Editor's Note: For statutory provisions authorizing cities to adopt Codes by reference, see Gov. Code § 50022.1 et seq.; for State law adopting Building Codes and other Codes to apply as housing construction regulations, see Health and Safety Code, § 17922.
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 2339 repealed Chapter 15 Plumbing Code. Prior ordinance history includes Ord. #1958; Ord. #2014; Ord. #2065 and Ordinance Nos. 856, 906, 1130, 1252, 1395, 1509, 1606, 1804, 1821, 1899.
[Added 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2339]
The Administrative Code shall govern the administration of the City's construction codes (i.e., those Codes adopted by reference herein and that are contained in the California Building Standards Code, and/or the 2018 International Property Maintenance Ordinance). In the event of a conflict between any provision contained in the Administrative Code and the administrative provisions of the City's construction codes, or other provision of the Compton Municipal Code, the more specific provision shall be given effect, unless another applicable provision is determined by the Building Official to more fully provide for the public health and safety and/or to more fully promote the intent of the City's construction codes.
[Added 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2339]
The '2019 California Building Code', including Appendices I, J, and O and incorporating the '2018 International Building Code' as published by the International Code Council, hereby is adopted by reference in its entirety as the Building Code of the City of Compton, together with the amendments, additions, deletions and exceptions set forth in this Chapter.
[Added 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2339]
The California Building Code is hereby amended as follows:
Section 105.2 Work Exempt from Permit - Amended.
105.2 Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following:
a. 
Building:
1. 
One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (11 m2) and maximum height of 12 feet.
2. 
Masonry fences less than five feet high, wood or similar less than six feet high.
3. 
Oil derricks.
4. 
Retaining walls that are not over four feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids.
5. 
Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (18,925 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1.
6. 
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.
7. 
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
8. 
Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
9. 
Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 18 inches (457 mm) deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons (18,925 L) and are installed entirely above ground.
10. 
Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems.
11. 
Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings, not exceeding eight feet high.
12. 
Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches (1,372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support of Groups R-3 and U occupancies.
13. 
Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over five feet nine inches (1,753 mm) in height.
b. 
Electrical:
1. 
Repairs and maintenance: Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
2. 
Radio and television transmitting stations: The provisions of this code shall not apply to electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions, but do apply to equipment and wiring for a power supply and the installations of towers and antennas.
3. 
Temporary testing systems: A permit shall not be required for the installation of any temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.
c. 
Gas:
1. 
Portable heating appliance.
2. 
Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
d. 
Mechanical:
1. 
Portable heating appliance.
2. 
Portable ventilation equipment.
3. 
Portable cooling unit.
4. 
Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
5. 
Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
6. 
Portable evaporative cooler.
7. 
Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (5 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.
e. 
Plumbing:
1. 
The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with the new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
2. 
The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.
Section 105.5 Expiration - Amended.
105.5 Expiration. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within 365 days after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the time the work is commenced. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.
[Added 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2339]
The '2019 California Residential Code', incorporating the '2018 International Residential Code' as published by the International Code Council, including Appendices H, V, and X, is hereby adopted in its entirety as the Residential Building Code of the City of Compton, together with the amendments, additions, deletions and exceptions set forth in this Chapter.
[Added 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2339]
Except as provided in this Chapter, the '2019 California Electrical Code', based on the 2017 National Electrical Code as published by the National Fire Protection Association, including all Annexes, is hereby adopted in its entirety as the Electrical Code of the City of Compton, regulating and controlling the installation, arrangement, alteration, repair, use and other operation of electrical wiring, connections, fixtures and electrical appliances on premises within the City.
[Added 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2339]
Except as provided in this Chapter, the '2019 California Mechanical Code', including Appendices A and B, based on the '2018 Uniform Mechanical Code' as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, is hereby adopted in its entirety as the Mechanical Code of the City of Compton, regulating and controlling the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location, operation and maintenance of heating, ventilating, cooling, refrigeration systems, incinerators and other miscellaneous heat producing appliances.
[Added 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2339]
Except as provided in this Chapter, the '2019 California Plumbing Code', including Appendices A, D, I, and J based on the '2018 Uniform Plumbing Code' as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, is hereby adopted in its entirety as the Plumbing Code of the City of Compton, regulating erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation, replacement, maintenance or use of plumbing systems within the City.
[Added 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2339]
Except as provided in this Chapter, the '2019 California Energy Code', including Appendix 1-A, is hereby adopted in its entirety and shall be and become the Energy Code of the City of Compton, regulating erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation, replacement, maintenance or use of energy systems.
[Added 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2339]
Except as provided in this Chapter, the '2019 California Historical Building Code', is hereby adopted in its entirety and shall be and become the Historical Building Code of the City of Compton, regulating for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, relocation or reconstruction of buildings or properties designated as qualified historical buildings or properties.
[Added 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2339]
Except as provided in this Chapter, the '2019 California Existing Building Code', is hereby adopted in its entirety and shall be and become the Existing Building Code of the City of Compton, regulating the alteration, repair, addition and change of occupancy of existing structures.
[Added 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2339]
The 'International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 Edition', as published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted in its entirety as the Property Maintenance Code of the City of Compton, regulating and controlling the conditions and maintenance of all property, buildings and structures; providing the standards for supplied utilities and facilities and other physical things and conditions essential to ensure that structures are safe, sanitary and fit for occupation and use; and the condemnation of buildings and structures unfit for human occupancy and use, and the demolition of such existing structures as herein provided; providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor; provided, however, that notwithstanding the adoption of this code, the City may utilize and enforce any other provision of any code of the City relating to property maintenance including, but not limited to, the provisions of Chapter 24 of the Compton Municipal Code.
[Added 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2339]
The provisions of Section 15-2.2 adopted herein shall govern in the event of conflict between any administrative provisions of the Codes adopted by this Chapter and provisions of any pre-existing provisions of the Compton Municipal Code. In the event of conflict between building standards adopted and/or amended by this Chapter and provisions of any pre-existing provisions of the Compton Municipal Code, the provisions of the codes adopted herein shall govern. In the event of any conflict between fire or other safety regulations, not involving building standards, adopted and/or amended by this Chapter or Section 22-1, Fire Prevention Code, and provisions of any pre-existing provisions of the Compton Municipal Code, the provisions providing for the greatest public safety shall govern. The Building Official's determination in the event of a conflict shall be final, subject to any applicable rights of appeal.
[Added 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2339]
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, or corporation to violate any provision or to fail to comply with any of the requirements of this Chapter or Section 22-1, Fire Prevention Code, or any of the Codes hereby adopted. Unless deemed to be an infraction, any person, firm, partnership or corporation violating any provision of this Chapter or Section 22-1 or any of the Codes hereby adopted or failing to comply with any of their requirements shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $1,000, or by imprisonment not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Alternatively, or in addition to the foregoing, violation of this Chapter or Section 22-1 or the Codes adopted hereby may be punishable by administrative penalty. Each and every person, firm, partnership, or corporation shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or any portion thereof during which any violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter or Section 22-1 or the Codes hereby adopted is committed, continued or permitted by such person, firm, partnership or corporation, and shall be deemed punishable therefore as provided in this Chapter.
[Added 10-26-2021 by Ord. No. 2339]
The violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter or Section 22-1, Fire Prevention Code, or any of the Codes hereby adopted shall constitute a nuisance and may be abated by the City through civil process by means of restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or in any other manner provided by law for the abatement of such nuisances.
[Added 6-3-2025 by Ord. No. 2364]
Unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this Section shall be defined as follows:
CITY
Shall mean the City of Compton.
CONTRACTOR
Shall mean any person who undertakes, or offers to undertake, or does himself or through others, the construction, alteration, repair, excavation, addition to, subtraction from, improvement, moving, wrecking or demolishing of any building or other structure, project, development or improvement, or any part thereof, including the erection of scaffolding, or other structures, or works in connection therewith. "Contractor" shall include specialty contractor, but shall not include anyone who merely furnishes materials or supplies without fabricating them into, or consuming them in the performance of, the work of the contractor.
PERMIT
Shall mean an official document issued by the City under this Section.
PERSON
Shall mean any natural person, firm, company, corporation, partnership, association, any public corporation, trust, estate, joint venture, club, joint stock company, business trust, domestic or foreign corporation, association, syndicate, society or any group of individuals acting as a unit, whether mutual, cooperative, fraternal, nonprofit or otherwise.
PROJECT
Shall mean any development project within the City consisting of 20 or more residential dwelling units or 20,000 or more square feet of commercial or industrial development.
SUBCONTRACTOR
Shall mean any person who undertakes, or offers to undertake, or does by himself or through others, for a contractor, the furnishing of any labor or service in constructing, altering, repairing, excavating, adding to, subtracting from, altering, moving, wrecking, or demolishing any building or other structure, project, or development, or improvement, including the erection of scaffolding, or other structure, or works in connection therewith.
[Added 6-3-2025 by Ord. No. 2364]
Any contractor, subcontractor or person working on and/or proposed to provide work on a project shall obtain a permit prior to commencement of any work on the project.
[Added 6-3-2025 by Ord. No. 2364]
No contractor, subcontractor or person shall be issued a permit unless the person is:
a. 
A licensed contractor licensed by the California Contractors State License Board.
b. 
An employee, agent, or authorized representative of a licensed contractor.
c. 
The property owner performing their work; or
d. 
An employee of the owner, provided that the owner shows evidence of workers' compensation insurance required by state and City laws and their federal tax identification number.
[Added 6-3-2025 by Ord. No. 2364]
A contractor, subcontractor or person applying for a permit shall submit the following information as part of the permit application and prior to the commencement of work:
a. 
The applicant shall provide a list of all contractors and subcontractors that conduct work and/or hired to conduct work or are proposed to conduct work or proposed to be hired on the project. Information for such contractors and subcontractors on the list shall include documents that verify evidence of each contractor's and subcontractor's workers' compensation insurance and their state contractor license and license category, City business license, and federal tax identification number. If the applicant is the contractor or subcontractor, they shall provide the information required herein for their business on the application. No person shall contract or subcontract construction work without a valid contractor's license pursuant to applicable provisions of the California Business and Professions Code.
b. 
For each contractor and subcontractor on the list provided in paragraph a above, the applicant shall provide a disclosure of any pending or final determinations pertaining to state or federal labor violations and any penalties paid to any government agencies related to such violations within the prior five years from the date of the application for each contractor and subcontractors on the project. If the applicant is the contractor or subcontractor, they shall provide this disclosure for themselves on the application as required herein.
[Added 6-3-2025 by Ord. No. 2364]
a. 
If at any time after the permit is issued and a change occurs in any information submitted to the City pursuant to this Section, the permittee shall submit updated information to the City within three business days of the permittee acquiring knowledge of such change.
b. 
If the permittee is a contractor that hires a new subcontractor after the issuance of their permit, the contractor shall within three business days of such hiring, either update the information submitted to the City pursuant to this Section to include the information regarding the subcontractor, or require the subcontractor to obtain a permit under this Section.
c. 
If a new contractor or new subcontractor begins work commences on the project, the contractor or subcontractor shall submit an application for a permit to the City within three business days of commencing work on the project.
[Added 6-3-2025 by Ord. No. 2364]
In the event that the applicant cannot provide the complete list of valid subcontractors and the information required above upon permit application, the applicant shall provide to the City within a reasonable period after issuance of each permit but prior to commencement of any work pursuant to said permit, all information required by subsection 15-26.4. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Section, including subsections 15-26.4 and 15-26.5, may result in one or more of the following:
a. 
Issuance of a stop-work order;
b. 
Revocation of the permit;
c. 
The permit applicant paying a penalty for default to the City in an amount equal to the original permit fee for each violation to defray City costs of enforcement of this Section; or
d. 
The issuance of an administrative citation pursuant to Section 15-7.3 or the penalties set forth in the Compton Municipal Code (CMC) Section 1-6 et seq. and Section 1-7.1 of this Code.
[Added 6-3-2025 by Ord. No. 2364]
To implement the provisions of this Section, the City Manager may adopt administrative procedures, regulations and guidelines consistent with the provisions of this Section. These administrative procedures, regulations and guidelines shall have the force and effect of law and may be relied upon by the parties to determine their rights and responsibilities under this Section. Such administrative procedures, regulations and guidelines shall be posted at City Hall or on the City's website or made available by the City when so adopted.
[Added 6-3-2025 by Ord. No. 2364]
Consistency: CEQA primarily addresses the environmental impact of physical projects. The section itself is administrative in nature— it amends the permitting process and imposes labor-related disclosure requirements. As such, it likely qualifies as a CEQA-exempt action under the "general rule" (14 CCR § 15061(b)(3)) or a categorical exemption for administrative activities.