[Ord. #94-3, S1; Ord. #07-08, S1; Ord. #12-05, S1; amended 6-15-2020 by Ord. No. 20-03; 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the State of California, the City Council of the City of Firebaugh does hereby adopt by specific reference thereto and incorporation herein by said reference, the provisions, rules, and regulations specified and set forth in the California Building Code 2022 Edition, Volumes 1 and 2 (Part 2 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), based on the 2021 International Building Code as published by the International Code Council, together with Appendices Chapter G - Flood-Resistant Construction, Chapter H - Signs, Chapter I - Patio Covers, Chapter J - Grading, and Chapter K - Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, and Chapter P - Emergency Housing, and subsequent additions and editions thereto, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, and said code is hereby adopted by the Council as the Building Code of the City of Firebaugh, for all intents and purposes and to the same effect as if each and every section, paragraph, subparagraph, word, phrase or clause contained therein were fully set forth herein. Any changes made to the Building Code by the California Building Standards Commission applicable to the City of Firebaugh, including new editions, shall be deemed automatically incorporated herein without further action by the City Council. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of the said Building Code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional by court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said code. The City Council hereby declares it would have passed each section, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional, except as said code is specifically changed in this Section 8-1. The said Building Code shall be designated as Section 8-1 of Chapter 8 of the Firebaugh City Code.
[Ord. #94-3, S1; amended 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
One copy of said California Building Code has been deposited and is on file in the office of the city clerk for use and examination by the public.
[Ord. #01-01, S1; Ord. #07-08, S2; Ord. #12-05, S2; amended 6-15-2020 by Ord. No. 20-03; 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the State of California, the City Council of the City of Firebaugh does hereby adopt by specific reference thereto and incorporation herein by said reference, the provisions, rules, and regulations specified and set forth in the California Electrical Code, 2022 Edition (Part 3 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), based on the 2020 National Electrical Code as published by the National Fire Protection Association, together with its Appendices, and subsequent additions and editions thereto, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, and said code is hereby adopted by the Council as the Electrical Code of the City of Firebaugh, for all intents and purposes and to the same effect as if each and every section, paragraph, subparagraph, word, phrase or clause contained therein were fully set forth herein. Any changes made to the Electrical Code by the California Building Standards Commission applicable to the City of Firebaugh, including new editions, shall be deemed automatically incorporated herein without further action by the City Council. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of said Electrical Code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said code. The City Council hereby declares it would have passed each section, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional, except as said code is specifically changed in this Section 8-2. The Electrical Code shall be designated as Section 8-2 of Chapter 8 of the Firebaugh City Code.
[Ord. #01-01, S1; amended 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
One copy of said California Electrical Code has been deposited and is on file in the office of the city clerk for use and examination by the public.
[Ord. #94-3, S2; Ord. #07-08, S3; Ord. #12-05, S3; amended 6-15-2020 by Ord. No. 20-03; 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the State of California, the City Council of the City of Firebaugh does hereby adopt by specific reference thereto and incorporation herein by said reference, the provisions, rules, and regulations specified and set forth in the California Mechanical Code, 2022 Edition (Part 4 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), including appendix, based on the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and subsequent additions and editions thereto, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, and said code is hereby adopted by the Council as the Mechanical Code of the City of Firebaugh, for all intents and purposes and to the same effect as if each and every section, paragraph, subparagraph, word, phrase or clause contained therein were fully set forth herein. Any changes made to the Mechanical Code by the California Building Standards Commission applicable to the City of Firebaugh, including new editions, shall be deemed automatically incorporated herein without further action by the City Council. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of said Mechanical Code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said code. The City Council hereby declares it would have passed each section, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional, except as said code is specifically changed in this Section 8-3. The said Mechanical Code shall be designated as Section 8-3 of Chapter 8 of the Firebaugh City Code.
[Ord. #94-3, S2; amended 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
One copy of said California Mechanical Code has been deposited and is on file in the office of the city clerk for use and examination by the public.
[Ord. #94-3, S3; Ord. #07-08, S4; Ord. #12-05, S4; amended 6-15-2020 by Ord. No. 20-03; 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the State of California, the City Council of the City of Firebaugh does hereby adopt by specific reference thereto and incorporation herein by said reference, the provisions, rules, and regulations specified and set forth in the California Plumbing Code, 2022 Edition (Part 5 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), including appendix, based on the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and subsequent additions and editions thereto, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, and said code is hereby adopted by the Council as the Plumbing Code of the City of Firebaugh, for all intents and purposes and to the same effect as if each and every section, paragraph, subparagraph, word, phrase or clause contained therein were fully set forth herein. Any changes made to the Plumbing Code by the California Building Standards Commission applicable to the City of Firebaugh, including new editions, shall be deemed automatically incorporated herein without further action by the City Council. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of said Plumbing Code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said code. The City Council hereby declares it would have passed each section, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional, except as said code is specifically changed in this Section 8-4. The said Plumbing Code shall be designated as Section 8-4 of Chapter 8 of the Firebaugh City Code.
[Ord. #94-3, S3; amended 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
One copy of said California Plumbing Code has been deposited and is on file in the office of the city clerk for use and examination by the public.
Editor's Note: The Uniform Sign Code was repealed 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04. History includes Ord. #94-3, S4.]
Editor's Note: The Uniform Code Solar Energy Installations was repealed 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04. History includes Ord. #94-3, S5.]
[Ord. #94-3, S6; Ord. #07-08, S5; Ord. #12-05, S5; amended 6-15-2020 by Ord. No. 20-03; 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the State of California, the City Council of the City of Firebaugh does hereby adopt by specific reference thereto and incorporation herein by said reference, the provisions, rules, and regulations specified and set forth in the California Fire Code, 2022 Edition, (Part 9 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), based on the 2021 International Building Code as published by the International Code Council, together with Appendices Chapters and subsequent additions and editions thereto, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, and said code is hereby adopted by the Council as the Fire Code of the City of Firebaugh, for all intents and purposes and to the same effect as if each and every section, paragraph, subparagraph, word, phrase or clause contained therein were fully set forth herein. Any changes made to the Fire Code by the California Building Standards Commission applicable to the City of Firebaugh, including new editions, shall be deemed automatically incorporated herein without further action by the City Council. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of the said Fire Code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said code. The City Council hereby declares it would have passed each section, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional, except as said code is specifically changed in this Section 8-7. The said Fire Code shall be designated as Section 8-7 of Chapter 8 of the Firebaugh City Code.
[Ord. #94-3, S6; amended 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
One copy of said California Fire Code has been deposited and is on file in the office of the city clerk for use and examination by the public.
[Ord. #99-02, S1; Ord. #01-07, S1; amended 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
Upon request by the applicant, the council, in its discretion, may waive in whole or part the fees that would otherwise be collected from the applicant for issuance of a permit under any code specified in this Chapter 8, provided the council makes all of the following findings by resolution:
a. 
The applicant is a not-for-profit organization qualified for tax-exempt status under Federal and State law; and
b. 
The applicant will use the subject building, structure or facility solely to provide services or products that will be of exceptional and significant direct benefit to the health, welfare and/or safety of the city's residents, plus related incidental uses; and
c. 
Payment of the permit fees would substantially impair the applicant in providing such services or products or would otherwise impose an undue financial hardship on the applicant.
A waiver of permit fees under this section shall apply only to the specified permit and shall not be deemed a waiver of fees for any other permit fees or for any other applicant. Waiver of permit fees shall not waive the requirement for actual issuance of the permit or compliance with any terms of the permit.
[Ord. #12-05, S6; amended 6-15-2020 by Ord. No. 20-03; 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
Building permit fees may be established and modified from time to time by resolution of the city council.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the State of California, the City Council of the City of Firebaugh does hereby adopt by specific reference thereto and incorporation herein by said reference, the provisions, rules, and regulations specified and set forth in the California Administrative Code, 2022 Edition, (Part 1 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), as published by the International Code Council, together with Appendices Chapters and subsequent additions and editions thereto, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, and said code is hereby adopted by the Council as the Administrative Code of the City of Firebaugh, for all intents and purposes and to the same effect as if each and every section, paragraph, subparagraph, word, phrase or clause contained therein were fully set forth herein. Any changes made to the Administrative Code by the California Building Standards Commission applicable to the City of Firebaugh, including new editions, shall be deemed automatically incorporated herein without further action by the City Council. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of the said Administrative Code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said code. The City Council hereby declares it would have passed each section, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional, except as said code is specifically changed in this Section 8-10. The said Administrative Code shall be designated as Section 8-10 of Chapter 8 of the Firebaugh City Code.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
One copy of said California Administrative Code has been deposited and is on file in the office of the city clerk for use and examination by the public.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the State of California, the City Council of the City of Firebaugh does hereby adopt by specific reference thereto and incorporation herein by said reference, the provisions, rules, and regulations specified and set forth in the California Residential Code, 2022 Edition, (Part 2.5 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), based on the 2021 International Residential Code as published by the International Code Council, together with Appendices Chapters and subsequent additions and editions thereto, with the exception of Appendix AL-Permit Fees, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, and said code is hereby adopted by the Council as the Residential Code of the City of Firebaugh, for all intents and purposes and to the same effect as if each and every section, paragraph, subparagraph, word, phrase or clause contained therein were fully set forth herein. Any changes made to the Residential Code by the California Building Standards Commission applicable to the City of Firebaugh, including new editions, shall be deemed automatically incorporated herein without further action by the City Council. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of the said Residential Code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said code. The City Council hereby declares it would have passed each section, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional, except as said code is specifically changed in this Section 8-11. The said Residential Code shall be designated as Section 8-11 of Chapter 8 of the Firebaugh City Code.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
One copy of said California Residential Code has been deposited and is on file in the office of the city clerk for use and examination by the public.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the State of California, the City Council of the City of Firebaugh does hereby adopt by specific reference thereto and incorporation herein by said reference, the provisions, rules, and regulations specified and set forth in the California Energy Code, 2022 Edition, (Part 6 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), as published by the International Code Council, together with Appendices Chapters and subsequent additions and editions thereto, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, and said code is hereby adopted by the Council as the Energy Code of the City of Firebaugh, for all intents and purposes and to the same effect as if each and every section, paragraph, subparagraph, word, phrase or clause contained therein were fully set forth herein. Any changes made to the Energy Code by the California Building Standards Commission applicable to the City of Firebaugh, including new editions, shall be deemed automatically incorporated herein without further action by the City Council. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of the said Energy Code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said code. The City Council hereby declares it would have passed each section, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional, except as said code is specifically changed in this Section 8-12. The said Energy Code shall be designated as Section 8-12 of Chapter 8 of the Firebaugh City Code.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
One copy of said California Energy Code has been deposited and is on file in the office of the city clerk for use and examination by the public.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the State of California, the City Council of the City of Firebaugh does hereby adopt by specific reference thereto and incorporation herein by said reference, the provisions, rules, and regulations specified and set forth in the California Historical Code, 2022 Edition, (Part 8 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), as published by the International Code Council, together with Appendices Chapters and subsequent additions and editions thereto, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, and said code is hereby adopted by the Council as the Historical Code of the City of Firebaugh, for all intents and purposes and to the same effect as if each and every section, paragraph, subparagraph, word, phrase or clause contained therein were fully set forth herein. Any changes made to the Historical Code by the California Building Standards Commission applicable to the City of Firebaugh, including new editions, shall be deemed automatically incorporated herein without further action by the City Council. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of the said Historical Code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said code. The City Council hereby declares it would have passed each section, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional, except as said code is specifically changed in this Section 8-13. The said Historical Code shall be designated as Section 8-13 of Chapter 8 of the Firebaugh City Code.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
One copy of said California Historical Code has been deposited and is on file in the office of the city clerk for use and examination by the public.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the State of California, the City Council of the City of Firebaugh does hereby adopt by specific reference thereto and incorporation herein by said reference, the provisions, rules, and regulations specified and set forth in the California Referenced Code, 2022 Edition, (Part 12 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), as published by the International Code Council, together with Appendices Chapters and subsequent additions and editions thereto, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, and said code is hereby adopted by the Council as the Referenced Code of the City of Firebaugh, for all intents and purposes and to the same effect as if each and every section, paragraph, subparagraph, word, phrase or clause contained therein were fully set forth herein. Any changes made to the Referenced Code by the California Building Standards Commission applicable to the City of Firebaugh, including new editions, shall be deemed automatically incorporated herein without further action by the City Council. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of the said Referenced Code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said code. The City Council hereby declares it would have passed each section, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional, except as said code is specifically changed in this Section 8-14. The said Referenced Code shall be designated as Section 8-14 of Chapter 8 of the Firebaugh City Code.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
One copy of said California Referenced Code has been deposited and is on file in the office of the city clerk for use and examination by the public.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the State of California, the City Council of the City of Firebaugh does hereby adopt by specific reference thereto and incorporation herein by said reference, the provisions, rules, and regulations specified and set forth in the California Existing Building Code, 2022 Edition, (Part 10 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), based on the 2021 International Existing Building Code as published by the International Code Council, together with Appendices Chapters and subsequent additions and editions thereto, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, and said code is hereby adopted by the Council as the Existing Building Code of the City of Firebaugh, for all intents and purposes and to the same effect as if each and every section, paragraph, subparagraph, word, phrase or clause contained therein were fully set forth herein. Any changes made to the Existing Building Code by the California Building Standards Commission applicable to the City of Firebaugh, including new editions, shall be deemed automatically incorporated herein without further action by the City Council. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of the said Existing Building Code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said code. The City Council hereby declares it would have passed each section, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional, except as said code is specifically changed in this Section 8-15. The said Existing Building Code shall be designated as Section 8-15 of Chapter 8 of the Firebaugh City Code.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
One copy of said California Existing Building Code has been deposited and is on file in the office of the city clerk for use and examination by the public.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the State of California, the City Council of the City of Firebaugh does hereby adopt by specific reference thereto and in corporation herein by said reference, the provisions, rules, and regulations specified and set forth in the California Green Code, 2022 Edition, (Part 11 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), as published by the International Code Council, together with Appendices Chapters and subsequent additions and editions thereto, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, and said code is hereby adopted by the Council as the Green Code of the City of Firebaugh, for all intents and purposes and to the same effect as if each and every section, paragraph, subparagraph, word, phrase or clause contained therein were fully set forth herein. Any changes made to the Green Code by the California Building Standards Commission applicable to the City of Firebaugh, including new editions, shall be deemed automatically incorporated herein without further action by the City Council. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of the said Green Code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said code. The City Council hereby declares it would have passed each section, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional, except as said code is specifically changed in this Section 8-16. The said Green Code shall be designated as Section 8-16 of Chapter 8 of the Firebaugh City Code.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
One copy of said California Green Code has been deposited and is on file in the office of the city clerk for use and examination by the public.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the State of California, the City Council of the City of Firebaugh does hereby adopt by specific reference thereto and incorporation herein by said reference, the provisions, rules, and regulations specified and set forth in the Uniform Housing Code, 1997 Edition, as published by the International Conference of Building Officials, (Title 25 of the California Code of Regulations pursuant to Sections 17958, 17958.5, 17958.7, 17958.9 and 17959 of the California Health and Safety Code), is hereby adopted by the Council as the Uniform Housing Code of the City of Firebaugh, for all intents and purposes and to the same effect as if each and every section, paragraph, subparagraph, word, phrase or clause contained therein were fully set forth herein. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of the said Uniform Housing Code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said code. The City Council hereby declares it would have passed each section, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional, except as said code is specifically changed in this Section 8-17. The said Uniform Housing Code shall be designated as Section 8-17 of Chapter 8 of the Firebaugh City Code.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
One copy of said California Uniform Housing Code has been deposited and is on file in the office of the city clerk for use and examination by the public.
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 22-04 superseded prior Chapter 8.5, Dangerous Building Abatement. History includes Ord. No. 85-2.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the State of California, the City Council of the City of Firebaugh does hereby adopt by specific reference thereto and incorporation herein by said reference, the provisions, rules, and regulations specified and set forth in the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, 1997 Edition, as published by the International Conference of Building Officials, is hereby adopted by the Council as the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings of the City of Firebaugh, for all intents and purposes and to the same effect as if each and every section, paragraph, subparagraph, word, phrase or clause contained therein were fully set forth herein. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of the said Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings Code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said code. The City Council hereby declares it would have passed each section, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional, except as said code is specifically changed in this Section 8-18. The said Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings Code shall be designated as Section 8-18 of Chapter 8 of the Firebaugh City Code.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-04]
One copy of said California Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings Code has been deposited and is on file in the office of the city clerk for use and examination by the public.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
The purpose of this section is to adopt an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process that complies with the Solar Rights Act and AB 2188 (Chapter 521, Statutes 2014) to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. This section encourages the use of solar systems by removing unreasonable barriers, minimizing costs to property owners and the City, and expanding the ability of property owners to install solar energy systems. This section allows the City to achieve these goals while protecting the public health and safety.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
a. 
A "solar energy system" means either of the following:
1. 
Any solar collector or other solar energy device whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for space heating, space cooling, electric generation, or water heating.
2. 
Any structural design feature of a building, whose primary purpose is to provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for electricity generation, space heating or cooling, or for water heating.
b. 
A "small residential rooftop solar energy system" means all of the following:
1. 
A solar energy system that is no larger than 10 kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or 30 kilowatts thermal.
2. 
A solar energy system that conforms to all applicable state fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes as adopted or amended by the [city, county, or city and county] and all state and [city, county, or city and county] health and safety standards.
3. 
A solar energy system that is installed on a single or duplex family dwelling.
4. 
A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the [city, county, or city and county].
c. 
"Electronic submittal" means the utilization of one or more of the following:
1. 
Email;
2. 
The internet;
3. 
Facsimile.
d. 
An "association" means a nonprofit corporation or unincorporated association created for the purpose of managing a common interest development.
e. 
A "common interest development" means any of the following:
1. 
A community apartment project.
2. 
A condominium project.
3. 
A planned development.
4. 
A stock cooperative.
f. 
"Specific, adverse impact" means a significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified, and written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date the application was deemed complete.
g. 
"Reasonable restrictions" on a solar energy system are those restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or significantly decrease its efficiency or specified performance, or that allow for an alternative system of comparable cost, efficiency, and energy conservation benefits.
h. 
"Restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or decrease its efficiency or specified performance" means:
1. 
For Water Heater Systems or Solar Swimming Pool Heating Systems: an amount exceeding 10% of the cost of the system, but in no case more than $1,000, or decreasing the efficiency of the solar energy system by an amount exceeding 10%, as originally specified and proposed.
2. 
For Photovoltaic Systems: an amount not to exceed $1,000 over the system cost as originally specified and proposed, or a decrease in system efficiency of an amount exceeding 10% as originally specified and proposed.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
a. 
This section applies to the permitting of all small residential rooftop solar energy systems in the City, notwithstanding any other provision of the Firebaugh City Code.
b. 
Small residential rooftop solar energy systems legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of this section are not subject to the requirements of this section unless physical modifications or alterations are undertaken that materially change the size, type, or components of a small rooftop energy system in such a way as to require new permitting. Routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements shall not require a permit.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
a. 
All solar energy systems shall meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by the state of California, city of Firebaugh, local fire department, and local utility districts.
b. 
Solar energy systems for heating water in single-family residences and for heating water in commercial or swimming pool applications shall be certified by an accredited listing agency as defined by the California Plumbing and Mechanical Code.
c. 
Solar energy systems for producing electricity shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by the California Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories and, where applicable, rules of the public utilities commission regarding safety and reliability.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
a. 
All documents required for the submission of an expedited solar energy system application shall be made available on the City's internet site.
b. 
Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents by email, the internet, or facsimile shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.
c. 
Upon the city's acquisition of the technology to accept electronic signatures, an applicant's electronic signature shall be accepted on all forms, applications, and other documents in lieu of a wet signature.
d. 
The City shall adopt a standard plan and checklist of all requirements with which small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The City shall ensure that solar energy system applications include a requirement that any applicant intending to excavate, including, but not limited to, installing a grounding rod, notify the appropriate regional notification center prior to excavating.
e. 
The small residential rooftop solar system permit process, standard plan(s), and checklist(s) shall substantially conform to recommendations for expedited permitting, including the checklist and standard plans contained in the most current version of the California Solar Permitting Guidebook adopted by the governor's office of planning and research.
f. 
All fees prescribed for the permitting of small residential rooftop solar energy system must comply with Government Code Section 65850.55, Government Code Section 66015, Government Code Section 66016, and State Health and Safety Code Section 17951.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
a. 
The City shall adopt an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite approval of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. The city's building department shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit within three business days of receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan. A building official may require an applicant to apply for a use permit if the official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety. Such decisions may be appealed to the City's planning commission.
b. 
Review of the application shall be limited to the building official's review of whether the application meets local, state, and federal health and safety requirements.
c. 
If a use permit is required, a building official may deny an application for the use permit if the official makes written findings based upon substantive evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid, as defined, the adverse impact. Such findings shall include the basis for the rejection of the potential feasible alternative for preventing the adverse impact. Such decisions may be appealed to the City's planning commission.
d. 
Any condition imposed on an application shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost.
e. 
"A feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact" includes, but is not limited to, any cost-effective method, condition, or mitigation imposed by the City on another similarly situated application in a prior successful application for a permit. The City shall use its best efforts to ensure that the selected method, condition, or mitigation meets the conditions of California Civil Code section 714, subdivision (1) subparagraphs (A) and (B) defining restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or decrease its efficiency or specified performance.
f. 
The city shall not condition approval of an application on the approval of an association, as defined in California Civil Code section 4080.
g. 
Any applicant that intends to excavate, including, but not limited to, installing a grounding rod, shall notify the appropriate regional notification center prior to excavating.
h. 
If an application is deemed incomplete, a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information or documentation required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance shall be sent to the applicant for resubmission.
i. 
Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the City for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review. The inspection shall be done in a timely manner and should include consolidated inspections. An inspection will be scheduled within two business days of a request and provide a two-hour inspection window.
j. 
If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized but need not conform to the requirements of this section.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
This section establishes standard placards to be used to indicate the condition of a structure for continued occupancy. This section further authorizes the building official and his or her authorized representatives to post the appropriate placard at each entry point to a building or structure upon completion of a safety assessment.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
The provisions of this section are applicable to all buildings and structures of all occupancies regulated by the City. The City Council may extend the provisions as necessary.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
Safety assessment is a visual, non-destructive examination of a building or structure for the purpose of determining the condition for continued occupancy.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
a. 
The following are verbal descriptions of the official jurisdiction placards to be used to designate the condition for continued occupancy of buildings or structures. Copies of actual placards are attached.
1. 
"INSPECTED - Lawful Occupancy Permitted" is to be posted on any building or structure wherein no apparent structural hazard has been found. This placard is not intended to mean that there is no damage to the building or structure.
2. 
"RESTRICTED USE" is to be posted on each building or structure that has been damaged wherein the damage has resulted in some form of restriction to the continued occupancy. The individual who posts this placard will note in general terms the type of damage encountered and will clearly and concisely note the restrictions on continued occupancy.
3. 
"UNSAFE - Do Not Enter or Occupy" is to be posted on each building or structure that has been damaged such that continued occupancy poses a threat to life safety. Buildings or structures posted with this placard shall not be entered under any circumstance except as authorized in writing by the building official, or his or her authorized representative. Safety assessment teams shall be authorized to enter these buildings at any time. This placard is not to be used or considered as a demolition order. The individual who posts this placard will note in general terms the type of damage encountered.
b. 
This section number, the name of the jurisdiction, its address, and phone number shall be permanently affixed to each placard.
c. 
Once it has been attached to a building or structure, a placard is not to be removed, altered or covered until done so by an authorized representative of the building official. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to alter, remove, cover or deface a placard unless authorized pursuant to this section.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
The City seeks to encourage the use of fuel-efficient electric vehicles by streamlining the process for obtaining a building permit for electric car charging stations. This section is also purposed to comply with California Government Code sections 65850.7 and 65850.71.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
CEC
Means California Code of Regulations title 24, part 3, also known as the California Electrical Code.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION or CHARGING STATION
Means any level of electric vehicle supply equipment station that is designed and built-in compliance with article 625 of the CEC and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.
ELECTRONIC SUBMITTAL
Means the utilization of one or more of the following: e-mail; the internet; facsimile. "Specific, adverse impact" means a significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified, and written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions, as they existed on the date the application, was deemed complete.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
a. 
The City building official shall implement and adopt an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations, and a checklist of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The expedited, streamlined permitting process and checklist may refer to the checklist and standard plans contained in the most current version of the "Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Permitting Checklist" of the "Zero-Emission Vehicles in California: Community Readiness Guidebook" published by the governor's office of planning and research.
b. 
The checklist, application form, and any other documents required by the City building official shall be published on the City's website.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
a. 
Prior to submitting an application for processing, the applicant shall verify that the installation of an electric vehicle charging station will not have specific, adverse impact to public health and safety, and building occupants. Verification by the applicant includes but is not limited to: electrical system capacity and loads; electrical system wiring, bonding, and overcurrent protection; building infrastructure affected by charging station equipment and associated conduits; areas of charging station equipment; and vehicle parking.
b. 
A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the City's expedited, streamlined permitting process and checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed. Upon confirmation by the City building official that the permit application and supporting documents meet the requirements of the City-adopted checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws, and health and safety standards, the City building official shall approve the application and issue all necessary permits. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to energize or utilize the electric vehicle charging station until approval is granted by the City.
c. 
If the application for an expedited building permit is incomplete, the City building official shall provide a written correction notice of the deficiencies and the additional information required to be eligible for expedited building permit issuance.
d. 
The City building official shall not condition the approval for any electric vehicle charging station permit on the approval by an association, as that term is defined by California Civil Code section 4080.
e. 
Beginning January 1, 2023, an application to install an electric vehicle charging station shall be processed in accordance with the time periods under Government Code section 65850.71.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
The City building official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this section and associated supporting documentation. In accepting permit applications, the city building official shall also accept electronic signatures on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature by any applicant.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
a. 
Electric vehicle charging station equipment shall meet the requirements of the CEC, the society of automotive engineers, association, and accredited testing laboratories such as underwriters laboratories, and rules of the public utilities commission regarding safety and reliability.
b. 
Installation of electric vehicle charging stations and associated wiring, bonding, disconnecting means, and overcurrent protective devices shall meet the requirements of article 625 of the CEC, and all applicable provisions under California Code of Regulations, title 24, part 3.
c. 
Installation of electric vehicle charging stations shall be incorporated into the load calculations of all new or existing electrical services and shall meet the requirements of the CEC. Electric vehicle charging equipment shall be considered a continuous load.
d. 
Anchorage of either floor-mounted or wall-mounted electric vehicle charging stations shall meet the requirements of the California Building or Residential Code as applicable per occupancy, and the provisions of the manufacturer's installation instructions. Mounting of charging stations shall not adversely affect building elements.
[Added 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
This section aims to encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations by removing obstacles to permitting for charging stations, so long as the action does not supersede the City building official's authority to address higher priority life-safety situations. If the City building official finds, based on substantial evidence, that an electric vehicle charging station could have a specific adverse impact upon the public health or safety, the city may require the applicant to apply for a conditional use permit.