Groom Creek Building Code Overview

In the General Election held November 6, voters in the Groom Creek Fire District approved the adoption of the 2006 International Wildland Urban Interface Code and the 2006 International Fire Code. New construction will now have to meet defensible space and tree density requirements as well as meeting FireWise construction requirements.

The district will charge a fee for the plans review and code enforcement that will help offset the costs of the newly filled position responsible for these activities. Our Assistant Chief serves as the Fire Marshal and Code Enforcement Official.

If you are planning a new construction project in the district, we will be happy to assist in the planning stages to facilitate the permit process and compliance with the new requirements. If you would like to review the codes and/or get more information about them, please contact Assistant Chief Manzanedo at 928-778-6519.

The ability for the Fire District to enforce open burning requirements and restrictions is an advantage to having the codes in place. The County repealed their codes relating to the fire restrictions and would not enforce any during the last fire season. We should expect future fire seasons to be more severe in the near future until a significant event ends the years of drought conditions.

Additionally, we will require that new developments have an adequate water supply, proper access in the event of an emergency and meet FireWise principals in their vegetation management and construction. Also, any new structures over 5,000 square feet will need to have an approved sprinkler system.

The intention of adoption of the codes is to ensure life safety as well as to protect the area from the effects of a devastating wildland fire event as we have seen recently in California. All of the same conditions that contributed to thousands of homes lost in the last month are present in our area in our most critical time of our fire season.

2006 International Wildland/Urban Interface Code

These codes allow the fire district to provide input for the future development of the Groom Creek area. With water supply being the number one issue, the code will require new construction over 5000 square feet to install sprinkler systems and provide the water storage necessary. Any new subdivisions will need to provide defensible space and comply with the vegetation management guidelines outlined in the code.

This code does not affect any existing structures, except when a remodel that requires the issuance of a building permit is undertaken. Then, the portions of the structure to be modified will need to adhere to the construction materials requirements and defensible space.

The code covers:

• Ignition resistant building materials
• Ignition resistant building techniques
• Driveway access for fire apparatus
• Vegetation plans for new residences and subdivisions that provide defensible space
• Sprinkler systems on structures over 5000 sq. ft.
• Proper address labels for emergency response
• Other restrictions on outdoor burning, outside storage, etc.

If you would like to review a copy of the code, one is available at the fire station for review. This is the same code adopted by the neighboring jurisdictions and we are attempting to provide a seamless set of requirements for all of us who live in the interface.

The Groom Creek Fire District has established several amendments to the Code. The ordinance adoption and amendments can be read by clicking this link. Due to copyright restrictions, the code itself is not able to be posted.

Please call or email Assistant Chief Ernesto Manzanedo if you have any questions about the codes. Email address is ernesto(at)groomcreek.org.

The 2006 ICC Wildland Urban Interface Code (WUI Code) has been established to ensure that new construction within the Groom Creek Fire District will be as fire-resistant as necessary to ensure safety for the entire community.  A version of this code is currently established and enforced by the City of Prescott within their jurisdiction.  This code will work in conjunction with existing Yavapai County Building codes (ICC International Building Codes and ICC International Fire Codes).

The objective of this Code is to establish minimum regulations consistent with nationally recognized good practice for the safeguarding of life and property. Regulations in the WUI Code are intended to mitigate the risk to life and structures from a wildland fire, and to prevent a wildland fire from spreading as a result of a structure fire.  The codes will also help ensure that there is adequate access and water supply for fire suppression forces to adequately control an emergency.

What Does The ICC WUI Code Cover?

1. Ignition resistant building materials on new construction, additions or remodels.
2. Ignition resistant building techniques (such as covering eaves, no voids under house, etc) on new construction, additions, or remodels.
3. Driveway access for fire apparatus on new construction.
4. Vegetation plan for new structures/subdivisions that ensure defensible space requirements on new construction.
5. Water supply requirements for new construction to ensure continuous water supply during a fire.
6. Sprinkler systems will be required on new structures over 5,000 square feet.
7. Structure address marking and road marking within the District.
8. Other miscellaneous items such as outdoor fire pit/BBQ restrictions, power line safety, on-site storage, etc.

What is Affected?

1. New Subdivisions
• Must have adequate access and water supply.
2. Individual Structures
• New or relocated structures >120 square feet must comply with building material requirements, vegetation requirements, as well as access and water supply requirements of this code.
• Additions or remodels to existing structures will need to apply to Chapter 5 “Special Building Construction Regulations” section within the code.  This section primarily deals with ignition resistant building materials.

What is Not Affected?

1. Current structures in their current building status within the district.
2. One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet and the structure is located more than thirty (30) feet from the nearest adjacent structure will not need a permit
3. Remodeling or additions, including but not limited to, decks of existing buildings or structures are exempt from all except for Chapter 5 requirements.
4. Any historic or cultural resources, including but not limited to, buildings, structures, landscapes, streetscape features or sites may be exempted from this code if they meet certain criteria.

Why Is This Even Necessary?

1. It all comes down to community safety.  One property owner that is careless can endanger the entire community.
2. Our community is tied into the forest.  As our forest is currently in an extreme long-term drought, a wildland fire can quickly and easily spread, igniting structures within the District.  These new requirements can help mitigate that threat.
3. Conversely, if a fire were to start in a structure within the District, it will very easily spread, and become a wildland fire as well.  Then we have two threats.  The wildland fire can very easily spread the fire to neighboring structures or communities.  The ICC WUI Code will help mitigate this threat.
4. Due to the pending Federal land swap, we foresee the possibility of new subdivisions being constructed on lands that are currently occupied by some summer camps.  We want to ensure these developments are safely and smartly constructed in a manner that will not pose unnecessary risk to the new homeowners, or the existing residents of our district.

How Will This Be Implemented?

1. When a building permit is applied for through the Yavapai County Building Department, the Groom Creek Fire District will be notified. 
2. A permit will also be applied for through Groom Creek Fire District by the party requesting to build.  The permit and plans will be reviewed in accordance with the WUI Codes. 
3. Upon permit approval, we will notify Yavapai County Building Department so that they may issue the building permit.
4. A District code official will apply periodic inspections during the building process to ensure the provisions of the WUI Code are met.
5. Before Yavapai County will issue a certificate of occupancy, Groom Creek Fire District will submit to the County paperwork stating that the construction is compliant with the WUI Code.
6. Note that inspection and approval by GCFD of compliance with the WUI Code, is completely separate than inspection and approval of the standard International Building Code that is enforced by the County.  The building permit process with Yavapai County will not change as a result of the WUI Code.

Where Can I View The 2006 WUI Code in It’s Entirety?

1. You can purchase a copy of the 2006 Wildland Urban Interface Code at www.ecodes.biz for approximately $32.40.
2. You can visit the Groom Creek Fire Station and read the printed hard copy of the code.  We cannot lend out the code book – you’ll have to read it at the station.

*These local amendments to the standard WUI Code, as well as the processes for implementation and inspection, are still in the planning stages.  Statements above may vary slightly from the final provisions once approved by the Groom Creek Board of Directors.

2006 International Fire Code

The 2006 Internation Fire Code has been adopted to bring the Groom Creek community into compliance with National standards. The code has been adopted as written, with no amendments. The International fire code will be used by the Fire District for...

• Issuing burn permits
• Restrcting burning during high fire danger periods
• Regulating premisis identifiction (house numbers)
• Regulating water supplies
• Fire department access to properties

Where Can I View The 2006 International Fire Code in It’s Entirety?

1. You can purchase a copy of the 2006 International Fire Code at www.ecodes.biz.
2. You can visit the Groom Creek Fire Station and read the printed hard copy of the code.  We cannot lend out the code book – you’ll have to read it at the station.

Questions? Comments?

Please call or email Assistant Chief Ernesto Manzanedo if you have any questions about the codes. Email address is ernesto(at)groomcreek.org.