DATE:
November 1, 2022
TO:
Mayor and Council Members
FROM:
BY:
Rachel Molina, Assistant City Manager
Mike Hearn, Deputy Community Development Director
SUBJECT:
Adoption of Ordinance No. 2022-16 adopting the 2022 California Building Codes
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended that the City receive Ordinance No. 2022-16, adopting changes to Hesperia Municipal Code Chapters 15.04 and 15.06; adopting and amending the following codes and their references: the 2022 California Building Code, the 2022 California Residential Code, the 2022 California Electrical Code, the 2022 California Mechanical Code, the 2022 California Plumbing Code, the 2022 California Fire Code, the 2022 California Green Building Standards Code, the 2022 California Referenced Standards Code, the 2022 California Energy Code, the 2022 California Historical Building Code, the 2022 California Administrative Code, and the 2022 California Existing Building Code (all hereafter referenced as the Building Codes) and hold a public hearing regarding this matter on November 1, 2022 and continue the hearing to November 15, 2022.
BACKGROUND
Every three years, the International Code Council (ICC), the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) publish revised versions of their respective codes. This was last completed during the 2018 code “cycle” and revised versions were published in 2019.
The California Building Standards Commission (BSC) takes the model codes published by ICC, IAPMO, and NFPA, and makes amendments to them based upon specific requirements in State law. Once the amendments are made, the State sets a publication date and an effective date for the codes. The purpose of this is to officially notify local jurisdictions that the codes are completed and when they will take effect.
Earlier this year, the BSC set July 1, 2022, as the publication date and January 1, 2023, as the effective date for the 2022 California Building Codes. Consequently, the California Building Codes will take effect “as-is” unless the City approves the recommended amendments to reflect our local conditions.
Pursuant to Government Code 50022.3, on November 1, 2022, the City Council received this report and all accompanying exhibits for review.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
This code adoption amends the current ordinance, which was last amended in 2019. In summary, it adopts the California Codes by reference; and makes changes to Chapters 15.04 (“Building Codes”) and 15.06 (“Grading”) of the Hesperia Municipal Code. As in previous adoption cycles, staff is recommending local revisions. The recommendations fall into two categories: the adoption of specific appendix chapters, and revisions to codes. Each will be discussed separately.
Appendix Chapters Specifically Adopted:
The California codes and State law are set up in such a way that Appendix Chapters to the various codes are not included unless specifically adopted. Section 15.04.020 of the Hesperia Municipal Code identifies the Appendix Chapters to be included.
Appendix chapters proposed for this adoption are currently adopted in the City and include regulations regarding patio covers, septic systems, plumbing installation standards, and a calculation method for sizing water piping systems.
Revisions to Codes:
Three revisions are proposed to be made to the California Codes. These revisions relate to swimming pools, grading, and fire protection as described below:
HMC Section 15.04.060 is added to both modify the State code requirements, and to consolidate swimming pool safety regulations from three different areas into one. This section makes two changes from the State requirements. It reduces the depth of water required to be considered a swimming pool from 24 inches to 18 inches. The 18-inch depth has been Hesperia’s standard since incorporation, and it was the County standard prior to the city’s incorporation. The second change is to raise the barrier fence around a swimming pool from 48 inches to 60 inches. Again, this has been Hesperia’s standard since incorporation. Staff recommends the increased standard as drowning in swimming pools is the number one building code related cause of death for children in residences.
The revisions to grading are contained within “Exhibit B” in Chapter 15.06 of the Hesperia Municipal Code titled “Grading”.
Two revisions are requested to the Hesperia Municipal Code regarding fire protection systems. These have been the adopted standards for fire protection systems in the City for the past twenty years and are noted below:
Section 15.04.030 in the Hesperia Municipal Code (HMC) requires the installation of an automatic fire sprinkler system when the floor area exceeds 5,000 square feet. This requirement has been in place since the mid-1990’s and is well known and understood by local builders and developers.
Section 15.04.040 which requires existing, non-sprinklered buildings of 5,000 square feet or more to install fire sprinklers if the building is added to, or if the occupancy changes to a more hazardous use. Again, this requirement has been Hesperia’s standard for over 20 years.
In total, staff believes the amendments and revisions better address the specific conditions in Hesperia. The appendix chapters give standards for septic systems, greywater systems, and plumbing sizing and installations, as well as for patio construction. The code revisions provide increased safety standards for swimming pools, and consistent grading regulations, and fire protection. As such, staff recommends adoption of Ordinance No. 2022-16 which will establish the construction codes to be used in Hesperia during the next three years.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
ALTERNATIVE(S)
Provide alternative direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Ordinance No. 2022-16
Exhibit A – Proposed Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 15.04 - Building Codes Exhibit B – Proposed Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 15.06 - Grading Codes Page PAGE 2 of NUMPAGES 3
Staff Report to the City Council
Adoption of Ordinance No. 2022-16 adopting the 2022 California Building Codes November 1, 2022
City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT