Chapter 15.04
BUILDING AND FIRE CODES

Sections:

15.04.010    Adoption of California Building Codes.

15.04.020    Penalty for violation.

15.04.040    Residential doorway width.

15.04.050    Modifications to the California Building Code.

15.04.060    Modifications to the California Residential Code.

15.04.070    Modifications to the California Mechanical Code.

15.04.080    Modifications to the California Plumbing Code.

15.04.010 Adoption of California Building Codes.

The city of Capitola adopts the following codes or designated portions thereof:

A. The California Building Code and appendices, 2022 Edition, which edition incorporates the International Building Code, 2021 Edition as published by the International Code Council, and includes the Historic, Existing Building, and International Property Maintenance Codes.

B. The California Electrical Code, 2022 Edition, which incorporates the 2021 National Electrical Code as published by the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 70.

C. The California Mechanical Code, 2022 Edition, which incorporates the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code as published by the Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.

D. The California Plumbing Code, 2022 Edition, which incorporates the 2021 Edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code.

E. The California Fire Code, 2022 Edition, as amended by the Central Fire Protection District Fire Code, 2021 Edition.

F. The California Residential Code, 2022 Edition, which incorporates the International Residential Code, 2021 Edition.

G. The 2022 California Referenced Standards Code.

H. The California Energy Code, 2022 Edition.

I. The California Green Building Standards Code, 2022 Edition.

J. The California Administrative Code, 2022 Edition.

K. The California Historical Building Code, 2022 Edition.

L. The California Existing Building Code, 2022 Edition, which incorporates the International Existing Building Code, 2022 Edition.

The International Building Codes may be used as an alternative to the California Codes, when submitted, reviewed, and approved by the city’s building official. (Ord. 1056 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1035 § 1, 2019: Ord. 1007 § 2, 2016: Ord. 987 § 2, 2014: Ord. 951 § 1, 2011; Ord. 927 § 1, 2007; Ord. 842 § 1, 2002: Ord. 812 § 1, 1999: Ord. 784 § 1, 1995: Ord. 733, 1992: Ord. 712, 1991; Ord. 684 § 1, 1989: Ord. 607 § 1 (part), 1986: Ord. 592 § 1, 1985: Ord. 549 § 2, 1984: Ord. 511 § 1, 1981; Ord. 496, 1981; Ord. 489, 1980; Ord. 479 § 2, 1980)

15.04.020 Penalty for violation.

Any person violating any of the provisions or failing to comply with any of the mandatory requirements of said codes shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment not to exceed six months or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 479 § 3, 1980)

15.04.040 Residential doorway width.

Residential structures not regulated by Chapter 11 of the California State Building Code shall have a minimum clear width of thirty inches at all doorways, through which any user may pass, excluding shower doors, closet or pantry doors when the back wall of the closet or pantry is less than three feet from the door. (Ord. 784 § 2, 1995: Ord. 607 § 1 (part), 1986: Ord. 502, 1981)

15.04.050 Modifications to the California Building Code.

A. The following local geologic conditions justify modifications to California Building Standards Code as detailed in subsection B of this section:

Geological – The region is located in an area of high seismic activities as indicated by United States Geological Survey and California Division of Mines and Geology. Recent earthquake activities have indicated the lack of flexibility of materials and/or building systems has been a contributing factor to damages that reduced the usability of buildings, degraded the life-safety of building occupants, and increased the cost of rehabilitation of the structures.

B. The following modifications apply to the California Building Code:

Section 105.5.1 [Permit] Expiration

Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance or after commencement of work if more than 180 days pass between inspections. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods of not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

C. Section 1905.1.8. Amend ACI 318 section 22.10.1 of ACI 318 that allows the use of plain concrete in residential structures assigned to seismic design category D, E or F to read:

22.10. Plain concrete in structures assigned to seismic design category C, D, E or F.

22.10.1. Structures assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F shall not have elements of structural plain concrete, except as follows:

(a) Isolated footings of plain concrete supporting pedestals or columns are permitted, provided the projection of the footing beyond the face of the supported member does not exceed the footing thickness.

Exception: In detached one and two-family dwelling three stories or less in height, the projection of the footing beyond the face of the supported member is permitted to exceed the footing thickness.

(b) Plain concrete footing supporting walls are permitted, provided the footings have at least two continuous longitudinal reinforcing bars. Bars shall not be smaller than No. 4 and shall have a total area of not less than 0.002 times the gross cross-sectional area of the footing. A minimum of one bar shall be provided at the top and bottom of the footing. Continuity of reinforcement shall be provided at corners and intersections.

Exception: In detached one and two-family dwellings three stores or less in height and constructed with stud bearing walls, plain concrete footings with at least two continuous longitudinal reinforcing bars not smaller than No. 4 are permitted to have a total area of less than 0.002 times the gross cross-sectional area of the footing.

(Ord. 1056 § 3, 2022; Ord. 1007 § 3, 2016: Ord. 987 § 3, 2014: Ord. 927 § 2, 2007; Ord. 842 § 2, 2002)

15.04.060 Modifications to the California Residential Code.

The following changes and modifications are hereby made to the California Residential Code as referenced below:

A. CRC R105.5 shall be amended to read:

Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance or after commencement of work if more than 180 days pass between inspections. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods of not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

R403.1.3. Seismic reinforcing.

a) Concrete footings located in Seismic Design Categories D0, D1 and D2, as established in Table R301.2 (1), shall have minimum reinforcement of at least two continuous longitudinal reinforcing bars not smaller than No. 4 bars. Bottom reinforcement shall be located a minimum of 3 inches (76 mm) clear from the bottom of the footing.

b) In Seismic Design Categories D0, D1 and D2 where a construction joint is created between a concrete footing and a stem wall, a minimum of one No. 4 bar shall be installed at not more than 4 feet (1219 mm) on center. The vertical bar shall extend to 3 inches (76 mm) clear of the bottom of the footing, have a standard hook and extend a minimum of 14 inches (357 mm) into the stem wall.

c) In Seismic Design Categories D0, D1 and D2 where a grouted masonry stem wall is supported on a concrete footing and stem wall, a minimum of one No. 4 bar shall be installed at not more than 4 feet (1219 mm) on center. The vertical bar shall extend to 3 inches (76 mm) clear of the bottom of the footing and have a standard hook.

d) In Seismic Design Categories D0, D1 and D2 masonry stem walls without solid grout and vertical reinforcing are not permitted.

Exception: In detached one- and two-family dwellings which are three stories or less in height and constructed with stud bearing walls, isolated plain concrete footings supporting columns or pedestals are permitted.

In Seismic Design Categories D0, D1, and D2, Method GB is not permitted and the use of Method PCP is limited to one-story single family dwellings and accessory structures.

Add the “e” footnote notation in the title of Table R602.10., after the four footnotes currently shown, to read:

TABLE R602.10.1.3(3)a,b,c,d, e

e) R602.10.4.4. Limits on methods GB and PCP. In Seismic Design Categories D0, D1, and D2, Method GB is not permitted for use as intermittent braced wall panels, but gypsum board is permitted to be installed when required by this Section to be placed on the opposite side of the studs from other types of braced wall panel sheathing. In Seismic Design Categories D0, D1, and D2, the use of Method PCP is limited to one-story single-family dwellings and accessory structures.

(Ord. 1056 § 4, 2022; Ord. 1035 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1007 § 4, 2016: Ord. 987 § 4, 2014)

15.04.070 Modifications to the California Mechanical Code.

The following modification is made to the California Mechanical Code:

A. Section 104.4.3 of the California Mechanical Code is deleted and replaced with the following:

Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance or after commencement of work if more than 180 days pass between inspections. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods of not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

Section 104.4.3.1 is deleted.

(Ord. 1056 § 5, 2022)

15.04.080 Modifications to the California Plumbing Code.

The following modification is made to the California Plumbing Code:

A. Section 104.4.3 is deleted and replaced with the following:

Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance or after commencement of work if more than 180 days pass between inspections. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods of not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

Section 104.4.3.1 is deleted.

(Ord. 1056 § 6, 2022)