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Council adopts ordinance to regulate unsecured pallets behind businesses; 60‑day compliance window set
Summary
To reduce fires and public‑safety risks, Stockton adopted an ordinance requiring secured storage of loose pallets behind commercial properties; staff and the fire marshal said enforcement will start with warnings, and council set an effective date of 60 days to allow outreach.
The Stockton City Council voted to add a municipal code chapter regulating unsecured pallet storage behind commercial establishments, a measure staff and the fire marshal said aims to reduce pallet‑related fires and the resulting threats to infrastructure and public safety.
Councilmember Padilla introduced the ordinance after public comment from a resident who cautioned against overregulation of businesses. Fire Marshal James Klein told the council the item targets loose pallets behind commercial buildings that are sometimes used to start fires; he said the rule is not aimed at pallet manufacturing yards (already regulated) but at loose storage that can become an ignition source for warming or other fires. The ordinance was drafted with code‑enforcement input.
Council discussed the ordinance’s effective date: while standard state/local practice allows 30 days, staff had recommended 120 days to permit outreach and transition. Council agreed on a compromise of 60 days, and the fire marshal said initial enforcement would be education and warning‑based before fines or escalations.
The council approved the ordinance and the 60‑day implementation schedule (vote recorded as 5‑0).
