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Fire Prevention Division FAQs
Has the City of Napa locally adopted and amended the California Fire Code?
Yes, all local amendments have been adopted through the City of Napa Municipal Code which can be viewed using this link below.
Does my project require fire sprinklers to be installed?
It depends on the circumstances. Below is some general guidance information as detailed in the City of Napa Municipal Code.
Required installations. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed and maintained in all newly constructed buildings or structures.
Additions. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout any existing commercial or multi-family residential building when the floor area of the addition (including mezzanines) exceeds 50% of the existing floor area of the building or when an additional story is added.
Manufactured Buildings. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed and maintained in all manufactured buildings.
Exceptions:
Manufactured buildings that fall under the regulation of Division of State Architect (DSA), California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) or are otherwise not regulated by the City of Napa.
Change of Occupancy. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout any structure(s) in which the proposed new occupancy classification has been determined to be more hazardous based on a fire and life safety evaluation by the Fire Code Official. Example: Conversion of buildings to single family residences, bed and breakfast, inns, lodging houses, congregate residences or other uses as determined by the fire code official.
Exempt Locations:
New structures built in conjunction with an existing single-family residence that does not have fire sprinklers, in which the new structure is less than 1,000 square feet and is not intended to be used as a dwelling unit, such as detached pool houses, workshops, Group U private garages, barns and similar structures.
a. Detached non-combustible, limited combustible, or fire-retardant treated wood canopies.
b. Group B or M occupancies less than 1000 square feet.
c. Detached restroom facilities associated with golf courses, parks, and similar uses.
d. Shipping containers used for storage purpose and located no closer than 5 feet to a building, property line or other container.
Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in all townhouses.
Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required in existing townhouses except where demolition/ removal of interior or exterior wall framing exceeds 50% of the existing interior or exterior wall framing and / or the floor area of an addition exceeds 50% of the existing square footage of the structure.
One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in one- and two-family dwellings.
Exceptions: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required in existing one- and two-family dwellings except where demolition/ removal of interior or exterior wall framing exceeds 50% of the existing interior or exterior wall framing and/or the floor area of an addition exceeds 50% of the existing square footage of the structure.
Does my Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) require fire sprinklers to be installed?
It depends on the circumstances. Below is some general guidance information as detailed in the City of Napa Municipal Code.
For purposes of this Section, “accessory dwelling unit” has the meaning set forth in Napa Municipal Code Section 17.06.030, and includes an “accessory dwelling unit attached”, “accessory dwelling unit detached”, and a “junior accessory dwelling unit”, as defined therein.
An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required in accessory dwelling units provided that all of the following requirements are satisfied.
a. The existing primary residence is not equipped with fire sprinklers.
b. If the accessory dwelling unit is an accessory dwelling unit attached as defined in Napa Municipal Code Chapter 17.06, it does not exceed 50% of the existing floor area (square footage), including the garage, of the primary residence.
c. If the accessory dwelling unit is an accessory dwelling unit detached as defined in Napa Municipal Code Chapter 17.06, it does not exceed 1,200 square feet in size. The square footage of a garage attached to an accessory dwelling unit detached shall not be considered as part of the allowable 1,200 square footage.
Does my Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) require addressing?
A detached accessory dwelling unit shall have a designated address. The address shall be the same Arabic numerals as the primary residence followed by the alphabetic letters identifying the accessory dwelling unit as “Unit A”. Example: The primary residence is addressed as 123 Blank Street. The detached accessory dwelling unit shall be addressed as “123 Blank Street Unit A”.
Addressing signage shall be affixed to the ADU structure next to the main entry door and shall meet all applicable requirements as outlined in all sections and subsections of CFC Chapter 5 as amended or as otherwise directed by the fire code official.
For ADUs with addressing that cannot be viewed from the public way, addressing signage shall be installed in a manner visible from the street frontage and shall meet all applicable requirements as outlined in CFC Chapter 5 subsections 505.1 through 505.1.4 as amended or as otherwise directed by the fire code official.
Where do I submit my project plans for review and approval to obtain a building permit?
Project plans shall be submitted to the City of Napa Building Division.
How long will it take for my plans to be reviewed?
There is a 21-day turnaround time to review the 1st submittal of project plans and issue approval or corrective comments. There is a 14-day turnaround time to review the revision submittals of project plans and issue approval or corrective comments.
How do I schedule a Fire inspection for my project?
Please click link below then click on “Schedule An Inspection” button.
How do I obtain an incident report?
Please click the link below to request an incident report. We will respond to the request within 10 days.
If your request is approved, payment of $24 (for the first 10 pages; $.39 for each additional page) must be made prior to releasing the report.
Requests can also be made in person with the Fire Prevention Division at 1600 First Street, Napa Ca. Business hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and by appointment only on Fridays. A form will be provided for completion. The same 10-day turnaround applies.
Form Center • Napa, CA • CivicEngage (cityofnapa.org)
How can I pay for my fire related incident report?
Currently, the City of Napa only accepts payments via check; made out to the City of Napa. Checks can be mailed to: City of Napa/Fire Prevention, 1600 First Street, Napa, CA 94559
How can I pay fees associated with my project/permit.
For information and instructions on how to pay fees associated with your project/permit via telephone please contact the City of Napa Building Division at (707) 257-9540. For in person contact go to the Building Division front counter located at 1600 First Street, Napa, CA. Business hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and by appointment only on Fridays.
How can I pay for my Fire and Life Safety inspection invoice?
To pay an invoice over the phone please contact our Finance Division at 707-257-9508. For in person contact please visit the Finance Division front counter located at 955 School Street, Napa, CA 94559.
How do I file a weed abatement complaint?
Please click the link below to visit our Weed Abatement information page.
How do I obtain a City of Napa business license?
Please click the link below or contact the City of Napa Finance Division at (707) 257-9510. For in person contact please visit the Finance Division front counter located at 955 School Street, Napa, CA 94559.