Note: Ord. 2024-1112 was repealed by Ord. 2025-1128, 10/21/2025.
There is hereby adopted by reference, as the International Property Maintenance Code, 2021 Edition, with certain amendments, published by the International Code Council, for the purpose to protect health, safety, and welfare in both existing residential and nonresidential buildings and premises within the City. One certified copy of which is on file in the office of the City Clerk for public inspection and is adopted with the same force and effect as though set out herein in full. The International Property Maintenance Code, 2021 Edition, as adopted herein, is amended as set forth in Sections 15.34.010 through 15.34.110.
(Ord. 2025-1128, 10/21/2025)
Section 101 Scope and General Requirements, is hereby amended to read as follows:
101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the International Property Maintenance Code of the City of Yorba Linda, hereinafter referred to as "this Code."
101.2 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to all existing residential and nonresidential structures and all existing premises and constitute minimum requirements and standards for premises, structures, equipment, and facilities for light, ventilation, space, heating, sanitation, protection from the elements, a reasonable level of safety from fire and other hazards, and for a reasonable level of sanitary maintenance; the responsibility of the owners, an owners authorized agent, operators and occupants; the occupancy of existing structures and premises, and for the administration, enforcement and penalties.
Where conflicts occur between this code and the referenced standards, the provisions of the California Building Codes and referenced standards within the California Building Codes, as adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda shall apply.
Section 102 Applicability, is hereby amended to read as follows:
102.3 Application of other codes. Repairs, additions, or alterations to a structure, or changes of occupancy, shall be done in accordance with the procedures and provisions of the adopted California Building Codes, and the California Existing Building Code as adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda. Nothing in this code shall be construed to cancel, modify, or set aside any provision of the California Building Codes, as adopted, and amended by the City of Yorba Linda.
102.7 Historic Buildings, omitted.
102.8 Referenced codes and standards. The codes and the standards referenced in this Code shall be those adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda and those that are listed in Chapter 35 of the California Building Code and considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference and further regulated in Sections 102.8.1 and 102.8.2.
Exception:
Where enforcement of code a provision would violate the conditions of the listing of the equipment or appliance, the condition of the listing shall apply.
102.8.1 Conflicts. Where conflicts occur between provisions of this code and the referenced standards, the provisions of the California Building Codes and the referenced standards within the California Building Codes, as adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda shall be used in the application and the most restrictive shall apply.
102.8.2 Provisions in referenced codes and standards. Where the extent of the reference to a referenced code or standard includes subject matter that is within the scope of this code, the provisions of the California Building Codes, as adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda and standards, as applicable, shall take precedence over the provisions in the referenced code or standard.
Section 103 Code Compliance Agency, has been omitted in its entirety.
Section 104 Fees, has been omitted in its entirety.
Section 107 Violations, is hereby amended to read as follows:
107.1 Unlawful acts. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect, construct, alter, extend, repair, move, demolish or occupy any building, structure or equipment regulated by this code, or cause same to be done, in conflict with or in violation of any of the provisions of this code, or the California Building Codes and standards as adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda.
107.2 Notice of violation. The building official is authorized to serve a Notice of Violation or order on the person responsible for the erection, construction, alteration extension, repair, moving, removal, demolition or occupancy of a building or structure in violation of the provisions of this code, the California Building Codes as adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda, or in violation of a detail statement or plan approved thereunder, or in violation of a permit or certificate of the legal action or condition and the abatement of the violation.
107.3 Prosecution of violation. If the Notice of Violation is not complied within the time prescribed by such notice, the building official is authorized to request the legal counsel of the jurisdiction to institute the appropriate proceeding at law or in equity to restrain, correct or abate such violation, or to require the removal or termination of the unlawful occupancy of the building or structure in violation of the provisions of this code, shall be subject to the penalties as prescribed by law. Any action taken by the City of Yorba Linda on such premises shall be charged against the real estate upon which the structure is located, and a lien shall be placed upon such real estate.
107.4 Violation penalties. Any person who violates a provision of this code or fails to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who erects, constructs, alters, or repairs a building or structure in violation of the approved construction documents or directives of the code official, or the permit or certificate issued under the provisions of this code, shall be subject to the penalties as prescribed by law.
Section 108 Stop Work Order, is hereby amended to read as follows:
108.4 Failure to comply. Any person who shall continue to work after having been served with a Stop Work Order, except such work as that person is directed to perform by the Building Official, under permit to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be subject to fines established by the authority having jurisdiction.
Section 109 Unsafe Structures and Equipment, is hereby amended to read as follows:
109.1.4 Unlawful structure. An unlawful structure is one found in whole or in part to be occupied by more persons than that permitted by the California Building Codes as adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda, or was erected, altered, or occupied contrary to law.
109.9 Restoration or Abatement. The structure or equipment determined to be unsafe by the code official is permitted to be restored to a safe condition. The owner, owner's authorized agent, operator of a structure, premises or equipment deemed unsafe by the code official shall abate or cause to be abated or corrected such unsafe conditions either by repair, rehabilitation demolition or other approved corrective action. To the extent that repairs, alterations, or additions are made, or a change of occupancy occurs during the restoration of the structure, such as repairs, alterations additions, or change of occupancy shall comply with the requirements of the California Building Codes as adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda.
Section 110 Emergency Measures, is hereby amended to read as follows:
110.1 Imminent danger. When, in the opinion of the code official, there is imminent danger of failure or collapse of a building or structure that endangers life, or when any structure or part of a structure has fallen and life is endangered by the occupation of the structure, or when there is actual or potential of danger to the building occupants or those in close proximity of any structure because of explosives, explosive fumes or vapors or the presence of toxic fumes, gases or materials, or operation of defective, or dangerous equipment, the code official is hereby authorized and empowered to order and require the occupants to vacate the premises forthwith. The code official shall cause the structure to be posted at each entrance to such structure a notice reading as follows: "DO NOT ENTER! UNSAFE TO OCCUPY". It shall be unlawful for any person to enter such structure except for the purpose of securing the structure, making the required repairs, removing the hazardous condition or of demolishing the same.
110.3 Closing Streets, has been omitted in its entirety.
(Ord. 2025-1128, 10/21/2025)
Section 201 General, is hereby amended to read as follows:
201.3 Terms defined in other codes. Where terms are not defined in this code and are defined in California Building Codes and Standards as adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda, such terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them as stated in those other codes.
Exception: When used within this code, the terms unsafe, and dangerous shall have only the meanings ascribed to them in this code and shall not have the meanings ascribed to them by the California Building Codes as amended by the City of Yorba Linda.
Section 202 Definitions, is hereby amended to read as follows:
BEDROOM.
A room, space, or area used for sleeping. A bedroom may also be determined by having a privacy door, an emergency escape and rescue opening, smoke alarms, a closet, minimum ceiling height and floor areas, and design typically found for bedrooms. Indicating the room on building plans as other designated uses does not permit the elimination of life safety measures the code established for sleeping areas.
DWELLING UNIT.
Any building that contains one or two dwelling units used, intended, or designed to be built, used, rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied, or that are occupied for living purposes.
HISTORICAL FABRIC OR MATERIALS.
Original and later-added historically significant construction materials, architectural finishes or elements in a particular pattern or configuration which form a qualified historical property, as determined by the City of Yorba Linda.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE.
Importance for which a property, or structure has been evaluated and found to be historical, as determined by the City of Yorba Linda.
INOPERABLE VEHICLE.
Any abandoned, dismantled, non-functional, unlicensed, unregistered, or wrecked vehicle, or parts thereof, or any vehicle incapable of operating safely and legally upon any highway, roadway, public street, or waterway as determined by California Law.
SYSTEM.
Course of action, agenda, program, procedure, plan of procedure, outline, design layout method, reference to internal parts, combination of parts.
(Ord. 2025-1128, 10/21/2025)
Section 302 Exterior Property Areas, is hereby amended to read as follows:
302.2 Grading and drainage. Premises shall be graded and maintained to prevent the erosion of soil and water runoff while keeping the natural drainage or manufactured slope drainage flow intact. All drainage shall coincide with the California Building Code, the California Residential Code as adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda where applicable, all prior plan or any other approval.
Exception: Approved retention areas and reservoirs.
Section 303 Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs, is hereby amended to read as follows:
303.2 Enclosures. Per Ordinance 2025-1118, any constructed or prefabricated structure holding a body of water exceeding eighteen (18) inches in depth used for swimming, bathing, meditating or observation, which shall include swimming pools, hot tubs, fountains, ponds or any other body of water eighteen (18) inches in depth and located on a residential or commercial property within the City of Yorba Linda shall comply with the City of Yorba Linda's Ordinance No. 2025-1121 regarding Pool Barriers.
Section 304 Exterior Structure, is hereby amended to read as follows:
304.1.1 Unsafe Conditions. The following unsafe conditions shall be determined as unsafe and shall be repaired or replaced to comply with the California Building Codes, as adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda.
304.14 Insect Screens, is hereby deleted in its entirety.
Section 306 Component Serviceability, is hereby amended to read as follows:
306.1.1 Unsafe Conditions. Where any of the following conditions cause the component or system to be beyond its limit state, the component or system shall be determined as unsafe and shall be repaired or replaced to comply with the applicable 2022 California Building Codes currently adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda as required, for existing buildings.
Section 307 Handrails and Guardrails, is hereby amended to read as follows:
307.1 General. Every exterior and interior flight of stairs shall have a handrail on not less than one side of each flight of stairs with four or more risers and every stair, open portion of a stair, landing, balcony, porch, deck, ramp or other walking surface that is more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below shall have guards. All guardrails and handrails shall comply with the 2025 California Building Code and the 2025 California Residential Code.
Section 308 Rubbish and Garbage, is hereby amended to read as follows:
308.3.1 Garbage Facilities. The owner of every dwelling shall supply one of the following: an approved mechanical food waste grinder in each dwelling unit, or an approved leakproof, covered outside garbage container.
(Ord. 2025-1128, 10/21/2025)
Section 401 General, is hereby amended to read as follows:
401.3 Alternative devices. In lieu of the means for natural light and ventilation, the City of Yorba Linda reserves the right to supplement the use of its current adopted and amended California Building Codes and the International Property Maintenance Code, as adopted, and amended for the means of enforcement for the requirements of natural light and mechanical ventilation shall be permitted.
(Ord. 2025-1128, 10/21/2025)
Section 501 General, is hereby amended to read as follows:
501.3 Requirements. Is hereby added to read as follows: The City of Yorba Linda reserves the right to supplement the use of its current adopted and amended California Building Codes and the International Property Maintenance Code, as adopted, and amended for the means of enforcement for all plumbing facilities and fixture requirements as applicable.
Section 502 Required Facilities, is hereby amended to read as follows:
502.5 Public toilet facilities. Public toilet facilities shall be maintained in a safe, sanitary, and working condition in accordance with the current California Plumbing Code, the International Property Maintenance Code, and the California Building Codes as adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda, as it relates to disabled access and all other requirements as applicable.
Section 505 Water Systems, is hereby amended to read as follows:
505.1 General. Every sink, lavatory, bathtub, or shower, drinking fountain, water closet, or other plumbing fixture shall be properly connected to either a public water system or to an approved private water system. Kitchen sinks, lavatories, laundry facilities, bathtubs and showers shall be supplied with hot or tempered and cold running water in accordance with the California Plumbing Code and the International Property Maintenance Code as applicable.
505.4 Water heating facilities. Water heating facilities shall be installed per Chapter 5, of the current California Plumbing Code.
505.5.1 Abandonment of systems. Where a non-potable water reuse system or a rainwater collection and distribution system is not maintained or the owner ceases use of the system, the system shall be abandoned in accordance with the current California Plumbing Code.
(Ord. 2025-1128, 10/21/2025)
Section 601 General, is hereby amended to read as follows:
601.3 Requirements. Is hereby added to read as follows: The City of Yorba Linda reserves the right to supplement the use of its current adopted and amended California Building Codes and the International Property Maintenance Code, as adopted, and amended for the means of enforcement for all the requirements pertaining to mechanical and electrical requirements as applicable.
Section 602 Heating Facilities, is hereby amended to read as follows:
602.2 Residential occupancies. Where the winter design temperature is below 60° F every dwelling unit shall be provided with heating facilities capable of maintaining a room temperature of 68° F, at a point 3 feet above the floor and 2 feet from the exterior walls in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms. Cooking appliances shall not be used to provide the required heating. The installation of one or more portable space heaters shall not be used to achieve compliance with this section.
Exception: Has been omitted.
602.3 Heat supply. Every owner and operator of any building who rents, leases, or lets one or more dwelling units or sleeping units on terms, either expressed or implied, shall furnish heat to the occupants thereof shall be capable of supplying heat and maintaining a minimum temperature of 68°F in all habitable rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms.
Exceptions: Have been omitted.
Section 604 Electrical Facilities, is hereby amended to read as follows:
604.1 Facilities required. Every occupied building shall be provided with an electrical system in compliance with the requirements of the current California Building Codes as adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda and the International Property Maintenance Code as adopted and amended for the means of enforcement pertaining to electrical code requirements as applicable.
604.2 Service. The size and usage of appliances and equipment shall serve as a basis for determining the need for additional facilities in accordance with NFPA 70. Dwelling units shall be served by a three wire, 120/240-volt, single phase electrical service having a minimum rating of 100 amperes.
604.3.1.1 Electrical equipment. Electrical distribution equipment, motor circuits, power equipment, transformers, wire, cable flexible cords, wiring devices, ground fault circuit interrupters, surge protectors, molded case circuit breakers, low-voltage fuses, luminaires, ballasts, motors and electrical control, signaling and communication equipment that have been exposed to water, tampered with, or any other physical damage shall be replaced in accordance with the current California Electrical Code, as adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda.
Exception: Omitted.
604.3.2.1 Electrical equipment. Electrical switches, receptacles, and fixtures, including furnace, water heating, security system and power distribution circuits, that have been exposed to fire, shall be replaced in accordance with the provisions of the current California Electrical Code as amended and adopted by the City of Yorba Linda.
Exception: Electrical switches, receptacles, and fixtures that shall be allowed to be repaired where an inspection report from the manufacturer or an approved manufacturer's representative indicates that the equipment has not sustained damage that requires replacement.
Section 605 Electrical Equipment, is hereby amended to read as follows:
605.4 Wiring. Flexible cords or extension cords shall not be used for permanent wiring, or for running through doors, windows, or cabinets, or concealed within walls, floors, or ceilings.
Section 606 Elevators, Escalators and Dumbwaiters, is hereby amended to read as follows:
606.1 General. Elevators, Escalators and Dumbwaiters, shall be maintained in compliance with ASME A17.1.
(Ord. 2025-1128, 10/21/2025)
Section 701 General, amended.
Section 701.1 Scope, is hereby amended to read as follows: All dwelling units and commercial buildings shall comply with the current fire safety requirements of the current adopted California Building Codes as adopted and amended by the City of Yorba Linda and the Orange County Fire Authority requirements.
(Ord. 2025-1128, 10/21/2025)
The codes and standards referenced in this book shall be those that are listed in Chapter 35 of the California Building Code and considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference and further regulated in Sections 102.8.1 and 102.8.2 of this code as amended.
Exception: Where enforcement of a code provision would violate the conditions of the listing of the equipment or appliance, the condition of the listing shall apply.
(Ord. 2025-1128, 10/21/2025)
Section A 102 Materials, is hereby amended to read as follows:
A102.1 Boarding sheet material. Boarding sheet material shall be a minimum of 1/2-inch-thick CDX plywood panels, no "OSB-oriented strand board" or any other structural plywood panel complying with the adopted California Building Code.
A102.2 Boarding framing material. Boarding framing material shall be minimum nominal 2-inch by 4-inch solid swan lumber complying with the adopted California Building Code.
A102.3 Boarding fasteners. Boarding fasteners shall be minimum 3/8-inch-diameter carriage bolts of such a length as required to penetrate the assembly and as required to adequately attach the washers and nuts. Washers and nuts shall comply with the adopted California Building Code.
A104 Referenced Standard, is hereby omitted in its entirety.
15.34.110 Appendix B, Board of Appeals, is hereby omitted in its entirety.
(Ord. 2025-1128, 10/21/2025)