Title 15 shall be known as the "Uniform Administrative Provisions for the Enforcement of Construction Codes." It may be cited as such and also referenced by the short title of "Uniform Administrative Provisions" or herein as "this code." The term "these codes" used herein means the adopted Uniform Administrative Provisions contained in this title and the model codes also contained in this title of the Stockton Municipal Code.
(Prior code § 13-101)
The purpose of this title is to provide a single uniform reference document for the administration and enforcement of model construction codes adopted by this title. Each of the reference adopted model codes bears a legal influence over details of the design, construction, alteration, occupancy, use, repair and maintenance of buildings or structures and certain equipment and systems therein. This code and each of the adopted model codes provides minimum standards and practical safeguards and provisions against threats to life and limb, health, safety, property and public welfare.
(Prior code § 13-102)
A. 
These administrative provisions and the model codes adopted by this title shall apply to the following:
1. 
The construction, alteration, addition, occupancy, use, repair and maintenance of any building or structure or private parking lot within the jurisdiction and shall include the equipment or systems contained therein, connected or attached thereto as provided in subsection (A)(2) of this section.
2. 
The installation, alteration, repair, replacement or removal of all equipment or systems regulated by the adopted model codes within or used in connection with any buildings or structures or private parking lots. For the purposes of these provisions, the term "equipment" or "systems" shall apply to any equipment or system regulated by the adopted model codes.
B. 
These administrative provisions and the model codes, adopted by the jurisdiction shall not apply to the following:
1. 
Facilities or installations within the adopting jurisdiction owned and operated by a jurisdiction having preemptive power.
2. 
Public utility installations located primarily in a public way.
3. 
Hydraulic flood control structures on public property.
C. 
Where, in any specific case, different sections of the model codes specify different materials, methods of construction, or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern.
D. 
Whenever the adopted codes make reference to the Appendix, the provisions in the Appendix shall not apply unless specifically adopted.
(Prior code § 13-103)
A. 
General. Buildings, structures and their building service equipment and private parking lots to which additions, alterations or repairs are made shall comply with all the requirements of the technical codes for new facilities except as specifically provided in this section.
B. 
Additions, Alterations or Repairs. Additions, alterations or repairs may be made to any building or its building service equipment or private parking lots with-out requiring the existing building or its building ser-vices equipment or private parking lots to comply with all the requirements of the technical codes, provided the addition, alterations or repair conforms to that required for a new building or building service equipment or private parking lot. Additions, alterations or repairs shall not cause an existing building or building service equipment or private parking lot to become unsafe, un-sanitary or overloaded. Any building so altered, which involves a change in use or occupancy, shall not exceed the height, number of stories or area pertained by the Building Code for new buildings. Any building plus new additions shall not exceed the height, number of stories and area specified in the Building Code for new buildings.
Alterations or repairs to an existing building or structure which are nonstructural and do not adversely affect any structural member or any part of the building or structure having required fire resistance may be made with the same materials of which the building or structure is constructed. Minor additions, alterations, renewals and repairs to existing building service equipment installations may be installed in accordance with the law in effect prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title when approved by the building official and provided such additions, alterations and repairs will not cause the existing building service equipment to become unsafe, unsanitary or overloaded.
Exception. The installation or replacement of glass shall be as required for new installations.
C. 
Existing Occupancy. Buildings in existence at the time of the adoption of the Building Code may have their existing use or occupancy continued if such use or occupancy was legal at the time of the adoption of the Building Code, provided such continued use is not dangerous to life, health, and safety.
Any change in the use or occupancy of any existing building or structure shall comply with the provisions of Section 15.04.070 of this code and the Building Code.
D. 
Maintenance. All buildings, structures and building service equipment and private parking lots, existing and new, and all parts thereof shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. All devices or safeguards which are required by the technical codes shall be maintained in conformance with the technical code under which installed. The owner or designated agent shall be responsible for the maintenance of buildings, structures and their building service equipment and private parking lots. To determine compliance with this subsection, the Building Official may cause any structure to be reinspected.
E. 
Historic Buildings. Repairs, alterations, and additions necessary for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, or continued use of a building, structure, or its building service equipment or private parking lots may be made with conformance to the alternative building regulations as set forth in the State Historical Building Code, Title 24, Part 8 as adopted, amended, and repealed in Title 24 of the California Administrative Code when authorized by the Building Official, provided:
1. 
The building structure or private parking lot has been designated by official action of the legally constituted authority of this jurisdiction as having special historical or architectural significance;
2. 
Any unsafe conditions as described in this code are corrected;
3. 
The restored building or structure and its building service equipment or private parking lot will be no more hazardous based on life safety, fire safety, and sanitation than the existing building.
(Prior code § 13-104; Ord. 001-11 C.S. § 2, eff. 2-24-11)
Building service equipment lawfully in existence at the time of the adoption of the technical codes may have their use, maintenance or repair continued if the use, maintenance or repair is in accordance with the original design and no hazard to life, health or property has been created by such building service equipment.
(Prior code § 13-105)
Buildings or structures and any equipment and/or system in connection therewith moved into or within the jurisdiction shall comply with the adopted administrative provisions and model codes for new buildings or structures.
Exception. The moving of apartment houses and dwellings shall permit the retention of existing materials and methods of construction provided the apartment house or dwelling complies with Section 17958.9 of the State Health and Safety Code and complies with standards for foundation applicable to new construction, and does not, or continue to be, a substandard building.
(Prior code § 13-106; Ord. 026-07 C.S. § 1)
Section R104.2.3, Chapter 1 of the California Residential Code and Section 104.2.3, Chapter 1 of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition is hereby amended to read:
The provisions of the adopted administrative provisions and model codes are not intended to prevent the use of any material or method of construction not specifically prescribed by the adopted model codes, provided any such alternate has been approved by the Building Official.
The Building Official, as provided in Section 15.04.110, may approve any such alternate provided he/she finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the provisions of the model codes and that the material, method, or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in the model codes in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, safety, and sanitation.
The Building Official, as provided in Section 15.04.110, shall require that sufficient evidence or proof be submitted to substantiate any claims that may be made regarding its use.
(Prior code § 13-107; Ord. 001-11 C.S. § 2, eff. 2-24-11; Ord. 2014-03-04-1201-01 C.S. § 2; Ord. 2016-11-15-1204-01 § II; Ord. 2019-11-19-1102-01 § 2; Ord. 2022-11-15-1203 C.S. § 2; Ord. 2025-11-18-1206, 11/18/2025)
Whenever there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of the adopted model codes, the Building Official may grant modifications for individual cases, provided he or she shall first find that a special individual reason makes the strict letter of this code impractical and that the modification is in conformity with the intent and purpose of this code and that such modification does not lessen any fire protection requirements or any degree of structural integrity.
(Prior code § 13-107.1)
Section R104.2.2.5, Chapter 1 of the California Residential Code and Sections 104.2.2.4 and 104.2.3.5, Chapter 1 of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition is hereby amended to read:
Whenever there is insufficient evidence of compliance with the provisions of the adopted model codes or evidence that any materials or any construction does not conform to the requirements of the adopted model codes, or in order to substantiate claims for alternate materials or methods of construction, the Building Official, as provided in Section 15.04.110, may require tests as proof of compliance to be made at the expense of the owner or his agent by an approved agency.
Test methods shall be as specified by the adopted model codes or by other recognized test standards for the material in question. In the absence of recognized test standards, the Building Official shall approve the testing procedures.
All tests shall be performed by a party acceptable to the Building Official. Reports of such tests shall be retained by the Building Official for the period required for the retention of public records.
(Prior code § 13-108; Ord. 001-11 C.S. § 2, eff. 2-24-11; Ord. 2014-03-04-1201-01 C.S. § 2; Ord. 2016-11-15-1204-01 § II; Ord. 2019-11-19-1102-01 § 2; Ord. 2022-11-15-1203 C.S. § 2; Ord. 2025-11-18-1206, 11/18/2025)
Wherever conflicting provisions or requirements occur between the adopted administrative provisions and model codes, and any other legally effective codes or ordinances, the most restrictive provisions or requirements shall govern, except that punishment for violations thereof shall be enforced as specified in Section 15.04.190.
(Prior code § 13-109)