Galt to require fire sprinklers in new homes

Galt became the first city in Sacramento County on Tuesday night to require builders to install fire sprinklers in all new homes and commercial buildings.

The 4-1 City Council vote, with Councilman Darryl Clare opposed, adds Galt to what fire sprinkler industry supporters say is a growing list of jurisdictions in California that have boosted mandates for the life-saving devices.

"I'm going to be calling other cities to see if I can convince them to do this," Councilman Tim Raboy said Wednesday.

Raboy, who has long pushed for the change in Galt, said the ordinance will add about $1 a square foot to home costs. That can be offset by reductions in homeowners' insurance premiums of as much as 13 percent, he said.

Fire Chief Steve Foster of the Cosumnes Community Services District Fire Department on Wednesday called Galt's move a "great step forward in public safety for the community of Galt and for the region."

But lobbyist Ardie Zahedani of the North State Building Industry Association, an opponent of the Galt plan, said in an interview that the organization is "conducting legal research to explore other options. We think there may be some issues."

In an e-mail to The Bee, Zahedani said, "Galt's proposal is far-reaching, under-studied, and, very possibly, illegal."

Sprinkler systems already are required throughout Sacramento County in new commercial structures of at least 3,600 square feet, Foster said. Restaurants of any size also are required to have fire sprinklers.

The Galt ordinance, to take effect May 1, requires sprinklers for all commercial construction, as well as all new homes. The mandate includes some home expansions and some major repairs. Storage sheds and many garages will be exempt.

A check with other jurisdictions shows the concept has gained popularity.

The city of Woodland and Yolo County, for example, require fire sprinklers in all new residential construction, Woodland City Fire Marshal Russ Cole said. Commercial buildings 5,000 square feet and larger must have fire sprinklers in those jurisdictions.

The city of Roseville mandates fire sprinklers for many new homes, particularly those that are in high-density, or attached, developments.

The city of Lincoln adopted an ordinance in 2004, but it offers a range of exclusions for homes.

The cities of San Mateo and Alameda and the county of Ventura, among other California jurisdictions, have their own varying requirements.

Raboy said the Galt ordinance will save lives.

"Sixty-nine people have died (in home fires) in the Sacramento area in the last eight years. I believe that is shocking," he said.

But Councilman Clare called the ordinance "bad law."

Clare complained of government intrusion and the added costs to homebuyers.

"It seems, tonight, we have casually said that people can afford thousands of dollars" to pay for sprinklers, he said.

In 2003, Galt required builders to educate buyers and offer fire sprinklers as an upgrade in new homes. Few opted for the installations.

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