Oxnard, CA Building Safety: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (2026)

Sec. 14-26 of the Oxnard Code of Ordinances amends California Fire Code Section 903, Automatic Sprinkler Systems, and Article XVI of Chapter 14 folds Oxnard's local rule directly into the adopted 2025 CFC. 1, New Construction, requires automatic fire sprinkler systems in every new building in the city, with no exemption tied to floor area, construction type or occupancy classification; fire walls, fire barriers and fire partitions do not count as creating a separate building for purposes of dodging the requirement. 17, non-combustible trash enclosures set back at least ten feet from any structure and five feet from the property line, carports and storage sheds under 500 square feet meeting the same setbacks, and non-combustible structures with no occupiable space or storage.

3 forces a retrofit of the entire structure, garages and adjacent accessory buildings whenever a change of occupancy moves the building to a more hazardous classification, whenever permits for additions or alterations add more than 1,000 cumulative square feet measured from the December 27, 2007 effective date, whenever more than 75 percent of the existing ceiling is removed or exposed, triggering a full NFPA 13-compliant system, or whenever the property obtains a cannabis permit. Ambulatory care facilities must sprinkler the entire structure once four or more care recipients are incapable of self-preservation.

The Building and Engineering Division of the Community Development Department, acting through the Fire Code Official, reviews plans and issues the permit before any sprinkler work begins.