Certain words and phrases are defined in this section to clarify their use in this chapter and in the California Building Codes. Where a definition is not given or where a question of interpretation arises, the definition that shall control is the normal meaning of the word within the context of its use.
"Building official" or "building inspector"
means and includes the building official and building inspector of the city and authorized representatives.
"Building site"
means and includes the land occupied or to be occupied by a structure or accessory structure, together with any minimum distance between buildings and property lines required by this chapter or this code.
"California Administrative Code"
means that certain document in book form entitled "California Administrative Code, 2025 Edition," published by the International Code Council, copyright by California Building Standards Commission.
"California Building Code"
means that certain document in book form entitled "California Building Code, 2025 Edition," published by the International Code Council, copyright by California Building Standards Commission. "California Building Code" shall include all appendices thereof.
"California Building Code Standards"
means that certain document in book form entitled "California Code of Regulations Title 24, 2025 Edition" of the California Buildings Standards Code, including all appendices thereof, published by the International Code Council, copyright by California Building Standards Commission.
"California Building Codes"
means and includes all of the following primary codes:
1. 
2025 California Administrative Code, Part 1;
2. 
2025 California Building Code, Part 2;
3. 
2025 California Residential Code, Part 2.5;
4. 
2025 California Electrical Code, Part 3;
5. 
2025 California Mechanical Code, Part 4;
6. 
2025 California Plumbing Code, Part 5;
7. 
2025 California Energy Code, Part 6;
8. 
2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, Part 7;
9. 
2025 California Fire Code, Part 9;
10. 
2025 California Existing Building Code, Part 10;
11. 
2025 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), Part 11.
"California Fire Code"
means that certain document in book form entitled "California Fire Code, 2025 Edition," published by the International Code Council, copyright by California Building Standards Commission.
"California Fire Code Standards"
means that certain document in book form entitled "California Fire Code Standards, 2025 Edition," published by the International Code Council, copyright by California Building Standards Commission.
"California Mechanical Code"
means that certain document in book form entitled "California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition," published by the International Code Council, copyright by California Building Standards Commission.
"California Plumbing Code"
means that certain document in book form entitled "California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition," published by the California Building Standards Commission.
"Chief" or "chief of the fire department" or "fire chief"
means and includes the chief of the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District and authorized representatives.
"Chief of police" or "police department"
means and includes the chief of police of the city and authorized representatives.
"City" or "jurisdiction" or "municipality"
means the city of Waterford.
"Code"
means and includes, depending upon the context of its use, the Waterford Municipal Code, or any statute, or any published compilation of rules, regulations, or standards adopted by the federal government or the state of California, or by any agency of either of them. Code shall include any nationally recognized or approved published compilations or proposed rules, regulations, or standards of any private organization or institution that has been in existence for a period of at least three years.
"Fire department"
means the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District.
"Health officer"
means and includes the county health officer for Stanislaus County and his or her authorized representatives.
"Primary code"
means and includes any code that is directly adopted by reference, in whole or in part, by this chapter.
"Published"
means issued in print, lithographed, multigraphed, mimeographed, or similar form.
"Secondary code"
means and includes any code that is incorporated by reference, directly or indirectly, in any primary code or in any secondary code.
(Ord. 86-6 §2, 1986; Ord. 93-03 §1, 1993; Ord. 96-01 §1, 1996; Ord. 96-07 §1, 1996; Ord. 99-04 §1, 1999; Ord. 02-04 §1; Ord. 07-10 §1; Ord. 2011-01 §1; Ord. 2014-01 §1; Ord. 2019-09 §1; Ord. 2022-03 §1; Ord. 2025-04, 11/6/2025)
The 2025 California Administrative Code, Part 1; 2025 California Building Code, Part 2; 2025 California Residential Code, Part 2.5; 2025 California Electrical Code, Part 3; 2025 California Mechanical Code, Part 4; 2025 California Plumbing Code, Part 5; 2025 California Energy Code, Part 6; 2025 California Wildand-Urban Interface Code, Part 7; 2025 California Historical Building Code, Part 8; 2025 California Fire Code, Part 9; 2025 California Existing Building Code, Part 10; 2025 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), Part 11; and California Referenced Standards Code, Part 12.
(Ord. 86-6 §2, 1986; Ord. 93-03 §1, 1993; Ord. 2014-01 §1; Ord. 96-01 §1, 1996; Ord. 96-07 §1, 1996; Ord. 99-04 §1, 1999; Ord. 02-04 §1; Ord. 07-10 §1; Ord. 2011-01 §1; Ord. 2018-01 §1; Ord. 2019-09 §1; Ord. 2022-03 §1; Ord. 2025-04, 11/6/2025)
At least one copy of each primary code, and of each secondary code pertaining thereto, all certified to be true copies by the city clerk, shall be filed in the city clerk's office and shall be kept there for public inspection during regular business hours. The city clerk shall at all times maintain a reasonable supply of copies of each primary code, and of each secondary code pertaining thereto, available for purchase by the public at a moderate price, not to exceed the actual cost thereof to the city.
(Ord. 86-6 §2, 1986; Ord. 93-03 §1, 1993; Ord. 2014-01 §1)
Any provision of the California Building Codes, or of any secondary codes pertaining thereto, that are in conflict or inconsistent with, or the subject matter of which is regulated by, the laws of the state are deleted therefrom and are not adopted.
(Ord. 86-6 §2, 1986; Ord. 93-03 §1, 1993; Ord. 2014-01 §1)
A. 
The section entitled "Permit Fees" of the California Electrical Code is amended to read as follows:
Permit Fees. The fee for each permit shall be in an amount as set forth in the schedule of fees and charges for building and construction related services established by the City Council from time to time by resolution.
B. 
The section entitled "Permit Fees" of the California Administrative Code is amended to read as follows:
Permit Fees. The fee for each permit shall be in an amount as set forth in the schedule of fees and charges for building and construction related services established by the City Council from time to time by resolution. The determination of value or valuation under any of the provisions of these codes shall be made by the Building Official. The value to be used in computing the building permit and building plan review fees shall be the total value of all construction work for which the permit is issued as well as all finish work, painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, elevators, fire extinguishing systems, and any other permanent equipment. The Building Official shall use as a reference for determining valuation the most current schedule of building valuation data published from time to time in the International Code Council, copyright by California Building Standards Commission publication California Referenced Standards Commission. A copy of such schedule shall be posted in the Office of the Building Official for public inspection during regular business hours.
C. 
The section entitled "Permit Fees" of the California Building Code is amended to read as follows:
Permit Fees. The fee for each permit shall be in an amount as set forth in the schedule of fees and charges for building and construction related services established by the City Council from time to time by resolution. The determination of value or valuation under any of the provisions of this Code shall be made by the Building Official. The value to be used in computing the building permit and building plan review fees shall be the total value of all construction work for which the permit is issued as well as all finish work, painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, elevators, fire extinguishing systems, and any other permanent equipment. The Building Official shall use as a reference for determining valuation the most current schedule of building valuation data published from time to time in the International Code Council, copyright by California Building Standards Commission publication California Referenced Standards Code. A copy of such schedule shall be posted in the Office of the Building Official for public inspection during regular business hours.
D. 
The introductory sentence of Part 2 is amended to read as follows:
Part 2. A permit shall be obtained from both the Building Official and the Fire Chief prior to engaging in the following activities, operations, practices, or functions.
E. 
The section entitled "Liquefied Petroleum Gases" of the California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:
Liquefied Petroleum Gases. Except for portable containers of less than five gallons water capacity, to install or maintain any LP gas container or to operate any tank vehicle which is used for the transportation of LP gas. Where a single container or the aggregate capacity of interconnected containers is over five gallons water capacity, the installer shall submit plans for such permits. Except for portable containers of less than five gallons water capacity, the installation or use of any LP gas container for domestic purposes is prohibited in the City, except as otherwise permitted by State law. See Article 82.
F. 
The section entitled "Permit Fees" of the California Mechanical Code is amended to read as follows:
Permit Fees. The fee for each permit shall be in an amount as set forth in the schedule of fees and charges for building and construction related services established by the City Council from time to time by resolution.
G. 
Part 5 of the California Plumbing Code is amended to read as follows:
Part 5. Every applicant for a permit to do work regulated by this Code shall state in writing, on the application form provided for that purpose, the character of work proposed to be done and the amount and kind in connection therewith, together with such information, pertinent thereto, as may be required.
Such applicant shall pay for each permit, at the time of issuance, a fee in an amount as set forth in the schedule of fees and charges for building and construction related services established by the City Council from time to time by resolution.
Any person who shall commence any work for which a permit is required by this Code without first having obtained a permit, pay double the permit fees fixed by the City Council for such work, provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to emergency work when it shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Building Official that such work was urgently necessary and that it was not practical to obtain a permit therefore before commencement of the work. In all such cases, a permit must be obtained as soon as it is practical to do so, and if there be an unreasonable delay in obtaining such permit, a double fee as herein provided shall be charged.
For the purpose of this section, a sanitary plumbing outlet on or to which a plumbing fixture or appliance may be set or attached shall be construed to be a fixture. Fees for reconnection and retest of plumbing systems in relocated buildings shall be based on the number of plumbing fixtures, gas systems, water heaters, etc., involved.
Where interceptor traps or mobile home site traps are installed at the same time as a building sewer on any lot, no sewer permit shall be required for the connection of any such trap to an appropriate inlet fitting provided in the building sewer by the permittee constructing such sewer.
When a permit has been obtained to connect an existing building or existing work to the public sewer or to connect to a new private disposal facility, backfilling of private sewage disposal facilities abandoned consequent to such connection is included in the permit.
(Ord. 86-6 §2, 1986; Ord. 93-03 §1, 1993; Ord. 96-01 §1, 1996; Ord. 07-10 §1; Ord. 2011-01 §1; Ord. 2014-01 §1)
The building official, and authorized representatives, are empowered, and it shall be their duty, to enforce the provisions of the California Building Codes of this chapter. It shall be the duty of the fire chief, in conjunction with the building official, to enforce the provisions of the Uniform Fire Code and all other laws, ordinances, or regulations concerning fire prevention within the city. The health officer shall assist in the enforcement of the provisions of the California Building Codes and this chapter when requested to do so in writing by the building official.
(Ord. 86-6 §2, 1986; Ord. 93-03 §1, 1993; Ord. 2014-01 §1)
Any person whose duty it is to enforce the provisions of the California Building Codes and of this chapter may, at any reasonable time, enter upon private property for such purpose. It is unlawful for any person to interfere with, oppose, or resist any authorized person enforcing the provisions of the California Building Codes and of this chapter.
(Ord. 86-6 §2, 1986; Ord. 93-03 §1, 1993; Ord. 2014-01 §1)
Pursuant to the provisions of California Penal Code Section 836.5, the building official, and authorized representatives, are authorized to arrest without a warrant and issue a written notice to appear whenever they have reasonable cause to believe that the person to be arrested has committed a misdemeanor in their presence which is a violation of this chapter or a violation of any other ordinance or statute which they have a duty to enforce.
(Ord. 86-6 §2, 1986; Ord. 93-03 §1, 1993; Ord. 2014-01 §1)
Any person who violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of the California Building Codes or of this chapter, or who violates or fails to comply with any order or regulation made thereunder, or who acts in violation of any detailed statement of specifications or plans submitted and approved thereunder, or who violates any provisions of a certificate or permit issued thereunder, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for the second and any further violations within twenty-four months of the first violation. The imposition of one penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue; and all such persons shall be required to correct or remedy such violations or defects within a reasonable time, and when not otherwise specified in any citation or notice of violations, each day or portion thereof that such violations or defects continue shall constitute a separate offense. The application of the provisions of this section shall not be held to prevent the enforced removal of prohibited conditions.
(Ord. 86-6 §2, 1986; Ord. 93-03 §1, 1993; Ord. 2014-01 §1)
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide minimum standards for an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems within the corporate limits of the city.
B. 
Definitions. The following words and phrases as used in this section are defined as follows:
"Electronic submittal"
means the utilization of one or more of the following:
a. 
E-mail;
b. 
The Internet;
c. 
Facsimile.
"Small residential rooftop solar energy system"
means all of the following:
a. 
A solar energy system that is no larger than ten kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or thirty kilowatts thermal.
b. 
A solar energy system that conforms to all applicable state fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes as adopted or amended by the city and paragraph (iii) of subdivision (c) of Section 714 of the Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or redesignated from time to time.
c. 
A solar energy system that is installed on a single-or duplex-family dwelling.
d. 
A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the authority having jurisdiction.
"Solar energy system"
has the same meaning set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 801.5 of the Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or redesignated from time to time. Section 65850.5 of the California Government Code provides that, on or before September 30, 2015, every city, county, or city and county shall adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy system.
C. 
Checklist. Section 65850.5 of the California Government Code provides that in developing an expedited permitting process, the city, county, or city and county shall adopt a checklist of all requirements with which small rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The building official is hereby authorized and directed to develop and adopt such checklist. The checklist shall be published on the city's Internet website. The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the city's building division by personal, mailed, or electronic submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection fees. In the case of electronic submittal, the electronic signature of the applicant on all forms, applications, and other documentation may be used in lieu of a wet signature.
D. 
Prior to Application. Prior to submitting an application, the applicant shall:
1. 
Verify to the applicant's reasonable satisfaction through the use of standard engineering evaluation techniques that the support structure for the small residential rooftop solar energy system is stable and adequate to transfer all wind, seismic, and dead and live loads associated with the system to the building foundation; and
2. 
At the applicant's cost, verify to the applicant's reasonable satisfaction using standard electrical inspection techniques that the existing electrical system including existing line, load, ground and bonding wiring as well as main panel and subpanel sizes are adequately sized, based on the existing electrical system's current use, to carry all new photovoltaic electrical loads.
E. 
Inspections. For a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review, only one inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated inspection by the building official and fire chief. (Note: A separate fire inspection may be performed if your city does not have an agreement in place with your local fire authority to conduct a fire safety inspection on behalf of the fire authority.) If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized; however, the subsequent inspection need not conform to the requirements of this section.
F. 
Incomplete Application. An application that satisfies the information requirements in the checklist, as determined by the building official, shall be deemed complete. Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the building official shall issue a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.
G. 
Application Approval. Upon confirmation by the building official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the building official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to connect the small residential rooftop energy system to the local utility provider's electricity grid. The applicant is responsible for obtaining such approval or permission from the local utility provider.
(Ord. 2018-01 §1)
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to promote and encourage the use of electric vehicles by creating an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations while promoting public health and safety and preventing specific adverse impacts in the installation and use of such charging stations. This chapter is also purposed to comply with California Government Code Section 65850.7.
B. 
Definitions. The following words and phrases as used in this section are defined as follows:
"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 California Electrical Code, as it reads on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, 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:
a. 
Electronic mail or e-mail.
b. 
The Internet.
c. 
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.
C. 
Expedited Permitting Process. Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the building official shall implement an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations, and adopt a checklist of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations shall comply with in order to be eligible for expedited review. The expedited, streamlined permitting process and checklist may refer to the recommendations contained in the most current version of the "Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Permitting Checklist" of the "Zero-Emission Vehicles in California: Community Readiness Guide-book" as published by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research. The city's adopted checklist shall be published on the city's website.
1. 
Permit Application Processing.
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 adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed. Upon confirmation by the 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 building official shall, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, 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 county. If the building official determines that the permit application is incomplete, he or she shall issue a written correction notice to the applicant, detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.
c. 
Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the building official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this section and associated supporting documentations. In accepting such permit applications, the building official shall also accept electronic signatures on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature by any applicant.
2. 
Technical Review.
a. 
It is the intent of this section 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 building official's authority to address higher priority life-safety situations. If the building official makes a finding based on substantial evidence that the electric vehicle charging station could have a specific adverse impact upon the public health or safety, as defined in this chapter, the city may require the applicant to apply for a use permit.
b. 
In the technical review of a charging station, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the building official shall not condition the approval for any electric vehicle charging station permit on the approval of such a system by an association, as that term is defined by Civil Code Section 4080.
3. 
Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installation Requirements.
a. 
Electric vehicle charging station equipment shall meet the requirements of the California Electrical Code, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories, and rules of the Public Utilities Commission or a Municipal Electric Utility Company 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 and all applicable provisions of the California Electrical Code.
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 California Electrical Code. 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.
(Ord. 2018-01 §1)