(1) 
The position of Building Official in and for the City of Rio Dell is hereby created. Said Building Official shall report to the City Manager or his or her representative.
(2) 
It shall be the duty of the Building Official to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter and all ordinances of the City and statutes of the State of California relating to the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area, location, design, quality of materials, operation, installation, replacement, and maintenance of all buildings and/or structures; heating, ventilation, cooling, refrigeration systems; electrical systems; plumbing and drainage systems; signs; and solar systems in the City of Rio Dell.
(3) 
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting the City from contracting with qualified persons, firms, or agencies for building plan review and/or inspection services.
(Ord. 262 § 15.01.010, 2009; Ord. 286, 2012)
(1) 
The City of Rio Dell hereby incorporates by reference and adopts as its building standards and regulations applicable to all occupancies in the City of Rio Dell each and all of the terms, conditions, regulations, penalties, and provisions of the following codes as from time to time adopted, amended, added, and deleted by regulation of the California State Building Standards Commission:
(a) 
California Administrative Code. 2022 California Administrative Code (Part 1 of Title 24).
(b) 
California Building Code. 2022 California Building Code (Part 2 of Title 24), including Appendices.
(c) 
California Residential Code. 2022 California Residential Code (Part 2.5 of Title 24) including Appendices.
(d) 
California Electrical Code. 2022 California Electrical Code (Part 3 of Title 24).
(e) 
California Mechanical Code. 2022 California Mechanical Code (Part 4 of Title 24)
(f) 
California Plumbing Code. 2022 California Plumbing Code (Part 5 of Title 24).
(g) 
California Energy Code. 2022 California Energy Code (Part 6 of Title 24).
(h) 
California Historical Building Code. 2022 California Historical Building Code (Part 8 of Title 24).
(i) 
California Fire Code. 2022 California Fire Code (Part 9 of Title 24).
(j) 
California Existing Building Code. 2022 California Existing Building Code (Part 10 of Title 24).
(k) 
California Green Building Standards Code – "CAL Green." 2022 California Green Building Standards Code (Part 11 of Title 24).
(l) 
California Referenced Standards Code. 2022 California Referenced Standards Code (Part 12 of Title 24).
(m) 
1997 Uniform Housing Code. Published by the International Conference of Building Officials as referenced by the California Department of Housing and Community Development and pursuant to the provisions of Sections 17958, 17958.5, 17958.9, and 17959 of the California Health and Safety Code.
(n) 
2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC).
(2) 
The above-mentioned codes, new additions, and amendments thereto shall become effective and operative within the City of Rio Dell 30 days after the date of first publication of the State Building Standards Code by the State Building Standards Commission in the California Code of Regulations, the California Regulatory Notice Register or the California Regulatory Code Supplement.
(3) 
The above-mentioned codes, new additions, and amendments thereto shall be and hereby are adopted as the Construction Code of the City of Rio Dell for regulating and providing minimum standards for the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area, location, design, quality of materials, operation, installation, replacement, and maintenance of all buildings and/or structures; heating, ventilation, cooling, refrigeration systems; electrical systems; plumbing and drainage systems; signs; and solar systems in the City of Rio Dell and providing for the issuance of permits and the collection of fees therefor.
(4) 
Nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting or limiting the authority of the City of Rio Dell from adopting or establishing more restrictive building standards than provided for in the above-mentioned codes and amendments thereto after making the findings required by Government Code Section 17958.7.
(5) 
The City shall maintain one current copy of all building standards codes on file.
(Ord. 269 § 1, 2014; Ord. 286, 2012; Ord. 315 § 1 (Exh. B), 2014; Ord. 352 § 1, 2017; Ord. 377 § 1, 2019; Ord. 396 § 1, 2022)
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:
Building:
(1) 
One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet (11 m).
(2) 
Fences not over seven feet (2,134 mm) 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 is not greater than 5,000 gallons (18,925 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 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 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 24 inches (610 mm) deep, are not greater than 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.
(12) 
Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies, 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.
(13) 
Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over five feet nine inches (1,753 mm) in height.
(14) 
Agricultural buildings, other than milking barns, not intended for the use of the general public, on lands zoned rural, suburban and natural resources. The Building Inspector shall issue an exemption upon confirming that the subject parcel is so zoned, and that all setbacks or other requirements will be observed.
Agricultural buildings are defined by Section 202 of the California Building Code as "a structure designed and constructed to house farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, livestock or other horticultural products. This structure shall not be a place of human habitation or a place of employment where agricultural products are processed, treated or packaged; nor shall it be a place used by the public."
(Ord. 388 § 1, 2020)
(1) 
Any person required to obtain a permit hereunder shall at the time of filing an application therefor pay to the City Clerk a deposit for plan review in the amount as set forth in the California Administrative Code referred to in RDMC § 15.05.020. Notwithstanding any other provision of these regulations to the contrary, the City shall collect upon the issuance of any permit the actual cost of the plan review services rendered or the plan review fee as set forth in the California Administrative Code, whichever is greater.
(2) 
Where work is commenced prior to obtaining a permit, a double fee shall be charged.
(3) 
For the purpose of determining valuation of any work to be performed hereunder, the City may use the Valuation Data Table published by the International Code Council. The above-mentioned table, new editions, and amendments thereto shall become effective and operative within the City of Rio Dell 30 days after the date of first publication. The City may choose to modify the data published as determined by regional conditions, but will not exceed the costs as published.
(Formerly 15.05.030; Ord. 262 § 15.01.030, 2009; Ord. 286, 2012; Ord. 352 § 1, 2017; Ord. 377 § 1, 2019; Ord. 388 § 1, 2020; Ord. 396 § 1, 2022)
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting any person from doing his own work or employing any person to work on a building or structure to which the provisions of this chapter apply unless otherwise prohibited by law.
(Formerly 15.05.040; Ord. 262 § 15.01.040, 2009; Ord. 286, 2012; Ord. 352 § 1, 2017; Ord. 377 § 1, 2019; Ord. 388 § 1, 2020; Ord. 396 § 1, 2022)
(1) 
No person shall, while engaged in construction, remodeling, digging, grading, demolition, painting, plastering or any other related building activity, operate any tool, equipment or machine in a manner which produces loud noise that disturbs, or could disturb, a person of normal sensitivity who works or resides in the vicinity, unless authorized to do so in accordance with subsection (2) of this section.
(2) 
Hours of Construction. No construction activity shall commence prior to 7:00 a.m. nor continue later than 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and prior to 9:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m. Sundays and holidays. The term "construction activity" shall include any physical activity, including those identified in subsection (1) of this section, on the construction site or in the staging area, including the delivery of materials. In approving modified hours, the Chief Building Official may specifically designate and/or limit the activities permitted during the modified hours.
(3) 
The provisions of subsection (2) of this section shall not apply to the following:
(a) 
Emergency work performed pursuant to written authorization of the City Manager, or Community Development Director, or Building Official.
(b) 
Maintenance, repair or improvement of any public work or facility by public employees, by any person or persons acting pursuant to a public works contract, or by any person or persons performing such work or pursuant to the direction of, or on behalf of, any public agency; provided, however, this exception shall not apply to the City, or its employees, contractors or agents, unless:
(i) 
The City Manager or Department Director determines that the maintenance, repair or improvement is immediately necessary to maintain public services;
(ii) 
The maintenance, repair or improvement is of a nature that cannot feasibly be conducted during normal business hours; or
(iii) 
The City Council has approved project specifications, contract provisions, or an environmental document that specifically authorizes construction during hours of the day which would otherwise be prohibited pursuant to this section.
(4) 
No landowner, construction company owner, contractor, subcontractor, or employer shall permit or allow any person or persons working under their direction and control to operate any tool, equipment or machine in violation of the provisions of this section.
(5) 
Modification. At any time before commencement of or during construction activity, the Chief Building Official may modify the permitted hours of construction upon 24 hours' written notice to the contractor, applicant, developer or owner. The Chief Building Official can reduce the hours of construction activity below the 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. time frame or increase the allowable hours.
(6) 
Sign Required. If the hours of construction activity are modified, then the general contractor, applicant, developer or owner shall erect a sign at a prominent location on the construction site to advise subcontractors and material suppliers of the working hours. The contractor, owner or applicant shall immediately produce upon request any written order or permit from the Chief Building Official pursuant to this section upon the request of any member of the public, the police or City staff.
(Ord. 405 § 1, 2024)
Any person, firm, or corporation, whether as principal, agent, employee, or otherwise, violating or causing the violation of any part of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000. Such person, firm, or corporation shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of this chapter, or any part hereof, is committed, continued, or permitted by such person, firm, or corporation, and shall be punishable as herein provided.
(Formerly 15.05.060; Ord. 262 § 15.01.050, 2009; Ord. 286, 2012; Ord. 352 § 1, 2017; Ord. 377 § 1, 2019; Ord. 388 § 1, 2020; Ord. 396 § 1, 2022; Ord. 405 § 1, 2024)