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9.A. - Page 2 <br /> fire giving occupants valuable time to get out safely. Effective July 1, 1989, the State of <br /> California required Automatic Sprinkler Systems for new multi-unit residential buildings. <br /> Effective January 1, 2011, the State required Automatic Sprinkler Systems for new <br /> single-family homes. Currently, state law does not require multi-unit residential buildings <br /> built before July 1, 1989, to be retrofitted with Automatic Sprinkler Systems, and instead <br /> the determination has been left to local jurisdictions to decide what is appropriate for <br /> their communities. <br /> ANALYSIS <br /> Proposed Ordinance <br /> Considering that Automatic Sprinkler Systems are the most effective way to reduce loss <br /> of life and property and that the operations of Fire Departments are also made safer, it <br /> is recommended that multi-unit residenital buildings of four units or more be required by <br /> ordinance to retrofit their buildings with Automatic Sprinkler Systems. This would affect <br /> buildings built prior to July 1, 1989, when these systems becasem required for multi-unit <br /> residential buildings. After five years, affected building owners would have had <br /> adequate time to plan and set aside resources to comply with this new requirement. As <br /> proposed, compliance would be voluntary for the first five years. After July 1, 2020, <br /> compliance woud be mandatory. In recognition that some older buildings may have <br /> conditions that make compliance challenging, the Fire Marshall is empowered to <br /> approve appropriate alternate methods and means of fire suppression provided such <br /> means meets the intent of the ordinance and serves to preserve and promote (life, <br /> heath, and safety. <br /> Fire Safety First Program and Rent Stabilization <br /> In order to facilitate compliance with the requirement to retrofit older apartment buildings <br /> with Automatic Sprinkler Systems, the City is proposing to provide certain economic <br /> incentives as set forth in the "City of Redwood City Fire Safety First Pilot Program (the <br /> "Program")". The program has two important components: <br /> (1) Low Interest Loan Program. An owner of a pre-July 1, 1989 multi-unit residential <br /> building with four or more units may apply to have the City offset the costs of <br /> retrofitting a building with a low interest loan; or <br /> (2) Rent Stabilization Loan Program. Alternatively, an owner may receive loan <br /> forgiveness in exchange for entering into a rent stabilization program. <br /> The following are some of the key program elements: <br /> Page 2 of 5 <br />