Section 307.6 is hereby added to read as follows:
"307.6 Outdoor Fireplaces, Fire Pits, Fire Rings, or similar devices used at Group R Occupancies. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, fire rings, or similar exterior devices used at Group R occupancies shall comply with this section.
Exception: Barbeques, grills, and portable devices intended solely for cooking.
307.6.1 Gas-fueled devices. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and similar devices that are fueled by natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas and designed to only burn a gas flame and not wood or other solid fuel are allowed when approved by the Building Division. At R-3 occupancies, combustible construction material and vegetation shall not be located within three feet of an atmospheric column that extends vertically from the perimeter of the outdoor fireplace, fire pit or similar device. At other R occupancies, the minimum distance shall be ten feet. Where a permanent hood and vent that has been approved by the Building Division is installed, combustible construction material may encroach upon this column between the bottom of the hood and the vent opening. All chimneys or vents installed in outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and similar devices shall have a spark arrester as defined in Section 202.
307.6.2 Devices using wood or fuels other than natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas. Permanent outdoor fireplaces designed to burn wood or other solid fuel shall be constructed in accordance with the California Building Code with clearance from combustible construction material and building openings as required therein. Fires in a fireplace shall be contained within a firebox with an attached chimney. The opening in the face of the firebox shall have a spark arrester.
The burning of wood or other solid fuel in a device is prohibited within 25 feet of combustible structures unless contained within an approved permanent fireplace. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure or to vegetation shall be eliminated prior to ignition. Fires in devices burning wood or solid fuel shall be in accordance with Sections 305, 307, and 308.
Exceptions:
1. Portable fireplaces and fire rings/pits equipped with a spark arrester that are located at least 3 feet from combustible construction at R-3 occupancies.
2. Portable fireplaces, and fire pits/rings equipped with a device to arrest sparks, that are located at least 15 feet from combustible structures at all other R occupancies.
307.6.2.1 Where prohibited. The burning of wood and other solid fuels is prohibited within a fuel modification zone, Wildland-Urban Interface Area (WUI), or in locations where conditions could cause the spread of fire to the WUI.
Exceptions:
1. Permanent fireplaces that are not located in a fuel modification zone.
2. Where determined by the fire code official that the location or design of the device does not reasonably present a risk of a wildfire."
(Ord. 3357 § 10 (part), 2022; Ord. 3306 § 11 (part), 2019.)