This chapter shall be known as the Residential Code of the City of Norwalk and shall be cited as the Residential Code.
(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
Except as hereinafter provided, the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, based on the 2024 International Residential Code as published by the International Code Council, including Appendices BF Patio Covers and CI Swimming Pool Safety Act thereto is adopted by reference and incorporated herein as though fully set forth herein and shall constitute the Residential Code of the City. A copy of the 2025 California Residential Code has been deposited in the office of the Building Official and shall be, at all times, maintained by the Building Official for use and examination by the public.
(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 13-1649 § 3; Ord. 16-1683 § 2; Ord. 19-1709 § 2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 22-1738 § 2; Ord. 25-1761, 11/18/2025)
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.06.020, whenever any of the following names or terms is used in the Residential Code, each such name or term shall be deemed to have the meaning ascribed to it in this subsection, as follows:
"Board of Appeals"
means the Building Rehabilitation Appeals Board established by Section 15.32.160.6 of the Administrative Code.
"Building Department"
means the Building and Safety Division of the City of Norwalk Community Development Department.
"Building Official"
means the Building and Safety Manager.
"City"
means the City of Norwalk.
"General Fund"
means the City Treasury of the City of Norwalk.
(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.06.020, the California Residential Code is hereby amended as follows:
A. 
Division II Administration of Chapter 1 is hereby deleted.
B. 
Table R301.2 is hereby amended, by the deletion of Table R301.2(1) and the addition of a new Table R301.2 thereto, to read as follows:
C. 
TABLE R301.2 — CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA
Ground Snow Loado
Wind Design
Seismic Design Categoryf
Subject To Damage From
Ice Barrier Underlayment Requiredh
Flood Hazardsg
Air Freezing Indexi
Mean Annual Tempj
Speedd
(mph)
Topographic effectsk
Special Wind regionl
Windborne debris zonem
Weatheringa
Frost line depthb
Termitec
Zero
95
Yes
Yes
No
D2 or E
Negligible
12-24"
Very Heavy
No
Yes
Zero
63
MANUAL J DESIGN CRITERIAn
Elevation
Altitude correction factore
Coincident wet bulb
Indoor winter design relative humitity
Indoor design dry-bulb temperature
Outdoor winter design dry-bulb temperature
Heating Temperature Difference
97
—
69
—
—
—
—
Latitude
Daily range
Summer design gains
Indoor summer design relative humitity
Indoor summer design dry-bulb temperature
Outdoor summer design dry-bulb temperature
Cooling Temperature Difference
34
26
50% RH
11
—
—
—
Notes:
For SI: 1 pound per square foot = 0.0479 kPa, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s.
a.
Weathering may require a higher strength concrete or grade of masonry than necessary to satisfy the structural requirements of this code. The weathering column shall be filled in with the weathering index (i.e., "negligible," "moderate" or "severe") for concrete as determined from the Weathering Probability Map [Figure R301.2(1)]. The grade of masonry units shall be determined from ASTM C 34, C 55, C 62, C 73, C 90, C 129, C 145, C 216 or C 652.
b.
The frost line depth may require deeper footings than indicated in Figure R403.1(1). 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.
See City's FIRM maps for Flood Hazard Locations.
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%) value on the National Climatic Data Center data table "Air Freezing Index- USA Method (Base 32°)" at www.ncdc.noaa.gov/fpsf.htrnl.
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)" at www.ncdc.noaa.gov/fpsf.html.
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(4)A, 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 these sections 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 Figure R301.2(3).
D. 
Section R302.1 is hereby amended, by adding the following text to Exception 3:
Such structures must comply with the setback requirements of the City zoning ordinance and the Fire Code.
E. 
Section R313.1 is hereby amended, by the deletion of the entire section and the addition of a new section thereto, to read as follows:
R313.1 Minimum height. Habitable rooms shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet 6 inches (2,286 mm). Hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and storage rooms shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet (2,134mm).
Exceptions:
1. 
If any room in a building has a sloped ceiling, the prescribed ceiling height for the room is required in one-half of the area thereof. Any portion of the room measuring less than 5 feet (1,524mm) from the finished floor to the ceiling shall not be included in any computation of the minimum floor area thereof.
2. 
Bathrooms shall have a minimum ceiling height of 6 feet 8 inches (2,032mm) at the center of the front clearance area for fixtures in accordance with the Plumbing Code. A shower or tub equipped with a showerhead shall have a minimum ceiling height of 6 feet 8 inches (2,032mm) above a minimum area 30 inches (762mm) by 30 inches (762mm) at the showerhead. The ceiling height above any fixture shall be such that the fixture is capable of being used for its intended purpose.
F. 
Section R404.2 Wood foundation walls is hereby amended by adding a paragraph as follows:
Wood foundation walls shall not be used for structures located in Seismic Design Category D0, D1 or D2.
G. 
Section R902.1 is hereby amended, by the deletion of the entire section and the addition of a new section thereto, to read 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 roofing shall be installed in areas designated by this section. Class A roofing required by this section to be listed shall be tested in accordance with UL 790 or ASTM E108.
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.
H. 
Section R902.1.2 is hereby amended, by the deletion of the entire section and the addition of a new section thereto, to read as follows:
R902.1.2 Roof coverings in all other areas other than Fire Hazard Severity Zones or a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) area. 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 A.
I. 
Section R902.2 is hereby amended, by the deletion of the first sentence in its entirety and the addition of a new first sentence, to read 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 or ASTM E108 or UL 790 for use on Class A roofs.
J. 
Appendix CI, amend Section 115922(a) as follows:
Except as provided in Section 115925 when a building permit is issued for the construction of a new swimming pool or spa or the remodeling of an existing swimming pool or spa at a private single-family home, the respective swimming pool or spa shall be equipped with item (1) below AND at least one additional following seven drowning prevention features:
K. 
Appendix CI, amend Section 115922(a)(1) as follows:
An enclosure that meets the requirements of 115923 and isolates the swimming pool and spa from the private single-family home. Any walls of the residential structure or accessory structures used to complete the isolation enclosure must have door openings equipped with protection as required in 115925 (a) #4 or #5. Any such door protection device provided for this purpose may not be used to comply with the second drowning prevention feature requirement.
L. 
Appendix CI, amend Section 115922(a)(2) by adding the following sentence:
The mesh fencing setback shall be not less than 20 inches from the water's edge.
M. 
Appendix CI, amend Section 115923(e) by adding the following paragraph:
In order to be considered non-climbable, the following minimum standards shall apply:
a. 
The maximum opening formed by a chain link fence shall be not more than 1 1/4".
b. 
There shall be a clear zone of not less than 36" between the exterior of the enclosure and any permanent structures or equipment such as pumps, filters, and heaters that can be used to climb the enclosure.
(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 13-1649 § 3; Ord. 16-1683 § 2; Ord. 19-1709 § 2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 22-1738 § 2; Ord. 25-1761, 11/18/2025)
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.06.020, the Building Official may record a notice with the County Recorder's office that a property, building or structure, or any part thereof, is in violation of any provision of the Technical Codes or this Code in accordance with Section 15.32.130.3 of the Administrative Code.
(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)
A. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Norwalk Municipal Code, no building permit shall be issued for any property which is subject to the provisions of this subsection, unless all public utility distribution lines, wires or cables, including, but not limited to, electric, communications, street lighting and cable television service, installed within the boundaries of such property and for the purposes of serving such property are placed underground. This subsection shall not apply to:
1. 
The development of a single family residence located in an area which is predominantly served by an overhead electrical distribution system; nor
2. 
Any building permit(s) which is (are) issued within any 12 month period when the amount of the improvement is less than thirty-three and one-third (33 1/3) percent of the assessed valuation of the improvements on the subject property.
B. 
The provisions of subsection A requiring that utility lines and facilities be installed underground shall not apply to the following types of facilities.
1. 
Poles without overhead wires used exclusively for police and fire alarm boxes, traffic control facilities or any similar municipal equipment installed under the supervision of and to the satisfaction of the City Engineer;
2. 
Poles used exclusively for street lighting;
3. 
An electric distribution system in excess of 15 kilovolts, unless the City Engineer determines that underground installation of such distribution system is feasible and practicable;
4. 
Surface mounted transformers, pedestal mounted terminal boxes and meter cabinets and concealed ducts in an underground system.
C. 
Special Exceptions. The City Council may waive or modify the requirements set forth in this subsection as topographical, soil or any other conditions make such underground installation impractical or if such would constitute an unnecessary hardship inconsistent with the purpose of this section. Any modification may be subject to such conditions as the City Council may deem proper.
(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)