Fire and life safety.
Riverside Municipal Code § 16.34.120
in effect16.34.120 - Fire and life safety.
A. Location on property. Buildings or structures used for emergency housing, including sleeping cabins, shall be located in accordance with the requirements of Table 602 and Section 705 of the California Building Code, based on their type of construction and fire-resistance ratings of the exterior walls. During a shelter crisis, the fire separation distances are permitted to be measured to the existing buildings on the adjacent parcels rather than to the interior lot lines, provided the open spaces are to remain unobstructed for the duration of the shelter crisis.
B. Buildings on same lot. Buildings or structures used for emergency housing, including sleeping cabins, shall be separated from each other and from other buildings on the same lot as set forth in Section 705.3 of the California Building Code. The Building Official and Fire Marshal may accept reasonable alternatives to these requirements provided reasonably equivalent fire and life safety is achieved.
C. Means of egress. Buildings or structures used for emergency housing shall be provided with means of egress complying with Chapter 10 of the California Building Code, unless modified elsewhere in this appendix.
D. Emergency escape and rescue. Each area of a building or structure used for sleeping purposes in emergency housing shall be provided with an emergency escape and rescue opening in accordance with Section 1030 of the California Building Code, unless modified elsewhere in this appendix.
E. Smoke alarms. Buildings or structures used for emergency housing, which provide sleeping accommodations, shall be equipped with single station battery powered smoke alarms installed in accordance with the location requirements of Section 907.2.10 of the California Fire Code, unless modified elsewhere in this appendix.
F. Carbon monoxide alarms. Buildings or structures used for emergency housing, which provide sleeping accommodations, and equipped with fuel-burning appliances shall be provided with carbon monoxide detection in accordance with Section 915 of the California Fire Code, unless modified elsewhere in this appendix.
G. Fire alarm. A manual fire alarm system capable of arousing sleeping occupants in accordance with Section 907 of the California Fire Code shall be installed in buildings, structures, or groups of buildings or structures used for emergency housing and having a gross floor area of more than 2,500 square feet or having more than 49 sleeping occupants.
Exception: Individual buildings or structures in a group of buildings or structures with sufficient separation distances to allow each building or structure to function independently in case of a fire, as approved by the Fire Marshal.
H. Automatic sprinkler systems. Fire sprinklers shall be provided for new and existing buildings or structures used for emergency housing, including sleeping cabins, which provide sleeping facilities, as required by Section 903.3 of the California Fire Code. The Fire Marshal is authorized to accept reasonably equivalent alternatives to the installation provisions of Section 903.3 when dealing with buildings or structures used for emergency housing.
I. Fire extinguishers. Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in accordance with Section 906.1 of the California Fire Code.
J. Flammable combustible liquids, or hazardous materials. The possession or storage of any flammable or combustible liquids, gases, or other hazardous materials shall not be permitted. The use of any type of open flame indoors is prohibited unless conditionally approved by the Fire Chief.
K. Storage in attics, under-floor and concealed spaces. Combustible materials, including but not limited to the possessions of occupants, users and staff shall not be stored in attics, under-floor spaces, or within other concealed spaces of buildings or structures used for emergency housing with sleeping accommodations.
L. Fire department access. Fire Department access to building and premises used for emergency housing shall be in compliance with Section 503, and Section 504 of the California Fire Code, as approved by the Fire Chief.
M. Water supply. An approved fire protection water supply system complying with Section 507 of the California Fire Code, and Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 16.32, or as otherwise approved by the Fire Marshal, shall be provided for each structure, group of structures or premises used for emergency housing.
(Ord. 7492 § 21(Exh. A), 2019)
Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT16BUCO_CH16.34EMHO_16.34.120FILISAFetched: 11/1/2026