HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08051986 - T.2 UNIFORM FIRE CODE
ORDINANCES OF THE COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA ( 86-67 ) , AND OF THE
BETHEL ISLAND ( 36-68 ) , BYRON ( R5-69 ) , CROCKETT-CARQUINEZ (86-70 ) ,
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ( 86-71 ) , EAST DIABLO ( 86-72) ,
MORAGA ( 86-73 ) , OAKLEY 06-74 ) , ORINDA ( 86-75 ) , RIVERVIEW (86-76 )
AND WEST COUNTY ( 86-77 ) , FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS OF CONTRA COSTA
COUNTY, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE (WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS) THE UNIFORM
FIRE CODE (1985 EDITION AND THE UNIFORM FUZE CODE STANDARDS) COMPILED
BY THE WESTERN FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION, INC. , AND REPEALING ORDINANCE
NUMBERS 83-39 THROUGH 83-52.
The Board of Supervisors of Contra 'Costa County for the County,
and as the Board of Directors of the Bethel Island, Byron,
Crockett-Carquinez, Contra Costa County, East Diablo,
Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pinole, Riverview, Tassajara, and .West County
Fire Protection Districts, ordains as follows:
Section I. Adoption by Reference. The Uniform Fire Code, 1985
Edition including Appendix Articles I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, II-C,
II-D, III-A, III-B, III-C, IV-A, V-A, VI-A, VI-C, and the Uniform Fire
Code Standards, as compiled, recommended and published by the Western
Fire Chiefs Association and the International Conference of Building
Officials, is hereby adopted by this reference, with the changes,
additions, and deletions set forth in this ordinance, of which Code
and Standards at least .one (1) copy has been and is now filed in the
Office of the Clerk of the County of Contra Costa and the same are
hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length
herein, and from the date on which ordinance shall take effect the
provision thereof shall be controlling within the boundaries of this
jurisdiction.
Section II . Additional Definition. In addition to the terms
defined in Article 9 of the Uniform Fire Code, the following term in
this ordinance and in the Uniform Fire Code, adopted by reference by
this ordinance is defined as follows:
"Board of Fire Commissioners" shall mean the commissioners
appointed by the supervising authority of the jurisdiction to act
as its agents in managing the affairs of the jurisdiction.
Section III. Changes and Deletions. The Uniform Fire Code and
the Uniform Fire Code Standards adopted by reference in Section I,
shall be effective with the amendments, additions and deletions set
forth in this section. Article, section, division, and appendix
numbers used below are those of the Uniform Fire Code. .
Section 1.103. Scope. Section 1.103 is amended by adding
subsection (d) , as follows:
r
(d) where not otherwise limited by law, the provisions of this
code shall apply to vehicles, ships, boats, and mobile vehicles
when fixed in a specific location within the boundaries of this
jurisdiction.
Section 2.102. Rules and Regulations. Section 2.102 is
amended, as follows:
The Chief is authorized to make and enforce such rules and
regulations for the prevention and control of fires and fire hazards
as may be necessary from time to time to carry out the intent of this
Code. Such rules and regulations shall become effective only after
the Board of Fire Commissioners has reviewed and the County
Administrator or the Board of Supervisors has approved them and
indicated its or their approval and upon filing of one copy of such
rules and regulations in the Office of the Clerk of the Board of
Supervisors. Additional copies of such rules and regulations shall be
kept in the office of the Fire Department for reference by .and
distribution to the public.
Section 2.105. Authority of Fire Personnel to Exercise Powers
of Peace Officers. Section 2.105 is amended, as follows:
(a) The Chief and his designated representative shall have the
powers of peace officers while engaged in the performance of their
. duties with .respect to the prevention, investigation, and suppression
of fires and the protection and preservation of life and property
against the hazards of fire and conflagration.
(b) The Chief, or his duly authorized agents, may issue
citations for violations of this ordinance in the same manner as a
county or city is authorized to do so by Chapter SC (commencing with
Section 853.5) , Title 3, Part 2, of the Penal Code.
Section 2.204. Orders, Notices and Tags. Section 2.204 is
amended by adding subsection (e) , as follows:
(e) The Chief may order, in writing, the correction,
elimination, or abatement. of any fire or life hazard or any violation
of this Ordinance including the said code and standards incorporated
by reference herein which violation correction is necessary for
prevention and suppression of fires and conflagrations and for the
protection and preservation of life and property against the hazards
of fire and conflagration.
Section 2.206. Review of Certain Plans. Section 2.206 is
added, as follows:
Before undertaking any construction or development, Applicants
shall submit building plans and/or specifications to the fire
department for its retention and review for compliance with this
ordinance and other applicable regulations, whenever any land is
developed and/or building is constructed or improved which would
require:
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. 1. Provision of a water supply for fire protection;
2. Provision of access for fire apparatus;
3. An occupancy for the storage; handling, or use of any
hazardous substance, material process or device;
4. Occupancies for which a fire department has a respon-
sibility for enforcement of laws or ordinances for fire safety and
preservation of property or lives; and/or
5. Provisions to control the spread of fire.
Section 2.207. Fee for Plan Review, Inspection, Permits.
Section 2.207 is added, as follows:
The Board of Fire Commissioners may by resolution, establish a
schedule of non-discriminatory fees to be charged and collected,
solely to defray the fire department's reasonable costs for plan
review of fire protection equipment and systems, including, but not
limited to, the plans set forth in Section 2.206, above; requested or
required inspection services; and issuance of permits. Such fees
shall become effective only after the Board of Supervisors has
reviewed such and approved the fee schedule. One copy of such
approved fee schedule shall be filed with the Office of the Clerk of
the Board of Supervisors and one copy filed with the County
Administrator' s office. Additional copies shall be kept in the main
business office of the fire department for reference by and
distribution to the public.
Section 2.302. Board of Appeals. Section 2.302 is amended, as
follows:
In order to determine the suitability of alternate materials and
types of construction and to provide for reasonable interpretations of
the provisions of this ordinance, there shall be and hereby is created
a Board of Appeals.
The Board of Appeals shall be composed of the Board of Fire
Commissioners. The Board shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations
for conducting its investigations and shall render all decisions and
findings in writing to the Fire Chief with a duplicate copy to the
appellant and may recommend to the Executive Body such new legislation
as is consistent therewith.
Section 2.303. Standards. Section 2.303 is amended by adding
to subsection (b) , and listing certain publications, as follows:
(b) Whenever this ordinance is inapplicable for any reason to
any situation involving the protection of persons and property from
the hazards of fire and explosion, the materials, methods of
construction, installations, practices, or operations necessary to
provide such protections shall, to a reasonable degree, be in
accordance with nationally recognized and accepted standards,
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principles, and tests and generally recognized and well-established
methods of fire prevention and control, as set forth in the following
publications which are adopted by reference as part of this ordinance
as though set forth herein in full. The publications listed below are
contained in their entirety in the 1985 Edition of the National Fire
Codes published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) .
Three (3) sets of these codes are on file in the Office of the County
Clerk for use and examination by the public.
NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (N.F.P.A. )
Batterymarch Park
Quincy, MA 02269
N.F.P.A. STANDARDS
12 Carbon Dioxide Systems, 1985
12A Halon 1301 Systems, 1985
12B Halon 1211 Systems, 1985
13 Sprinkler Systems, Installation, 1985
23D Sprinkler Systems, Dwelling, 1984
14 Standpipe and Hose Systems, 1983
16 . Foam-Water Sprinkler & Spray Systems, 1980
17 Dry Chemical Systems, 1985
20 Centrifugal, Fire Pumps, 1983
22 Water Tanks, 1984
24 Outside Protection, 1984
26 Supervision of Valves, 1983
30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, 1984
31 Oil Burning Equipment, 1983
33 Spray Application, Using Flammable and Combustible
Materials, 1985
34 Dip Tanks, 1982
35 Manufacturer of Organic Coatings, 1982
36 Solvent Extraction Plants, 1985
37 Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines, 1984
40E Storage of Pyroxylin Plastic, 1980
43A Liquid & Solid Oxidizing Materials, 1980
43C Storage of Gaseous Oxidizing Materials, 1980
45 Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals, 1982
48 Magnesium, Storage, Handling, 1982
50 Bulk Oxygen Systems, 1985
50A Gaseous Hydrogen Systems, 1984
50B Liquefied Hydrogen Systems, 1985
51 Welding and Cutting, Oxygen-Fuel Gas Systems for, 1983
56F Non-flammable Medical Gas Systems, 1983
59A Liquefied Natural Gas, Storage and Handling, 1985
65 Aluminum Processing and Finishing, 1980
68 Explosion Venting, Guide, 1978
69 Explosion Prevention Systems, 1978
71 Central Station Signalling Systems, 1985
72A Local Protective Signalling Systems, 1985
72B Auxiliary Signalling Systems, 1979
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72C Remote Station Signalling Systems, 1982
72D Proprietary Signalling Systems, 1979
72E Automatic Fire Detectors, 1984
74 Household Fire Warning, 1984
75 Electronic Computer/Data Processing Equipment, 1981
80 Standard for Fire Doors and Windows, 1983
91 Blower and Exhaust Systems, 1983
96 Commercial Cooking Equipment, Vapor Removal, 1984
231 General Storage, Indoor, 1985
303 Marinas and Boatyards, 1984
327 Cleaning Small Tanks, 1982
329 Underground Leakage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids,
1983
409 Aircraft Hangars, 1985
410 Aircraft Maintenance, 1982
415 Aircraft Fuel Ramp Drainage, 1983
419 Airport Water Supply Systems, 1983
505 Powered Industrial Trucks, 1982
513 Motor Freight Terminals, 1984 .
651 Aluminum of Magnesium Powder, 1980
655 Sulfur Fires, Explosions, Prevention, 1982
664 Woodworking Plants, Dust Hazards, 1981
A.P.I. 1604 Removal of Underground Tanks, 1960
Section 3.105. Compliance. Section 3.105 is added, as
follows:
Every person who violates any provision of this ordinance and any
provision of the Uniform fire Code as adopted by reference herein is
guilty of a misdemeanor. The imposition of one penalty for any
violation shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue; and
all such person$ shall be required to correct or remedy such
violations or defects within a reasonable time; and when not otherwise
specified, each ten (10) days that prohibited conditions are
maintained shall constitute a separate offense. The application of
the aforesaid penalty shall not be held to prevent the enforced
removal of prohibited conditions.
This section is a declaration of Section 13871 of the Health and
Safety Code and is not intended to create a different or separate
penalty.
Section 4.102. Conditions of Permit. Section 4.102 is amended
by adding subsection (d) , as follows: . .
(d) Permit(s) shall only be issued after the permit fees
required by Section 2.207 have been received by the Fire Department.
Section 4.107. Revocation of Permits. Section 4.107 is amended
by adding subsection (f) , as follows:.
(f) Whenever the Chief shall disapprove an application or refuse
to grant a permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the
provisions of this ordinance do not apply,, or that the true intent and
meaning of this ordinance have been misconstrued or wrongly
interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decision of the Chief
to the Board of Appeals (created pursuant to Section 2.302) within 30
days from the date of decision appealed.
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Section 9. 103. Definitions. Section 9.103 is amended by adding
the definition of "Administrator", as follows:
Administrator means the County Administrator of Contra Costa
County.
Section 9.105. Definitions. Section 9.105 is amended by adding
the definition of "County Administrator", as follows:
County Administrator means the County Administrator of Contra
Costa County.
Section 9.107 . Definitions. Section 9.107 is amended by adding
the year 111984" in the definition of "Electrical Code".
Section 9.108. Definitions. Section 9.108 is amended by adding
the definitions of "Firebreak" , "Firetrail", and "Fuelbreak" as
follows:
Firebreak means a continuous strip of land upon and from which
all rubbish, weeds, grass or other growth that could be expected to
burn when dry has been abated or otherwise removed in order to prevent
the surface extension of fire from one area to another.
Firetrail means a graded firebreak of sufficient width, surface,
and design to provide access for men and equipment to suppress and to
assist in preventing a surface extension of fires.
Fuelbreak means a firebreak or sufficient width, surface, and
design to provide access for men and equipment to suppress and to
assist in preventing a surface extension of fires.
Section 9.112. Definitions. Section 9.112 is amended by
altering the definitions of "Jurisdiction" and "Jurisdictional Area",
as follows:
Jurisdiction means any country, district or other political
subdivision adopting this ordinance for use within its legal
boundaries.
Jurisdictional Area means the territory of any county, district
or other political subdivision adopting this ordinance for use within
its legal boundaries.
Section 10.206. Obstruction of Fire Protection Equipment.
Section 10.206 is amended by adding a last sentence, as follows:
When hydrants are located behind curbs on property not governed
by the California Vehicle Code and/or related parking or vehicular
regulation of a local governmental entity, and the parking of motor
vehicles is allowed, the curb shall be painted red for a dimension of
71 feet on each side of the hydrant.
Section 10.207. Access Roadways for Fire Apparatus. Section
10.207 is amended by altering subsection (k) and adding subsection
(m) , as follows:
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(k) Obstructing. The required access width or roadway shall not
be obstructed in any manner including, but not limited to, imposition
of any physical impairment, condition, object or device, which would
lessen, obstruct, hinder, delay or impair the access for safe
emergency response of fire department apparatus and personnel.
Parking of vehicles shall not be permitted when such parking would
obstruct access. Minimum required widths and clearances established
under this section shall be maintained at all times.
(m) Open space. When access to open land/space or firetrail
systems maintained for public or private use is obstructed by new
development, the developer shall provide alternate acceptable access
into the areas, as approved by the fire district, for fire personnel
and apparatus.
Section 10.208. Premises Identification. Section 10.208 is
amended by adding a last sentence, as follows:
When illuminated number/address are provided, they shall be
maintained in working order.
Section 10. 301. Installation. Section 10.301 is amended by
altering and adding to subsection (c) , as follows:
(c) Water Supply. Where lands are hereafter divided for future
development or construction of any buildings, an approved water supply
capable of supplying required fire flow for fire protection shall be
provided. When any portion of the building protected is in excess of
150 feet from a water supply on a public street, there shall be
provided, when required by the Chief, on-site fire hydrants and mains
capable of supplying the required fire flow.
Water supply may consist of reservoirs, pressure tanks, elevator
tanks, water mains or other fixed systems capable of supplying the
required fire flow. In setting the requirements for fire flow, the
Chief maybe guided by the standard published by the Insurance
Services Offices, "Guide for Determination of Required Fire Flow" ,
1974 Edition.
The location, number and type of fire hydrants connected to a
water supply capable of delivering the required fire flow shall be
provided on the public street or on site of the premises to be
protected as required and approved by the Chief. All hydrants shall
be accessible to the fire department apparatus by roadways meeting the
requirements of Section 10.207.
When. the required fire flow cannot be provided or exceeds fire
department capabilities, alternate methods of fire protection as
approved by the Chief shall be provided.
Section 10.302. Maintenance. Section 10.302 is amended by
deleting the exception to subsection(a) .
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Section 10.306. Fire Alarm System. Section 10.306 is amended
by adding subsection (f) , as follows:
(f) Fire alarm annunciator panels shall be provided at such
locations as required by the Chief.
Section 10. 307. Installation of Fixed Fire Protection Systems.
Section 10. 307 is amended by altering the first sentence of subsection
(a) , and by adding a second paragraph to subsection (b) as follows:
(a) General. All fire-extinguishing .systems shall be installed
in accordance with the requirements of this article.
(b) Approvals. When fire sprinkler systems are required in
buildings of undetermined use, they shall be designed and installed to
have a sprinkler density of not less than that required for an
ordinary Hazard Group 3 use, with a minimum design area of 3,000
square feet. Use is considered undetermined if not classified at the
time the permit is issued.
Section 10. 308. Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems. Section
10.308 is amended by altering subsection (a) as follows:
(a) Where Required. An automatic fire-extinguishing system
shall be installed in the occupancies and locations as set forth in
the Uniform Building Code.
For special provisions on hazardous chemicals and magnesium, and
calcium carbide, see Sections 10.301 and 45.209 and Articles 48, 49
and 80.
Section 11.111. Chimney Spark Arresters. Section 11.111 is
amended to read as follows:
Each chimney used in conjunction with any fireplace or any
heating appliance in which solid or liquid fuel is used upon any
cabin, house, hotel, building or structure shall be maintained with a
spark arrester as required by the Uniform Building Code for
incinerators.
Section 11.203 . Storage of Readily Combustible Materials.
Subsection (b) , 1st paragraph, is amended as follows:
Storage in buildings shall be orderly, shall be maintained two
feet below the ceiling, and shall be so located as not to endanger
exit from the building. Aisles shall be provided in accordance with
Section 81. 108(a) . Refer to Article 81 for high piled stock.
Section 12.101. Scope. Section 12.101 is amended by changing
the first paragraph, as follows:
Exits serving every building, structure or confined area which is
used or intended to be used at any time for human occupancy shall be
maintained as specified in the Uniform Building Code and in accordance
with this Article and Section 1.103 of this Code.
Section 12.104. Doors. Section 12.104 is amended by adding to
subsection (c) , as follows:
(c) Panic Hardware. No lock, padlock, hasp, bar, chain, or
other device, or combination thereof, shall be installed or maintained
at any time on or in connection with any door on which panic hardware
is installed.
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Section 12.113. Exit Illumination. Section 12.113 is amended
by adding subsection (c) , as follows:
(c) Working Order. All illuminated exit signs and all
emergency light and power systems, where provided, shall be maintained
at all times in working order.
Section 77.106. General Requirements. Section 77.106 is
amended by adding a last sentence to subsection (b) , as follows:
The. limits in which storage of explosives and blasting agents are
prohibited, are hereby established as follows: In all areas of this
Jurisdiction, except for approved explosive terminals, quarry
operations, and temporary storage for use in connection with approved
blasting operations as approved by the Chief.
Section 79. 114. Abandonment and Status of Tanks. Section
79.114 is amended by altering subsection (e) , as follows:
(e) Underground Tanks out of Service One Year. Any underground
tank which has been .abandoned for a period of. one year shall be
removed from the ground and the hole properly filled.
Section 79.501. Restricted Location. Section 79.501 is
amended by adding a last sentence as follows:
The limits in which storage of flammable or combustible liquids
in outside above-ground tanks are prohibited, are hereby established
as follows: In residential class occupancies, and areas including
apartments and hotels, in all mercantile, commercial business
districts, and in other congested or heavily-populated areas.
Section 79.605. Testing. Section 79.605 is amended by adding
subsection (e) , as follows:
(e) Deteriorated Tanks. A leaking or otherwise deteriorated
tank shall be removed from the ground and shall not be repaired for
return to service.
Section 79.1401. Scope. Section 79.1401 is amended by adding
two paragraphs, as follows:
No new bulk plants shall be constructed within the limits
established by law as the limits of the district in which such plants
are prohibited.
The limits in which new bulk plants for flammable or combustible
liquids are prohibited, are hereby established as follows: In
residential class occupancies, and areas including apartments and
hotels, in all mercantile and commercial business districts and other
congested' or heavily-populated areas.
Section 81.105. Fire Protection. Section 81.105 is amended as
follows:
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Section 81.105. Fire Protection. Fire protection for buildings
used for high-piled combustible storage shall be in accordance with
Table No. 81.105 and the Building Code.
An approved automatic fire extinguishing system shall be required
throughout the building when the contiguous area used for high-piled
combustible storage exceeds 5,000 square feet, inclusive of aisles,
and in accordance with Table 81.105.
Nationally recognized standards or guidelines as applicable may
be used when approved by the chief.
Section 82. 105. Location of Containers. Section 82.105 is
amended by adding a last sentence to subsection (a) , as follows:
r.
The limits in which bulk storage of liquified petroleum gas is
restricted, are hereby established as follows: In residential class
occupancies, and areas including apartments and hotels, in all
mercantile and commercial business districts and other congested or
heavily populated areas.
Section 82.107. Prohibited Use of Liquified Petroleum Gas.
Section 82.107 is amended by adding subsection (c) , as follows:
(c) Liquified Petroleum Gas containers shall not be stored or
used inside of any. tent or air-supported structure or occupancy unless
approved by the Chief.
Section 86.102. General Requirements. Section 86.102 is amended
by adding Subsection (j ) as follows:
(j ) Shelving. Pesticide storage and display shelving shall be
of stable construction, of sufficient depth and of such arrangement
that containers will not be easily displaced. When practical,
shelving shall be secured to the wall.
ARTICLE 88
FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT
Article 88 is added in its entirety, as follows:
Section 88.101. Delegation of Power.
a. This Board as the supervising, legislative and executive
authority of this jurisdiction hereby delegates to the Board of Fire
Commissioners of this jurisdiction all its powers, duties, and rights
to act pursuant to Part 5 (commencing with Section 14875) , Division
12, of the Health and Safety Code, to clear or order the clearing of
land or remove or order the removal of dry grass, stubble, brush,
rubbish, litter or other flammable material where such flammable
material endangers the public safety by .creating a fire hazard. Such
fire hazard abatement shall be conducted in accordance with the
provisions of said Part 5 and/or this ordinance. In the application
of the provisions of said Part 5 to fire hazard abatement proceeding
under this ordinance and the Fire Protection District Law of 1961, the
terms "Board of Supervisors" or "Board" when used in Part 5, shall
mean the- Board of Fire Commissioners of this jurisdiction under this
article; and the officers designated in Section 14890 of Part 5 shall
mean the employees of this jurisdiction by the Board of Fire
Commissioners of this jurisdiction.
b. If no Board of Fire Commissioners has been appointed for the
jurisdiction then this Board shall retain all its powers, duties and
rights to act pursuant to said Part 5.
C. This Board of Supervisors reserves and retains the power to
award a contract for such fire hazard abatement work where the
employees of this jurisdiction are not used to perform such abatement
work.
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Section 88.102. Definitions. As used in this article:
a. "Weed", as used in this part, means all weeds growing upon
streets or private property in this jurisdiction and includes any of
the following:
1. Weeds which bear seeds of a downy or wingy nature.
2. Sagebrush, chaparral, and any other brush or weeds which
attain such large growth as to become, when dry, a fire menace to
adjacent improved property.
3. Weeds which are otherwise noxious or dangerous.
4. Poison oak and poison ivy when the conditions of growth are
such as to constitute a menace to the public health.
5. Dry grass, stubble, brush, litter or other flammable
materials which endanger the public safety by creating a fire hazard.
b. "Rubbish" means waste matter, litter, trash, refuse, debris
and dirt on streets, or private property in the jurisdiction which is,
or when dry may become a fire hazard.
c. "Streets" includes alleys, parkways, driveways, sidewalks,
and areas between sidewalks and curbs.
d. "Person" includes individuals, firms, partnerships and
corporations.
e. "Cost of Abatement" shall include all expenses incurred by
the jurisdiction in its work of abatement undertaken pursuant of
Article 88 of this ordinance.
Section 88.103 . Weed and Rubbish a Public Nuisance.
This Board hereby declares that all weeds growing upon private
property or streets in this jurisdiction and all rubbish on private
property or streets in this jurisdiction are public nuisances. Such
weed nuisance is seasonal and recurrent.
Section 88.104. Weeds and Rubbish to be Destroyed or Removed.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning, occupying, renting,
managing or controlling any real property in this jurisdiction to
cause or permit any weeds, or to place, cause or permit any rubbish to
be or remain on any real property in this jurisdiction or on portions
of streets adjoining such real property to the center line of such
streets. It shall be the duty of every such person to remove or
destroy such weeds and/or rubbish. Destruction by burning within this
jurisdiction is unlawful unless the written permission of the Chief of
this jurisdiction is first obtained, and all other applicable permits
are obtained from appropriate governing :jurisdictions.
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Section 88.105. Abatement Procedures. .
a. The Chief of this jurisdiction may order the abatement of
the weeds and rubbish described in Section 88.104. On making the
order, the Chief of this jurisdiction. shall mail a copy of a notice to
the owner of the affected property as he and his address appear upon
the current and/or last County equalized assessment roll or as his
address is known to this jurisdiction. As an alternative to mailing,
the notice may be posted upon the affected property and published in
this jurisdiction, not less than 10 days prior to the date of the
abatement hearing. Copies of the notice shall be headed with the
words "Notice to Abate Weeds and Rubbish" in letters at least one inch
high. The notice shall be in substantially the following form:
NOTICE TO ABATE WEEDS
AND RUBBISH
You are hereby notified that weed and rubbish constitute a fire hazard
on the following described property owned by you:
(describe property by common street designation, by metes and bounds,
Assessor's code area and parcel number, or by reference to attached
map) .
You are hereby notified to remove the weeds and rubbish within fifteen
days from the date of this notice. If you fail to do so, it will be
removed by the (name of
jurisdiction) and the cost of removal will be collected like property
taxes and will be a lien on your property until paid.
You are hereby further notified that the Board of Supervisors of
Contra Costa County has declared that such weeds and rubbish
constitute a public nuisance and that such weeds also constitute a
seasonal and recurring nuisance.
You may appear before the Board of Fire Commissioners of this
jurisdiction on (time and date) at (place - room, street, address,
city) to show cause why this order should not be enforced.
(Signed) : (Name of Chief and name of jurisdiction. )
b. A date for hearing on the notice shall be set at least
ten (10) days after the date of the notice. The date of the notice is
the date on which the notice is placed in the United States mail or
the date on which it is posted on the property. At the hearing the
property owner or his agent may appear to show cause why the order.
shall not be enforced. For good cause shown, the Board of Fire -
Commissioners may extend the time for compliance with the order or may
rescind the order.
c. If the owner fails to comply with the order, the Chief of
this jurisdiction may have the weeds and rubbish abated, either by
employees of this jurisdiction or by contract. If a contract is
awarded, at least three bids shall be solicited and the contract shall
be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. A contract may include
work on more than one parcel.
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d. The Fire Chief abating the nuisance shall keep an account of
the cost of abatement in front of or on each separate parcel of land
and shall render an itemized report in writing to the Board of Fire
Commissioners showing the cost of removing the weeds and rubbish on or
in front of each separate lot or parcel of land, or both. Before the
report is submitted to the Board of Fire Commissioners, a copy of it
shall be posted for at least three days on or near the chamber door of
the Board with a notice of the time when the report will be submitted
to the Board for confirmation. Said report and notice shall also be
posted for the said three days in two other public places in the
district. At the time fixed for receiving and considering the report,
the Board of Fire Commissioners shall hear it and any objections of
any of the property owners liable to be assessed for the work of
abatement. Thereupon, the Board of Fire Commissioners may make such
modifications in the report as it deems necessary, after which by
order or resolution, the report shall be confirmed. The amounts of
the cost for abating the nuisance in front of or upon the various
parcels of the land mentioned in the report as confirmed shall
constitute special assessments against the respective parcels of land,
and are a lien on the property for the amount of the respective
assessments. Such lien attached upon recordation in the Office of the
County Recorder of the County in which the property is situated of a
certified copy of the Resolution of Confirmation.
e. Upon confirmation of the report of cost by the Board of Fire
Commissioners of this jurisdiction and the recordation of the
Resolution of Confirmation by the Chief, a copy of the report of cost
shall be sent to the County Auditor, who shall enter the amount of the
assessments against the parcels of land as they appear on the current
assessment roll. The Tax Collector shall include the amount of the
assessments on bills for taxes levied against the parcels. Thereafter
the amount of tie assessments shall be collected at the same time and
in the same way as County taxes are collected. The owners are subject
to the same penalties and the same procedure and sale in case of
delinquency as provided for ordinary county taxes. All laws
applicable to the levy, collection, and enforcement of county taxes
are applicable to these assessment taxes.
Section 88.106. Firebreaks.
In lieu 'of ordering abatement as provided in Section 88.105, the
Chief of this jurisdiction may order the preparation of firebreaks
around parcels of property where combustible weeds, crops, or brush
are present. In determining the proper width for firebreaks, he shall
consider the height of the growth, weather conditions, topography, and
the accessibility to the property of fire protection equipment. The
procedure set forth in Section 88.105 for the abatement of weeds and
rubbish shall also apply to the preparation of firebreaks.
Section 88.107. Peat Fire, Penalties Therefor.
a. It is the duty of each person, firm, corporation or
association not to permit a peat fire in, or a fire involving
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combustible vegetable materials under the surface of the natural
ground to remain upon his property. It is hereby declared that it is
the duty of any person as herein defined to take all necessary
precautions to extinguish and subsurface fire involving peat or
vegetable material at his own cost and expense.
b. If there exists upon the lands of any person as herein
defined a subsurface fire involving the burning or combustion of peat
or vegetable matter and the owner or occupant thereof has not taken
reasonable precautions within a reasonable time to extinguish such
fire or combustion, this jurisdiction may, in addition to its regular
duties to extinguish or minimize such fire or combustion, go upon the
lands of any person as herein defined and extinguish such fire or
combustion. Any costs incurred by the fire department in fighting the
fire and for the cost of providing rescue or emergency medical
services shall be a charge against said person. The charge shall
constitute a debt of that person and is collectable by the fire
department incurring those costs in the .same manner as in the case of
an obligation under a contract, express or implied. (See, Health &
Safety Code 513009. )
SECTION IV. Repealed Ordinances.
The following numbered ordinances previously adopted by this
Board of Supervisors of the County of Contra Costa are hereby
repealed: 83-39, 83-40, 83-41, 83-42, 83-43, 83-440 83-45, 83-46,
83-47, 83-48, 83-49, 83-50, . 83-51 and 83-52.
SECTION V. Effective Date.
This Ordinance shall become effective 30 days after passage, and
within 15 days of passage, shall be published once with the names of
Supervisors voting for and against it in the "Contra Costa Times" , a
newspaper published in the County.
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PASSED and ADOPTED on August 5 , 1936 by the following vote:
AYES : Supervisors Fanden, Schroder , McPeak, Torlakson, Powers .
NOES : None .
ABSENT : None.
Vk
Chairperson of the Board
By:
C . *Matthews , Deputy Supervisor
Supervisor
Supervi
S pervisor
(SEAL)
SLA:
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