[1]
Prior ordinance history: Ords. 99-003, 2000-004, 2003-001, 2005-012, 2008-008 and 2014-006.
The California Code, 2025 Edition, including all volumes and appendices listed below, shall be the building code for the city and said code, together with the adopted appendices, shall regulate and govern the conditions and maintenance of all property, buildings and structures within the city by providing the standards for supplied utilities and facilities and other physical items and conditions essential to ensure that structures are safe, sanitary and fit for occupation and use and providing for the condemnation and demolition of buildings and structures that are unfit for human occupancy and use, and the issuance of permits and collection of permit fees.
A. 
The California Code of Regulations, Title 24, 2025 Edition, published by the International Code Council, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, and BNi Building News, including appendices listed below, is adopted by reference, including:
1. 
Part 1 - California Administrative Code. The 2025 California Administrative Code, published by the International Code Council, as amended in Part 1 of the California Building Standards Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24;
2. 
Part 2 - California Building Code - Volumes 1 and 2. The 2025 California Building Code based on the International Building Code, 2024 Edition, published by the International Code Council, together with those omissions, amendments, exceptions and additions thereto as amended in Part 2 of the California Building Standards Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24; as amended in Section 15.04.020, including Chapter 17A, with Appendices G, H, I, J, N, P and Q, and as amended in Section 15.04.020;
3. 
Part 2.5 - California Residential Code. The 2025 California Residential Code based on the International Residential Code, 2024 Edition, published by the International Code Council, together with those omissions, amendments, exceptions and additions thereto as amended in Part 2.5 of the California Building Standards Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24; as amended in Section 15.04.020, including Appendices BB, BF, BG, CI, and CJ, as amended in Section 15.04.020;
4. 
Part 3 - California Electrical Code. The 2025 California Electrical Code based on the National Electrical Code, 2023 Edition, published by the National Fire Protection Association, together with those omissions, amendments, exceptions and additions thereto, as amended in Part 3 of the California Building Standards Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24, including Annexes A, C, and I;
5. 
Part 4 - California Mechanical Code. The 2025 California Mechanical Code based on the Uniform Mechanical Code, 2024 Edition, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, together with those omissions, amendments, exceptions and additions thereto, as amended in Part 4 of the California Building Standards Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24, including Appendices B, C, F, G and H;
6. 
Part 5 - California Plumbing Code. The 2025 California Plumbing Code based on the Uniform Plumbing Code, 2024 Edition, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, together with those omissions, amendments, exceptions and additions thereto, as amended in Part 5 of the California Building Standards Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24, including Appendices A, D, G, H, I, J, M, and R;
7. 
Part 6 - California Energy Code. The 2025 California Energy Code, published by the International Code Council, as amended in Part 6 of the California Building Standards Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24; as further amended in Section 15.04.020 of the San Pablo Municipal Code;
8. 
Part 7 - California Wildland-Urban Interface Code. The 2025 California Wildland Urban Interface Code, The 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, as amended by Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and adopted by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors as County Ordinance number 2025-15;
9. 
Part 8 - Historic Building Code. The 2025 California Historical Building Code, published by the International Code Council, as amended in Part 8 of the California Building Standards Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24;
10. 
Part 9 - California Fire Code. The 2025 California Fire Code, as amended by Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and adopted by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors as County Ordinance No. 2025-14;
11. 
Part 10 - California Existing Building Code: The 2025 California Existing Building Code, based on the International Existing Building Code, 2024 Edition, published by the International Code Council, together with those omissions, amendments, exceptions and additions thereto as amended in Part 10 of the California Building Standards Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24; including Appendix A, Chapter A1;
12. 
Part 11 - California Green Building Standards Code. The 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, published by the International Code Council, as amended in Part 11 of the California Building Standards Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24;
13. 
Part 12 - California Referenced Standards Code. The 2025 California Referenced Standards Code, published by the International Code Council, as amended in Part 12 of the California Building Standards Code, California Code of Regulations Title 24; and
14. 
2024 - International Property Maintenance Code, as amended. The Housing and Property Maintenance Code for the city of San Pablo shall heretofore consist of the California Housing Law Regulations, as set forth in Division 13, Part 1.5, commencing with Section 17910, in the Health and Safety Code (as amended) combined with the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) including Appendix A except as amended by the changes, additions and deletions set forth in Section 15.04.020.
B. 
The above-listed codes are located in the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, with the exception of the 2024. International Property Maintenance Code which is published by the International Code Council. A copy of the California Codes and International Property Maintenance Code is on file in the Building Division for use and examination by the public.
(Ord. 2011-001 § 1 (part), 2011; Ord. 2014-001 § 1 (part), 2014; Ord. 2016-007 § 1 (part), 2016; Ord. 2020-001 § 1 (part), 2020; Ord. 2023-001 § 1, 2023; Ord. 2025-006, 1/20/2026)
A. 
Amendments, additions and deletions to the 2025 California Building Code, Chapter 1, Division II, Scope and Administration.
1. 
New Section 105.3.2.1 is added as follows:
105.3.2.1 Expiration of Plan Review. Applications for which no permit is issued within 180 days following the date of last plan review correspondence by either the City or the applicant will expire by limitation, and plans and other data submitted for review may thereafter be destroyed by the Building Official.
2. 
New Section 105.5.2 is added as follows:
105.5.2. Completion of work after permit expiration. Before work on an expired permit can be recommenced, a new permit shall first be obtained and the fee for such new permit shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work or as deemed by the Building Official, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work; and provided further that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year. Any suspension or abandonment in excess of one year shall be treated as a new permit and subject to all the provisions thereof.
3. 
New Section 109.4.1 is added as follows:
109.4.1 Investigation fee for work without permit. Whenever any work for which a permit is required has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, an investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued for such work. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be as set forth in the City’s adopted fee schedule. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of either this code nor from any penalty prescribed by law.
4. 
Section 109.6 is amended to read as follows:
109.6 Refunds. The Building Official shall not authorize the refunding of any fee paid except upon written application filed by the original permittee not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.
The Building Official may authorize the refunding of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected.
The Building Official may authorize the refunding of not more than 80 percent of the permit fee paid when no work has been done under a permit issued in accordance with this chapter.
The Building Official may authorize the refunding of not more than 80 percent of the plan review fee paid when an application for a permit for which a plan review fee has been paid is withdrawn or canceled before any plan checking is done.
5. 
New Section 109.7 is added as follows:
109.7 Reinspection fee. A reinspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or reinspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when corrections required by the Building Official are not made.
This section does not require reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of the codes. Subsequent inspections or the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection or reinspection may be subject to reinspection fees.
To obtain a reinspection, the applicant shall file an application therefor in writing upon a form furnished for that purpose, and pay the reinspection fee in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by the City.
In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid.
B. 
Amendments, additions and deletions to 2025 California Residential Code, Chapter 1, Division II, Scope and Administration.
1. 
New Section R105.3.2.1 is added as follows:
R105.3.2.1 Expiration of Plan Review. Applications for which no permit is issued within 180 days following the date of last plan review correspondence by either the City or the applicant will expire by limitation, and plans and other data submitted for review may thereafter be destroyed by the Building Official.
2. 
New Section R105.5.1 is added as follows:
R105.5.1 Completion of work after permit expiration. Before work on an expired permit can be recommenced, a new permit shall first be obtained and the fee for such new permit shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work or as deemed by the Building Official, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work; and provided further that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year. Any suspension or abandonment in excess of one year shall be treated as a new permit and subject to all the provisions thereof.
3. 
Section R108.5 is amended to read as follows:
R108.5 Refunds. The Building Official shall not authorize the refunding of any fee paid except upon written application filed by the original permittee not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.
The Building Official may authorize the refunding of any fee paid hereunder that was erroneously paid or collected.
The Building Official may authorize the refunding of not more than 80 percent of the permit fee paid when no work has been performed under a permit issued in accordance with this chapter.
The Building Official may authorize the refunding of not more than 80 percent of the plan review fee paid when an application for a permit for which a plan review fee has been paid is withdrawn or canceled before any plan checking has commenced.
4. 
New Section R108.6.1 is added to read as follows:
R108.6.1 Investigation fee for work without permit. Whenever any work for which a permit is required has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, an investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued for such work. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be as set forth in the City’s adopted fee schedule. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with any provision of this code or from any penalty prescribed by applicable law.
5. 
New Section R108.7 is added as follows:
R108.7 Reinspection fee. A reinspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or reinspection when the portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when corrections previously required by the Building Official are not made.
This section does not require reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of the codes. Subsequent inspections or practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection or reinspection may be subject to reinspection fees.
To obtain a reinspection, the applicant shall file an application therefor in writing using a form furnished for that purpose, and pay the reinspection fee in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by the City.
In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid.
C. 
Amendments, additions and deletions to 2024 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC).
1. 
Section 102.3 of the IPMC is amended to read as follows:
IPMC 102.3 Application of other codes. Repairs, additions or alterations to a structure, or changes of occupancy, shall be made in accordance with the procedures and provisions of the City Municipal Code and the California Building Codes.
2. 
New Section 102.3.1 of the IPMC is added as follows:
IPMC 102.3.1 Reference to other codes. Whenever the International Property Maintenance Code refers to other codes, those other codes shall mean the City Municipal Code and the California Building Codes.
3. 
Section 302.4 of the IPMC is amended to read as follows:
IPMC 302.4 Weeds. Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds and other uncontrolled herbaceous growth in excess of eight (8) inches in height. Noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as ornamental and uncultivated grasses and herbaceous vegetation that when mature bear wingy or downy seeds, or which because of having attained such a height or extensiveness of growth and desiccation have become a fire menace, or which are otherwise noxious or dangerous to health or safety.
4. 
Section 304.14 of the IPMC is amended to read as follows:
IPMC 304.14 Insect Screens. During the entire year, every door, window and other outside opening required for ventilation of habitable rooms, food preparation area, food service areas or area where products to be included or utilized in food for human consumption are processed, manufactured, packaged or stored shall be supplied with approved tightly fitting screens of minimum 16 mesh per inch (16 mesh per 25 mm) for purposes of insect control, except that such screens shall not be required where air curtains or insect repellent fans are employed. Every screen door used for insect control shall have a self-closing device in good working condition.
Exception: Screens shall not be required where other approved means of insect control, such as air curtains or insect repellent fans, are employed.
5. 
Section 308.3.1 of the IPMC is amended to read as follows:
IPMC 308.3.1 Amended – Disposal of Garbage. That portion of the sentence reading “an approved incinerator unit in the structure available to the occupants in each dwelling unit” is hereby deleted in its entirety.
6. 
Section 602.4 of the IPMC is amended to read as follows:
IPMC 602.4 Amended – Occupied Work Spaces. Indoor occupiable work spaces shall be supplied with heat during the entire year to maintain a temperature of not less than 65°F (18°C) during the period the spaces are occupied.
Exceptions:
1.
Processing, storage and operation areas that require cooling or special temperature conditions.
2.
Areas in which persons are primarily engaged in vigorous physical activities.
(Ord. 2023-001 § 2, 2023; Ord. 2025-006, 1/20/2026; Ord. 2026-003, 4/20/2026)
A. 
Establishment. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the building official relative to the application and interpretation of the California Building Codes, there is established a building board of appeals. The building board of appeals shall be appointed by the city council and shall hold office at their pleasure but in no event shall serve longer than four years without reappointment by the city council.
B. 
Limitation of responsibilities. The responsibilities and authority of the board of appeals shall be limited as provided in accordance with state law and the city of San Pablo building code. Specifically, the authority of the board of appeals shall not include legal interpretation of the administrative provisions of the city of San Pablo building code and shall not include authority to grant appeals which waive requirements of state law or the city of San Pablo building code or grant variances from state law or the city of San Pablo building code.
C. 
Number. The board of appeals shall consist of five members and two alternates appointed by the city council. The alternates shall be called by the board chairperson to hear appeals during the absence or disqualification of a member. Alternate members shall possess the qualifications required for board membership. The building official shall be an ex officio member of the board of appeals but shall have no vote on any matter before the board.
D. 
Qualifications. The board of appeals shall consist of members who are qualified by experience and training to pass on matters pertaining to the city of San Pablo building and construction code and are not employees of the city. Appointees shall be qualified in and specifically knowledgeable in the city of San Pablo building and construction code and applicable local ordinances.
E. 
Chairperson. The board of appeals shall annually select one of its members to serve as chairperson.
F. 
Disqualification of member. A member shall not hear an appeal in which that member has a personal, professional, or financial interest, or a conflict of interest under the Fair Political Practices Act. A disqualified board of appeals member shall declare his or her disqualification to the building official, who shall arrange for an alternate member to serve in place of the disqualified member and shall make the disqualification part of the hearing record.
G. 
Secretary. The city manager shall designate a qualified clerk to serve as secretary to the board of appeals. The secretary shall file a detailed record of all proceedings in the city clerk’s office.
H. 
Compensation of members. Members of the board of appeals shall serve without compensation.
I. 
Quorum. A quorum shall consist of three members and/or alternates.
J. 
Open hearing. The board of appeals shall have no regular meetings; all meetings shall be special meetings noticed pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956. All hearings before the board of appeals shall be open to the public. The appellant, the appellant’s representative, the building official, and any person whose interests are affected shall be given an opportunity to be heard.
K. 
Hearing procedure. The hearing shall be informal and shall not require compliance with the rules of evidence. At the hearing, the board of appeals shall hear and consider all relevant evidence.
L. 
Postponed hearing. Continuances of the hearing may be granted by the city manager on request of the appellant or the appellant’s representative for good cause shown, or on the city manager’s own motion.
M. 
Board decision. The board of appeals shall decide the appeal by a majority vote of the members present.
N. 
Appeals procedure. Any person aggrieved by the determination of the building official under this chapter may appeal in the manner provided in this section.
1. 
The building official’s decision may be appealed by filing with the city clerk, within ten days from the date of service of such decision, a written, dated appeal containing:
a. 
A specific identification of the property which is the subject of the proceeding.
b. 
A caption reading: “Appeal of __________” giving the names of all appellants participating in the appeal.
c. 
A brief statement setting forth the legal interest of each of the appellants in the building or the land involved in the notice and order.
d. 
A statement in ordinary and concise language of the specific order or action protested, together with any material facts supporting the contentions of the appellant.
e. 
The signatures of all parties named as appellants and their official mailing addresses.
f. 
The verification of at least one appellant as to the truth of the matter stated in the appeal.
2. 
An appeal shall be deemed filed upon receipt by the city clerk’s office. The city manager shall set a date in which the building board of appeals shall hear the appeal, which shall not be less than ten days from the date the appeal was filed. Written notice of the time and place of the appeal hearing shall be given at least five days prior to the date of the hearing to each appellant, either by causing a copy of such notice to be delivered to the appellant personally or by mailing a copy thereof, postage prepaid, addressed to the appellant at his address shown on the appeal. Service is complete at the time of such deposit. Continuances of the hearing may be granted for good cause.
3. 
A failure to file such appeal shall be deemed a failure to exhaust administrative remedies, and shall act as a bar to any legal proceeding challenging city abatement of the public nuisance.
(Ord. 2011-001 § 1 (part), 2011. Formerly 15.04.020; Ord. 2014-001 § 1 (part), 2014; Ord. 2016-007 § 1 (part), 2016; Ord. 2020-001 § 1 (part), 2020; Ord. 2022-001 § 6, 2022; Ord. 2023-001 § 2, 2023)
Permit fees are established by city council resolution, as authorized by Chapter 1, Section 109 of the California Building Code.
(Ord. 2011-001 § 1 (part), 2011. Formerly 15.04.030; Ord. 2014-001 § 1 (part), 2014; Ord. 2016-007 § 1 (part), 2016; Ord. 2020-001 § 1 (part), 2020; Ord. 2023-001 § 2, 2023)
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter, or any of the provisions of the codes adopted by reference by this chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. The arresting officer or prosecutor may elect to charge an offense that constitutes a misdemeanor as an infraction if the officer or prosecutor identifies mitigating circumstances to justify such a reduced charge. Such mitigating circumstances may include, but are not limited to, a less serious impact on the public or a victim, lack of comprehension by the violator, or prompt correction of the violation. The reasons for the reduced charge shall be indicated on the citation or report filed with the city attorney. The court may also reduce the charge to an infraction upon a finding of mitigating circumstances or as a condition of probation and sentencing.
(Ord. 2011-001 § 1 (part), 2011. Formerly 15.04.040; Ord. 2014-001 § 1 (part), 2014; Ord. 2016-007 § 1 (part), 2016; Ord. 2020-001 § 1 (part), 2020; Ord. 2023-001 § 2, 2023)
The city building official may, in his or her sound discretion, withhold the issuance or reinstatement of a permit under this chapter for any structure on a parcel of land concerning either or both of which there exists any violation of law or regulation, including, but not limited to, building, grading, zoning, fire protection and safety, health, sanitation and/or flood control, relating to or affecting that permit. In determining whether a permit shall be issued, he or she shall also consider whether the existing violation constitutes an unlawful occupancy or a hazard to life or property. He or she may require correction of a violation before issuing a permit, or as a condition of issuance within a stated period of time including any extensions granted for good cause shown. Failure to comply with such condition is a ground for revocation as provided by law.
(Ord. 2011-001 § 1 (part), 2011. Formerly 15.04.050; Ord. 2014-001 § 1 (part), 2014; Ord. 2016-007 § 1 (part), 2016; Ord. 2020-001 § 1 (part), 2020; Ord. 2023-001 § 2, 2023)