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Board adopts 2025 California Fire Code and new Wildland-Urban Interface rules for Contra Costa
Summary
The board adopted two ordinances to update local fire regulations: Ordinance 25-14 adopts the 2025 California Fire Code with local amendments and Ordinance 25-15 adopts the 2025 Wildland-Urban Interface code; both take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Acting in its capacity as the Contra Costa Fire Protection District board, the County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt two code updates on Tuesday that define minimum fire safety standards for construction, access and vegetation near buildings.
Chief Louis Burchard opened the item by describing the triennial process to adopt state codes locally. Fire Marshal Chris Bachman detailed key local amendments in ordinance 25-14 (2025 California Fire Code) including new permit requirements for land development and roadway design, an operational permit to require five-year sprinkler testing per NFPA 25, clarified minimum access-road widths and turning radii, expanded enforcement authority for evacuation route signage, and updated hazardous-materials documentation and on-site reporting requirements.
For the newly adopted Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code (ordinance 25-15), staff said the state's new WUI code establishes wildfire-safety standards for new construction in State Responsibility Areas and Local Responsibility Areas. The county's local amendment limits non-combustible perimeter fencing requirements to new subdivisions of 30 or more homes in high or very-high hazard zones and only where the perimeter fence is within 30 feet of a structure; the rule is not retroactive to existing subdivisions.
Both ordinances were presented in a public hearing with no public speakers. The board adopted both ordinances by unanimous vote and staff said the ordinances will take effect Jan. 1, 2026, and will repeal portions of prior local ordinances as needed.
Why it matters: County staff said the updates provide uniformity across fire districts, clarify access and water-supply standards, and make local enforcement provisions consistent with state rules and local hazard planning.
Quote: "This is a foundational set of regulations for the fire district to carry out its fire prevention work," Fire Chief Louis Burchard told the board.
The board's action completes a required triennial update and gives local fire officials new administrative and enforcement tools ahead of the 2026 effective date.
