The 2022 Edition of the California Residential Code, California Building Standards Code, known as the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2.5 incorporating the International Residential Code, 2021 Edition, including Appendix H published by the International Code Council, with the amendments set forth in this chapter is hereby adopted. There is one copy of said code on file in the office of the building official for use and examination by the public. This shall be the city's residential building code for the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area, and maintenance of all residential buildings in the city, except as modified herein.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
Section R105.2 is amended in the following categories of building work that are exempt from permit:
1. 
One-story detached accessory structures used as storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses, provided the floor area is greater than 120 square feet and the ceiling height is not over 7 feet.
2. 
Fences not over six feet high and block walls not over three feet high.
3. 
Retaining walls which are not over four feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids.
11. 
Platforms, walks, and driveways not more than thirty inches (762 mm) above grade and not over any basement or story below.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
Section R105.10 Reconstruction is added to Chapter 1 of the California Building Code to read as follows:
R105.10. Reconstruction. If the value of the reconstruction (or renovation) of a building is equal to or exceeds 75 percent of the value of the building, the entire building shall comply with the code provisions for new construction. The value of the reconstruction (or renovation) for a property shall include the value of all construction stemming from construction-related permits issued within the last two years.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
Section R108.5 Refunds is deleted and amended to read:
The Building Official may authorize refunding of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected. The Building Official may authorize refunding of not more than 80% of the permit fee when no work has been done under a permit issued in accordance with this code. The Building Official may authorize refunding of not more than 80% of the plan review fee when an application for a permit for which a plan review fee has been paid is withdrawn or canceled before the plan is reviewed. The Building Official shall not authorize refunding of any fee paid except on written application filed by the original permittee not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
Section R108.6 Work commencing before permit issuance is amended to read:
Any person who commences work on a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system before obtaining the necessary permits shall be subject to double the permit fees as a penalty. In addition, when required by the Building Official, a special investigation shall be performed at a cost established by separate ordnance.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
Table R301.2(1) is revised to read:
TABLE R301.2(1)
CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA
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MANUAL J DESIGN CRITERIAn
ELEVATION
LATITUDE
WINTER HEATING
SUMMER COOLING
ALTITUDE CORRECTION FACTOR
INDOOR DESIGN TEMPERATURE
DESIGN TEMPERATURE COOLING
HEAT TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE
39
34
41
85
 
70
75
 
COOLING TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE
WIND VELOCITY HEATING
WIND VELOCITY COOLING
COINCIDENT WET BULB
DAILY RANGE
WINTER HUMIDITY
SUMMER HUMIDITY
7
 
 
68
22
 
11 (50% RH)
Notes:
For SI: 1 pound per square foot = 0.0479 kPa, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s.
a.
Where weathering may require a higher strength concrete or grade of masonry than necessary to satisfy the structural requirements of this code, the frost line depth strength required for weathering shall govern. The weathering column shall be filled in with the weathering index (i.e., "negligible," "moderate" or "severe") for concrete as determined from Figure R301.2(1). The grade of masonry units shall be determined from ASTM C 34, ASTM C 55, ASTM C 62, ASTM C 73, ASTM C 90, ASTM C 129, ASTM C 145, ASTM C 216 or ASTM C 652.
b.
Where the frost line depth may require deeper footings than indicated in Figure R403.1(1), the frost line depth strength required for weathering shall govern. The jurisdiction shall fill in the frost line depth column with the minimum depth of footing below finish grade.
c.
The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table to indicate the need for protection depending on whether there has been a history of local subterranean termite damage.
d.
The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with the wind speed from the basic wind speed map [Figure R301.2(2)]. Wind exposure category shall be determined on a site-specific basis in accordance with Section R301.2.1.4.
e.
The jurisdiction shall fill in this section of the table to establish the design criteria using Table 10A from ACCA Manual J or established criteria determined by the jurisdiction.
f.
The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with the seismic design category determined from Section R301.2.2.1.
g.
The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with (a) the date of the jurisdiction's entry into the National Flood Insurance Program (date of adoption of the first code or ordinance for management of flood hazard areas), and the title and date of the currently effective Flood Insurance Study or other flood hazard study and maps adopted by the authority having jurisdiction, as amended.
h.
In accordance with Sections R905.1.2, R905.4.3.1, R905.5.3.1, R905.6.3.1, R905.7.3.1, and R905.8.3.1, where there has been a history of local damage from the effects of ice damming, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with "YES." Otherwise, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with "NO."
i.
The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with the 100-year return period air freezing index (BF-days) from Figure R403.3(2) or from the 100-year (99 percent) value on the National Climatic Data Center data table "Air Freezing Index-USA Method (Base 32°)."
j.
The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with the mean annual temperature from the National Climatic Data Center data table "Air Freezing Index-USA Method (Base 32°F)."
k.
In accordance with Section R301.2.1.5, where there is local historical data documenting structural damage to buildings due to topographic wind speed-up effects, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with "YES." Otherwise, the jurisdiction shall indicate "NO" in this part of the table.
l.
In accordance with Figure R301.2(2), where there is local historical data documenting unusual wind conditions, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with "YES" and identify any specific requirements. Otherwise, the jurisdiction shall indicate "NO" in this part of the table.
m.
In accordance with Section R301.2.1.2, the jurisdiction shall indicate the wind-borne debris wind zone(s). Otherwise, the jurisdiction shall indicate "NO" in this part of the table.
n.
The jurisdiction shall fill in this section of the table to establish the design criteria using Table 1a or 1b from ACCA Manual J or established criteria determined by the jurisdiction.
o.
The jurisdiction shall fill in this section of the table using the Ground Snow Loads in Figures R301.2(3) and R301.2(4).
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
Section R313.1 exception and R313.2 exceptions are deleted. The following will be added to R313.1 and R313.2:
Exception: Any addition or alteration to an existing residential building shall retrofit with automatic fire sprinkler system when a structure exceeds 3,500 square feet and the addition or alteration that is made exceeds 30% of the original building square footage.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
As required by Chapter 4 California Residential Code Section R401.4. is added to Chapter 4:
The Building Official may require a geologic or geotechnical report or both, in accordance with the 2022 California Residential Code Section R401. This section shall include any new residential construction or additions to existing structures. As part of this evaluation the Building Official shall require a site visit to determine the need for a geologic or geotechnical report or both. A fee shall be collected for each site visit.
A geologic report shall be prepared by a Certified Engineering Geologist licensed by the State of California. A geotechnical report shall be prepared by a registered Civil Engineer versed in soils engineering and qualified to perform this work. When both a geotechnical and geologic report are required, the two reports shall be coordinated before submission to the Building Official. The Building Official, at his/her discretion shall obtain any technical support necessary to approve the report. Submitted reports shall contain a finding regarding the safety of the site from any variety of geologic hazard and a finding regarding the effect the proposed improvements, grading, and/or construction and use of the site will have on the stability of the site and/or property outside the site. Any recommendation or action presented in the approved reports along with any conditions of approval shall be incorporated into the construction of site improvements. A fee shall be collected for the cost of review of the reports and any required addendums.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
Section R902.1 is amended by revising it to allow only class A or B roofs as follows:
R902.1 Roofing Covering Materials. Roofs shall be covered with materials as set forth in Sections R904 and R905. A minimum Class A or B roofing shall be installed in areas designated by this section or where the edge of the roof I less than 3 feet (914 mm) from a lot line. Class A and B roofing required by this section to be listed shall be tested in accordance with UL 790 or ASTM E 108.
Exceptions:
1. 
Class A roof assemblies include those with coverings of brick, masonry and exposed concrete roof deck.
2. 
Class A roof assemblies also include ferrous or copper shingles or sheets, metal sheets and shingles, clay or concrete roof tile, or slate installed on noncombustible decks.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
Section R902.1.2 is amended by revising it to require a minimum Class B roof as follows:
R902.1.2 Roof Coverings Within All Other Areas. The entire roof covering of every existing structure where more than 50 percent of the total roof area is replaced within any one-year period, the entire roof covering of every new structure, and any roof covering applied in the alteration, repair, or replacement of the roof of every existing structure, shall be a fire-retardant roof covering that is at least Class B.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
Section R902.2, first paragraph is amended by revising it to allow only Class A or B treated wood roofs as follows:
R902.2 Fire-Retardant-Treated Shingles and Shakes. Fire-retardant-treated wood shakes and shingles are wood shakes and shingles complying with UBC Standard 15-3 or 15-4 which are impregnated by the full-cell vacuum-pressure process with fire-retardant chemicals, and which have been qualified by UBC Standard 15-2 for use on Class A or B roofs.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)
Section R1001.14 Chimney spark arresters of the California Residential Code is hereby added as follows:
R1001.14 Chimney Spark Arresters. All chimneys attached to any appliance or fireplace that burns solid fuel shall be equipped with an approved spark arrester. Chimneys serving outdoor appliances or fireplaces shall be equipped with a spark arrester. The spark arrester shall meet the requirements of Section 2113.9.2 of the California Building Code.
(Ord. 1593 § 2, 2022)