For the purpose of prescribing regulations for erecting, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, improving, removal, conversion, demolition, occupancy, equipment use, height, and area of residential buildings and structures, the following construction code subject to the modifications set forth in this chapter, is hereby adopted: the California Residential Code, including Appendix BB (Tiny Houses), BF (Patio Covers), Appendix CI (Swimming Pool Safety Act), and Appendix CJ (Emergency Housing), 2025 Edition, based on the 2024 International Residential Code as published by the International Code Council, including Division II in Chapter 1.
(Ord. 12-10, 2010; Ord. 15-13, 2013; Ord. 09-16, 2016; Ord. 10-19, 2019; Ord. 06-22, 2022; Ord. 16-25, 11/12/2025)
R101.1 Title. These provisions shall be known as the "Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings of the City of Orange," and shall be cited as such and will be referred to herein as "this code."
Table R301.2 is revised to read as follows:
TABLE R301.2
CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA
GROUND SNOW LOAD
WIND DESIGN
SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORYf
SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM
WINTER DESIGN TEMPe
ICE BARRIER UNDERLAYMENT REQUIREDh
FLOOD HAZARDSg
AIR FREEZING INDEXi
MEAN ANNUAL TEMPj
Speedd
(mph)
Topographic effectsk
Weatheringa
Frost Line Depthb
Termitec
Zero
110
No
D2 or E
Negligible
12-24"
Very Heavy
43
NO
See Exhibit B
0
60
MANUAL J DESIGN CRITERIA
Elevation
Latitude
Winter Heating
Summer Cooling
Altitude Correction Factor
Indoor Design Temperature
Design temperature cooling
Heating temperature difference
54
33
39
85
1000
70
75
31
Cooling temperature difference
Wind velocity heating
Wind velocity cooling
Coincident wet bulb
Daily range
Winter humidity
Summer Humidity
10
68
medium
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 outdoor design dry-bulb temperature shall be selected from the columns of 971/2-percent values for winter from Appendix D of the California Plumbing Code. Deviations from the Appendix D temperatures shall be permitted to reflect local climates or local weather experience as determined by the building official.
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 City of Orange does not have any Flood Hazards Zones. 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.html.
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 R301.2.1.1, where there is local historical data documenting regional wind designs, 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).
Section R902.1 is revised to allow only class A 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 roofing shall be installed in areas designated by this section. Classes A 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.
Section R902.1.3 is revised to require a minimum Class A roof as follows:
R902.1.3 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 A.
Section R902.2 is revised to allow only Class A 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.
Appendix CI, Section CI100 is revised to read as follows:
(a)
Except as provided in Section CI100, 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:
#1. An enclosure that meets the requirements of CI100 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 CI100. Any such door protection device provided for this purpose may not be used to comply with the second drowning prevention feature requirement.
(Ord. 09-16, 2016; Ord. 10-19, 2019; Ord. 06-22, 2022; Ord. 16-25, 11/12/2025)
A. 
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any violation of the provisions of this chapter is committed, continued, or permitted, and each such offense shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both such fine and imprisonment.
B. 
In addition, this code may be enforced by injunction or other appropriate civil remedy.
(Ord. 12-10, 2010)