TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Krishna Namburi, City Manager
FROM: David Gerboth, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:
title
Revisions to the Salem Revised Code Sections 58.001, 58.003, 58.004, 58.190, 58.305, 58.455, and 58.457 related to the Fire Prevention Code.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Safe and Healthy Community.
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SUMMARY:
summary
The Fire Prevention Code currently adopted is from the 2022 edition of the Oregon Fire Code. The State has adopted a new code, the 2025 Oregon Fire Code, based on the International Fire Code with Oregon amendments. Revisions to the City’s Fire Prevention Code will align it with the code adopted by the State of Oregon, with local modifications.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council pass Ordinance Bill No. 2-26 for the purpose of amending SRC Chapter 58 to incorporate the most current Oregon Fire Code (OFC) adopted by the State of Oregon?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Pass Ordinance Bill No. 2-26 for the purpose of amending SRC Chapter 58 to incorporate the most current Oregon Fire Code (OFC) adopted by the State of Oregon.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The Fire Prevention Code currently adopted in SRC Chapter 58 is the 2022 edition of the Oregon Fire Code.
The State has adopted the 2025 Oregon Fire Code based on the International Fire Code with Oregon amendments.
If approved, revisions to Chapter 58 will update the City’s Fire Prevention Code to align it with the code adopted by the State of Oregon, but with local modifications.
Proposed revisions to SRC Chapter 58 include:
Section 58.001 - Definitions. Updates to the definitions of the Oregon Fire Code and the International Fire Code.
Section 58.003 - Deletions. Deletions to this section include certain operational permits required by the OFC. This section also identifies previously deleted sections that have been renumbered within the OFC.
Section 58.004 - Modifications. Revisions include updates to the City’s local fire prevention code by adopting OFC language but also include modifications of certain codes to better meet the fire prevention needs of the City of Salem. Sections (b), (c), (d), (g), (m) have been modified to reference the 2025 OFC, (n) has been removed, and (o), (p) have been re-lettered. The previously adopted modifications remain unchanged.
Section 58.190 - Limits for Above-ground Tanks and Bulk Plants for cryogenic fluids, Flammable Liquids, and Combustible Liquids. This existing section adds one additional zone, “IP-Industrial Park,” in which the OFC does not limit above-ground tanks and quantities. The “Intensive Industrial” zone was removed as it is no longer a zoning designation referenced by the Planning Department.
Section 58.305 - State Fireworks Law adopted. This existing section adopts Oregon Revised Statutes related to fireworks laws. Updates include replacing “Fire Code Official” in lieu of “State Fire Marshal” and “The City” in lieu of “State Fire Marshal”.
Section 58.455 - False fire alarms. This existing section updates “Fire Chief” to “Fire Code Official”.
Section 58.457 - Penalties; civil penalty. This existing section updates (a) to the 2025 OFC code reference.
BACKGROUND:
Fire prevention codes are updated periodically and published as a family of model codes available for adoption at the state and local levels. Historically, the State of Oregon has adopted building and fire codes based on the most current codes published by the International Code Council.
ORS 476.030 provides that the Oregon State Fire Marshal shall enforce all fire prevention rules. If, in the opinion of the State Fire Marshal, a governmental subdivision of the state has enacted adequate regulations generally conforming to state and national standards concerning fire prevention, fire safety measures, and building construction requirements for safety, and if the governmental subdivision provides reasonable enforcement of its regulations, the State Fire Marshal may exempt the area subject to such regulation either partially or fully from the statutes, rules, and regulations administered by the State Fire Marshal.
The city has been and remains an “exempt” jurisdiction for many years. This benefits the community by enabling the City to consider local needs and conditions when adopting and enforcing fire safety regulations. The local administration also streamlines the process by allowing City departments to coordinate responses to residential and commercial construction applications, permits, and plans.
The fire prevention code currently adopted in SRC Chapter 58 is the 2022 edition of the OFC. The State has adopted the 2025 Oregon Fire Code based on the International Fire Code with Oregon amendments. The proposed revisions will implement the 2025 OFC with local amendments,
DAVID GERBOTH
FIRE CHIEF
Attachments:
1. Ordinance Bill No. 2-26
2. Exhibit A (Chapter 58) to Ordinance No. 2-26