Title Planning and Building, Building Division, recommending the Board, in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 13869.7(c), take the following actions:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 052-2026 to ratify the Ordinance and Resolution adopted by North Tahoe Fire Protection District to reflect changes to the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition; delegate the enforcement of the Ordinances to the North Tahoe Fire Protection District Chief; and rescind the previous Resolution Adopted in 2023; and
2) Direct Staff to transmit the Board’s determination to the North Tahoe Fire Protection District within 15 days of the determination.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Every three (3) years the State updates the Statewide California Fire Code (Code). Although State Fire and Building codes automatically go into effect on January 1st of the adoption year, local adoption of the Codes is necessary and may include standards more stringent than state standards when such modifications are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological or topographical conditions.
There are twelve (12) special districts (Districts) that provide fire protection services within the County. On February 3, 2026 (Legistar file 26-0184) the Board approved and adopted Resolutions for six (6) of the twelve (12) Districts, including the Cameron Park Community Services District, Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District, El Dorado County Fire Protection District, El Dorado Hills County Water District (El Dorado Hills Fire Department), Lake Valley Fire Protection District, and Pioneer Fire Protection District. Although the North Tahoe Fire Protection District was also ready for adoption, their Resolution and attachments was inadvertently left out and not included in the February 3rd agenda item. This item requests the Board adopt a Resolution ratifying the 2025 California Fire Code for the North Tahoe Fire District and by reference, the District Board's corresponding Ordinance and Resolution.
These remaining Fire Districts anticipate bringing Resolutions to the Board in Spring 2026: Garden Valley, Georgetown, Mosquito, and Fallen Leaf Lake, and Rescue Community Services District Fire Department.
A letter from the El Dorado County Fire Prevention Officers Association summarizing the efforts of the Fire Districts is included as Attachment A. Attachment C includes the County's Resolution as well as the Ordinance, Resolution and supporting materials adopted by the North Tahoe Fire Protection District's Board. Adoption of the updated Code does not affect the Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between the County and Fire Districts which outline the roles and responsibilities for enforcement of the Code for residential structures.
On December 2, 2014 (Legistar file 14-1478), the Board approved and adopted Resolutions 212-2014, 213-204, 2014-2014, 215-2014, 216-2014, 217-2014, 218-2014, 219-2014, 220-2014 to reflect changes to the 2014 Code.
On February 7, 2017 (Legistar file 16-1189), the Board approved and adopted Resolutions 011-2017, 012-2017, 013-2017, 014-2017, 015-2017, 016-2017, 017-2017, 018-2017, 019-2017 and 020-2017 to reflect changes to the 2017 Code.
On March 10, 2020 (Legistar file 20-0203), the Board approved and adopted Resolutions 035-2020, 036-2020, 037-2020, 038-2020, 039-2020, 040-2020, 041-2020, 042-2020, 043-2020, 044-2020 and 045-2020 to reflect changes to the 2020 Code.
On January 3, 2023 (Legistar file 23-0015), the Board approved and adopted Resolutions 007-2023, 008-2023, 009-2023, 010-2023, 011-2023, and 012-2023 to reflect changes to the 2023 Code.
On September 12, 2023 (Legistar file 23-1589), the Board approved and adopted Resolutions 134-2023, 135-2023, 136-2023 to reflect changes to the 2023 Code.
On February 3, 2026 (Legistar file 26-0184), the Board approved and adopted Resolutions 029-2026, 030-2026, 031-2026, 032-2026, 033-2026, and 034-2026 to reflect changes of the 2025 California Fire Code for the Fire Districts noted above.
Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 13869.7(c), the legislative body of the city or county where the Fire Code will apply must ratify, modify, or deny the Fire Code. The Department is recommending the Board, by adoption of the proposed Resolution, ratify the Ordinance and Resolution adopted by the North Tahoe Fire Protection District and delegate the enforcement of the Ordinance to the North Tahoe Fire Protection District Chief. The proposed Resolution rescinds the previous Resolution adopted in 2023.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose to modify or deny the Resolution ratifying the North Tahoe Fire Protection Districts adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code and direct staff to transmit its determination to the District within fifteen (15) days of the Board’s determination. Any modifications or denial of an adopted Resolution shall also include a written statement describing the reasons for any modifications or denial.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See Discussion/Background above.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and El Dorado County Fire Prevention Officer’s Association
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with the Board’s approval as there is no direct fiscal impact to the County and enforcement of the Code is delegated to each District.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair's signature on the Resolution; and
2) The Clerk of the Board will return a fully-executed copy the Resolution to Don Knight, Deputy Director of Building/Building Official, for distribution to the District.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Don Knight, Deputy Director of Building/Building Official
Planning and Building Department