY MANAGER
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
TIMOTHY . CARME ° - ATTORNEY
OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION
I, JESSICA MATSON, 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. 5256 was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council
of the City of Arroyo Grande on the 10th day of January, 2023.
WITNESS my hand and the Seal of the City of Arroyo Grande affixed this 13th day of
January, 2023.
Y
SSICA MATSON, CITY CLERK