This chapter shall be known as the "Placentia Building Code."
(Ord. O-2025-11, 11/18/2025)
The purpose of this chapter is to prescribe regulations for erecting, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, improving, removal, conversion, demolition, occupancy, equipment use, height, and area of buildings and structures and conditions hazardous to life or property in the occupancy of buildings and premises as herein provided.
(Ord. O-2025-11, 11/18/2025)
Except as provided in this chapter, those certain building codes known and designated as the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is hereby adopted by reference as the building code of the city of Placentia for regulating the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area and maintenance of all buildings and/or structures in the city of Placentia.
Whenever the California Code of Regulations and State Building Standards Code of Regulations differ from any provision of the Placentia Building Code, said state regulations shall prevail over the provisions of the Placentia Building Code except as specifically modified herein.
(Ord. O-2025-11, 11/18/2025)
Whenever any of the following names or terms are used in the California Building Code, each such name or term shall be deemed and construed to have the meaning ascribed to it in this section as follows:
means the building division of the city.
means the chief building official of the city as appointed by the city administrator of the city, or his or her designee.
means the city of Placentia.
means the Placentia Fire Code.
means the chief of the Placentia fire and life safety department or other individual as appointed by the city administrator of the city, or his or her designee.
means the city.
(Ord. O-2025-11, 11/18/2025)
The following provisions of the 2025 California Building Code (CBC) are hereby amended to read, in words and figures, as follows:
(a)
Administrative Provisions. Division II of Chapter 1, entitled "Scope and Administration," is applicable in the City.
101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Building Code of the City of Placentia, hereinafter referred to as "this code."
103.1 Creation of enforcement agency. The Building and Safety Services Department is hereby created and the official in charge thereof shall be known as the building official. The function of the agency shall be the implementation, administration, and enforcement of the provisions of the code.
105.2 Work Exempt from Permit. Exceptions 2, 9 and 14 shall read as follows:
2. | Fences under 6 feet high. |
9. | Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 18 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground. |
14. | Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by CRC Section R311.2. |
107.3 Examination of Documents. The following paragraph is added:
An expedited review and permit issuance process shall be provided for EV Charging Stations and simplified forms for submittal will be made available on City's website.
(b)
Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments:
(1)
Section 903.2, Where required, is hereby amended as follows:
903.2 Where required. Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in this section as follows:
a)
New buildings: In addition to the requirements of Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.21, approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided when the gross area of the building exceeds 5,000 ft2 or more than two-story high.
Exception: Group R-3, occupancies shall comply with Section 903.2.8.1.
b)
Alteration: When the floor area of the Alteration within any two-year period exceeds 75% of area of the existing structure and the alteration includes structural modifications other than seismic upgrade.
(2)
Section 903.2.8, Group R, is hereby amended as follows:
903.2.8. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area as follows:
1.
New buildings: An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all new buildings.
2.
Existing buildings: An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout when one of the following conditions exists:
a)
When an addition is 50% or more of the existing building area, as defined in Section 502.1, or greater than 1,000 square feet (92.903 m2) within a two-year period; or
b)
An addition when the existing building is already provided with automatic sprinklers; or
c)
When an existing Group R Occupancy is being substantially renovated, and where the scope of the renovation is such that the Building Official determined that the complexity of installing a sprinkler system would be similar as in a new building.
(3)
Section 903.2.10 Group S-2, is hereby amended as follows:
903.2.10: Group S-2 Parking Garages. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings classified as parking garages.
(4)
Section 903.2.10.1, Commercial Parking Garages, is hereby deleted without replacement.
(5)
Section 903.3.5.3 Hydraulically calculated systems is hereby added as follows:
903.3.5.3 Hydraulically calculated systems. The design of hydraulically calculated fire sprinkler systems shall not exceed 90% of the water supply capacity
Exception: When static pressure exceeds 100 psi, and required by the Fire Code Official, the fire sprinkler system shall not exceed water supply capacity specified by Table 903.3.5.3
TABLE 903.3.5.3 Hydraulically Calculated Systems  |
(6)
Section 903.4, Sprinkler system supervision and alarms, is hereby amended by modifying item 1, deleting item 5 and 8, and renumbering the Exceptions as follows:
Exceptions:
1.
Automatic sprinkler systems protecting one- and two-family dwellings. Exterior alarm specified by Section 903.4.2 shall apply.
2.
Limited area systems serving fewer than 20 sprinklers.
3.
Automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with NFPA 13R where the common supply main is used to supply both the domestic and automatic sprinkler system, and a separate shutoff valve for automatic sprinkler system is not provided.
4.
Jockey pump control valves that are sealed or locked in the open position.
5.
Valves controlling the fuel supply to fire pump engines that are sealed or locked in the open position.
6.
Trim valves to pressure switches in dry, pre-action and deluge sprinkler systems that are sealed or locked in the open position.
(c)
Chapter 35 Referenced Standards is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments:
(1)
NFPA 13, 2025 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems is hereby amended as follows:
(A)
Section 16.12.3.3 is hereby revised as follows:
16.12.3.3 Fire department connections (FDC) shall be of an approved type. The FDC shall contain a minimum of two 2 1/2" inlets. The location shall be approved and be no more than 100 feet from a public hydrant. The FDC may be located within 100 feet of a private fire hydrant when approved by the fire code official. The size of piping and the number of inlets shall be approved by the fire code official. If acceptable to the water authority, it may be installed on the backflow assembly. Fire department inlet connections shall be painted OSHA safety red. When the fire sprinkler density design requires 500 gpm (including inside hose stream demand) or greater, or a standpipe system is included, four 2 1/2" inlets shall be provided.
(B)
Section 9.4.3.1 is hereby revised as follows:
9.4.3.1 When fire sprinkler systems are installed in shell buildings of undetermined use (Spec Buildings) other than warehouses (S occupancies), fire sprinklers of the quick-response type shall be used. Use is considered undetermined if a specific tenant/occupant is not identified at the time the fire sprinkler plan is submitted. Sprinklers in light hazard occupancies shall be one of the following:
(1)
Quick-response type as defined in Section 3.6.4.8.
(2)
Residential sprinklers in accordance with the requirements of Section 8.4.5.
(3)
Quick response CMSA sprinklers.
(4)
ESFR sprinklers.
(5)
Standard-response sprinklers used for modifications or additions to existing light hazard systems equipped with standard-response sprinklers.
(6)
Standard-response sprinklers used where individual standard-response sprinklers are replaced in existing light hazard systems.
(C)
Section 9.2.1.7 is hereby revised as follows:
9.2.1.7 Concealed spaces filled with noncombustible insulation shall not require sprinkler protection when approved by the fire code official.
(D)
Section 19.1.1.1 is hereby added as follows:
19.1.1.1 When fire sprinkler systems are required in buildings of undetermined use other than warehouses, they shall be designed and installed to have a fire sprinkler density of not less than that required for an Ordinary Hazard Group 2 use, with no reduction(s) in density or design area. Warehouse fire sprinkler systems shall be designed to Figure 21.4.1.2.2.1(d) curve "D". Use is considered undetermined if a specific tenant/occupant is not identified at the time the sprinkler plan is submitted. Where a subsequent occupancy requires a system with greater capability, it shall be the responsibility of the occupant to upgrade the system to the required density for the new occupancy.
(E)
Section 11.2.3.1.1.1 is hereby added as follows:
11.2.3.1.1.1 The available water supply for fire sprinkler system design shall be determined by one of the following methods, as approved by the Fire Code Official:
1)
Subtract the project site elevation from the low water level for the appropriate pressure zone and multiply the result by 0.433;
2)
Use a maximum of 40 psi, if available;
3)
Utilize the City of Placentia water-flow test form/directions to document a flow test conducted by the local water agency or an approved third party licensed in the State of California.
(F)
Section 16.9.10.2 is hereby deleted without replacement.
(G)
Section 16.9.10.3 is hereby deleted without replacement.
(H)
Section 16.9.10.4 is hereby deleted without replacement.
(2)
NFPA 13D 2025 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes is hereby amended as follows:
(A)
Section 5.1.3 is hereby added as follows:
5.1.3 Stock of Spare Sprinklers
(B)
Section 5.1.3.1 is hereby added as follows:
5.1.3.1 A supply of at least two sprinklers for each type shall be maintained on the premises so that any sprinklers that have operated or been damaged in any way can be promptly replaced.
(C)
Section 5.1.3.2 is hereby added as follows:
5.1.3.2 The sprinklers shall correspond to the types and temperature ratings of the sprinklers in the property.
(D)
Section 5.1.3.3 is hereby added as follows:
5.1.3.3 The sprinklers shall be kept in a cabinet located where the temperature to which they are subjected will at no time exceed 100°F (38°C).
(E)
Section 5.1.3.4 is hereby added as follows:
5.1.3.4 A special sprinkler wrench shall be provided and kept in the cabinet to be used in the removal and installation of sprinklers. One sprinkler wrench shall be provided for each type of sprinkler installed.
(F)
Section 7.1.2 is hereby revised as follows:
7.1.2 The system piping shall not have a separate control valve unless supervised by a central station, proprietary, or remote station alarm service.
(3)
NFPA 14, 2025 Edition, Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems is hereby amended as follows:
(A)
Section 7.3.1.1 is hereby is deleted in its entirety and replaced as follows:
7.3.1.1 Class I and III Standpipe hose connections shall be unobstructed and shall be located not less than 18 inches or more than 24 inches above the finished floor. Class II Standpipe hose connections shall be unobstructed and shall be located not less than 3 feet or more than 5 feet above the finished floor.
(4)
NFPA 24, 2019 Edition, Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances is hereby amended as follows:
(A)
Section 6.2.9* (3) and (5) is hereby deleted without replacement and (6) and (7) renumbered as follows:
(5) Control valves installed in a fire-rated room accessible from the exterior.
(6) Control valves in a fire-rated stair enclosure accessible from the exterior as permitted by the authority having jurisdiction.
(B)
Section 6.2.9* (2) is hereby revised as follows:
(2) When approved by the fire code official, a wall post indicating valve.
(C)
Section 6.3.3 is hereby added as follows:
6.3.3 All post indicator valves controlling fire suppression water supplies shall be painted OSHA red.
(D)
Section 10.1.5 is hereby added as follows:
10.1.5 All ferrous pipe shall be coated and wrapped. Joints shall be coated and wrapped after assembly. All fittings shall be protected with a loose 8-mil polyethylene tube. The ends of the tube shall extend past the joint by a minimum of 12 inches and be sealed with 2 inch wide tape approved for underground use. Galvanizing does not meet the requirements of this section.
Exception: 304 or 316 Stainless steel pipe and fittings
(E)
Section 10.3.7 Bolts is hereby added as follows:
10.3.7 Bolts. All bolts used in pipe-joint assembly shall be 316 stainless steel.
(F)
Section 10.4.1.1 is hereby revised as follows:
10.4.1.1 All bolted joint accessories shall be cleaned and thoroughly coated with asphalt or other corrosion-retarding material, prior to poly-tube, and after installation.
Exception: Bolted joint accessories made from 304 or 316 stainless steel.
(G)
Section 10.4.3.1 is hereby deleted and replaced as follows:
10.4.3.1 Where fire service mains enter the building adjacent to the foundation, the pipe may run under a building to a maximum of 24 inches, as measured from the interior face of the exterior wall to the center of the vertical pipe. The pipe under the building or building foundation shall be 304 or 316 stainless steel and shall not contain mechanical joints or it shall comply with Section 10.6.2.
(H)
Section 10.4.3.1.1 is hereby revised as follows:
10.4.3.1.1 Pipe joints shall not be located under foundation footings. The pipe under the building or building foundation shall be 304 or 316 stainless steel and shall not contain mechanical joints.
(I)
Chapter 15. Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures Table 1505.1 is hereby revised to read as follows:
TABLE 1505.1a MINIMUM ROOF COVERING CLASSIFICATIONS TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IA | IB | IIA | IIB | IIIA | IIIB | IV | VA | VB |
B | B | B | B | B | B | B | B | B |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2. |
a. Unless otherwise required in accordance with Part 7, California Wildland-Urban Interface Code. |
(J)
CBC Section 1505.1.2 is amended as follows:
1505.1.2 Roof coverings within all other areas other than Fire Hazard Severity Zones or a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). The entire roof covering of every existing structure where more than 50 percent of the total roof area is replaced within any one-year period, the entire roof covering of every new structure, and any roof covering applied in the alteration, repair or replacement of the roof of every existing structure, shall be a fire-retardant roof covering that is at least Class B.
(Ord. O-2025-11, 11/18/2025)
The Placentia Building Code, as set forth in this Chapter 20.04 shall be enforced by the city building official or his or her designee.
(Ord. O-2025-11, 11/18/2025)
Notwithstanding any provision of the Placentia Building Code as hereby adopted, all fees for services provided pursuant to the Placentia Building Code shall approved by resolution therefor as adopted by the city council of the city of Placentia pursuant to the provisions of California Government Code § 66016, et seq. In addition to any other fee(s) to be charged hereunder, any person, firm, partnership or corporation initiating or engaging in any work without the permit therefor as required hereunder shall pay, a penalty equal to 100% of the fee for the requisite permit if issued after such work commences, is initiated or engaged in by such person, firm, partnership or corporation.
(Ord. O-2025-11, 11/18/2025)
One (1) copy of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, is on file in the office of the building official pursuant to the requirements of California Health and Safety Code § 18942(e)(1) and is available for public inspection.
(Ord. O-2025-11, 11/18/2025)