San Jose requires automatic fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses under California Residential Code R313, adopted locally through SJMC Title 17 and enforced by the San Jose Fire Department's Bureau of Fire Prevention.
California Residential Code §R313.1 mandates NFPA 13D fire sprinklers in every new one- and two-family dwelling and townhouse statewide, with no exceptions for size or sprawl. San Jose adopts the CRC and California Fire Code by reference through SJMC Chapter 17.04 and Title 9, with amendments handled by the SJFD Bureau of Fire Prevention. Substantial additions over 50 percent of existing area, and major remodels triggering reconstruction of the structure, also require system installation. Plans must be reviewed and stamped by a C-16 fire-protection contractor or licensed engineer, then field-tested before final occupancy. Backflow preventers and meter upsizing are usually required by San Jose Water Company.
Building without an approved sprinkler permit triggers a stop-work order, plan-check resubmittal, and denial of certificate of occupancy until compliance is demonstrated through SJFD field-acceptance testing.
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