ORD 209 ORDINANCE NO. 209
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE LOS
ANGELES COUNTY CODE, TITLE 32, FIRE CODE,
AND AMENDING THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES
MUNICIPAL CODE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOL-
LOWS:
Section 1 : Chapter 8.08 of Title 8, of the Rancho Palos Verdes Munici-
pal Code is amended to read:
Section 8.08.010 Fire Code Adopted
(a) Except as hereinafter provided, Title 32, Fire Code of the
Los Angeles County Code as amended and in effect on June 1 , 1986,
adopting by reference the "Uniform Fire Code", 1985 edition, prepared
by the International Conference of Building Officials and the Western
Fire Chiefs Association is hereby adopted by reference as the Fire Code
of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
(b) One copy of said Title 32 of the Los Angeles County Code as
so amended has been deposited with the office of the City Clerk of the
City of Rancho Palos Verdes and shall at all times be maintained by
said Clerk for use and examination by the public.
8.08.020 Sections 78.102 and 78.103 amended -- Fireworks. Notwith-
standing the provisions of Section 8.08.010, the fire code is amended by
amending Sections 78.102 and 78.103 to read:
Section 78.102. Manufacture, Sale and Discharge of Fireworks.
(a) The manufacture of fireworks within the jurisdictional area
is prohibited except under special permits as are required by local and
state regulations.
(b) Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful for any
person to possess:, store, to offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at
retail, or use or explode any fireworks; provided that the City Council
shall have power to adopt reasonable rules and regulations for the
granting of permits for supervised public displays of fireworks by the
municipality, fair associations , amusement parks, other organizations
or for the use of fireworks by artisans in pursuit of their trade.
Every such use or display shall be handled by a competent operator ap-
proved by the City Council, and shall be of such character and so lo-
cated, discharged or fired as in the opinion of the City Council after
proper investigation, so as not to be hazardous to property or endanger
any person.
702CP/ORD1.1
(c) Applications for permits shall be made in writing to the Fire
Chief not less than thirty days in advance of the date of display or
other use. The Fire Chief shall within ten days after receipt of said
application make his report and recommendation to the City Council. If
the City Council finds that such display or other use can be made with-
out danger or nuisance to the general public, it shall grant the per-
mit, otherwise it shall deny it. If the City Council finds that such
display or other use as applied for may create danger or nuisance to
the public, but that if displayed or used subject to conditions may not
create such danger or nuisance, it shall grant the permit subject to
conditions. After such permit is granted, sale, possession, use and
distribution of fireworks for such display or for such other use sub-
ject to the conditions of Paragraph (b) of this section and such other
conditions, if any, as may be imposed by the City Council, is lawful
for the purpose only for which such permit is granted. In all cases
the decision of the City Council shall be final.
Section 78.103. Bond for Fireworks Display Required.
The permitee shall furnish a bond or certificate of insurance in an
amount deemed adequate by the City Council for the payment of all damages
which may be caused either to a person or persons or to property by reason
of the permitted display, and arising from any acts of the permitee, his
agents, employees or subcontractors.
8.08.030 Section 11 .502 amended -- Flammable Vegetation. Notwith-
standing the provisions of Section 8.08.010, the Fire Code is amended by
amending Section 11 .502 thereof to read:
SECTION 11 .502. STRUCTURES
Any owner of record of any land within the City of Rancho Palos Verdes
which contains growth which in the opinion of the Fire Chief or Commission-
er is then or may become dangerously flammable shall at all times on such
person's own land, whether improved or unimproved:
1 . Maintain around and adjacent to each home, building or struc-
ture, whether on such person's own land or adjacent thereto, an effec-
tive fire protection or firebreak made by completely removing and
clearing away, for a distance from such house, building or structure of
not less than thirty (30) lineal feet on each side thereof, growth
which in the opinion of the Fire Chief or Commissioner is then or may
become dangerously flammable. This section shall not apply to single
specimens of living- trees, ornamental shrubbery or cultivated ground
cover such as lawn, ivy, succulents, or similar plants used as ground
covers, provided that they do not form a means of readily transmitting
fire from flammable growth to any structure in the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes.
702CP/ORD1 .1-7 -2- Ordinance No. 209
2. Maintain around and adjacent to each house, building or struc-
ture an additional fire protection or firebreak made by removing and
clearing away all vegetation or other growth which in the opinion of
the Fire Chief or Commissioner is then or may become dangerously flam-
mable on such land as may be required by the Fire Chief or Commissioner
when he finds that because of extra hazardous conditions a firebreak of
only thirty (30) lineal feet around such structures is not sufficient
to provide reasonable fire safety for structures and landscaping within
the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. Grass and other vegetation located
more than thirty (30) lineal feet from such house, building or struc-
ture and kept at less than six (6) inches in height above the ground
may be maintained where in the opinion of the Fire Chief or Commission-
er retaining such growth is necessary to stabilize the soil and prevent
erosion, provided all growth required to be cut in such location shall
be removed by the owner of records of that property.
3. Remove that portion of any tree which in the opinion of the
Fire Chief or Commissioner is then or may become dangerously flammable
and which extends within twenty (20) lineal feet of the outlet of any
chimney not having a spark arrester constructed with heavy wire mesh
or other non-combustible material in good condition with openings not
to exceed one-half (I) inch.
4. Maintain any tree adjacent to or overhanging any building free
of dead wood.
5. Maintain the roof of any structure free of leaves, needles, or
other dead vegetative growth.
8.08.040 Section 10.306 amended -- Fire-warning systems. Notwith-
standing the provisions of Section 8.08.010, the Fire Code is amended by
amending Section 10.306 to read:
Section 10.306. (a) Apartments and Hotels. An approved automatic fire
alarm system shall be installed in the following occupancies:
1 . Apartment houses three or more stories in height or containing
more than fifteen (15) apartments.
EXCEPTION: An alarm need not be installed in buildings not over
two stories in height when all individual dwelling units are separated
by at least one-hour fire-resistive occupancy separations, including
attics and crawl spaces, and each individual dwelling unit has direct
exit to a yard or public way.
II/ 2. Hotels either three stories or more in height or containing 20
or more guest rooms.
The alarm system shall include provisions for smoke detection and man-
ual operation in interior corridors and automatic detection in storage
rooms, laundry rooms , furnace rooms and similar common areas as follows:
1 . Smoke Detection. Approved and listed system type smoke detec-
tors shall be installed throughout the interior corridors in accordance
with the manufacturer's installation specifications.
702CP/ORD1.2-7 73-
0 d ina
Heat Detection. An approved and listed rate of rise type automa-
tic heat detector shall be provided in every room that opens into an
interior exit corridor.
A heat detector shall be mounted within five (5) feet of each door
opening into the interior exit corridor and installed in accordance
with the manufacturer' s directions.
EXCEPTION: Buildings which have automatic fire sprinkler or auto-
matic fire alarm system protection throughout.
2. Manual Stations. See Subsection (d) .
(b) Connection and Other Systems. A signal system or intercommunicat-
ing system shall not be used for any purpose other than fire warning unless
it meets the requirements of this article.
(c) Standard for Installation, Inspection and Maintenance. Installa-
tion, inspection and maintenance of the fire alarm system shall be accord-
ing to the standards set forth in U.F.C. Standard No. 102 and Title 24 of
the California Administrative Code.
(d) Location of Station. Stations for operating any manually operated
fire alarm system shall be placed immediately adjacent to the telephone
switchboard in the building, if there is a switchboard, and at such other
locations as may be required by the Chief.
(e) Automatic telephone dialing devices to transmit an emergency alarm
shall not be connected to any Fire Department telephone number unless ap-
proved by the Chief.
(f) Residential Smoke Detection. In existing Group R, Divisions 1 and
3 occupancies, every dwelling unit and every guest room in a hotel or
lodging house used for sleeping purposes shall be provided with smoke de-
tectors conforming to U.B.C. Standard No. 43-6. In dwelling units , detec-
tors shall be mounted on the ceiling or wall at a point centrally located
in the corridor or area giving access to rooms used for sleeping purposes.
At least one detector must be within 12i feet of the door to each
such room. In an efficiency dwelling unit, hotel sleeping room and in
hotel suites , the detector shall be centrally located on the ceiling of the
main room or hotel sleeping room. Where sleeping rooms are on an upper
level within the unit, a detector shall be placed at the center of the
ceiling directly above the stairway, but there must be a detector within
12i feet of the door to each room used for sleeping purposes on that level.
One additional detector shall be placed adjacent to the stairway on the
ceiling of each level below the level on which the sleeping rooms are lo-
cated. All detectors shall be located in accordance with approved manufac-
turer' s instructions. When actuated, the detector(s) shall provide an
alarm in the dwelling unit or guest room. Where a smoke detector is locat-
ed within 12i feet of an appliance which produces products of combustion,
except a forced air furnace, it shall be a photoelectric type.
702CP/ORD1.2-7 -4- Ordinance No. 209
Smoke detectors required by this section may be battery operated
or they may be wired into the building wiring system when such wiring is
served from a commercial source. When required smoke detectors receive
their primary power from the building wiring, such wiring shall be perma-
nent and without a disconnecting switch other than those required for over-
current protection.
(g) Maintenance. All smoke and heat detectors required by this sec-
tion shall be maintained in a dependable operating condition at all times
and they shall be tested every six months. In Group B, Division 1 occupan-
cies, an accurate record of such tests shall be kept by the owner of the
property or by his designated representative. These records shall be open
to examination by the Chief.
(h) Compliance.
1 . Smoke detectors required by subsection (g) in Group R-Divi-
sion 1 occupancies shall be installed on or before January 1 , 1987.
2. System smoke detection and heat detectors required by subsec-
tion (a) shall be installed on or before January 1, 1987.
3. No person may transfer title to a dwelling unit or guest room
required by this section to be equipped with a smoke detector without first
filing with the City and the purchaser a statement that the dwelling unit
or guest room is equipped with smoke detectors meeting the requirements of
this section.
8.08.060 Violations.
(a) 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 otherwise declared to be an infraction by Section
8.08.080 of this Chapter. Each such violation is a separate offense
for each and every day during any portion of which such violation is
committed.
(b) Every violation determined to be an infraction hereunder is
punishable in such manner and to such extent as is provided by Section
1 .08.O10B of this Code.
(c) For the purposes of this section a forfeiture of bail shall
be equivalent to a conviction.
8.08.070 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, stor-
ed 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 will-
fully or negligently allows the continuation of a violation of the Fire
Code and amendments thereto is liable for the expense of fighting the fire
702CP/ORD1.2-7 -5- Ordinance No. 209
or for the expenses incurred during a hazardous materials incident, and
such expense shall be a charge against that person. Such charge shall con-
stitute a debt of such person and is collectible by the public agency in-
curring such expenses in the same manner as in the case of an obligation
under a contract, expressed or implied.
8.08.080 List of Infractions.
In accordance with Section 8.08.060 of this Chapter, the violation of
the following sections or subsections of the Fire Code shall be infrac-
tions:
Section Offense
10.203 Hydrant use approval
10.205(b) Trespassing on a closed road
10.206 ' Obstruction of fire protection equipment
10.207(k) Obstructing access roadway
10.208 Building numbering
10.503 Fire prevention regulations--marina
10.505(a) Portable fire protection equipment--marina
10.507 Access--marina
11 .101 Open fires
11 .103 Discarding burning objects
11 .104 ' Hot ashes and other dangerous materials
11 .201 Combustible waste--storage within buildings
11.201 Accumulation of waste material
11 .206 Combustible storage beneath a structure, pier or
wharf
11.403(a) Asphalt kettles
11.410(b) Boat or marina
11.502 Clearance of brush--structure
11 .503 Clearance of brush--extra hazard
11 .617 Fire roads and firebreaks
12.104(e) Obstructed self-closing doors
12.106(d) Stairway--storage in
12.113(a) Exit illumination--maintenance of
12.114(a) Exit sign illumination--maintenance of
13.105 "No Smoking" sign compliance
29.104(c) Waste oil storage
30.103(b) "No Smoking" sign--lumber yard
30.103(c) Lumber yard--weeds
30.103(d) Lumber yard--housekeeping
32.115(a) Exit sign illumination--tents
34.103 Junkyard storage--no smoking
34.107 Access to area--junkyard
45.103 Smoking prohibited
45.104 Welding warning signs
45.204(c) Discarded filter pads
45.209(b) Portable fire protection equipment
45.210 Operations and maintenance
45.306 Combustible debris and metal waste cans
45.307(a) Portable fire extinguisher
702CP/ORD1 .2-7 -6- Ordinance No. 209
45.308(e) Dip tank covers
45.403(b) Signs--"Dangerous"
45.404 Maintenance--electrostatic apparatus
45.606 Maintenance--powder coating
45.706 "No Smoking" sign
46.106 Open flame, "No Smoking"--fruit-ripening room
46.107 Housekeeping--fruit ripening room
74.104 Storage containers--identification
74.107 Storage and use of cylinders
74.108
75.501(d)
General precautions--compressed gases
Cryogenic tank truck--wheels chocked
75.602 Cryogenic tank truck--fire extinguishers
75.602(a)3 Cryogenic tank truck--chock blocks
76.103(e) General requirements (smoking)
79.201(c) Empty containers
79.902(h) Safety rules
79.1109 Smoking
79.1205 No Smoking
79.1408 "No Smoking" sign
79.1410 Fire protection
79.1514 Housekeeping
79.1608 Smoking
79.1609 Waste combustibles
79.1816 Fire extinguisher--dry cleaning plant
79.1817 No smoking--dry cleaning plant
82.110 LPG container--"No Smoking" signs and open flame
82.111 Combustible material--clearance from LPG container
83.103 Matches
85.106 Extension cords
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED on-.4.44_15.4_1986
MAYOR
Aii ST: 40, ' AO ,
iii /Al, , A _A _ 1
CITY CLERK
•
ATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VE RDE S )
I, JO PURCELL, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes do hereby cer-
tify that the whole number of members of the City Council of said City is
five; that the foregoing ordinance, being Ordinance No. 209, passed first
reading on July 1 , 1986, was duly and regularly adopted by the City Coun-
cil of said City at a regular meeting -thereof held on July 15 , 1986, and
that the same was passed and adopted by the following roll call vote:
AYES: HUGHES, BACHARACH, McTAGGART, RYAN AND YOR HINCHLIFFE
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE .F
IP
°
10 . tt
IL
CITY CLERK
ITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
702CP/ORD1.2-7 -7- Ordinance No. 209
• ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION NO. 209 FILE/I 6'3
SUBJECT: ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE. TITLE 32, FTRK CODE,
AND AMENDING THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE.
INTRODUCED: 7/1 /86 ADOPTED: POSTED/PUBLISHED
ORDINANCE DISTRIBUTION: RESOLUTION DISTRIBUTION:
City Attorney .! PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Richards, Watson, Dreyfuss & Gershon
333 South Hope St. , 38th Floor ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.
Los Angeles, CA 90071'
LEISURE SERVICES
x BOOK PUBLISHING COMPANY
_.._._
201 Westlake Avenue N. COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPT.
Seattle, WA 98109
CITY MANAGER
PACIFIC TELEPHONE
19310 Gateway Drive, Rm 208 STATION COMMANDER
Torrance, CA 90502 26123 Narbonne Ave.
Lomita, CA 90717
SOUTHERN CALIF. WATER SERVICE
P. 0. Box 2490 C OUNTY ASSESSOR
CA 90274 500 Hall of Administration
Los Angeles, CA 90012
REGISTRAR
5557 'Ferguson Drive _____LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES
Los Angeles, CA 90022 ' 702 Hilton Center
ATTN: Margaret Miller Los Angeles, CA 90017
Election Administration
.- L.A. COUNTY DEPT. of PUBLIC WORKS
RECORDER
ATTN: City Services
227 N. Broadway 1540 Alcaiar Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012 Los Angeles, CA 90033
SCHOOL •, . . SPCA
5026 West Jefferson.Blvd.
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Los Angeles, CA 90016
_APPLICANT SO. CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY
22741 Hawthorne Blvd.
T.M. CABLEVISION Torrance, CA 90501
31244 P.V. Drive West, Suite 207
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90274 _____SO. CALIFORNIA EDISON CO.
P. 0. Box 2944
Torrance, CA 90509
Co
e.s
TO RAY BRUNSTROM Loa AT THE FOLLOWING:
L.A. County Fire Dept. , 5' 4r4 " City Hall
Operations Bureau 16, C4,5 L.A. County Fire Station
1860 E. del Amo Blvd. Cadi5k.
U.S. Post Office - Western Av(
Carson CA 90746 6 1
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