VCFPD ORD NO. 29 Ventura County Fire Apparatus Access Code Page 1

VENTURA COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT ORDINANCE NUMBER 29

AN ORDINANCE OF THE VENTURA COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

ADOPTING FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE FOR

EMERGENCY RESPONDER AND PUBLIC SAFETY

The Board of Directors of the Ventura County Fire Protection ordains as follows:

Health and Safety Code Section 13861. This Ordinance shall be known as the "Ventura

County Fire Apparatus Access Code," may be cited as such, and will be referred to

herein as “this Code.”

1.1 Purpose. The purpose of this Code is to establish the minimum and cumulative

design and maintenance standards for emergency fire access roads within the

jurisdictional boundaries of the Ventura County Fire Protection District. These

provisions permit emergency resources to respond to an incident in a safe and effective

manner.

1.3 Local ordinances. Nothing in this Code shall be considered as abrogating the

provisions of any ordinance, resolution, rule, public road standard or regulation of any

local jurisdiction, provided that such provision is equal to or more stringent than the

minimum standards in this Code. Where conflicts exist between this Code and public

road standards developed by a city or county, the most restrictive requirements shall

apply.

1.4 Validity. In the event any part or provision of this Code is held to be illegal or void,

this shall not have the effect of making void or illegal any of the other parts or provisions

his or her duties, shall not thereby render himself or herself personally liable for any

VCFPD ORD NO. 29 Ventura County Fire Apparatus Access Code Page 2

damage that may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act or omission in the

discharge of such duties. The Ventura County Fire Protection District shall defend and

indemnify the Fire Code Official or any authorized representative or member of the

board of appeals against any suit brought against such person because of such act or

omission performed by such person in the enforcement of any provision of this Code or

other pertinent laws or ordinances implemented through the enforcement of this Code.

1.6 Intent. It is the intent of the Board of Directors to establish minimum standards for

the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. This Code shall not be construed

to establish standards of performance, strength, or durability other than those specified.

Neither this Code nor any service rendered in connection with or pursuant to its terms

Access Road or portion thereof constructed, altered, enlarged, repaired, moved,

replaced, or removed hereunder does not meet the standards prescribed herein, or

does not meet any other standards prescribed elsewhere as to performance, strength,

durability or other characteristics.

1.7 Responsibility. This Code shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the

responsibility of any person owning, operating, or controlling any Fire Apparatus Access

Road for any damages to persons or property caused by defects, nor shall the District

or the County of Ventura be held as assuming any such liability by reason of the

inspections authorized by this Code or any permits or certificates of inspection issued

procedures, rules and regulations shall be in compliance with the intent and purpose of

this Code and shall not have the effect of waiving requirements specifically provided for

in this Code.

1.9 Notices and orders. The Fire Code Official is authorized to issue such notices or

orders as are required to effect compliance with this Code in accordance with the

Ventura County Fire Code and Health and Safety Code Sections 13870 and 13872.5.

1.10 Citations. The Fire Code Official and his or her authorized representatives shall

have the authority to issue citations for violations of this Code in accordance with the

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ARTICLE 2 – DEFINITIONS

ACCESS POINT(S). The point or points along a Fire Apparatus Access Road where

fire and emergency equipment is located within 150 feet of all portions of the grade level

of a Building or Structure as measured along an approved route.

occupancy that is defined in the California Building Code.

CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER. As determined by the fire code official, a set of weather

conditions (usually a combination of low relative humidity, warmer temperatures and/or

high winds) favorable to the ignition and the effect of which on fire behavior makes

control of a fire difficult and threatens fire fighter and public safety. This includes “Red

Flag Warnings” and “Fire Weather Watches” as issued by the National Weather

Service.

DEAD-END. A Road that has only one point of ingress/egress, including cul-de-sacs

or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking

and sanitation.

EXISTING PARCEL. Parcels, including those located in a State Responsibility Area

that were legally created and recorded prior to October 1, 1980.

EXISTING ROAD. Roads, including those located in a State Responsibility Area, that

were legally constructed and recorded prior to October 1, 1980.

FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROAD. A Roadway that provides fire apparatus access

FIRE CODE OFFICIAL. The Fire Prevention Bureau Chief (Fire Marshal), as appointed

by the Fire Chief of the Ventura County Fire Protection District, charged with the

administration and enforcement of this Code, or a duly authorized representative.

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MOST WEATHER ROAD. A Road capable of supporting a 20-ton vehicle during most

weather conditions for firefighting or rescue operations.

PRIMARY ACCESS. A Road used routinely for access into and out of an area.

ROAD. Vehicular access, inclusive of Roadway structures, that provides access to;

(a) more than two parcels;

(c) any industrial or commercial occupancy

ROADWAY. Any surface designed, improved, or ordinarily used for vehicle travel.

construction standard is the same as the Primary Access.

STRUCTURE. That which is built or constructed, an edifice or building of any kind, or

any piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts joined together in some

definite manner.

TRAFFIC LANE. The portion of a Roadway that provides a single lane of vehicle travel.

TURNAROUND. A Roadway, unobstructed by parking, which allows for a safe opposite

change of direction for emergency equipment. Design of such area may be a

VCFPD ORD NO. 29 Ventura County Fire Apparatus Access Code Page 5

civilian evacuation concurrently, and shall provide for unobstructed traffic circulation

during a fire or other emergency.

3.2.1 Maintenance. Private Fire Apparatus Access Roads shall be designed and

maintained in accordance with public road standards. When such Fire Apparatus

Access Road or Driveway serves 2 or more parcels, provisions for maintenance of

3.2.2 Location. Fire Apparatus Access Roads shall be constructed within the

dedicated right-of-way, common area parcels or recorded access easements.

3.2.3 Timing. Fire Apparatus Access Roads shall be provided prior to construction

and maintained throughout the life of the development.

3.2.4 Obstructions. Gates and other traffic calming devices shall be prohibited on

Fire Apparatus Access Roads unless approved by the Fire Code Official.

modifications for individual cases, provided the Fire Code Official shall first find that

special reasons make the strict application of this Code impractical and the

modification is in compliance with the intent and purpose of this Code. The details of

action granting such modification shall be recorded on the parcel deed.

3.4 Access to Buildings or Structures. Fire Apparatus Access Roads shall be

provided such that any portion of the exterior walls, at grade level, of a Building or

Structure is not more than 150 feet (46 m) from Fire Apparatus Access Roads as

measured by an approved route around the exterior of the Building or Structure.

3.5 Dead ends. Turnarounds shall be provided on all Dead-End Fire Apparatus Access

Roads in excess of 150 feet (46 m). The Fire Code Official is authorized to increase the

length of a Dead-End Fire Apparatus Access Road to a length of 250 feet (76 m).

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3.6 Turnouts. Turnouts shall be provided on all Fire Apparatus Access Roads in

excess of 300 feet (91 m).

3.7 Additional Fire Apparatus Access Roads. The Fire Code Official is authorized to

require more than one Fire Apparatus Access Road based on the potential for

impairment of a single access road by vehicle congestion, condition of terrain, climatic

4.1 Specifications. Fire Apparatus Access Roads shall be installed and arranged in

accordance with this article.

(6.1 m).

Exceptions:

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feet (9.8 m) for parking on one side and a clear width of not less than 36 feet (11.1

m) for parking on both sides.

4.2.5 Fire Apparatus Access Roads, aerial access. Fire Apparatus Access Roads

serving Buildings, Structures or portions of Buildings or Structures exceeding 30 feet

(9.2 m) in height above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access shall have

a minimum width of not less than 30 feet (9.2 m), and complete Vertical Clearance

(notwithstanding Section 4.2.6), capable of accommodating aerial fire apparatus.

4.2.6 Fire Apparatus Access Roads, height. Fire Apparatus Access Roads shall

(a) Asphalt or concrete in accordance with public road standards.

(b) An alternate surface certified by a registered civil engineer as an “All-Weather

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access road is located. Where no limitation is provided in the public road standards,

a maximum 16% grade shall be used.

Exception: The Fire Code Official shall be permitted to increase the grade

limitations for Driveways to a maximum of 25%.

4.5.2 Grade transitions. Transitions between grades along Fire Apparatus Access

Roads shall not exceed a 6% elevation change along any 10 feet (3.1 m) section.

Apparatus Access Road shall not exceed 5%.

repaired when necessary to provide adequate readability and visibility.

5.2 Restricted parking – Critical Fire Weather. The Fire Code Official may designate

certain Fire Apparatus Access Roads as “Restricted or No Stopping -Tow Away” zones

during periods of Critical Fire Weather. Once such designation has been, signs clearly

depicting the designation shall be posted along such access roads and notice if such

designation shall be given to affected property owners.

5.3 Gates. Gates across Fire Apparatus Access Roads shall not be limited to

emergency exit only and shall provide for egress for all persons at all times without the