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Yuma County adopts 2024 International Fire Code to update safety rules for batteries, biomass and EV charging
Summary
The Board adopted the 2024 International Fire Code (case 2601, ordinance 2602) to replace a code more than 20 years old, citing new hazards such as lithium battery storage, biomass operations and electric-vehicle infrastructure.
Yuma County adopted the 2024 International Fire Code by ordinance number 2602 (case number 2601) after building and fire code staff recommended the update. Chief Building/Fire Code official Tim Martinez told the Board the county's previous fire code was more than 20 years old and that new topics — including lithium battery storage systems at solar and storage facilities, biomass regulation, and electric-vehicle charging infrastructure — are covered in the 2024 code. He noted the State Fire Marshal adopted the 2024 code on April 13, 2026.
The Board opened a public hearing, received no public opposition, and then moved to adopt the ordinance. Supervisor Pankrazi made the motion to adopt the code by ordinance; the motion was seconded and carried on an "Aye" vote. The change aligns the county with contemporary construction and fire-safety standards and is intended to improve regulation of new technology and fuels that present different hazards than older codes anticipated.
The ordinance adoption was recorded as case 2601 with ordinance number 2602; no roll-call vote tally was provided in the meeting transcript beyond the board members' unanimous "Aye" vote.
The new code will take effect according to the county's ordinance schedule and will be enforced by the county's Building and Fire Code offices.
