TITLE VIII—BUILDING REGULATIONS

CHAPTER 1—BUILDING CODES

(Ord. 1193, eff. 7/31/1992; Ord. 1241, eff. 9/15/1995; Ord. 1268, eff. 7/18/1997; Ord. 1293, eff. 8/20/1999; Ord. 1337, eff. 12/20/2002; Ord. 1363, eff. 9/14/2007; Ord. 1369, eff. 1/18/2008; Ord. 1384, eff. 12/5/2008)

ARTICLE 1—PART 2 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

Sec. 8000 Adoption.

The provisions of the California Building Code, 2022 Edition, California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 2, Volumes 1 and 2, including Appendix B (Board of Appeals), Appendix H (Signs), Appendix I (Patio Covers), Appendix J (Grading), Appendix M (Tsunami), Appendix O (Performance-based application), and Appendix P (Emergency Housing) as published by the International Code Council with California amendments, and all other revisions, supplements and amendments hereby and hereafter adopted by the International Code Council with California amendments are hereby adopted and the Code is adopted as a whole. (Ord. 1369, eff. 1/18/2008; Ord. 1409, eff. 4/1/2011; Ord. 1438, eff. 2/13/2014; Ord. 1522, eff. 1/17/2020; Ord. 1561, eff. 1/20/2023)

Sec. 8001 Deposit of copies.

One copy of said code shall be filed for use and examination by the public in the office of the Building Official. The same or identical copy thereof shall at all times be kept on file for similar use. (Ord. 1369, eff. 1/18/2008)

Sec. 8002 Violations.

Violation of any provision of said code is declared to be an infraction punishable by all sanctions prescribed in Title I of the Arcata Municipal Code for violations of the Arcata Municipal Code.

Sec. 8003 Repealed by Ord. 1293, 8/20/1999

Sec. 8004 Repealed by Ord. 1369, eff. 1/18/2008

Sec. 8005 Repealed by Ord. 1369, eff. 1/18/2008

Sec. 8006 Building damage to Group R, Division 1 and 3 Occupancy by earthquake.

All structures of group R, Division 1 and 3 occupancies damaged by an earthquake, and subsequent events, shall be repaired in accordance with the following criteria:

a. When the damaged area of the foundation is equal to or greater than fifty percent (50%) of the structure footprint area, a new continuous concrete footing with reinforced concrete or reinforced masonry stem wall; or a new continuous concrete footing with plywood sheathed cripple wall shall be installed around the full perimeter of the structure in accordance with the requirements of Sections 1806, 2306.4 and any other relevant sections of the Uniform Building Code.

An alternative foundation system may be used when designed and detailed by a civil or structural engineer registered in the State of California.

b. When the damaged area of the foundation is less than fifty percent (50%) of the structure footprint area, the damaged elements shall be repaired in accordance with Building Code Standards or as designed and detailed by a California registered civil or structural engineer.

c. All damaged porches, porch covers, and exit stairways shall be repaired so as to comply with the current code.

d. All damaged structures currently considered as historic places or qualifying structures within historic districts shall be repaired in accordance with these standards with due consideration given to the historical ratings. Additional standards and criteria, as noted in the California Historical Building Code Title 24, Part 8, shall apply. When conflicts occur between these standards and the State of California Historic Building Code, the Historic Building Code shall take precedence. (Ord. 1193, eff. 7/31/1992; Ord. 1293, eff. 8/20/1999; Ord. 1369, eff. 1/18/2008)

Sec. 8007 Building Damage to all Other Occupancies by Earthquake.

Damaged structures of all other occupancies, which are regulated by local government, shall be repaired in accordance with the following criteria:

a. When the estimated cost of repair does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the replacement cost of the structures, the damaged portions shall be restored to their pre-earthquake conditions.

b. When the estimated cost of repair is greater than ten percent (10%), but less than fifty percent (50%) of the replacement cost of the structure, the damaged elements, as well as all critical structural ties associated with those elements, shall be repaired and/or brought into conformance with the current code.

c. Additions, alterations or repairs may be made to any building or structure without requiring the existing building or structure to comply with all the requirements of this code, provided the addition, alteration or repair conforms to that required for a new building or structure. Additions or alterations shall not be made to an existing building or structure which will cause the existing building or structure to be in violation of any of the provisions of this code nor shall such additions or alterations cause the existing building or structure to become unsafe.

All damaged masonry chimneys without a foundation and/or damaged masonry chimneys of single width construction shall be removed to grade.

New masonry chimneys or reconstructed portions of damaged masonry chimneys having a foundation shall be constructed in accordance with Chapters 21 and 21A of the California Building Code. (Ord. No. 1193, 7/31/1992; 1369, eff. 1/18/2008)

Sec. 8008 Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs.

(Repealed by Ord. 1293, eff. 8/20/1999)

Sec. 8009 Efficiency Dwelling Units.

Buildings containing small efficiency dwelling units shall comply with the California Building Code, California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code and the following:

1. Floor area: A small efficiency dwelling unit shall have a living room of at least 150 net square feet of floor area. The floor area occupied by bathrooms, cabinets, appliances, structural features, and any closets shall not be included in calculating the net floor area.

2. Kitchen: Each small efficiency dwelling unit shall contain a kitchen area with a cooking appliance, refrigerator and sink with hot and cold water. It shall be provided with two 20-amp small appliance branch circuits. Each circuit shall serve at least one duplex receptacle. The cooking appliance shall be on an additional circuit. All kitchen circuits shall have ground fault circuit interrupter protection.

3. Bathroom: Each small efficiency dwelling unit shall contain a bathroom with a water closet, lavatory, and a shower or bathtub.

4. Closets and Storage: A closet shall be provided within each unit. The portion of a closet used to store a built-in bed or other built-in equipment shall not be counted in the unit’s required square footage, and it shall not be counted as a required closet.

5. An egress window shall be provided from the space that conforms to the California Building Code. All electrical must conform to arc-fault requirements found in the California Electrical Code.

6. New structures with 3 or more living units must comply with all accessibility requirements as specified in Chapter 11 of the California Building Code. (Ord. 1363, 9/14/2007)

ARTICLE 2—PART 1 CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

Sec. 8010 Adoption.

The provisions of the California Administrative Code, Title 24, Part 1, 2022 Edition, as published by the International Code Council with California amendments, and other revisions, supplements and amendments heretofore and hereafter adopted by the International Code Council with California amendments are hereby adopted and the Code is adopted as a whole. (Ord. 1369, eff. 1/18/2008; Ord. 1409, eff. 4/1/2011; Ord. 1438, eff. 2/13/2014; Ord. 1522, eff. 1/17/2020; Ord. 1561, eff. 1/20/2023)

Sec. 8011 Deposit of Copies.

Sec. 8012 Violations.

Violation of any provision of said code is declared to be an infraction punishable by all sanctions prescribed in Title I of the Arcata Municipal Code for violations of the Arcata Municipal Code.

ARTICLE 3—PART 3 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE

Sec. 8030 Adoption.

The provisions of the California Electrical Code, Title 24, Part 3, 2022 Edition, based on the 2020 Edition National Electrical Code, as published by the National Fire Protection Association with California amendments, and other revisions, supplements and amendments heretofore and hereafter adopted by the National Fire Protection Association with California amendments are hereby adopted and the Code is adopted as a whole. (Ord. 1369, eff. 1/18/2008; Ord. 1409, eff. 4/1/2011; Ord. 1438, eff. 2/13/2014; Ord. 1522, eff. 1/17/2020; Ord. 1561, eff. 1/20/2023)

Sec. 8031 Deposit of Copies.

Sec. 8032 Violations.

Violation of any provision of said code is declared to be an infraction punishable by all sanctions prescribed in Title I of the Arcata Municipal Code for violations of the Arcata Municipal Code.

Sec. 8033 Amendment.

The Electrical Code is amended by the addition of the following:

Electric Fences. Fences charged to any voltage shall not be allowed in any City areas except those zoned for agricultural use, and shall comply with all requirements of this Code.

ARTICLE 4—PART 4 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE

Sec. 8040 Adoption.

The provisions of the California Mechanical Code, Title 24, Part 4, 2022 Edition, based on the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials with California amendments, and other revisions, supplements and amendments heretofore and hereafter adopted by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials with California amendments are hereby adopted and the Code is adopted as a whole. (Ord. 1369, eff. 1/18/2008; Ord. 1409, eff. 4/1/2011; Ord. 1438, eff. 2/13/2014; Ord. 1522, eff. 1/17/2020; Ord. 1561, eff. 1/20/2023)

Sec. 8041 Deposit of Copies.

Sec. 8042 Violations.

Violation of any provision of said code is declared to be an infraction punishable by all sanctions prescribed in Title I of the Arcata Municipal Code for violations of the Arcata Municipal Code.

ARTICLE 5—PART 5 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE

Sec. 8050 Adoption.

The provisions of the California Plumbing Code, Title 24, Part 5, 2022 Edition, based on the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials with California amendments, and other revisions, supplements and amendments heretofore and hereafter adopted by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials with California amendments are hereby adopted and the Code is adopted as a whole. (Ord. 1369, eff. 1/18/2008; Ord. 1409, eff. 4/1/2011; Ord. 1438, eff. 2/13/2014; Ord. 1522, eff. 1/17/2020; Ord. 1561, eff. 1/20/2023)

Sec. 8051 Deposit of Copies.

Sec. 8052 Violations.

Violation of any provision of said code is declared to be an infraction punishable by all sanctions prescribed in Title I of the Arcata Municipal Code for violations of the Arcata Municipal Code.

ARTICLE 6—PART 2.5 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE

Sec. 8060 Adoption.

The provisions of the California Residential Code, 2022 Edition, California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 2.5, including Appendix AH (Patio Covers), Appendix AO (Automatic Vehicular Gates), Appendix AQ (Tiny Houses), Appendix AV (Board of Appeals), Appendix AW (3D Printed Buildings), Appendix AX (Swimming Pool Safety Act), and Appendix AZ (Emergency Housing) as published by the International Code Council with California amendments, and other revisions, supplements and amendments heretofore and hereafter adopted by the International Code Council with California amendments are hereby adopted and the Code is adopted as a whole. (Ord. 1409, eff. 4/1/2011; Ord. 1438, eff. 2/13/2014; Ord. 1522, eff. 1/17/2020; Ord. 1561, eff. 1/20/2023)

Sec. 8061 Deposit of Copies.

Sec. 8062 Violations.

Violation of any provision of said code is declared to be an infraction punishable by all sanctions prescribed in Title I of the Arcata Municipal Code for violations of the Arcata Municipal Code. (Ord. 1409, eff. 4/1/2011)

ARTICLE 7—INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE

Sec. 8090 Adoption.

The provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2021 Edition, as published by the International Code Council, and other revisions, supplements and amendments heretofore and hereafter adopted by the International Code Council are hereby adopted and the Code is adopted as a whole. Where other State Laws, Statutes, or Code Provisions reference the 1997 Uniform Housing Code, equivalent sections from this code (2021 IPMC) may be substituted and understood to meet the intent of said law, statute, or provision. (Ord. 1369, eff. 1/18/2008; Ord. 1384, eff. 12/05/2008; Ord. 1522, eff. 1/17/2020; Ord. 1561, eff. 1/20/2023)

Sec. 8091 Deposit of Copies.

Sec. 8092 Violations.

Violation of any provision of said code is declared to be an infraction punishable by all sanctions prescribed in Title I of the Arcata Municipal Code for violations of the Arcata Municipal Code.

ARTICLE 8—PART 11 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

Sec. 8100 Adoption.

The provisions of the California Green Building Standards Code, Title 24, Part 11, 2022 Edition, as published by the International Code Council with California amendments, and other revisions, supplements and amendments heretofore and hereafter adopted by the International Code Council with California amendments are hereby adopted and the Code is adopted as a whole except as amended by this Article. (Ord. 1409, eff. 4/1/2011; Ord. 1438, eff. 2/13/2014; Ord. 1507, eff. 10/19/2018; Ord. 1522, eff. 1/17/2020; Ord. 1561, eff. 1/20/2023)

Sec. 8100.1 Definitions.

"Energy Budget" is the maximum amount of time dependent valuation (TDV) energy that a proposed building, or portion of a building, can be designed to consume, calculated with the approved procedures specified in Part 6 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. The Energy Budget is calculated based upon the features in the Standard Design Building.

"Low-Rise Residential Building" is a building, other than a hotel/motel, that is occupancy group:

R-2, multifamily, with three (3) stories or less; or

R-3, single-family; or

U-building, located on a residential site.

"R-2 Residential Occupancies" as defined in 2016 California Building Code, Title 24, Part 2, Volume 1, Section 310.4, Residential Group R-2.

"R-3 Residential Occupancies" as defined in 2016 California Building Code, Title 24, Part 2, Volume 1, Section 310.5, Residential Group R-3.

"Single-Family Building" is a single dwelling unit of occupancy group R-3, as defined in the CBC, which stands separate and unattached from other dwelling units but may have an attached garage.

"Standard Design Building" is a building that complies with the mandatory and prescriptive requirements in Title 24, Part 6 of the California Code of Regulations (California Energy Code) by using the building energy modeling rules described in the Alternative Calculation Method (ACM) Reference Manual. (Ord. 1507, eff. 10/19/2018)

Sec. 8100.2 Purpose and Intent.

It is the purpose and intent of this Section to provide standards for builders and developers of newly constructed Low-Rise Residential Buildings to design and construct the buildings to exceed minimum 2016 Title 24, Part 6 of the California Code of Regulations requirements to achieve energy savings, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental footprint of new developments. (Ord. 1507, eff. 10/19/2018)

Sec. 8100.3 Requirement.

A. Single-Family Buildings. Newly constructed buildings of no more than two (2) dwelling units in Arcata shall:

1. Be designed and constructed to include the green building measures specified as mandatory under the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen); and

2. Meet the efficiency requirements of Section A4.203.1.2 Performance Standard of the CALGreen Code and shall have an Energy Budget that is no greater than seventy percent (70%) of the Energy Budget for the Standard Design using efficiency measures only or a combination of efficiency measures and the photovoltaic (PV) system compliance credit.

B. Multifamily Buildings. Newly constructed multifamily residential buildings of occupancy group R-2 in Arcata shall:

1. Be designed and constructed to include the green building measures specified as mandatory under the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen); and

2. Meet the efficiency requirements of Section A4.203.1.2 Performance Standard of the CALGreen Code and shall have an Energy Budget that is no greater than eighty percent (80%) of the Energy Budget for the Standard Design using efficiency measures only or a combination of efficiency measures and the photovoltaic (PV) system compliance credit.

C. PV Compliance Credit. The PV compliance credit is equivalent to eight percent (8%) of the compliance margin for Single-Family Buildings, or four and four-tenths percent (4.4%) of the compliance margin for multifamily buildings. In order to secure the PV compliance credit the PV system must be sized in accordance with the 2016 Residential ACM Reference Manual. Maximum PV system size in all cases is limited to no more than providing one hundred percent (100%) of annual on-site electrical usage for the building. (Ord. 1507, eff. 10/19/2018)

Sec. 8100.4 Exemptions.

A. The Building Official may exempt a covered building from the provisions of this Chapter if the Official determines there are sufficient practical challenges to make satisfaction of the requirements infeasible. The applicant is responsible for demonstrating requirement infeasibility when applying for an exemption.

B. One (1) exception to this Article is a lack of solar access for the building site. Properties that have limited solar access due to trees or other obstructions that will tend to make the PV system seriously underperform will not be held to the same standard. If solar access is reduced by thirty percent (30%) or more in terms of the total annual solar radiation available at the site compared to an unobstructed site, this is considered cause for an exception. In this case single-family residential buildings are required to meet a twenty-two percent (22%) compliance margin using energy efficiency measures only (Energy Budget that is no greater than seventy-eight percent (78%) of the Energy Budget for the Standard Design) and multifamily residential buildings are required to meet a fifteen percent (15%) compliance margin using energy efficiency measures only (Energy Budget that is no greater than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Energy Budget for the Standard Design).

C. The Building Official may exempt a covered building from the provisions of this Article if the Official determines the building has satisfied the purpose and intent of this provision through the use of alternate on-site renewable electricity systems, including wind turbines. (Ord. 1507, eff. 10/19/2018)

Sec. 8101 Deposit of Copies.

One (1) copy of said code shall be filed for use and examination by the public in the office of the Building Official. The same or identical copy thereof shall at all times be kept on file for similar use. (Ord. 1409, eff. 4/1/2011; Ord. 1507, eff. 10/19/2018; Ord. 1522, eff. 1/17/2020)

Sec. 8102 Violations.

Violation of any provision of said code is declared to be an infraction punishable by all sanctions prescribed in Title I for violations of the Arcata Municipal Code. (Ord. 1409, eff. 4/1/2011; Ord. 1507, eff. 10/19/2018; Ord. 1522, eff. 1/17/2020)

ARTICLE 9—PART 12 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE

Sec. 8110 Adoption.

The provisions of the California Referenced Standards Code, Title 24, Part 12, 2022 Edition, as published by the California Building Standards Commission, are hereby adopted and the Code is adopted as a whole. (Ord. 1369, eff. 1/18/2008; Ord. 1409, eff. 4/1/2011; Ord. 1438, eff. 2/13/2014; Ord. 1522, eff. 1/17/2020; Ord. 1561, eff. 1/20/2023)

Sec. 8111 Deposit of Copies.

Sec. 8112 Violations.

Violation of any provision of said code is declared to be an infraction punishable by all sanctions prescribed in Title I of the Arcata Municipal Code for violations of the Arcata Municipal Code.

ARTICLE 10—Repealed and Reserved by Ord. No. 1369, eff. 1/18/2008.

ARTICLE 11—PART 10 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE

Sec. 8130 Adoption.

The provisions of the California Existing Building Code, Title 24, Part 10, 2022 Edition, as published by the International Code Council with California amendments, and other revisions, supplements and amendments heretofore and hereafter adopted by the International Code Council with California amendments are hereby adopted and the Code is adopted as a whole. (Ord. 1369, eff. 1/18/2008; Ord. 1409, eff. 4/1/2011; Ord. 1438, eff. 2/13/2014; Ord. 1522, eff. 1/17/2020; Ord. 1561, eff. 1/20/2023)

Sec. 8131 Deposit of Copies.

Sec. 8132 Violations.

Violation of any provision of said code is declared to be an infraction punishable by all sanctions prescribed in Title I of the Arcata Municipal Code for violations of the Arcata Municipal Code.

ARTICLE 12—UNIFORM SWIMMING POOL, SPA AND HOT TUB CODE

(Repealed by Ord. 1409, eff. 4/1/2011)

ARTICLE 13—PART 8 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE

Sec. 8150 Adoption.

The provisions of the California Historical Building Code, Title 24, Part 8, 2022 Edition, as published by the International Code Council with California amendments, and other revisions, supplements and amendments heretofore and hereafter adopted by the International Code Council with California amendments are hereby adopted and the Code is adopted as a whole. (Ord. 1337, eff. 12/20/2002; Ord. 1369, eff. 1/18/2008; Ord. 1409, eff. 4/1/2011; Ord. 1438, eff. 2/13/2014; Ord. 1522, eff. 1/17/2020; Ord. 1561, eff. 1/20/2023)

Sec. 8151 Deposit of Copies.

Sec. 8152 Violations.

Violation of any provision of said code is declared to be an infraction punishable by all sanctions prescribed in Title I of the Arcata Municipal Code. (Ord. 1337, eff. 12/20/2002)

ARTICLE 14—PART 6 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE

Sec. 8160 Adoption.

The provisions of the California Energy Code, Title 24, Part 6, 2022 Edition, as published by the International Code Council with California amendments, and other revisions, supplements and amendments heretofore and hereafter adopted by the International Code Council with California amendments are hereby adopted and the Code is adopted as a whole. (Ord. 1409, eff. 4/1/2011; Ord. 1444, eff. 9/19/2014; Ord. 1522, eff. 1/17/2020; Ord. 1561, eff. 1/20/2023)

Sec. 8161 Deposit of Copies.

Sec. 8162 Violations.

Violation of any provision of said code is declared to be an infraction punishable by all sanctions prescribed in Title I of the Arcata Municipal Code.