Chino, CA Building Safety: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- 5,000+ sq ft new building
- Addition trigger
- 5,000+ sq ft addition
- Group R-3 homes
- expressly excluded
- Alternates
- allowed with fire marshal approval
Summary
Chino requires automatic fire sprinklers in new buildings of 5,000 square feet or more, but its local amendment expressly excludes one- and two-family homes and their accessory structures.
In addition to the requirements of Section 903, fire sprinklers are required for the construction of buildings five thousand square feet or more, regardless of fire walls, except for Group R-3 (one- and two-family dwelling) and Group U accessory to Group R-3 occupancies.
Fire sprinklers are required when additions exceed five thousand square feet. When the addition is less than fifty percent of the original building square footage, the addition shall be equipped with a sprinkler system. When the addition is fifty percent or greater than the original building square footage, the entire structure shall be equipped with a sprinkler system.
Alternate automatic fire extinguishing systems complying with sections 904 of the California Building Code may be permitted in lieu of automatic sprinkler protection where recognized and approved by the building official and the fire marshall.
(Ord. 2022-015, § 1, 7-19-2022.)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
Chino's amendment to California Building Code § 903.2 requires fire sprinklers for the construction of any building of 5,000 square feet or more, regardless of fire walls, but Group R-3 (one- and two-family dwellings) and Group U structures accessory to R-3 are expressly excluded from this local trigger. Additions of 5,000 square feet or more also trigger sprinklers, and if the addition is 50% or more of the original building's square footage, the entire structure must be sprinklered. Alternate extinguishing systems may be approved by the building official and fire marshal in lieu of sprinklers.
Violations & Fines
Constructing or adding to a qualifying building without the required sprinkler system violates Chino's amended Building Code and can result in a stop-work order, correction notice, or denial of final inspection and occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do single-family homes in Chino need fire sprinklers under this local rule?
What size building triggers Chino's sprinkler requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino
California rules heatmap·Compare Chino to another location·View the California building safety overview
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