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Home My WebLink About01. Adoption of Uniform Codes AGENDA MEMO DATE: December 14, 2010 TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Office of the City Manager By: Brian Saeki, Community Development Director ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE SUBJECT: CITY OF DOWNEY FOR THE 2010 CALIFORNIA BUILDING, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS, ENERGY, AND RESIDENTIAL CODES RECOMMENDATION That the City Council adopt the following seven ordinances; 2010 California Building Code, the 2010 California Electrical Code, the 2010 California Plumbing, the 2010 California Mechanical Code, the 2010 Green Building Standards Code, the 2010 California Energy Code, and the 2010 California Residential Code. A. “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REPEALING ARTICLE VIII, CHAPTER 1 (“DOWNEY BUILDING CODE”) AND ADDING THERETO A NEW CHAPTER 1 (“DOWNEY BUILDING CODE”) AND MAKING AMENDMENTS THERETO (ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2010 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE WITH AMENDMENTS).” B. “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING ARTICLE VIII, CHAPTER 2, OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT THE 2010 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE AS THE DOWNEY ELECTRICAL CODE.” C. “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING ARTICLE VIII OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT THE 2010 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE AS THE DOWNEY MECHANICAL CODE.” D. “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING ARTICLE VIII OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT THE 2010 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE WITH STATE OF CALIFORNIA 2010 AMENDMENTS AS THE DOWNEY PLUMBING CODE.” CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY FOR THE 2010 CALIFORNIA BUILDING, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS, ENERGY, AND RESIDENTIAL CODES DECEMBER 14, 2010 PAGE 2 E. “ANORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING ARTICLE VIII OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE ADOPTING THE 2010 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE AND ITS AMENDMENTS AS THE DOWNEY GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE.” F. “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING ARTICLE VIII OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE ADOPTING THE 2010 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE AS THE DOWNEY ENERGY CODE.” G. “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING ARTICLE VIII OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE ADOPTING THE 2010 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE AND ITS AMENDMENTS AS THE DOWNEY RESIDENTIAL CODE.” BACKGROUND Building standards adopted by the State of California, including the California Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Green Building Standards, Energy, and Residential Codes (collectively the “CBC”), become effective automatically in all areas of the state, six months after the state’s approval, unless a local jurisdiction adopts modifications or changes to the CBC. The State of California explicitly authorizes local jurisdictions, when reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions, to make modifications and changes to the CBC. Local jurisdictions are also authorized to adopt and/or amend the administrative provisions of the CBC. DISCUSSION The proposed action will adopt all sections of the most recent and active version of the CBC and also sets forth several Downey-specific local amendments to the CBC. The Building and Safety Division has requested several amendments to the CBC to assist with the permit and inspection processes. Additionally, the Building and Safety Division has proposed local amendments to the technical provisions of the CBC based upon local climatic, geological, and/or topographical conditions. These changes provide additional safety measures and clarify several provisions of the CBC. The proposed ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY FOR THE 2010 CALIFORNIA BUILDING, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS, ENERGY, AND RESIDENTIAL CODES DECEMBER 14, 2010 PAGE 3 amendments to the administrative provisions of the CBC also apply to the Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Green Building, Energy, and Residential Codes. The local amendments to the technical provisions of the CBC proposed for adoption are summarized and briefly discussed below. SECTIONS 8002-8008 The primary amendments to these sections are related to administrative procedures. This includes new definitions, work exempted from building permits, time limits for building permits, revocation of building permits, and the expiration of building permits. SECTIONS 8009-8013 Local amendments in the above sections provide some clarifying language for building permit fees and set forth the process for special inspections, including the energy efficiency inspections. SECTIONS 8014-8023 The primary changes to the above sections include better defining unpermitted structures and provide the City with authority to disconnect utilities when necessary. There are also technical clarifications related to exterior walls and roofing. Additionally, local amendments to the above sections set forth more stringent requirements related to swimming pools. SECTIONS 8024-8028 The above sections were modified to set forth local requirements for site operations and controls and to better define existing and moved buildings. SECTION 8029 Local amendments to this section allowed several new materials to be used for the construction of playgrounds, walkways, driveways, parking areas, and service stations. SECTIONS 8101-8108 The primary amendments to these sections are related to administrative procedures as they relate to electrical permits. This includes requirements for an electrical permit, provides clarifying language for electrical permit fees, and retention of plans. ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY FOR THE 2010 CALIFORNIA BUILDING, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS, ENERGY, AND RESIDENTIAL CODES DECEMBER 14, 2010 PAGE 4 SECTION 8109 This section clarifies requirements when using aluminum wiring. SECTIONS 8110-8112 These amendments set forth the process for moved buildings and explains the process for using used electrical wiring. SECTIONS 8301-8305 The primary amendments to these sections are related to administrative procedures as they relate to plumbing permits. This includes a clarification of plumbing permit fees and requirements thereof. SECTIONS 8201-8205 The amendments to these sections are related to administrative procedures as they relate to mechanical permits. This includes a clarification of mechanical permit fees. SECTIONS 8985-8987 These amendments are related to administrative fees relating to the Green Building Standards Code and a new definition. SECTIONS 8990-8991 The primary amendments to these sections are administrative in nature as it relates to the Energy Code. SECTIONS 8993-8996 The primary amendments to these sections are related to administrative procedures. This includes work exempted from residential building permits, clarification of fees, and expiration of plan review. SECTION 8997-8999 The above sections were modified to set forth local requirements for site operations relating to use or occupancy, requirements for residential fire sprinklers as previously adopted by the Fire Department, and clarification of requirements for addresses. ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY FOR THE 2010 CALIFORNIA BUILDING, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS, ENERGY, AND RESIDENTIAL CODES DECEMBER 14, 2010 PAGE 5 The specifics of the proposed local amendments to the CBC are contained in the draft ordinances attached to this staff report. Upon adoption of these ordinances, this text will be included in the Downey Municipal Code. FISCAL IMPACT Approval of this action will not have an impact on the City’s budget.