Chapter 15.12
BUILDING CODES – ADOPTIONS
AND AMENDMENTS
Sections:
15.12.010 Adoption of California Building Code and related model codes.
15.12.050 Maintenance agreement.
15.12.060 Building permit expiration.
15.12.070 Underground utilities.
15.12.080 Amendments to the California Electrical Code.
15.12.010 Adoption of California Building Code and related model codes.
A. For the purpose of prescribing regulations for the erecting, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, improving, removal, conversion, demolition, occupancy, equipment use, height, and area of buildings and structures, the following construction codes are hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this chapter as though set forth in full, except as amended by this chapter: the California Building Code Parts 1 and 2, 2022 Edition, based on the 2021 International Building Code, including Chapter 1, Scope and Administration, with Appendices I and J; the California Green Building Code, 2022 Edition, as published by the International Code Council; the California Residential Code, 2022 Edition, based on the 2021 International Residential Code, including Appendix H, as published by the California Building Standards Commission; the California Plumbing Code, 2022 Edition, based on the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials; the California Mechanical Code, 2022 Edition, based on the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials; the California Electrical Code, 2022 Edition, based on the 2020 National Electrical Code as published by the National Fire Protection Association; the International Property Maintenance Code, 2021 Edition, as published by the International Code Council; the Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code, 2021 Edition, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials; the California Energy Code, 2022 Edition, as published by the International Code Council; the California Historical Building Code, 2022 Edition, as published by the International Code Council; the California Existing Building Code, 2022 Edition, as published by the International Code Council; and the California Referenced Standards, 2022 Edition, as published by the International Code Council (collectively, the “construction codes”).
B. The provisions of these construction codes, as amended by this chapter, shall constitute the building regulations of the city of Palos Verdes Estates. Where the California Code of Regulations and State Building Standards Code of Regulations differ from any sections of the construction codes, state regulations shall prevail over the construction codes. (Ord. 759 § 5, 2022; Ord. 741 § 5, 2020; Ord. 723 § 5, 2017; Ord. 705 § 3, 2013; Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012; Ord. 698 § 2, 2010; Ord. 682 § 3, 2007)
15.12.020 Administration.
A. A copy of each construction code shall be maintained in the office of the city clerk and shall be made available for public inspection.
B. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the governing rules, regulations and conditions of administrative procedure for the city building codes shall be as set forth in Chapter 1 of the California Building Code, 2022 Edition, and such rules, regulations and conditions shall prevail over any provision pertaining to administrative procedures set forth in any of the other construction codes adopted by reference in PVEMC 15.12.010. (Ord. 759 § 6, 2022; Ord. 741 § 6, 2020; Ord. 723 § 6, 2017; Ord. 705 § 4, 2013; Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012; Ord. 698 § 2, 2010; Ord. 682 § 3, 2007)
15.12.030 Fees.
Notwithstanding any provision of any construction codes adopted by reference in PVEMC 15.12.010, all fees shall be established by resolution of the city council. (Ord. 741 § 6, 2020; Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012; Ord. 698 § 2, 2010; Ord. 682 § 3, 2007)
15.12.040 Liability.
Notwithstanding the provisions of PVEMC 15.12.010, Section 104.10 of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code is hereby amended by adding a sentence to the end of the paragraph as follows:
The provisions of this section shall apply if the Building Official or his/her authorized representative are employees of this jurisdiction and shall also apply if the Building Official or his/her authorized representative are acting under contract as agents of this jurisdiction.
(Ord. 759 § 7, 2022; Ord. 741 § 7, 2020; Ord. 723 § 7, 2017; Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012; Ord. 698 § 2, 2010; Ord. 682 § 3, 2007)
15.12.050 Maintenance agreement.
Prior to issuance of a permit, the applicant shall execute a construction site maintenance agreement with the city that sets forth requirements governing the work authorized by such permit. The agreement shall be prepared by the building official and shall contain pertinent provisions of city ordinances and regulations. (Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012; Ord. 698 § 2, 2010; Ord. 682 § 3, 2007)
15.12.060 Building permit expiration.
Notwithstanding the provisions of PVEMC 15.12.010, Section 105.5 of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code is hereby amended as follows:
Every permit issued by the Building Official under the provisions of this code shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the building or work authorized by such permit is not completed through final inspection within eighteen (18) months from the date of issuance of such permit; provided, however, that for good cause, upon initial application for a permit, the City Council may establish a different expiration date when it is anticipated such date will be necessary to complete construction due to extenuating circumstances. Upon expiration, before work under the permit can be recommenced, a new permit shall be obtained. Such new permit shall be valid for six (6) months, and the fee therefor shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work, if no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for the work and not more than one year has passed since the expiration of the permit; otherwise, such new permit shall be subject to all terms and conditions applicable to new permits.
Any permittee holding an unexpired permit may apply for an extension of the time within which the permittee may complete work under that permit when the permittee is unable to complete the work within the time required by this section although proceeding with due diligence. Application for extension shall be filed on forms prescribed by the Building Official and be accompanied by payment of the fee as the City Council may establish by resolution. The Building Official may extend the time for completion of work under the permit by the permittee for a period of time not exceeding 180 days upon finding the permittee has been proceeding with due diligence and that circumstances beyond the control of the permittee have prevented such work from being completed. No permit shall be so extended more than once.
(Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012; Ord. 698 § 2, 2010; Ord. 682 § 3, 2007)
15.12.070 Underground utilities.
Notwithstanding the provisions of PVEMC 15.12.010, Chapter 1 of the California Building Code is amended by adding Section 112.4 to read as follows:
Section 112.4. All new electric, telephone and community antenna service laterals, and wiring between buildings, shall be installed underground, with the following exceptions:
A. Where existing utility facilities are overhead, and connection thereto would be in a substantially different location from the probable future location of planned underground facilities, an overhead service may be installed; provided, that no additional utility pole may be installed without the prior approval of the city council. In any event, appropriate provisions shall be made for future underground service;
B. Temporary overhead facilities for emergency service for less than ten days and for other temporary purposes for not more than one hundred eighty days as approved by the director of public works.
(Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012; Ord. 698 § 2, 2010; Ord. 682 § 3, 2007)
15.12.080 Amendments to the California Electrical Code.*
A. Notwithstanding the provisions of PVEMC 15.12.010, Section 310.2(B) of Title 24 California Code of Regulations Part 3 (the California Electrical Code, 2013 Edition) is hereby amended by adding thereto a second paragraph to read as follows:
Copper wire shall be used for wiring No. 6 and smaller in all installation. Consideration for use of aluminum wiring can be made by the building official for feeder lines only on an individual basis where adequate safety measures can be ensured.
B. Notwithstanding the provisions of PVEMC 15.12.010, Article 310 of Title 24 California Code of Regulations Part 3 (the California Electrical Code, 2013 Edition) is amended by adding thereto a new Section 310.16 to read as follows:
310-16 Continuous inspection of aluminum wiring.
Aluminum conductors of No. 6 or smaller used for branch circuits shall require continuous inspection by an independent testing agency approved by the building official for proper torquing of connections at their termination point.
(Ord. 705 § 5, 2013; Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012; Ord. 698 § 2, 2010; Ord. 682 § 3, 2007)
* Code reviser’s note: Section 6 of Ordinance 705 states: “This ordinance shall take effect 30 days from the adoption of this ordinance for all codes referenced herein, or January 1, 2014, whichever occurs later. Projects for which a building permit application and building plans have been submitted prior to the effective date of this ordinance, which building permits have been obtained within 180 days from the effective date of this ordinance, shall be exempt from the provisions of this ordinance. Projects for which a building permit application and building plans have been submitted prior to the effective date of this ordinance, and building permits have not been obtained within 180 days from the effective date of this ordinance, shall be subject to all provisions of this ordinance and the codes referenced in this ordinance.”