Chapter 15.12
RESIDENTIAL CODE
Sections:
15.12.010 Residential Code.
California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 2.5: California Residential Building Code 2022 Edition as published by the International Code Council, with Appendix AH (Patio Covers), Appendix AJ (Existing Buildings and Structures), Appendix AK (Sound Transmission), Appendix AQ (Tiny Houses), Appendix AR (Light Straw-Clay Construction), Appendix AS (Strawbale Construction), Appendix AT (Solar-Ready Provisions – Detached One and Two Family Dwellings and Townhouses) and Appendix AX (Emergency Housing), referred to as the “International Residential Code” or “IRC,” is adopted with the following amendments and made a part of this title by reference. (Ord. 757 § 4 (Exh. A), 2022).
15.12.015 Definitions.
Substantial Remodel. “Substantial remodel” shall mean the alteration of any structure which combined with any additions to the structure, performed within any three-year period, affects a floor area which exceeds 50 percent of the existing floor area of the structure. When any changes are made in the building, such as walls, columns, beams or girders, floor or ceiling joists and coverings, roof rafters, roof diaphragms, foundations, piles or retaining walls or similar components, the floor area of all rooms affected by such changes shall be included in computing floor areas for purposes of applying this definition. This definition does not apply to the replacement and upgrading of residential roof coverings or exterior wall finishes. (Ord. 757 § 4 (Exh. A), 2022).
15.12.020 Amendments.
The California Residential Code is amended as follows, where wording additions are denoted by underlining and deletions are noted by strikeout. Other amendments are noted in italics.
A. Division II, Administration. Section R105.2, Exception No. 1 is amended as follows:
R105.2 Work exempt from permit; Building.
1. One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided that the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (11.15 m2). The height of the one-story detached accessory building shall not exceed 12 feet at any point.
California Residential Code Section R105.2, Exception No. 10 is amended as follows:
10. Platforms and decks not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve as the exit door required by Section R311.4.
California Residential Code Chapter 1 Section R108.6 is amended as follows:
R108.6 Work commencing before permit issuance. Any person who commences any work requiring a permit on a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system before obtaining the necessary permits shall be subject to a fee established by the building official that shall be in addition to the required permit fees. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be at least equal to and not to exceed five times the permit fee required by this code. The minimum investigation fee set forth in the fee schedule adopted by this jurisdiction. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of this code nor from any penalty prescribed by law.
California Residential Code Chapter 1 Section R108.7 is added as follows:
R108.7 Re-inspection. A re-inspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or re-inspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when corrections called for are not made. This section is not to be interpreted as requiring re-inspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of this code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection or re-inspection.
Re-inspection fees may be assessed when the inspection record card is not posted or otherwise available on the work site, the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector. For failure to provide access on the date for which inspection is requested, or for deviating from plans requiring the approval of the building official. To obtain a re-inspection, the applicant shall file an application therefor in writing on a form furnished for that purpose and pay the re-inspection fee in accordance with Table 1 or as set forth in the fee schedule adopted by the jurisdiction. In instances where re-inspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid.
California Residential Code Chapter 1 Section R108.8 is added as follows:
R108.8 Violation penalties. Any person who violates a provision of this code or fails to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who erects, constructs, alters or repairs a building or structure in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the building official, or of a permit or certificate issued under the provisions of this code, shall be subject to CMC Chapter 1.08. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be at least equal to the minimum investigation fee set forth in the adopted fee schedule and shall not exceed five times the permit fee required by this code. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of this code nor from any penalty prescribed by law.
B. Chapter 3, Building Planning. California Residential Code Chapter Section R313.1 is amended as follows:
R313.1 Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all townhouses.
Exceptions:
1. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required where additions or alterations are made to existing townhouses that do not have an automatic residential fire sprinkler system installed.
2. Detached Group U occupancies of 1,000 sq. ft. or less in floor area.
3. Detached pool houses of 1,000 sq. ft. or less in floor area within 50 feet of the pool and limited to a single bathroom.
4. A room above a detached garage used for storage only that does not contain a bathroom, cooking or refrigeration facilities or connections for such facilities.
5. Carports of non-combustible construction.
California Residential Code Chapter 1 Section R313.2 is amended as follows:
R313.2 One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all one- and two-family dwellings.
Exceptions:
1. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required where additions or alterations are made to existing buildings that are not already provided with an automatic residential fire sprinkler system.
2. Accessory Dwelling Unit, provided that all of the following are met:
2.1 The unit meets the definition of an Accessory Dwelling Unit as defined in the Government Code Section 65852.2.
2.2 The existing primary residence does not have automatic fire sprinklers.
2.3 The accessory detached dwelling unit does not exceed 1,200 square feet in size.
3. Detached Group U occupancies up to 1,000 sq. ft. in floor area.
4. Detached pool houses up to 1,000 sq. ft. in floor area within 50 feet of the pool and limited to a single bathroom.
5. A room above a detached garage used for storage only that does not contain a bathroom, cooking or refrigeration facilities or connections for such facilities.
6. Carports of non-combustible construction.
California Residential Code Chapter 1 Section R313.2.3 is added as follows:
R313.2.3 Alterations or Repairs. For alterations or repairs that qualify as a substantial remodel, the building shall meet the fire sprinkler requirements for a newly-constructed building. See definition of Substantial Remodel (Section 15.12.015).
Exceptions to this Section:
One-time alterations made solely for the purpose of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Work associated with the creation of an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit, as defined by Govt. Code 65852.2. and 65852.22, if fire sprinklers are not required for the primary residence.
(Ord. 757 § 4 (Exh. A), 2022).