APPROVAL shall mean that the proposed work or completed work conforms to this chapter in the opinion of the Community and Economic Development Director.
AS-GRADED is the extent of surface conditions on completion of grading.
BEDROCK is in-place solid rock.
BENCH is a relatively level step excavated into earth material on which fill is to be placed.
BORROW is earth material acquired from an off-site location for use in grading on a site.
CIVIL ENGINEER is a professional engineer registered in the state to practice in the field of civil works.
CIVIL ENGINEERING is the application of the knowledge of the forces of nature, principles of mechanics and the properties of materials to the evaluation, design and construction of civil works.
COMPACTION is the densification of a fill by mechanical means.
EARTH MATERIAL is any rock, natural soil or fill or any combination thereof.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST is a geologist experienced and knowledgeable in engineering geology.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY is the application of geologic knowledge and principles in the investigation and evaluation of naturally occurring rock and soil for use in the design of civil works.
EROSION is the wearing away of the ground surface as a result of the movement of wind, water or ice.
EXCAVATION is the mechanical removal of earth material.
FILL is a deposit of earth material placed by artificial means.
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER. See soils engineer.
GRADE is the vertical location of the ground surface.
Existing Grade is the grade prior to grading.
Finish Grade is the final grade of the site that conforms to the approved plan.
Ordinance No.
Rough Grade is the stage at which the grade approximately conforms to the approved plan.
GRADING is any excavating or filling or combination thereof.
KEY is a designed compacted fill placed in a trench excavated in earth material beneath the toe of a proposed fill slope.
PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION is the inspection required by this code to be performed by the civil engineer, soils engineer or engineering geologist. Such inspections include that performed by persons supervised by such engineers or geologists and shall be sufficient to form an opinion relating to the conduct of the work.
SITE is any lot or parcel of land or contiguous combination thereof, under the same ownership, where grading is performed or permitted.
SLOPE is an inclined ground surface the inclination of which is expressed as a ratio of horizontal distance to vertical distance.
SOIL is naturally occurring superficial deposits overlying bedrock.
SOILS ENGINEER (GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER) is an engineer experienced and knowledgeable in the practice of soils engineering (geotechnical) engineering.
SOILS ENGINEERING (GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING) is the application of the principles of soils mechanics in the investigation, evaluation and design of civil works involving the use of earth materials and the inspection or testing of the construction thereof.
TERRACE is a relatively level step constructed in the face of a graded slope surface for drainage and maintenance purposes.
3809. Grading Permits Requirement
3809.1 Permits Required. Except as exempted in Section 3806 of this code, no person shall do any grading without first obtaining a grading permit from the Community and Economic Development Director. A separate permit shall be obtained for each site, and may cover both excavations and fills.
3809.2 Application. The provisions of Section 106.3.1 are applicable to grading.
Additionally, the application shall state the estimated quantities of work involved.
3809.3 Grading Designation. Grading in excess of 2,500 cubic yards (1,911 m3), grading and earthworks construction supporting a major structure as determined by the Community and Economic Development Director and grading on known or established flood hazard and/or environmentally sensitive areas, shall be performed in accordance with the approved grading plan prepared by a civil engineer, and shall be designated as Ordinance No.
“engineered grading.” Grading involving less than 500 cubic yards (1,911 m3) shall be designated “regular grading” unless the permittee chooses to have the grading performed as engineered grading, or the Community and Economic Development Director determines that special conditions or unusual hazards exist, in which case grading shall conform to the requirements for engineered grading. Regular grading plans shall be prepared and signed by an individual licensed by the state to prepare such plans or specifications unless exempted by the Community and Economic Development Director.
3809.4 Engineered Grading Requirements. Application for a grading permit shall be accompanied by two sets of plans and specifications, and supporting data consisting of a soils engineering report and engineering geology report. The plans and specifications shall be prepared and signed by an individual licensed by the state to prepare such plans or specifications when required by the Community and Economic Development Director.
Specifications shall contain information covering construction and material requirements. Plans shall be drawn to scale upon substantial paper or cloth and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that they will conform to the provisions of this code and all relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. The first sheet of each set of plans shall give location of the work, the name and address of the owner, and the person by whom they were prepared.
The plans shall include the following information:
1. General vicinity of the proposed site.
2. Property limits and accurate contours of existing ground and details of terrain and area drainage.
3. Limiting dimensions, elevations or finish contours to be achieved by the grading, and proposed drainage channels and related construction.
4. Detailed plans of all surface and subsurface drainage devices, walls, cribbing, dams and other protective devices to be constructed with, or as a part of, the proposed work, together with a map showing the drainage area and the estimated runoff of the area served by any drains.
5. Location of any buildings or structures on the property where the work is to be performed and the location of any buildings or structures on land of adjacent owners that are within 15 feet (4,572 mm) of the property or that may be affected by the proposed grading operations.
6. Recommendations included in the soils engineering report and the engineering geology report shall be incorporated in the grading plans or specifications. When approved by the Community and Economic Development Director, specific recommendations contained in the soils engineering report and the engineering geology report which are applicable to grading, may be included by reference.
7. The dates of the soils engineering and engineering geology reports together with the names, addresses and phone numbers of the firms or individuals who prepared the reports.
Ordinance No.
3809.5 Soils Engineering Report. The soils engineering report required by Section 3809.4 shall include data regarding the nature, distribution and strength of existing soils, conclusions and recommendations for grading procedures and design criteria for corrective measures, including buttress fills, when necessary, and opinion on adequacy for the intended use of sites to be developed by the proposed grading as affected by soils engineering factors, including the stability of slopes. 3809.6 Engineering Geology Report. The engineering geology report required by Section 3809.4 shall include an adequate description of the geology of the site, conclusions and recommendations regarding the effect of geologic conditions on the proposed development, and opinion on the adequacy for the intended use of sites to be developed by the proposed grading, as affected by geologic factors.
3809.7 Liquefaction Study. The Community and Economic Development Director may require a geotechnical investigation in accordance with Section 1803 when, during the course of an investigation, all of the following conditions are discovered, the report shall address the potential for liquefaction:
1. Shallow ground water, 50 feet (15,240 mm) or less.
2. Unconsolidated sandy alluvium.
3. Seismic Zones C through F.
3809.8 Regular Grading Requirements. Each application for a grading permit shall be accompanied by a plan in sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of the work.
The plans shall give the location of the work, the name of the owner and the name of the person who prepared the plan. The plan shall include the following information:
1. General vicinity of the proposed site.
2. Limiting dimensions and depth of cut and fill.
3. Location of any buildings or structures where work is to be performed, and the location of any buildings or structures within 15 feet (4,572 mm) of the proposed grading.
3809.9 Issuance. The provisions of Section 106.4 are applicable to grading permits.
The Community and Economic Development Director may require that grading operations and project designs be modified if delays occur which incur weathergenerated problems not considered at the time the permit was issued.
The Community and Economic Development Director may require professional inspection and testing by the soils engineer. When the Community and Economic Development Director has cause to believe that geologic factors may be involved, the grading will be required to conform to engineered grading. 3810. Grading Fees
3810.1. General. Fees shall be addressed in accordance with the provisions of this section.
Ordinance No.
3810.2. Plan review fees and expiration. When a plan or other data is required by the Community and Economic Development Director to be submitted, a plan review fee shall be paid at the time of submitting plans and specifications for review. Fee shall be assessed in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by City Council resolution.
Applications for which no permit is issued within 180 days following the date of application shall expire by limitation, and plans and other data submitted for review may thereafter be returned to the applicant or destroyed by the Community and Economic Development Director. The Community and Economic Development Director may extend the time for action by the applicant for a period not exceeding 180 days upon request by the applicant showing that circumstances beyond the control of the applicant have prevented action from being taken. No application shall be extended more than once. In order to renew action on an application after expiration, the applicant shall resubmit plans and pay a new plan review fee.
3810.3. Grading permit fees. A fee for each grading permit shall be paid to the Community and Economic Development Director. Fee shall be assessed in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by City Council resolution. Separate permits and fees shall apply to retaining walls or major drainage structures as required elsewhere in this code. There shall be no separate charge for standard terrace drains as similar facilities.
3810.4. Investigation fees, work without a permit. Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, a special investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued for such work. An investigation fee in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. This fee shall be assessed in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by City Council resolution. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of this Code nor from any penalties prescribed by law.
3810.5. Refunds. Refunds shall be paid in accordance with the refund schedule adopted by City Council.
3811. Bonds. The Community and Economic Development Director may require bonds in such form and amounts as may be deemed necessary to ensure that the work, if not completed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications, will be corrected to eliminate hazardous conditions.
In lieu of a surety bond the applicant may file a cash bond or instrument of credit with the Community and Economic Development Director in an amount equal to that which would be required in the surety bond.
3812. Cuts.
3812.1 General. Unless otherwise recommended in the approved soils engineering or engineering geology report, cuts shall conform to the provisions of this section.
Ordinance No.
In the absence of an approved soils engineering report, these provisions may be waived for minor cuts not intended to support structures.
3812.2 Slope. The slope of cut surfaces shall be no steeper than is safe for the intended use and shall be no steeper than 1 unit vertical in 2 units horizontal (50% slope) unless the permittee furnishes an acceptable soils engineering or an engineering geology report, or both, stating that the site has been investigated and giving an opinion that a cut at a steeper slope will be stable and not create a hazard to public or private property.
Section 3813. Fills.
3813.1 General. Unless otherwise recommended in the approved soils engineering report, fills shall conform to the provisions of this section.
In the absence of an approved soils engineering report, these provisions may be waived for minor fills not intended to support structures.
3813.2 Preparation of Ground. Fill slopes shall not be constructed on natural slopes steeper than 1 unit vertical in 2 units horizontal (50% slope). The ground surface shall be prepared to receive fill by removing vegetation, non-complying fill, topsoil and other unsuitable materials scarifying to provide a bond with the new fill and, where slopes are steeper than 1 unit vertical in 5 units horizontal (20% slope) and the height is greater than 5 feet (1,524 mm), by benching into sound bedrock or other competent material as determined by the soils engineer. The bench under the toe of a fill on a slope steeper than 1 unit vertical in 5 units horizontal (20% slope) shall be at least 10 feet (3,048 mm) wide. The area beyond the toe of fill shall be sloped for sheet overflow or a paved drain shall be provided. When fill is to be placed over a cut, the bench under the toe of fill shall be at least 10 feet (3,048 mm) wide but the cut shall be made before placing the fill and acceptance by the soils engineer or engineering geologist or both as a suitable foundation for fill.
3813.3 Fill Material. Detrimental amounts of organic material shall not be permitted in fills. Except as permitted by the Community and Economic Development Director, no rock or similar irreducible material with a maximum dimension greater than 12 inches (305 mm) shall be buried or placed in fills.
Exception: The Community and Economic Development Director may permit placement of larger rock when the soils engineer properly devises a method of placement, and continuously inspects its placement and approves the fill stability. The following conditions shall also apply:
1. Prior to issuance of the grading permit, potential rock disposal areas shall be delineated on the grading plan.
2. Rock sizes greater than 12 inches (305 mm) in maximum dimension shall be 10 feet (3,048 mm) or more below grade, measured vertically.
Ordinance No.
3. Rocks shall be placed so as to assure filling of all voids with well-graded soil.
3813.4 Compaction. All fills shall be compacted to a minimum of 90 percent of maximum density.
3813.5 Slope. The slope of fill surfaces shall be no steeper than is safe for the intended use. Fill slopes shall be no steeper than 1 unit vertical in 2 units horizontal (50% slope).
Section 3814. Setbacks.
3814.1 General. Cut and fill slopes shall be set back from site boundaries in accordance with this section. Setback dimensions shall be horizontal distances measured perpendicular to the site boundary. Setback dimensions shall be as shown in Figure A-38-1.
3814.2 Top of Cut Slope. The top of cut slopes shall not be made nearer to a site boundary line than one fifth of the vertical height of cut with a minimum of 2 feet (610 mm) and need not exceed a maximum of 10 feet (3,048 mm). The setback may need to be increased for any required interceptor drains.
3814.3 Toe of Fill Slope. The toe of fill slope shall be made not nearer to the site boundary line than one half the height of the slope with a minimum of 2 feet (610 mm) and need not exceed a maximum of 20 feet (6,096 mm). Where a fill slope is to be located near the site boundary and the adjacent off-site property is developed, special precautions shall be incorporated in the work as the Community and Economic Development Director deems necessary to protect the adjoining property from damage as a result of such grading. These precautions may include but are not limited to:
1. Additional setbacks.
2. Provision for retaining or slough walls.
3. Mechanical or chemical treatment of the fill slope surface to minimize erosion.
4. Provisions for the control of surface waters.
3814.4 Modification of Slope Location. The Community and Economic Development Director may approve alternate setbacks. The Community and Economic Development Director may require an investigation and recommendation by a qualified engineer or engineering geologist to demonstrate that the intent of this section has been satisfied.
Section 3815. Drainage and Terracing.
3815.1 General. Unless otherwise indicated on the approved grading plan, drainage facilities and terracing shall conform to the provisions of this section for cut or fill slopes steeper than 1 unit vertical in 3 units horizontal (33.3% slope).
Ordinance No.
3815.2 Terrace. Terraces at least 6 feet (1,829 mm) in width shall be established at not more than 30-foot (9,144 mm) vertical intervals on all cut or fill slopes to control surface drainage and debris except that where only one terrace is required, it shall be at midheight. For cut or fill slopes greater than 60 feet (18,288 mm) and up to 120 feet (36,576 mm) in vertical height, one terrace at approximately mid-height shall be 12 feet (3,658 mm) in width.
Terrace widths and spacing for cut and fill slopes greater than 120 feet (36,576 mm) in height shall be designed by the civil engineer and approved by the Community and Economic Development Director. Suitable access shall be provided to permit proper cleaning and maintenance.
Swales or ditches on terraces shall have a minimum gradient of 5 percent and must be paved with reinforced concrete not less than 3 inches (76 mm) in thickness or an approved equal paving. They shall have a minimum depth at the deepest point of 1 foot (305 mm) and a minimum paved width of 5 feet (1,524 mm).
A single run of swale or ditch shall not collect runoff from a tributary area exceeding 13,500 square feet (1,254.2 m2) (projected) without discharging into a down drain.
3815.3 Subsurface Drainage. Cut and fill slopes shall be provided with subsurface drainage as necessary for stability.
3815.4 Disposal. All drainage facilities shall be designed to carry waters to the nearest practicable drainage way approved by the Community and Economic Development Director or other appropriate jurisdiction as a safe place to deposit such waters. Erosion of ground in the area of discharge shall be prevented by installation of non-erosive down drains or other devices.
Building pads shall have a drainage gradient of 2 percent toward approved drainage facilities, unless waived by the Community and Economic Development Director.
Exception: The gradient from the building pad may be 1 percent if all of the following conditions exist throughout the permit area:
1. No proposed fills are greater than 10 feet (3,048 mm) in maximum depth.
2. No proposed finish cut or fill slope faces have a vertical height in excess of 10 feet (3,048 mm).
3. No existing slope faces steeper than 1 unit vertical in 10 units horizontal (10% slope) have a vertical height in excess of 10 feet (3,048 mm).
3815.5 Interceptor Drains. Paved interceptor drains shall be installed along the top of all cut slopes where the tributary drainage area above slopes toward the cut and has a drainage path greater than 40 feet (12,192 mm) measured horizontally. Interceptor drains shall be paved with a minimum of 3 inches (76 mm) of concrete or gunite and reinforced. They shall have a minimum depth of 12 inches (305 mm) and a minimum Ordinance No.
paved width of 30 inches (762 mm) measured horizontally across the drain. The slope of drain shall be approved by the Community and Economic Development Director.
Section 3816. Erosion Control.
3816.1 Slopes. The faces of cut and fill slopes shall be prepared and maintained to control against erosion. This control may consist of effective planting. The protection for the slopes shall be installed as soon as practicable and prior to calling for final approval.
Where cut slopes are not subject to erosion due to the erosion-resistant character of the materials, such protection may be omitted.
3816.2 Other Devices. Where necessary, check dams, cribbing, riprap or other devices or methods shall be employed to control erosion and provide safety.
Section 3817. Grading Inspection.
3817.1 General. Grading operations for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Community and Economic Development Director.
Professional inspection of grading operations shall be provided by the civil engineer, soils engineer and the engineering geologist retained to provide such services in accordance with Section 3817.5 for engineered grading and as required by the Community and Economic Development Director for regular grading.
3817.2 Civil Engineer. The civil engineer shall provide professional inspection within such engineer’s area of technical specialty, which shall consist of observation and review as to the establishment of line, grade and surface drainage of the development area. If revised plans are required during the course of the work, they shall be prepared by the civil engineer.
3817.3 Soils Engineer. The soils engineer shall provide professional inspection within such engineer’s area of technical specialty, which shall include observation during grading and testing for required compaction. The soils engineer shall provide sufficient observation during the preparation of the natural ground and placement and compaction of the fill to verify that such work is being performed in accordance with the conditions of the approved plan and the appropriate requirements of this chapter. Revised recommendations relating to conditions differing from the approved soils engineering and engineering geology reports shall be submitted to the permittee, the Community and Economic Development Director and the civil engineer.
3817.4 Engineering Geologist. The engineering geologist shall provide professional inspection within such engineer’s area of technical specialty, which shall include professional inspection of the bedrock excavation to determine if conditions encountered are in conformance with the approved report. Revised recommendations relating to conditions differing from the approved engineering geology report shall be submitted to the soils engineer.
Ordinance No.
3817.5 Permittee. The permittee shall be responsible for the work to be performed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications and in conformance with the provisions of this code, and the permittee shall engage consultants, if required, to provide professional inspections on a timely basis. The permittee shall act as a coordinator between the consultants, the contractor and the Community and Economic Development Director. In the event of changed conditions, the permittee shall be responsible for informing the Community and Economic Development Director of such change and shall provide revised plans for approval.
3817.6 Community and Economic Development Director. The Community and Economic Development Director shall inspect the project at the various stages of work requiring approval to determine that adequate control is being exercised by the professional consultants.
3817.7 Notification of Noncompliance. If, in the course of fulfilling their respective duties under this chapter, the civil engineer, the soils engineer or the engineering geologist finds that the work is not being done in conformance with this chapter or the approved grading plans, the discrepancies shall be reported immediately in writing to the permittee and to the Community and Economic Development Director.
3817.8 Transfer of Responsibility. If the civil engineer, the soils engineer, or the engineering geologist of record is changed during grading, the work shall be stopped until the replacement has agreed in writing to accept their responsibility within the area of technical competence for approval upon completion of the work. It shall be the duty of the permittee to notify the Community and Economic Development Director in writing of such change prior to the recommencement of such grading.
Section 3818. Completion of Work.
3818.1 Final Reports. Upon completion of the rough grading work and at the final completion of the work, the following reports and drawings and supplements thereto are required for engineered grading or when professional inspection is performed for regular grading, as applicable.
1. An as-built grading plan prepared by the civil engineer retained to provide such services in accordance with Section 3817.5 showing original ground surface elevations, as-graded ground surface elevations, lot drainage patterns, and the locations and elevations of surface drainage facilities and of the outlets of subsurface drains. As-constructed locations, elevations and details of subsurface drains shall be shown as reported by the soils engineer.
Civil engineers shall state that to the best of their knowledge the work within their area of responsibility was done in accordance with the final approved grading plan.
2. A report prepared by the soils engineer retained to provide such services in accordance with Section 3817.3, including locations and elevations of field Ordinance No.
density tests, summaries of field and laboratory tests, other substantiating data, and comments on any changes made during grading and their effect on the recommendations made in the approved soils engineering investigation report. Soils engineers shall submit a statement that, to the best of their knowledge, the work within their area of responsibilities is in accordance with the approved soils engineering report and applicable provisions of this chapter.
3. A report prepared by the engineering geologist retained to provide such services in accordance with Section 3817.5, including a final description of the geology of the site and any new information disclosed during the grading and the effect of same on recommendations incorporated in the approved grading plan. Engineering geologists shall submit a statement that, to the best of their knowledge, the work within their area of responsibility is in accordance with the approved engineering geologist report and applicable provisions of this chapter.
4. The grading contractor shall submit in a form prescribed by the Community and Economic Development Director a statement of conformance to said as-built plan and the specifications.
3818.2 Notification of Completion. The permittee shall notify the Community and Economic Development Director when the grading operation is ready for final inspection. Final approval shall not be given until all work, including installation of all drainage facilities and their protective devices, and all erosion-control measures have been completed in accordance with the final approved grading plan, and the required reports have been submitted.
Figure A-38-1 Drainage and Setback Dimensions
Ordinance No.
15.08.230 Appendix I, Section 1101.1 amended—Patio enclosures.
Section 1101.1 of Appendix I is deleted in its entirety and a new section is added to read as follows:
1101.1 General. Patio covers shall be permitted to be detached from or attached to dwelling units. Patio covers shall be used only for recreational, outdoor living purposes and not as carports, garages, storage rooms or habitable rooms. Openings shall be permitted to be enclosed with insect screening, readily removable approved translucent or transparent plastic not more than 0.125 inch (3.2 mm) in thickness or readily removable glass conforming to the provisions of Chapter 24. Dual glazed windows are not permitted to be installed in patio cover enclosures constructed under the provisions of this appendix.
SECTION 4. Chapter 15.10 of Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code is hereby repealed in its entirety, and a new Chapter 15.10 of Title 15 is hereby added in place thereof to read as follows:
Chapter 15.10 Residential Code
15.10.010 Adoption.
15.10.020 Chapter 1, Division II, Section R102.1 amended.
15.10.030 Chapter 1, Division II, Sections R105.2 and R105.3.2 amended.
15.10.040 Chapter 1, Division II, Section R108.5 amended.
15.10.050 Chapter 1, Division II, Section R108.6 amended.
15.10.060 Chapter 2, Section R202 amended.
15.10.070 RESERVED
15.10.080 Chapter 4, Section R403.1.3.6 amended.
15.10.090 Chapter 9, Sections R902.1 and R908.3.1 amended.
15.10.100 RESERVED
15.10.110 RESERVED
15.10.010 Adoption.
The 2025 California Residential Standards Code, Part 2.5, including Appendices BB, BF, CI, CJ known as the California Residential Code, as published and adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, including amendments, is hereby adopted by reference and incorporated herein as if fully set forth.
15.10.020 Chapter 1, Division II, Section R102.1 amended.
Section R102.1 is amended to read:
R102.1 General. Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall be applicable. Where in any specific case different sections of the code specify different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern. Where in any specific case the Ordinance No.
California Residential Code does not have a provision that is included in the California Building Code that would be applicable due to the type or method or construction, the California Building Code provisions will apply.
15.10.030 Chapter 1, Division II, Sections R105.2 and R105.3.2 amended.
Section R105.2, Item No. 7, is amended to read:
7. Swimming pools that are less than 18 inches (457 mm) deep.
Section R105.3.2 is amended to read:
R105.3.2 Time limitation of application. An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be deemed to have been abandoned one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of filing unless such application has been pursued in good faith or a permit has been issued; except that the building official is authorized to grant one or more extensions of time for additional periods not to exceed 90 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.
15.10.040 Chapter 1, Division II, Section R108.5 amended.
Section R108.5 is amended to read:
R108.5 Refunds. Refunds for permit when no work has commenced shall be limited to the permit cost minus a fee equal to all services provided including refund processing.
15.10.050 Chapter 1, Division II, Section R108.6 amended.
Section R108.6 is amended to read:
R108.6 Work commencing before permit issuance. Any person who commences work that requires a permit on a building, structure, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing system before obtaining the necessary permits shall be subject to the cost of the required permit plus an investigation fee or a fee equal to the expenditures for the complaint investigation, whichever is greater at the discretion of the building official.
15.10.060 Chapter 2, Section R202 amended.
Section R202 is amended to add this definition:
R202 Reconstruction. If the value of reconstruction (or renovation) of a building is equal to or exceeds 50 percent of the value of the building immediately prior to such reconstruction, the entire building shall comply with the code provisions for new construction. The value of reconstruction (or renovation) for a property shall include the value of all construction stemming from construction related permits issued within the last two years. The Value shall be determined by using the city adopted building valuation table.
Ordinance No.
15.10.070 RESERVED
15.10.080 Chapter 4, Section R403.1.3.6 amended.
Section R403.1.3.6 is amended to read:
R403.1.3.6 Isolated concrete footings. In detached one- and two- family dwellings that are three stories or less in height and constructed with stud bearing walls, isolated plain concrete footings supporting columns or pedestals are not permitted.
15.10.090 Chapter 9, Sections R902.1 and R908.3.1 amended.
Section R902.1 is amended to read:
R902.1 Roofing covering materials. Roofs shall be covered with materials as set forth in Sections R904 and R905. A minimum Class A or B roofing shall be installed in areas designated by this section or where the edge of the roof deck is less than 3 feet (914 mm) from a lot line. Class A or B roof assemblies are required by this section, they shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E108 or UL 790..Where required, the roof assembly shall be listed and identified as to class by an approved testing agency.
Exceptions:
1. Class A roof assemblies include those with coverings of brick, masonry, and exposed concrete roof deck.
2. Class A roof assemblies also include ferrous or copper shingles or sheets, metal sheets and shingles, clay or concrete roof tile, or slate installed on noncombustible roof decks or ferrous, copper or metal sheets installed without a roof deck on noncombustible framing.
3. Class A roof assemblies include minimum 16 ounces per square foot (4.882 kg/m2) copper sheets installed over combustible roof decks.
4. Class A roof assemblies include slate installed over underlayment over ASTM D226, Type II underlayment over combustible decks.
Wood roof coverings are prohibited with the following exception:
Re-roofing of less than 10% or the total roof area of existing wood roof covering in four years may be done with fire-retardant shakes or shingles.
Section R908.3 of the California Residential Code is amended by deletion of Exception
3. 15.10.100 RESERVED
15.10.110 RESERVED
Ordinance No.
SECTION 5. Chapter 15.20 of Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code is hereby repealed in its entirety.
SECTION 6. Chapter 15.24 of Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code is hereby modified as delineated:
Chapter 15.24 Mechanical Code
15.24.010 Document adopted by reference.
15.24.020 Chapter 1—General code provisions.
15.24.010 Document adopted by reference.
A. The city council of the city of Pico Rivera hereby adopts the 2025 Edition of the California Mechanical Code, Part 4 based on the 2024 Edition of the Uniform Mechanical Code including Appendices B, C, D, F, G, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, as Chapter 15.24 of Title 15 of this code, except such portions as are deleted, modified, or amended as set forth in this chapter. Said code is adopted and incorporated as if fully set forth herein.
B. The purpose of this code is to prescribe regulations for the protection of the public health and safety and to establish minimum regulations for the installation, alteration, design, construction, quality of materials, location, operation, and maintenance of heating, ventilating, comfort cooling, refrigeration systems, incinerators and other miscellaneous heat-producing appliances within the city.
State law references: Adoption by reference, Government Code Section 50022.1 et seq.
15.24.020 Chapter 1—General code provisions.
Chapter 1 of the 2022 California Mechanical Code is hereby deleted and replaced by the following:
101 Administrative Provisions. For administrative provisions for this code, see Section 15.08.020.
SECTION 7. Chapter 15.28 of Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code is hereby modified as delineated:
Chapter 15.28 Electrical Code
15.28.010 Document adopted by reference.
15.28.020 Article 89—General code provisions.
15.28.030 Article 310.2(B) amended.
15.28.040 Article 310 amended.
Ordinance No.
15.28.010 Document adopted by reference.
The California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, is hereby adopted as Chapter 15.28 of Title 15 of this code, with amendments and additions as set forth in this chapter.
A. The city council of the city of Pico Rivera hereby adopts the 2025 Edition of the California Electrical Code, Part 3 based on the 2023 Edition of the National Electrical Code, as published by the National Fire Protection Association including Annexes A, C, I, as Chapter 15.28 of Title 15 of this code, except such portions as are deleted, modified, or amended as set forth in this chapter. Said code is adopted and incorporated as if fully set forth herein.
B. The purpose of the code is to prescribe regulations for the installation, arrangement, alteration, repair, use and other operation of electrical wiring, connections, fixtures and other electrical appliances on premises within the city.
State law references: Adoption by reference, Government Code Section 50022.1 et seq.
15.28.020 Article 89—General code provisions.
Article 89 of the 2022 California Electrical Code is hereby deleted and replaced by the following:
Article 89 Administrative Provisions. For administrative provisions for this code, see Section 15.08.020.
15.28.030 Section 15.28.030 of Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code is hereby repealed in its entirety.
15.28.040 Section 15.28.040 of Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code is hereby repealed in its entirety.
SECTION 8. Chapter 15.32 of Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code is hereby modified as delineated:
Chapter 15.32 Plumbing Code
15.32.010 Document adopted by reference.
15.32.020 Chapter 1—General code provisions.
15.32.010 Document adopted by reference.
A. The city council of the city of Pico Rivera hereby adopts the 2025 Edition of the California Plumbing Code, Part 5 based on the 2024 Edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code including Appendices A, B, D, G, I, M, R, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, as Chapter 15.32 of Title 15 of this Ordinance No.
code, except such portions as are deleted, modified, or amended as set forth in this chapter. Said code is adopted and incorporated as if fully set forth herein.
B. The purpose of this code is to prescribe regulations for the protection of the public health and safety and to establish minimum regulations for the erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation, replacement, maintenance or use of plumbing systems within the city.
State law references: Adoption by reference, Government Code Section 50022.1 et seq.
15.32.020 Chapter 1—General code provisions.
Chapter 1 of the 2022 California Plumbing Code is hereby deleted and replaced by the following:
101 Administrative Provisions. For administrative provisions for this code, see Section 15.08.020.
SECTION 9. Chapter 15.34 of Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code is hereby modified as delineated:
Chapter 15.34 Green Building Standards Code
15.34.010 Adoption.
15.34.010 Adoption.
The 2025 California Building Standards Code, Part 11, California Green Building Standards Code, as published and adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, is adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this chapter.
SECTION 10. Chapter 15.35 of Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code is hereby modified as delineated:
Chapter 15.35 Energy Code
15.35.010 Adoption.
15.35.010 Adoption.
The 2025 California Building Standards Code, Part 6, California Energy Code, as published and adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, is adopted by reference and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this chapter.
Ordinance No.
SECTION 11. Chapter 15.36 of Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code is hereby repealed in its entirety.
SECTION 12. Chapter 15.37 of Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code is hereby modified as delineated:
Chapter 15.37 Historical Building Code
15.37.010 Adoption.
15.37.010 Adoption.
The 2025 California Building Standards Code, Part 8, California Historical Building Code, as published and adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, is adopted by reference and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this chapter.
SECTION 13. Chapter 15.38 of Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code is hereby modified as delineated:
Chapter 15.38 Existing Building Code
15.38.010 Document adopted by reference.
15.38.020 Chapter 1—General code provisions.
15.38.010 Document adopted by reference.
A. The City Council of the City of Pico Rivera hereby adopts the 2025 Edition of the California Existing Building Code, Part 10 based on the 2024 Edition of the International Existing Building Code, including Appendices A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, as published by the International Code Council, as Chapter 15.38 of Title 15 of this code, except such portions as are deleted, modified, or amended as set forth in this chapter. Said code is adopted and incorporated as if fully set forth herein.
B. The purpose of this code is to establish the minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, access to persons with disabilities, sanitation, adequate lighting and ventilation and energy conservation; safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment; and to provide safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.
State law references: Adoption by reference, Government Code Section 50022.1 et seq.
15.38.020 Chapter 1—General code provisions.
Chapter 1 of the 2022 Edition of the California Existing Building Code is hereby deleted and replaced by the following:
Ordinance No.
101 Administrative Provisions. For administrative provisions for this code, see Section 15.08.020.
15.38.030 Section 301.6 Added – Repair, alteration, addition or change of occupancy exceeding 50% of replacement valuation.
Section 301.6 is added to Chapter 1 of the 2025 Edition of the California Existing Building Code to read as follows:
301.6 Repair, alteration, addition or change of occupancy exceeding 50% of replacement valuation. If the valuation of repair, alteration, addition or change of occupancy to an existing building exceeds 50% of the replacement valuation for the entire existing building, the entire building shall comply with the code provisions for new construction. The valuation shall be determined by using the city adopted building valuation table, or as otherwise determined by the building official.
SECTION 14. Chapter 15.42 of Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code is hereby modified as delineated:
Chapter 15.42 Referenced Standards Code
15.42.010 Adoption.
15.42.010 Adoption.
The 2025 California Building Standards Code, Part 12, California Referenced Standards Code, as published and adopted by the California Building Standards Commission, is adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this chapter.
SECTION 15. Chapter 15.44 of Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code is hereby repealed in its entirety, and a new Chapter 15.44 of Title 15 is hereby added in place thereof to read as follows:
Chapter 15.44 Fire Code
15.44.010 Document adopted by reference.
15.44.010 Document adopted by reference.
A. Los Angeles County Fire Code (Title 32 of the Los Angeles County Code), amending the 2025 California Fire Code and comprised of the 2024 International Fire Code as published by the International Code Council is hereby adopted by reference as the Fire Code of the City of Pico Rivera.
B. The same shall hereafter constitute the Fire Code of the city regulating the safeguarding of life, property and public welfare to a reasonable degree from the Ordinance No.
hazards of fire and explosion arising from the storage, use and handling of dangerous and hazardous materials, substances and devices; the operation, installation, construction, location, safeguarding and maintenance of attendant equipment within the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and providing for the issuance of permits and the collection of fees therefor, and providing penalties for the violation of such code.
C. At least two copies of the Los Angeles County Fire Code shall be kept on file in the office of the building official and shall be maintained by the building official for use and examination by the public.
D. In the event of any conflict or ambiguity between any provision contained in the Fire Code and any amendments or additions thereto contained in this chapter, the amendments or additions thereto shall control.
E. In the event of any conflict or ambiguity between any provision contained in the Fire Code and any other provisions of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code, the provisions of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code shall control.
SECTION 16. Chapter 15.46 is hereby added to Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code as follows:
Chapter 15.46 California Wildland Urban Interface Code
15.46.010 Document adopted by reference.
15.46.010 Document adopted by reference.
A. The city council of the city of Pico Rivera hereby adopts the 2025 Edition of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, Part 7 based on the 2024 Edition of the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, as published by the International Code Council, as Chapter 15.46 of Title 15 of this code. Said code is adopted and incorporated as if fully set forth herein.
B. The purpose of this code is to establish minimum regulations for the safeguarding of life and for property protection. Regulations in this code are intended to mitigate the risk to life and structures from intrusion of fire from wildland fire exposures and fire exposures from adjacent structures and to mitigate structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels. The extent of this regulation is intended to be tiered commensurate with the relative level of hazard present. This code shall supplement the building and fire codes to provide for special regulations to mitigate the fire-and-life-safety hazards of the wildland-urban interface areas.
C. In the event of any conflict or ambiguity between any provision contained in the Fire Code and any other provisions of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code, the provisions of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code shall control.
Ordinance No.
SECTION 17. Chapter 15.54 of Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code is hereby modified as follows:
Chapter 15.54 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Hydrogen Fueling Stations
15.54.010. Purpose.
A. The purpose of this chapter is to promote and encourage the use of electric and hydrogen fuel-based vehicles by creating an expedited, streamlined permitting process for installation of electric vehicle charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations while promoting public health and safety and preventing specific adverse impacts that may result from the installation and use of such charging and hydrogen fueling stations. This chapter is also purposed to comply with California Government Code Sections 65850.7 and 65850.71. If amendments to Government Code Sections 65850.7 and 65850.71 conflict with the provisions of this chapter, then this chapter shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with Sections 65850.7 and 65850.71, as the same may be amended.
B. This chapter is intended to encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations by removing obstacles to permitting, but does not supersede the building official's authority to identify and address higher priority life-safety situations.
15.54.020. Definitions.
"Electric vehicle charging station" or "charging station" means any level of electric vehicle supply equipment station that is designed and built in compliance with Article 625 of the California Electrical Code, as it reads on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.
“Hydrogen Fueling Station” means the equipment used to store and dispense hydrogen fuel to vehicle according to industry codes and standards where the fueling station is open to the public.
"Specific, adverse impact" means a significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified, and written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date the application was deemed complete.
"Electronic submittal" means the utilization of one or more of the following:
1. Electronic mail or e-mail.
2. The Internet.
3. Facsimile.
"A feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact" includes, but is not limited to, any cost-effective method, condition, or mitigation Ordinance No.
imposed by the city on another similarly situated application in a prior successful electric vehicle charging station permit application.
15.54.030. Expedited permitting process.
The building official shall implement an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations, and adopt a checklist of all requirements with which electric vehicle charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations shall comply with in order to be eligible for expedited review.
15.54.040. Permit application processing.
A. Prior to submitting an application for processing, the applicant shall provide information required by the city's checklist for installation of electrical vehicle charging stations or hydrogen fueling stations, as applicable, to verify that the installation will not have specific, adverse impact to public health and safety and building occupants.
Verification by the applicant includes, but is not limited to: electrical system capacity and loads; electrical system wiring, bonding and overcurrent protection; building infrastructure affected by charging station equipment and associated conduits; areas of charging station equipment and vehicle parking; hydrogen fuel dispenser location, hydrogen generation or distribution equipment as applicable, all hydrogen fuel lines, electrical equipment supplying hydrogen fuel pumps and associated equipment, compliance with Class I, Division 1 and 2 requirements, clearances from surrounding electrical equipment as required by Chapter 5 of the California Electrical Code and applicable NFPA Standards, compliances the County of Los Angeles Fire Code; other requirements as determined by the building official.
B. A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the city's adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed. Upon confirmation by the building official that the permit application and supporting documents meet the requirements of the city's checklist, and are consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the building official shall approve the application and issue all necessary permits within the building official's purview for the installation of an electric vehicle charging station or hydrogen fueling station as applicable. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to energize or utilize the electric vehicle charging station or hydrogen fueling station without obtaining other approvals that may be required by the city.
C. If the building official determines that the permit application is incomplete, he or she shall issue a written correction notice to the applicant, detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.
D. The city's adopted checklist and permit application shall be published on the city's website. The building official shall adopt a checklist of all application requirements for expedited building permits for electric vehicle charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations. The checklist shall substantially conform to the most current version of the "Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Permitting Checklist" found in the "Zero-Emission Vehicles in California: Community Readiness Guidebook", and “Hydrogen Station Permitting Guidebook” published by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research.
Ordinance No.
The checklist, application form, and any other documents required by the building official shall be published on the City's website. The building official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications and associated supporting documents. In accepting such permit applications, the building official shall also accept electronic signatures on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature by any applicant.
15.54.050. Technical review.
A. If the building official reviews an application and makes a finding, based on substantial evidence, that the electrical vehicle charging station or hydrogen fueling station could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, the city may require the applicant to apply for a conditional use permit. The planning commission shall grant a conditional use permit for installation of an electric vehicle charging station or hydrogen fueling station as applicable, unless the planning commission makes written findings, based on substantial evidence in the record, that the proposed installation would have a significant, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, and that there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact. The findings shall include the basis for the rejection of potential feasible alternatives for preventing the adverse impact. Any conditions imposed on an application to install an electric vehicle charging station or hydrogen fueling station shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety at the lowest cost possible.
B. In the technical review of a charging or hydrogen fueling station, the building official or planning commission shall not condition the approval of an electric vehicle charging station or hydrogen fueling station installation permit on an association's (as that term is defined by Civil Code Section 4080) approval of the station.
C. The building official's decision to approve a permit pursuant to Section
15.54.040(B) above, or require a conditional use permit pursuant to subsection A of this section, may be appealed to the city's planning commission.
15.54.060. Electric vehicle charging station and hydrogen fueling station installation requirements.
A. Electric vehicle charging station equipment shall meet the requirements of the California Electrical Code, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories, and rules of the Public Utilities Commission or a Municipal Electric Utility Company regarding safety and reliability.
B. Installation of electric vehicle charging stations and associated wiring, bonding, disconnecting means and overcurrent protective devices shall meet the requirements of Article 625 and all applicable provisions of the California Electrical Code.
Ordinance No.
C. Installation of electric vehicle charging stations shall be incorporated into the load calculations of all new or existing electrical services and shall meet the requirements of the California Electrical Code. Electric vehicle charging equipment shall be considered a continuous load.
D. Anchorage of either floor-mounted or wall-mounted electric vehicle charging stations shall meet the requirements of the California Building or Residential Code as applicable per occupancy, and the provisions of the manufacturer's installation instructions. Mounting of charging stations shall not adversely affect building elements.
E. Hydrogen Fueling Stations shall meet the requirements of the California Electrical Code, the County of Los Angeles Fire Code, National Fire Protection Association Standards, the Society of Automotive Engineers, and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories, and rules of the Public Utilities Commission regarding safety and reliability.
F. Installation requirements of hydrogen fueling stations shall meet all requirements for hazardous locations as required by Chapter 5 of the California Electrical Code, and H-occupancy requirements of the County of Los Angeles Fire Code.
G. Where auxiliary structures are associated with the operation, control, monitoring, production, distribution, power provision, or any regulation of hydrogen fueling, the auxiliary structure shall meet all requirements of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code, including but not limited to: zoning, fire, structural, egress, accessibility, equipment working clearances, short circuit, disconnect and listing of equipment and the structure.
SECTION 18. Chapter 15.60 of Title 15 of the Pico Rivera Municipal Code is hereby modified as delineated:
Chapter 15.60 Property Maintenance Code
15.60.010 Document adopted by reference.
15.60.020 Chapter 1—General code provisions.
15.60.010 Document adopted by reference.
A. The City Council of the City of Pico Rivera hereby adopts by reference, the 2024 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code, including all appendices except Appendix B, as published by the International Code Council, as Chapter 15 of Title 15 of this code, except such portions as are deleted, modified, or amended as set forth in this chapter. Said code is adopted and incorporated as if fully set forth herein.
B. The purpose of this code is to establish minimum requirements to provide a reasonable level of health, safety, property protection and general welfare insofar as they are affected by the continued occupancy and maintenance of structures and premises. Existing structures and premises that do not comply with these Ordinance No.
provisions shall be altered or repaired to provide a reasonable minimum level of health, safety and general welfare as required herein.
State law references: Adoption by reference, Government Code Section 50022.1 et seq.
15.60.020 Chapter 1—General code provisions.
Chapter 1 of the 2021 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code is hereby deleted and replaced by the following:
101 Administrative Provisions. For administrative provisions for this code, see Section 15.08.020.
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 California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Existing Building Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Electrical Code, California Fire Code, California Energy Code and California Green Building Standards Code. Nothing in this code shall be construed to cancel, modify or set aside any provision of the Pico Rivera municipal code.
Section 102.4 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
102.4 Existing remedies. The provisions in this code shall not be construed to abolish or impair existing remedies of the jurisdiction or its officers or agencies relating to the correction of any code violation, removal or demolition of any structure that is dangerous, unsafe or insanitary.
Section 102.6 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
102.6 Structural Analysis. Where structural analysis is used to assess a potentially unsafe structural condition, the analysis shall be permitted to use nominal strengths, nominal loads, load effects, required strengths and limit states in accordance with the requirements under which the structure was constructed or in accordance with any subsequent requirement. Where structural analysis is used to determine if an unsafe structural condition exists, the analysis shall be done as determined by the Building Official.
Section 109.1 of the International Property Maintenance Code, including subsections, is amended to read as follows:
109.1 Unsafe conditions. When a structure or equipment is found by the code official to be unsafe, or when a structure is found unfit for human occupancy, or it is found unlawful, such structure shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal Ordinance No.
pursuant to the provisions of this code and provisions of the City of Pico Rivera Municipal Code and the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings Code.
Section 109.1.4 of the International Property Maintenance Code, is 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 permitted under this code, or was erected, altered or occupied contrary to law, or one that is partially constructed, reconstructed or demolished upon which work is abandoned. Work is deemed abandoned when there is no valid building or demolition permit.
Section 109.5 of the International Property Maintenance Code, is amended to read as follows:
109.5 Unauthorized tampering. Placards, notices, signs, tags or seals posted or affixed by the code official shall not be mutilated, destroyed or tampered with, or removed without authorization from the code official. Any person violating this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Section 109.7 of the International Property Maintenance Code, is amended to read as follows:
109.7 Placarding. When the code official determines a structure, equipment or premise has been erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, damaged, converted or demolished, equipped, used, occupied or maintained in violation of this code or the technical codes and the structure, equipment or premise constitutes a danger to the life, limb, property or safety of the public or the occupants, the code official shall post a placard on the structure, equipment or premise in a conspicuous place in or about the affected structure, equipment or premise. The placard shall clearly state the code official’s Order regarding the structure, equipment, or premise, and specify the conditions which necessitated the posting.
Section 109.7.1 of the International Property Maintenance Code, is amended to read as follows:
109.7.1 Placard removal. The code official shall remove the condemnation placard whenever the defect or defects upon which the placarding action were based have been eliminated. Any person who defaces or removes a condemnation placard without the approval of the code official shall be subject to the penalties provided by this code.
Section 109.7.1 of the International Property Maintenance Code, is amended to read as follows:
109.8 Prohibited occupancy. It shall be unlawful for any person, owner, owner’s authorized agent or person responsible for the premise to occupy or allow to be Ordinance No.
occupied a placarded structure or premise or operate placarded equipment in violation of the code officials posted order.
Section 109.10 of the International Property Maintenance Code, is added to read as follows:
109.10 Recordation of notices and orders. If compliance with the order is not achieved within the time specified therein, and no appeal has been properly and timely filed, the code official is authorized to file in the office of the county recorder a certificate describing the property, and that the premise, building, structure or building service equipment is in violation of this code or the technical codes or other regulation applicable to buildings or structures or property. Whenever the ordered corrections have been completed and the violations no longer exist on the property described in the certificate, and when all fines, fees, penalties, and incurred costs associated with the property have been satisfied, the code official shall issue a new certificate certifying that all required corrections have been made.
Section 302.2 of the International Property Maintenance Code, is amended to read as follows:
302.2 Grading and drainage. Premises shall be graded and maintained to prevent the erosion of soil and to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water thereon, or within any structure located thereon. Excess or concentrated drainage shall be contained on site or directed to the nearest practicable drainage facility approved by the code official.
Exception: Approved retention areas and reservoirs.
Section 302.2 of the International Property Maintenance Code, is amended to read as follows:
302.3 Sidewalks and driveways. Sidewalks, walkways, stairs, driveways, parking spaces and similar areas shall be kept in a proper state of repair, and maintained free from hazardous conditions and shall comply with the Pico Rivera Municipal Code.
Section 303.1 of the International Property Maintenance Code, is amended to read as follows:
303.1 Swimming pools. Swimming pools shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, and in good repair and in compliance with the California Swimming Pool Safety Act of the California Health and Safety Code.
Section 303.2 of the International Property Maintenance Code, is amended to read as follows:
303.2 Enclosures. Private swimming pools, hot tubs and spas, containing water more than 18 inches (457 mm) in depth shall be completely enclosed by a fence, wall or other barrier not less than 60 inches (1524 mm) in height above the finished ground level measured on the side of the barrier away from the pool. Gates and doors in such Ordinance No.
barriers shall be self-closing and self-latching. Where the self-latching device is less than 54 inches (1372 mm) above the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate. Self-closing and self-latching gates shall be maintained such that the gate will positively close and latch when released from an open position of 6 inches (152 mm) from the gatepost. And existing pool enclosure shall not be removed, replaced or changed in a manner that reduces its effectiveness as a safety barrier.
The vertical clearance from the ground to the bottom of the enclosure shall be a maximum of two inches (2”). The maximum vertical clearance at the bottom of the barrier may be increased to four inches (4”) when the grade is a solid surface such as a concrete deck. On wood fences with horizontal members spaced less than forty-five inches (45”) apart, the horizontal members shall be placed on the poolside of the barrier. The outside surface of the enclosure shall be free of protrusions, cavities, or other physical characteristics that would serve as handholds or footholds that could enable a child below the age of five years to climb over.
An existing pool enclosure shall not be removed, replaced or changed in a manner that reduces its effectiveness as a safety barrier.
Exceptions:
1. Spas or hot tubs equipped with a lockable safety cover that complies with ASTM F1346.
304 Premises Identification of the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code is not adopted.
Section 304.3 of the International Property Maintenance Code is deleted.
Section 304.7 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
304.7 Roofs and drainage. The roof and flashing shall be sound, tight and not have defects that admit rain. Roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent dampness or deterioration in the walls or interior portion of the structure. Roof drains, gutters and downspouts shall be maintained in good repair and free from obstructions. Roof water shall not be discharged in a manner that creates a public nuisance.
When emergency temporary roof repairs require the installation of tarps or plastic sheeting to prevent leaks, the temporary repairs shall not extend beyond 14 days, unless approved by the code official. Such temporary repairs must have all edges of the material fastened and restrained with sufficient tension to prevent movement or flapping in the wind.
Section 304.15 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
Ordinance No.
304.15 Doors. Exterior doors, door assemblies, including weather stripping, thresholds, closers and operator systems if provided, and hardware shall be maintained in good condition. Locks at all entrances to dwelling units and sleeping units shall tightly secure the door. Locks on means of egress doors shall be in accordance with Section 702.3.
Section 304.16 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
304.16 Under-Floor areas. Under-floor access doors, hatchways and ventilation openings shall be maintained to prevent the entrance of rodents, rain, and surface drainage water. Doors shall be tight fitting and ventilation openings shall be properly screened with corrosion-resistant wire mesh having openings not exceeding ¼ inch in any dimension or alternate approved materials pursuant to 2025 California Building Code Section 1203.
Section 304.18.2 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
304.18.2 Windows. Operable windows that provide access to a dwelling unit, rooming unit or housekeeping unit that is rented, leased or let shall be equipped with a window sash locking device when they are located in whole or in part within 12 feet above ground level or walking surface or 6 feet horizontally from the ground, a roof, or any other platform.
Section 305.1 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
305.1 General. The interior of a structure and equipment therein including but not limited to cabinets, counters and hardware, shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and in a sanitary condition. Occupants shall keep that part of the structure that they occupy or control in a clean and sanitary condition. Every owner of a structure containing a rooming house, housekeeping units, a hotel, a dormitory, two or more dwelling units or two or more nonresidential occupancies, shall maintain, in a clean and sanitary condition, the shared or public areas of the structure and exterior property.
Section 305.6 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
305.6 Interior doors. Every interior door, frame and hardware, shall fit reasonably well within its frame and shall be capable of being opened and closed by being properly and securely attached to jambs, headers or tracks as intended by the manufacturer of the attachment hardware
Section 309.1 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
Ordinance No.
309.1 Infestation. All structures shall be kept free from insect, rodent, vermin, or other infestations. When an insect, rodent, vermin or other infestation is brought to the attention of the code official, he or she may require the owner or owner’s authorized agent having charge or control of the building, lot or premise to hire a licensed exterminator or other qualified professional to inspect the building, lot or premise and provide a written report verifying the presence and severity of such infestation including in the report a recommendation for proper extermination or elimination of the infestation.
All structures and/or areas in which infestations are found, shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes that will not be injurious to human health. After extermination of the infestation is complete, the code official may request a written notice from the licensed exterminator or other qualified professional attesting to the completion and success of the recommended extermination procedures. After the infestation is eliminated, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent reinfestation.
Section 309.2 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
309.2 Owner. The owner of any structure or premise shall be responsible for extermination within the structure or premise prior to renting or leasing the structure or premise. The owner of a structure or premise containing a dwelling unit, multiple occupancy, rooming house, or a nonresidential structure shall be responsible for maintaining the structure and premise in a rodent and/or pest-free condition. If an infestation is caused by an occupant substantially failing to properly maintain their occupied area of the structure or premise, “as clean and sanitary as the condition of the structure or premise permits”. For as long as the occupant’s failure either substantially causes an unlivable condition to occur or substantially interferes with the owner’s ability to repair the condition, the owner does not have to repair the condition. Where defects in a structure substantially contribute to or cause an infestation, the owner shall be responsible for the correction of the defect and extermination of the infestation.
Section 309.3, 309.4, and 309.5 of the International Property Maintenance Code are deleted.
Section 404.5, Table 404.5, 404.5.1, 404.5.2, and 404.6 of the International Property Maintenance Code are deleted.
Section 602.2 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
602.2 Residential occupancies. Dwellings shall be provided with heating facilities capable of maintaining a room temperature of 68°F (20°C) in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms. Cooking appliances, fireplaces and portable heaters shall not be used as a means to achieve compliance with this section.
Section 602.3 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
Ordinance No.
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, to furnish heat to the occupants thereof shall supply heat during the period to maintain a minimum temperature of 68°F (20°C) in all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms.
Exceptions:
1. When the outdoor temperature is below the winter outdoor design temperature for the locality, maintenance of the minimum room temperature shall not be required provided that the heating system is operating at its full design capacity.
2. In areas where the average monthly temperature is above 30°F (-1°C), a minimum temperature of 65°F (18°C) shall be maintained.
Section 602.4 of the International Property Maintenance Code is deleted.
Section 603.1 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
603.1 Mechanical equipment and appliances. Mechanical equipment, kitchen hoods, appliances, fireplaces, solid fuel-burning appliances, cooking appliances and water heating appliances shall be properly installed and maintained in a safe working condition and shall be capable of performing their intended function. When new mechanical equipment is installed and the old equipment is no longer in use, the old equipment must be removed from the structure. Openings left in the walls, floors or ceilings must be properly repaired and painted. Electrical circuits and gas lines must be properly abandoned and inspected.
Section 604.3 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
604.3 Electrical system hazards. Where it is found that the electrical system in a structure constitutes a hazard to the occupants or the structure by reason of inadequate service, improper overcurrent devices, insufficient receptacle and lighting outlets, improper wiring or installation, deterioration or damage, or for similar reasons including the improper use of extension cords as permanent wiring, or for similar reasons, the code official shall require the defects to be corrected to eliminate the hazard.
Displays and decorative features associated with holidays and seasonal or celebratory events are allowed on a temporary basis. Holiday displays and decorative features with electrically supplied lights, displays, and equipment are allowed for a forty-five (45) day period where the forty-five (45) day period is considered as fifteen (15) days before, and thirty (30) days after the holiday or event. Removal of lighting and temporary or holiday displays shall be no later than the thirty-first (31st) day following the holiday or event.
Failure to meet compliance is considered an electrical system hazard and shall subject the property owner to violations and fines pursuant to the Pico Rivera Municipal Code.
Section 704.1.3 #15 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
Ordinance No.
704.1.3 Fire protection systems. Fire protection systems shall be inspected, maintained and tested in accordance with the following California Fire Code requirements.
15. Smoke control systems, see Section 909.
Section 702.4 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
702.4 Emergency escape and rescue openings. Required emergency escape openings shall be maintained in accordance with the code in effect at the time of construction, and the following. Required emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys or tools. Bars, grilles, grates or similar devices placed over emergency escape and rescue openings shall comply with the City of Pico Rivera Municipal Code and the California Building Standards Code.
Section 704.6.2 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
704.6.2 Interconnection. Where more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit or sleeping unit in Group R occupancies, the smoke alarms shall be interconnected in such a manner that the activation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. Physical interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be required where listed wireless alarms are installed and all alarms sound upon activation of one alarm. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed. When low-voltage systems are required, the fire official may require additional sounder bases installed.
Low voltage systems shall be installed per NFPA 72 fire alarm system requirements.
Exceptions:
1. Interconnection is not required in buildings which are not undergoing alterations, repairs or construction of any kind.
2. Smoke alarms in existing areas are not required to be interconnected where alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available which could provide access for interconnection without the removal of interior finishes.
Section 704.6.3 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
704.6.3 Power source. In existing construction, new construction, and in newly classified group R occupancies, required smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring where such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Smoke alarms shall emit a signal when the batteries are low. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than as required for overcurrent protection.
Ordinance No.
Exception:
1. Smoke alarms are not required to be equipped with battery backup where they are connected to an emergency electrical system.
2. Smoke alarms shall be permitted to be battery operated when installed in buildings without commercial power.
3. Interconnection of smoke alarms in existing areas shall not be required where the alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available which could provide access for hard wiring and interconnection without the removal of interior finishes.
Section 705.1 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
705.1 General. Carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed in dwellings in accordance with Section 1103.9 of the California Fire Code, except that alarms in dwellings covered by the California Residential Code shall be installed in accordance with Section R311 of that code.
SECTION 19. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph, and section by section, and does hereby declare that the provisions of this Ordinance are severable, and if, for any reason, any sentence, paragraph or section of this ordinance shall be held invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining parts of this Ordinance.
SECTION 20. No person shall violate any provision or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this ordinance, and any person violating any provision, or failing to comply with any provision of this ordinance is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person convicted of a misdemeanor under the provisions of this ordinance shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or by imprisonment in the City or County Jail for a period not exceeding one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
SECTION 21. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same to be published or posted as prescribed by law. This Ordinance shall take effect January 1, 2026.
(Signatures on following page)
Ordinance No.
ADOPTED AND PASSED this ____ day of _________, 2025.
____________________________
John R. Garcia, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________ _______________________________ Cynthia Ayala, City Clerk Arnold M. Alvarez-Glasman, City Attorney (STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
( ) §
(COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES)
I, Cynthia Ayala, City Clerk of the City of Pico Rivera, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance, Ordinance No. ____ was adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Pico Rivera, held on ________________, with the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
_________________________, City Clerk
RESOLUTION NO. ____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PICO
RIVERA, CALIFORNIA, SETTING FORTH FINDINGS FOR REQUIRED AMENDMENTS TO THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS
CODES RELATIVE TO LOCAL CLIMATIC, TOPOGRAPHIC AND
GEOLOGIC CONDITIONS
WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958 provides that the City of Pico Rivera shall adopt Ordinances and regulations imposing the same or modified requirements as are contained in the Building Standards Code adopted by the state pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17922; and
WHEREAS, the State of California is mandated by Health and Safety Code Section 17922 to impose substantially the same requirements as are contained in the most recent edition of the Uniform Housing Code, the International Building Code, the International Residential Code, the Uniform Plumbing Code, the Uniform Mechanical Code, the National Electrical Code and the International Existing Building Code (hereinafter referred to collectively as “Codes”); and
WHEREAS, the State of California allows local jurisdictions to adopt the provisions of the California Building Standard Codes with local amendments in accordance with Health and Safety Code Sections 17922, 17958, 17958.5, 17958.7 and 18941(b) where necessary to reasonably address adverse local conditions and protect the health, wealth and safety of citizens of Pico Rivera because of local climate, geology, and/or topography; and
WHEREAS, Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 requires that the City Council, before making any modifications or changes to the Codes, shall make an express finding that such changes or modifications are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions; and WHEREAS, the City Building and Safety Division has recommended that changes and modifications be made to the Codes and has advised that certain of said changes and modifications to the California Codes are reasonably necessary due to local conditions in the City of Pico Rivera. The City Building and Safety Division has further advised that the remainder of said changes and modifications are of an administrative or procedural nature, or concern themselves with subjects not covered by the Codes or are reasonably necessary to safeguard life and property within the City of Pico Rivera; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the local climate consists of hot and dry conditions during the summer months creating severe fire hazard areas that warrant enhanced construction provisions for fire safety; and
7b
Resolution No. ______
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the local topography has heavily landscaped surroundings and access for fire or rescue response and staging for firefighting are made difficult due to the terrain; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the Southern California Region which includes the City, is within a very active seismic area where the local geology is located near active earthquake faults and subject to liquefaction presenting a significant earthquake risk that warrants enhanced design and construction provisions for seismic safety; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there is a need to keep the existing local amendments and modify or add certain administrative provisions to its Title 15 in order to effectively regulate and enforce building and construction as provided in the 2025 California Building Standards Codes; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Pico Rivera as follows:
SECTION 1. Amendments related to life and fire safety contained in Sections 311.4, 312.4, 403.4.8.3, 403.4.8.4, 718.3, 718.4, Table 1505.1, 1505.1.2 and 1613.8.1 of the 2025 Edition of the California Building Code, and Sections 403.1.3.6 and 902.1 of the 2025 Edition of the California Residential Code, as recommended by the Building Division are hereby found to be reasonably necessary due to the following local conditions:
A. Climatic Conditions
1. Hot, dry Santa Ana winds are common to all areas within the City of Pico Rivera. These winds, which can cause small fires to spread quickly, are a contributing factor to the high fire danger in the area, and create the need for an increased level of fire protection. This added protection will supplement normal fire department response availability and provide immediate protection for life and safety of multiple occupants during fire occurrences.
2. The City of Pico Rivera is located in a semi-arid Mediterranean type climate which predisposes all fuels, including wood shingles, to rapid ignition and spread of fire. Therefore, there exists a need for additional fire protection measures.
B. Geologic Conditions
1. The City of Pico Rivera is located in a highly active seismic area. There are earthquake faults that run along both the northeastern boundaries of Orange County and the southwestern boundaries of Los Angeles County. The Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone (NIFZ) which runs through Resolution No. ______
Orange County was the source of the destructive 1933 Long Beach earthquake (6.3 magnitude, hypocenter off Newport Beach coast), which took 120 lives, with areas damaged from Laguna Beach to Marina Del Rey and inland to Whittier, and poses one of the greatest hazards to lives and property in the nation. Regional planning for reoccurrence is recommended by the State of California, Department of Conservation. On October 1st, 1987 the area experienced the Whittier Narrows earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9. There was also an earthquake in December 1989, with the epicenter located near the City of Irvine. The fault on which this quake occurred was unknown prior to this activity. The October 17, 1989 Santa Cruz earthquake resulted in only one major San Francisco fire in the Marina district, but when combined with the 34 other fires and over 500 responses the department was taxed to its full capabilities. The Marina fire was difficult to contain because mains supplying water to the district burst during the earthquake. If more fire had been ignited by the earthquake, it would have been difficult for the fire department to contain them.
Structures within the city also experienced damages from the March 16th, 2010 earthquake centered in Pico Rivera. Experts predict a major earthquake in our area within the next 50 years. This situation creates the need for both additional fire protection measures and automatic onsite fire protection for building occupants since a multitude of fires may result from breakage of gas and electric lines as a result of an earthquake. As noted by “Planning Scenario on a Major Earthquake on the Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone, 1988, State Department of Conservation,” page 59, “unfortunately, barely meeting the minimum earthquake standards of building codes places a building on the verge of being legally unsafe”.
2. Traffic and circulation due to narrow and twisting roads and accessways presently existing in the City of Pico Rivera often places fire department response time to fire occurrences at risk. This condition will be exacerbated by any major disaster, including any earthquake wherein damage to the highway system will occur. This condition makes the need for additional on-site protection for property occupants necessary.
3. Placement of multiple occupancy buildings, location of arterial roads, and fire department staffing constraints due to revenue-limiting state legislation have made it difficult for the fire department to locate additional fire stations and provide manpower sufficient to concentrate fire companies and personnel to control fires in high density apartment or condominium buildings. Fire department equipment does not allow easy access to areas of buildings greater than 55 feet above the level of Fire Department vehicle access. These conditions create the need Resolution No. ______
for built-in on-site fire protection systems to protect occupants and property until firefighting apparatus and personnel arrive on the scene.
The City of Pico Rivera is located in an area subject to a climatic condition of high winds and low humidity. This combination of events creates and environment, which is conducive to rapidly spreading fires.
Control of such fires requires rapid response. Obstacles generated by a strong wind, such as fallen trees, street lights and utility poles, and the requirement to climb 35 feet vertically up flights of stairs will greatly impact the response time to reach an incident scene. Additionally, Section 6, Figures 6-2 of ASCE 7 identifies a significant increase in the amount of wind force at 40 feet above the ground. Use of aerial type firefighting apparatus above this height would place rescue personnel at increased risk of injury.
The City of Pico Rivera is located in the middle of the seismically active area. A severe seismic event has the potential to negatively impact any rescue or fire suppression activities because it is likely to create obstacles similar to those indicated under the high wind section above.
With the probability of strong aftershocks there exists a need to provide increased protection for anyone on upper floors.
4. Untreated wood roofs cause or contribute to serious fire hazard and to the rapid spread of fires when such fires are accompanied by high winds. Pieces of burning wooden roofs become flying brands and are carried by the wind to other locations and thereby spread fire quickly.
Recent Grand Jury Report findings support this concern.
C. Topographical Conditions
1. The City of Pico Rivera has heavily landscaped surroundings. Access for fire or rescue response and staging for firefighting are made difficult due to the terrain.
Additional amendments have been made to the Codes. On the recommendation of the Building Division, such amendments are hereby found to be either administrative or procedural in nature or concern themselves with subjects not covered in such Codes.
The changes made include provisions making each of said Codes compatible with other Codes enforced by the City.
SECTION 2. Amendments to the 2025 California Building Standards Codes are found reasonably necessary based on the climatic and/or geologic conditions cited in Section 1 of this resolution and are listed as follows:
Resolution No. ______
Code Section Findings in Section 1
CBC 403.4.8.3, 403.4.8.4, 718.3, 718.4 A-1, B-2, B-3
CBC Table 1505.1, 1505.1.2, CRC 902.1 A-1, A-2, B-2, B-4 CBC 1613.8.1, CRC 403.1.3.6 B-1
The aforementioned amendments have been incorporated in detail in Ordinance No. ____.
SECTION 3. The Building Division shall file copies of Resolution No. ____ and Ordinance No. ____ with the California Building Standards Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development as required by Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7.
SECTION 4. The City Council does hereby resolve the aforementioned changes to the Codes are necessary because of local climatic, geological, topographical, administrative or procedural conditions and are necessary to reasonably safeguard life and property within the City of Pico Rivera.
SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall attest to the passage of this resolution and it shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AND PASSED this 28th day of October 2025.
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Cynthia Ayala, City Clerk
________________________________
John R, Garcia, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________________
Arnold Alvarez-Glasman, City Attorney
AYES:
NOES:
To: Mayor and City Council
From: City Manager
Meeting Date: October 28, 2025
Subject: CITYWIDE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE POLICY
Recommendation:
1. Approve the Artificial Intelligence Policy; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to implement the policy and make minor administrative updates as needed.
Strategic Priority:
1 - Fiscal & Organizational Sustainability - Create a City government build to adapt to change.
Strategy:
1.3 Improve organizational effectiveness to reduce costs and streamline efforts.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no direct fiscal impact to the General Fund associated with approving the AI Policy. Any future costs (software licensing, tool subscriptions, staff training, professional services, or compliance-related expenses) will be brought to the City Council for review and appropriation as part of normal budget processes.
Background:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is rapidly evolving and increasingly being integrated into government operations, public services, and community engagement platforms.
Cities across the country are beginning to adopt policies to ensure responsible, transparent, and ethical use of AI in municipal functions. Over the past two (2) years (2023–2025), the City of Pico Rivera (City) has taken deliberate, preparatory steps to ensure a safe and responsible approach to adopting AI tools for municipal operations.
This period of preparation was intentional, rather than rushing deployment of AI, staff 8 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT – MEETING OF OCTOBER 28, 2025
CITYWIDE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE POLICY
focused on training, testing, and establishing governance so that any Citywide rollout would be legally sound, secure, and operationally ready.
Key preparatory actions include:
Leadership training: To strengthen leadership oversight of AI initiatives and ensure an informed governance posture, the City’s initiative began just a few years ago:
o Demonstrating both foresight and dedication, the City Manager and Assistant City Manager successfully earned certification in "Artificial Intelligence: Business Strategies and Applications" from the prestigious UC Berkeley Haas School’s Emeritus Program.
o Further strengthening the City’s leadership in digital transformation, the Director of Innovation and Communications also completed a professional certification from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in "Applied Generative AI for Digital Transformation."
These advanced programs underscore the City’s proactive commitment to preparing its leadership for the future.
Participation in GovAI Coalition: The City has engaged with the GovAI Coalition, a network of government entities dedicated to sharing best practices and advancing the use of AI in the public sector. Through this coalition, the City has gained access to valuable resources and collaborative opportunities that have informed its AI strategy and policy.
Pilot of CoPilot for Government: The City completed a pilot of the governmenttested CoPilot platform which was available to the City by April 2025. The pilot validated practical benefits (workflow efficiencies, streamlined document drafting, and research support) and highlighted necessary safeguards and training needs for a broader rollout.
Intentional timeline. The time invested prior to this policy is best understood as a cautious, responsible approach by staff prioritized, legal review, security assessments, internal training, and governance structures to reduce operational and reputational risk.
Context AI is already ubiquitous. AI is not new to daily life (examples include navigation apps, spam filters, recommendation engines, chatbots and voice assistants). This policy focuses on the responsible introduction and oversight of more advanced, enterprise-grade AI tools particularly Generative AI using large language models (LLM) and productivity assist platforms like CoPilot for Microsoft 365 so the City can capture benefits of Generative AI while protecting residents and operations.
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT – MEETING OF OCTOBER 28, 2025
CITYWIDE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE POLICY
Staff have developed a draft AI Policy to guide the City’s use of AI technologies in alignment with legal, ethical, and operational standards. This policy is intended to safeguard public trust while enabling the City to responsibly leverage AI tools that improve efficiency, decision-making, and service delivery.
Discussion:
The proposed AI Policy formalizes the City’s approach and sets standards to ensure AI is used safely, equitably, and transparently. It builds directly on the City’s recent training, coalition engagement, and pilot work, and provides the governance and operational controls necessary for scale.
The proposed AI Policy establishes clear standards and practices for the City’s use of AI, including:
Transparency and Accountability: Ensuring AI use is explainable, documented, and accessible to the public where appropriate. Ethical Use and Privacy Protection: Safeguarding resident data and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Equity and Fairness: Preventing bias or discriminatory outcomes in AI-enabled processes.
Governance and Oversight: Defining roles and responsibilities for City staff in deploying and monitoring AI tools.
Implementation and Training: Requiring staff training and procedures for responsibly using AI in daily operations.
Evaluation and Approval Process: Require legal review, privacy and security assessments, and risk scoring of proposed AI solutions prior to adoption. High-risk uses will require additional review and mitigation plans. Incident Response and Vendor Requirements: Integrate AI incidents into existing incident response procedures, and require vendor attestations (security, data handling, liability/insurance where applicable) as part of procurement.
Planned implementation approach
Release the AI Policy and related procedures Citywide and provide supporting materials (manual, FAQs, training modules).
Form an internal AI Use Committee composed of representatives from IT, Legal, Human Resources, Innovation/Communications, and key operational departments to review use cases and oversee governance.
Schedule phased rollouts of CoPilot and other tools following City Council approval, expand from pilot to broader deployment only after completing mandatory training, finalizing vendor agreements, and completing any outstanding legal or security reviews.
Monitor deployments and report periodically to the City Council on adoption, benefits realized, risks encountered, and any recommended policy refinements.
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT – MEETING OF OCTOBER 28, 2025
CITYWIDE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE POLICY
This AI Policy establishes a process for evaluating new AI technologies prior to adoption, including legal review, risk assessment, and compliance with state and federal requirements.
Conclusion:
Adopting the AI Policy allows the City to responsibly harness AI’s potential to improve service delivery and organizational efficiency while protecting resident privacy, ensuring equity, and maintaining public trust. Given the City’s preparatory work over the last two years of leadership training, coalition participation, and a successful pilot, staff recommends the City Council approve the proposed AI Policy and authorize implementation steps as described.
Steve Carmona
SC:AG:AM:smc
Enclosure(s): 1) Artificial Intelligence Policy
1 AI Policy Manual
Maintained and updated by:
City of Pico Rivera Administration Department/
Information Technology Division
[email protected]
Last updated: September 29, 2025
8a
Enclosure 1
2 Purpose
The City of Pico Rivera AI Policy Manual provides guidance on how to comply with the City of Pico Rivera AI Policy. Refer to this manual for all matters relating to City of Pico Rivera AI usage, including purchasing, procurement, governance, incident response, and education.
This document covers the following topics:
1. AI Policy: The foundational document for the City of Pico Rivera’s approach to AI; refer to the “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy”
2. AI Review: Required for all new technology procurements and data initiatives that involve an AI system; see “AI Review”
3. AI Governance: The framework for managing and monitoring the full lifecycle of all City of Pico Rivera AI systems; see “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance”
4. Domain-Specific Guidelines: Guidance for City of Pico Rivera staff in using specific types of AI. This manual includes reference to GenAI guidelines document
This document will continue to be updated to provide the latest information on the City of Pico Rivera’s AI Policy and practices.
3 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Artificial Intelligence in City of Pico Rivera ................................................................................. 4 Background ............................................................................................................................ 4 Identifying AI .......................................................................................................................... 4 AI Governance ........................................................................................................................... 6 Governance Structure ............................................................................................................ 6 AI Policy Roles & Responsibilities .......................................................................................... 6 AI Review .................................................................................................................................. 8 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 8 What needs an AI Review? .................................................................................................... 8 AI Review Framework: At a Glance ....................................................................................... 9 AI Review Framework: Step-by-Step ................................................................................... 12 Protocol for a Request for Proposals ....................................................................................... 22 Use of the RFP Protocol ...................................................................................................... 22 Appendix .................................................................................................................................. 27 4 Artificial Intelligence in City of Pico Rivera
Background
This manual provides detail into the City of Pico Rivera’s AI governance established by the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy. As the City of Pico Rivera’s AI governance practices and the AI industry mature, the City of Pico Rivera’s relevant policies and this manual will continue to evolve.
Identifying AI
“AI” and “AI system” are defined in the “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy”. In practice, the City of Pico Rivera uses a checklist of questions to identify AI systems.1 Procurement officers who process technology proposals may make particular use of this checklist. A technology may be considered an “AI system” if it elicits positive answers to any of the following questions:
Does the technology use data to provide predictions, recommendations, insights, or decisions?
Does the technology augment or replace human decision-making? Does the company use words such as “personalized”, “tailored”, and “adaptive” in its marketing?
Although the City of Pico Rivera may identify a technology as an AI system, not all AI systems require a full AI Review. Learn more about the medium and high-risk AI systems that require full review in the section “AI Review Process: Step by Step, Step 2: Risk Analysis”.
The figure below illustrates the relationship between an algorithm and an AI system.
Consider the example of an AI system designed to change traffic lights based on the presence of a bicyclist. While the algorithm’s sole function is to identify a bicyclist, the AI system changes the traffic light to accommodate the bicyclist identified by the algorithm.
Figure 1: Example of an algorithm and an AI system. In this example the algorithm identifies if a bicyclist exists in the photo. That algorithm is then used in an AI system to turn a bike light green at an intersection. 5 AI Governance
Governance Structure
The governance of AI systems in the City of Pico Rivera involves several actors, policies, and practices that work in coordination to ensure that the City of Pico Rivera uses AI tools in a responsible manner. The diagram below explains the roles and responsibilities of actors in the City of Pico Rivera who frequently participate in AI governance activities.
AI Policy Roles & Responsibilities
Members of the public that your agency serves
The City of Pico Rivera is ultimately accountable to the members of the public that it serves. In general, the City of Pico Rivera aims to be transparent about how it uses AI with the broader public.
Final Authority
Pico Rivera City Council
Escalated Authority
The Senior Information Technology Manager (Sr. IT Manager) recommends AIrelated policies to City Manager/City Council for final approval. The City Attorney’s Office reviews AI-related policies from a legal perspective.
The Information Technology Division reviews procurement requests. They may refer procurement requests to the City’s AI Expert if the procurement seems to involve some technology or AI system.
Reviewing Authority
• The Sr. IT Manager is the main actor in AI governance activities and responsible for creating AI-related policies and guidance for the City of Pico Rivera. The Sr. IT Manager is responsible for ensuring all procurement requests that involve an AI system are given an AI review.
• The Senior IT Manager is responsible for ensuring technology procurement requests are reviewed from a cybersecurity
perspective.
Department Stakeholders
Any City of Pico Rivera department may submit a procurement request for an AI system.
Departments can propose pilots, ideas, or potential use cases of AI. Departments have a designated AI lead, responsible for interfacing with the Sr.
IT Manager to ensure department is following City of Pico Rivera practices. The AI lead also raises concerns from the department around AI to the Sr. IT Manager.
The IT Division serves as a first line for reviewing all technology. They may conduct a threshold analysis, or a deeper AI impact assessment depending on their assessed risk level of the project.
6 AI Working Group (AIWG)
Led by the Sr. IT Manager, employees from various departments in the AIWG discuss AIrelated issues and projects in the City of Pico Rivera. The AIWG is composed of department AI leads and potentially other department representatives.
AI Advisory Group
Led by the Sr. IT Manager, external stakeholders advise the [CAIO, or equivalent e.g. ACM] and the Senior IT Manager on the policies and activities related to the City of Pico Rivera’s AI governance.
The Advisory Group consists of external stakeholders, including AI experts from industry, academia, civil rights, and members of the public. The Advisory Group meets quarterly to discuss AI topics with the [CAIO, or equivalent e.g. ACM]. While the Advisory Group plays a critical role in informing the City of Pico Rivera’s decisions, decision-making power remains within the City of Pico Rivera.
7 AI Review
Introduction
In addition to the City of Pico Rivera’s privacy, cyber, infrastructure, and data review protocols, the [CAIO, or equivalent e.g. ACM] conducts an AI Review to ensure that the proposed AI system complies with the City of Pico Rivera’s Guiding Principles for AI systems, and relevant privacy policies (in consultation with the [City Attorney’s Office, or equivalent]). While not all steps of the City of Pico Rivera’s AI Review protocols may be necessary or appropriate for every project, the protocol provides the general review framework for any project.
It is important to note that throughout the product lifecycle of all AI systems, there should be a consistent and continuous review of the technology through a human-centric lens.
Consistent review allows the City of Pico Rivera to ensure that the AI system continues to provide value and protects against potential harms going undetected.
What needs an AI Review?
Not all AI systems, whether out-of-the-box or customized, require a full-fledged AI Review.2 Simple rule-based systems, which rely on a series of hard-coded conditional rules to produce one of multiple pre-defined outputs, may not be subject to the AI Review process. In contrast, algorithm-based systems, which rely on complex logic to make predictions based on patterns in a set of training data, are more frequently subject to the AI Review process. As a general rule, AI systems should be reviewed on a regular basis (e.g., annually, quarterly, etc.).
Whether an AI system is subject to an AI Review also depends on the potential risk of the AI system in question. To classify the risk of an AI system, the [CAIO, or equivalent e.g.
ACM] conducts a risk threshold assessment before initiating an AI review of a given proposal (see the subsection “Step 2: Risk Analysis” within the section “AI Review Process: Step by Step” for more information on the risk threshold assessment). 2 It is important to note that vendors contracted under professional, personal, or general consulting agreements may be using AI based tools on the City of Pico Rivera’s behalf. When evaluating professional services agreements, determine if the vendor may be using AI systems to generate reports, analyze data, or provide insights and request information about such systems. Depending on the circumstances, the City of Pico Rivera may wish to also review such third-party AI systems in accordance with the same rules and policies described below. 8 See the chart below for examples of AI systems that do and do not require an AI Review.
These examples are not exhaustive but rather are meant to guide and reinforce concepts.
AI Review is required AI Review is optional
1. Predictive policing system that impacts
the deployment of agency resources
2. Identity recognition based on one-tomany matching (e.g., license plate reader, facial recognition)
3. AI system that meets organizational
thresholds that require an RFP according
to [procurement or contracts team]
4. Automated decision-making system
that automates a decision which
traditionally requires human review
5. AI systems that impact or integrate with
infrastructure systems consistent
with City of Pico Rivera services (e.g.,
translation service for 311)
1. General website recommendations (e.g.,
recommended videos on the City of Pico
Rivera’s YouTube channel)
2. Personalized notification system for
City of Pico Rivera events
3. Strictly rule-based logic (e.g., an
accounting software to calculate taxes
owed, a motion-detection based alarm
system)
Figure 2: An example list of AI systems that do and do not require an AI Review.
AI Review Framework: At a Glance
The AI Review Framework guides the City of Pico Rivera in reviewing AI systems during the public procurement process. The Framework outlines the actions that AI governance practitioners should take from the early project proposal stage to final approval and ongoing monitoring of the AI system.
To understand how the AI Review process is adapted for Request for Proposals (RFP), refer to the section “Request for Proposals (RFP) AI Review Protocol”. 9 Figure 3: AI Review Framework.
1. Procurement Request or Existing Application Update:
Departments seeking to procure an AI system first engage the [CAIO, or equivalent e.g. ACM] to discuss their technology proposal. Departments should provide existing material related to the project, including details on project purpose, data collected and specific uses and benefits of automating a process, recommendation, or decision.
2. Risk Analysis:
The Sr. IT Manager conducts an “AI Risk Threshold Analysis” to assess the risk of the proposed AI system and to determine if the project necessitates a fullfledged assessment. Step 2 below provides further guidance and examples of risk on a gradient scale from low-risk to high-risk.3
3. Assessment:
The [CAIO, or equivalent e.g. ACM] facilitates the following steps to evaluate the potential risks and benefits of the proposed AI system. 3 It is important for the City of Pico Rivera to understand and document its risk tolerance for AI systems.
Key considerations that may be helpful for assessing an institution’s risk tolerance include:
- What experience does City of Pico Rivera have with AI? - What are the City of Pico Rivera’s existing risk management frameworks and practices? - Who are the key stakeholders involved in City of Pico Rivera’s AI strategy? - Are there any specific regulations or policies that will influence City of Pico Rivera’s use of AI? 10 The following steps should be adhered to in accordance with the City of Pico Rivera’s risk tolerance:
a. Algorithmic Impact Assessment (AIA) Form: The businessowning department(s) completes the required AIA Form, or equivalent.
b. AI Factsheet: The vendor completes the required AI Factsheet. The [CAIO, or equivalent e.g. ACM] may work with the vendor to obtain more details about the AI system. Equivalent information should be provided if the AI system is developed internally.
i. If request involves a Request for Proposals (RFP): The vendor may not be determined at this time. Require potential vendor(s) to complete the AI Factsheet. See “Request for Proposals (RFP) AI Review Protocol” for guidance on RFP questions.
4. Public Engagement:
If the proposed AI system is considered of particular public interest, the Sr. IT Manager may conduct in-person outreach, targeting communities with limited access to online comments (either due to language or internet access issues).
Community feedback is then incorporated into the Data Usage Protocol.
The City of Pico Rivera should prioritize reducing barriers for public participation, particularly for those directly impacted by the AI system, especially historically marginalized or disadvantaged communities.
5. Final Review:
Projects are reviewed by the IT Division. The Senior IT Manager provides assessment, approval/denial, and/or recommendations.
6. Pre-Launch Preparation:
a. Data Usage Protocol: Medium-risk and high-risk AI systems may necessitate a Data Usage Protocol to govern the collection, access, processing, and sharing of data around the AI system to ensure that the project complies with the City of Pico Rivera’s Digital Privacy Policy. b. AI Inventory: The approved project proposal is added to a publicly viewable online inventory of the AI systems deployed by the City of Pico Rivera. 5 The AIA Form and AI FactSheet are made publicly available online. The Sr. IT Manager regularly updates the AI Inventory as new AI systems are adopted and archives old systems as they are phased out of use.
c. Training: Users of the approved AI system are given training to properly deploy, operate, and maintain the technology. Training is often provided by the vendor or other third party.
11 7. Ongoing Monitoring: Departments report annual metrics defined in the [Data Usage Protocol or equivalent]. Reports usually require metrics on data usage and project effectiveness. Public can comment on data usage and annual updates online at [Website link].
AI Review Framework: Step-by-Step
The previous section provided a high-level summary of the AI Review Framework. In this section, each of the seven steps that comprise the AI Review Framework are explained in greater detail.
Step 1: Proposal
An AI Review is triggered when a business-owning department in the City of Pico Rivera department submits a procurement request for a technology involving an AI system. An AI Review can also be initiated when a vendor has made updates to a product’s functionality or released a new version of the AI system.
An AI Review can be formally initiated through the City’s helpdesk site.
For a consultation on potential projects, to initiate an informal “AI Risk Threshold Analysis”, or to ask any questions, contact the Sr. IT Manager directly. To see a list of AI systems currently used by the City of Pico Rivera, refer to the online AI Inventory here [insert link].
Step 2: Risk Analysis
The City of Pico Rivera will conduct a risk analysis on the proposal to determine is a fullfledged review is required for the system. The review will be overseen by [CAIO, or equivalent person responsible for managing AI reviews]. [There are many different approaches to evaluating AI risk. Prevailing approaches include tiered risk systems4 (e.g., red light, yellow light, green light method) and principle-based risk analysis5 (e.g., AI ethics nutrition label).]
The City of Pico Rivera aligns its approach to risk with the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework (AI RMF).
While the NIST AI RMF does not necessarily describe exactly how to evaluate AI risk, the AI RMF defines characteristics of trustworthy AI and provides important guidance for organizations that seek to build governance and risk management processes for AI systems.6
While there are many methods to evaluate AI risk, the approach outlined below is designed to be easily implemented by public sector practitioners. Those working in the public sector are often constrained by scarce resources and limited personnel capacity.
The AI Risk Threshold Analysis is intended to be a practical tool that balances 4 https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/a-framework-assessing-ai-risk 5https://www.bertelsmannstiftung.de/fileadmin/files/BSt/Publikationen/GrauePublikationen/WKIO_2020_final.pdf 6 NIST AI Risk Management Framework: https://www.nist.gov/itl/ai-risk-management-framework and example applications: https://airc.nist.gov/Usecases.
12 real-world constraints with the need to adequately ascertain the risk of an AI system.
In the AI Risk Threshold Analysis model, the impacted individual’s inability to opt-out of the use of the AI system and the severity of potential harm of the AI system are the two main factors for evaluating AI risk (see Figure 4).7
Figure 4: The risk of an AI system can be estimated by identifying the impacted individual’s inability to opt- out of the use of the AI system and the severity of potential harm posed by the system.
The components of potential harm consist of the type of output, the level of oversight, the area of impact, the duration of impact, and the reversibility of the impact. In Figure 4, the risk level of each component of potential harm decreases from left to right. For example, for type of output, “decisions” are higher risk than “forecasts”; for level of oversight, “no oversight” is higher risk than “individual action required”; for area of impact, “impacts on civil rights” are higher risk than “recreational impacts”.
Although the AI Risk Threshold Analysis provides a systematic method for evaluating AI risk, estimating the risk of an AI system will vary for each context. For example, the distinction between a short-term and mid-term impact can be unclear and context- dependent; should a duration of one month be considered a short-term or a mid-term impact? The answer will depend on the unique context in which the AI system is being deployed and on the values of the community (see “Step 4: Public Engagement”). Is an AI- powered chatbot that leverages ChatGPT to provide residents with information about applying to social welfare programs a mid-risk or a high-risk system? Again, the answer is highly 7 The AI Risk Threshold Analysis model is partly inspired by the risk matrix found in AI Ethics Impact Group’s “From Principles to Practice: An interdisciplinary framework to operationalise AI ethics”. https://www.bertelsmannstiftung.de/fileadmin/files/BSt/Publikationen/GrauePublikationen/WKIO_2020_final.pdf 13 context-dependent and requires the contextual and subject matter expertise of the [CAIO, department-specific authorized individual, or equivalent].
It is possible for an AI system to simultaneously possess characteristics typically associated with both mid-risk AI systems and characteristics typically associated with high-risk AI systems. Categorizing these complex sociotechnical manifestations of risk is not always straightforward and requires the discretion of the practitioner conducting the risk analysis.
When the risk level of an AI system is unclear, a good rule of thumb is to default to the higher risk categorization and conduct a full-fledged AI Review.
While estimating AI risk is not clearcut and requires the discretion of the [CAIO, departmentspecific authorized individual, or equivalent], it can nevertheless be helpful when triaging risk to reference characteristics typically associated with low-, mid-, or high- risk AI systems. The tables below feature characteristics that tend to be associated with low-, mid-, and high-risk AI systems, along with examples of each risk archetype commonly found in the public sector. The tables below are non-exhaustive and are intended to aid practitioners in thinking about AI risk.
Low-risk AI Systems
Description Low-risk: AI system that involves an opt-in approach to a person being subject to the system. The system
generates predictions but does not automate decisionmaking and involves anonymized information used to provide general improvements to the City of Pico
Rivera. Notice is provided upon collection if any
personal information is involved. The effects or impacts of the system are reversible, and typically short-term.
Characteristics Data Collection: Notice is provided upon collection if any personal information is involved,
as well as documentation to support the safe
storage and handling of data.
Inferential: AI System provides analysis, insights,
or predictions but these are for informational
purposes only and are not tied to automated
decision-making.
Negligible impact on humans: The AI system is
used for non-critical tasks with no negative material
impact for humans.
Mundane applications: The AI assists with
routine tasks like text completion.
Accuracy and Validity: Accuracy and validity
metrics for the AI system are known.
Transparency: Access to appropriate levels of
information based on the stage of the AI system’s
lifecycle is provided and tailored to the role or
knowledge of individuals interacting with the AI
system.
Explainable and interpretable: The meaning of
the AI system’s output(s) is understood in the
context of its designed functional purpose.
14 Examples of low-risk AI systems Software that generates a comprehensive profile of a client by aggregating inputted data.
A process that matches users to a basic
administrative outcome such as time slots for
appointments or next available client services
specialist.
A system or tool that permits the operations of basic computer processes such as opening programs,
sending electronic communications, autocorrecting,
or using a calculator.
The use of generative AI for general research
purposes, where the outputs are not included in
public documents, policies, or decision-making
frameworks.
Medium-risk AI Systems
Description Medium-risk: AI system that involves identifiable information to provide targeted government services
desired by the data owner with periodic oversight.
Notice is provided at time of collection and often
requires written consent. The system may have a shortto medium-term impact on quality-of-life factors.
Characteristics Data Collection: Notice is provided upon collection of sensitive personal information, but it is unknown
how data is stored and handled.
Opt-out consent: Users are automatically
enrolled unless they actively choose to opt out.
Accuracy and Validity: Accuracy and validity
metrics for the AI system are mostly known.
Transparency: Access to appropriate levels of
information based on the stage of the AI Systems
lifecycle is somewhat provided and tailored to
general roles of individuals interacting with the AI
system.
Explainable and interpretable: To a limited
extent, the output(s) can be related back to inputs
and model assumptions.
Human Oversight: The AI system offers
suggestions, insights or predictions, but humans
retain final decision-making power.
Economic impact: Has minor impact on
workforce and economic opportunity.
Periodic oversight: Human monitoring occurs at
intervals, not continuously.
Moderate impact: The AI system may temporarily
impact quality of life, but has minimal long-term risks, such as economic, legal, or reputational
consequences.
15 Examples of mid-risk AI systems Recruiting software that recommends relevant job openings to candidates based on their skills and
experience, and final hiring decisions remain with
human recruiters.
An AI model that evaluates loan applications based
on financial data, but human loan officers make the
final approval or denial decisions.
Marketing and advertising software that tailors ads
to users' interests based on online behavior, while
users retain control over their data and opt-out
options.
A tutoring software that tailors learning based on
student data, however the student or the student’s
parents can choose the learning pathway and
material difficulty.
High-risk AI Systems
Description High-risk: AI system that is potentially rights-impacting or safety-impacting within areas such as: critical
infrastructure, biometrics, legal representation, and
highly sensitive personal information traditionally kept hidden, like Social Security Numbers, credit card
numbers, etc. The high-risk system may automate
decision-making, have significant material impact on
quality of life, and be subject to minimal or no human
oversight.
Characteristics Compulsory: Users have no opt-out option and are automatically subjected to the AI system.
Data Collection: No notice or documentation is
provided regarding collection, storage, and handling
of personal data.
Automated Decisions: The AI directly drives
decisions with minimal or no human input.
Minimal Oversight: Human monitoring is
either absent or very infrequent.
Significant Impact: Decisions made by the AI
system can profoundly affect quality of life,
including:
o Employment: Job opportunities, hiring or
firing decisions, salary recommendations.
o Healthcare: Diagnosis, treatment plans,
eligibility for care.
o Criminal Justice: Risk assessment, bail
determinations, sentencing
recommendations.
o Public Safety: Conflict resolution, suspect
selection, ticketing and fines, resource
allocation.
o Economic: Automated social services
benefit distribution, audits.
o Sensitive Data: The AI system likely
16 processes highly sensitive personal data with
significant consequences for misuse.
o Financial: Automated spending which has the
potential to violate liquidity and use-of-funds
requirements, automated loan
acceptance/denial.
o Infrastructure: The reduction of internet
bandwidth or power being inconsistent
with the needs of the public.
Examples of high-risk AI systems Generative AI that creates realistic, yet fabricated, videos or audio recordings, posing risks for
misinformation and reputational harm.
A system that estimates individual risk factors for
insurance, credit, employment, or healthcare without
human oversight in decision-making, potentially
leading to bias and discrimination.
An autonomous weapons system that can
choose and engage targets without human
intervention.
A biometric and facial recognition software that
identifies individuals in real-time based on facial
features, raising privacy and potential bias concerns.
A system that recommends criminal sentences
based on offender data and prior sentencing
outcomes from historical case data.
Step 3: Assessment
During the assessment stage, the business-owning department(s) fills out the required Algorithmic Impact Assessment Form for the [CAIO, or equivalent e.g. ACM] and the vendor completes the AI Factsheet. Higher-risk projects require a Data Usage Protocol to guide how the project complies with the City of Pico Rivera’s [Digital Privacy Policy, or equivalent]. Lower- risk projects do not need to undergo a full-fledged review.
Algorithmic Impact Assessment Form
The Algorithmic Impact Assessment (AIA) Form is completed by staff from the businessowning department procuring the system.8 The AIA Form consists of questions that are intended to capture information including, but not limited to:
Project objective:
o Please clearly describe the project use case, the current process, and the desired outcome.
o Which [Agency and Department] is owning this system?
o Who in the [Agency and Department] is responsible for this system? 8 See an example of a completed AIA Form from the City of San Jose here:
https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/94187/638107653163800000. 17 o Why does your department choose automation as an approach to this problem? What other approaches to solving this problem were considered (if any) and what led to choosing automation?
Vendor details:
o Will the AI system be designed, developed, deployed, or maintained by vendors or third parties?
o How can the agency test the AI system before it is put into use? Transparency:
o How do individuals receive notice in advance of interacting with the AI system? (For example, if a user is interacting with a chatbot, the system lets the user know they are talking to a chatbot instead of a human.) o How can third-party auditors easily view the AI system’s data to perform evaluations?
o How could AI system operators or residents know if the system outputs an error? What ability will they have to correct or appeal an error? Equity:
o What individuals and communities will interact with the AI system? For example, is the algorithm used on the general population (technology used in many public areas) or a specific group (e.g., children in a school program, a single neighborhood)?
o How likely is it that the AI system impacts children under the age of 18? o Does this use case, and the information/decisions generated by the AI system, impact an individual’s right or freedoms (e.g., if the AI system helps determine if a suspect can be put on bail or must remain in jail)? o Does this use case, and the information/decisions generated by the AI system, impact an individual’s economic status (e.g., if the AI system helps determine if an individual can apply to affordable housing)? o Does this use case, and the information/decisions generated by the AI system, impact an individual’s health, healthcare, well-being (e.g., if the AI system helps determine an individual’s likeliness for colon cancer)? o Do decisions from the AI system impact the environment? (e.g., potential impact to carbon emissions, high tech waste)? o What issues could arise if the AI system is inaccurate? Human oversight
o Please describe the level of autonomy of the AI system. System operates automatically with no human intervention System operates automatically with occasional retrospective reviews by humans
System operates automatically with opportunity for human to override any individual action
System produces recommendations but cannot act without human intervention
o If there is human intervention in the AI system, is it by the vendor, agency department/office, or both?
18 o Please list the agency roles/divisions that will be “touching” the system, or managing the deployment and use of the AI system.
o How does the department provide training and resources to personnel to help them develop the skills they need to effectively operate the AI system?
o In the event that the AI system does not work or is deemed to be inaccurate, what back-up measures are in place to continue providing services? In other words, can the City continue to provide the service without the AI system, and how would it do that?
Accessibility
o Have you considered how the AI system integrates and interacts with commonly used assistive technologies (e.g., screen readers, voice recognition software, etc.)?
o Have you considered how users of diverse abilities will interact with the user interface?
o How will feedback be collected by individuals with disabilities regarding the system?
o How will feedback from individuals with disabilities be implemented into the system?
o Where will accessibility features and resources be documented and readily available?
o Will there be specialized training for individuals with accessibility needs? Liability
o Who in City of Pico Rivera will ultimately be accountable and responsible if the system fails to operate as intended?
o Who in City of Pico Rivera has the authority to stop or limit the AI system’s use?
o If a vendor fails to meet contractual obligations, what are the alternative options that exist to ensure there is no loss of service? (Note that this tie in to the Agency’s AI Incident Response Plan.)
AI FactSheet
The AI FactSheet is completed by the vendor of the AI system and captures basic facts about the AI system. The AI FactSheet enables the [CAIO, or equivalent e.g. ACM] to better understand the technical details of the AI system and ultimately assess the risks and benefits it presents. The AI FactSheet is intended to capture information including, but not limited to:
Training data
Testing data
Input and outputs
Performance metrics
Optimal conditions
Poor conditions
Bias
The [CAIO, or equivalent e.g. ACM] will work with the vendor as needed to obtain necessary technical details about the AI system.
19 Step 4: Public Engagement
If the proposed AI system presents a significant potential risk or is of particular public interest, the [CAIO, or equivalent e.g. ACM] conducts in-person outreach, targeting communities with limited access to online comments (either due to language or internet access issues).
Community feedback is then incorporated into the Data Usage Protocol.
The City of Pico Rivera should prioritize reducing barriers for public participation, particularly for those directly impacted by the AI system, especially historically marginalized or disadvantaged communities.
Public engagement can occur online, in person, and in the built environment. Below are examples of formats for public engagement:
Online
o Interactive website portal: Create a dedicated website where citizens can submit feedback on specific AI initiatives, participate in surveys, and engage in discussions.
o Social media town halls: Host live Q&A sessions on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or X where experts discuss AI and answer public questions.
o Online forums and communities: Create dedicated online forums or communities, possibly on sites like LinkedIn or Reddit, focused on AI policy and development.
In-person
o Public workshops and town halls: Organize in-person events where citizens can learn about AI, hear from experts, and discuss their concerns and suggestions. In addition, create interactive activities like brainstorming sessions to gain feedback.
o Community outreach programs: Partner with local organizations, libraries, and community centers to host AI education and feedback sessions.
o Citizen advisory boards: Establish a diverse advisory board of citizens to provide ongoing feedback on AI development and policy. o Focus groups and interviews: Conduct targeted focus groups and interviews with specific demographics or stakeholders to gather in-depth feedback on specific AI applications or concerns.
Built environment
o Interactive kiosks and installations: Install interactive kiosks in public spaces like libraries, parks, or government buildings where citizens can learn about AI and provide feedback through surveys, polls, or open-ended questions. o "Living labs" for testing AI applications: Designate specific areas or neighborhoods as "living labs" where citizens can experience and provide feedback on prototype AI applications in real-world settings. Additional considerations
o Accessibility and inclusivity: Ensure all feedback channels are accessible to people with disabilities and diverse backgrounds. Use multiple languages, alternative formats, and assistive technologies. 20 o Transparency and communication: Clearly communicate the purpose of collecting feedback, how it will be used, and how citizens can stay informed about the process.
o Data privacy and security: Implement data security measures to protect citizen privacy and ensure feedback is handled ethically and responsibly.
Step 5: Review
After the necessary documentation and public engagement has been completed, the IT Division reviews the proposal and provides final approval or rejection of the proposal.
Depending on the level of risk presented by the proposal, this step may involve gaining approval from the City Manager or City Council. The review may require input from the City Attorney’s Office or other relevant departments on a case-by-case basis. Based on the review by the CAIO or Council, in some instances, the proposal may need to be revised before being approved.
Step 6: Pre-Launch Preparation
Following approval, relevant documentation will be published on the [digital privacy, or equivalent] webpage, including:
Data Usage Protocol: An electronic copy of the Data Usage Protocol is added to the [digital privacy webpage, or equivalent].
AI Inventory: If the project features an AI system, the approved project proposal is added to a publicly viewable online register of the AI systems deployed by the City of Pico Rivera.8 The [AIA Form and AI FactSheet, or equivalents] are also made published online. The Sr. IT Manager regularly updates the AI Inventory as new AI systems are adopted and archives old systems as they are phased out of use.
Prior to implementation, relevant parties (e.g., staff in business-owning department) are given training to properly deploy, operate, and maintain the technology. Training is often provided by the vendor or other third party.
Step 7: Ongoing Monitoring
The Data Usage Protocol for a given technology proposal requires that the businessowning department of the AI system submits an Annual Usage Report. The report is typically 1-2 pages, drafted by the applicable department(s) and details:
1. Project summary
2. Required performance metrics as defined in the Data Usage Protocol (e.g., accuracy, effectiveness, cost)
3. Future plans for the technology initiative (e.g., project expansion, shift in usage) Examples of past Annual Usage Reports can be found here [insert link]. 21 Protocol for a Request for Proposals (RFP)
Prior to issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) or similar procurement process, departments should review the proposed solution to discern if it includes an AI component. Contact the [CAIO, or equivalent e.g. ACM] directly at [email address], file a procurement request, or reach out to your department's [privacy and AI representative, or equivalents] to trigger an AI Review.
RFPs should incorporate questions that demand transparency around how the AI model works, clarify what protocols for human oversight are in place, and confirm that there are mechanisms for user review.
In consideration of the City of Pico Rivera’s public records obligations and transparency commitments, all vendors subject to the use of the protocols outlined in this document through the RFP process should be preemptively informed of City of Pico Rivera’s intended or required disclosure practices around bid documentation.
Use of the RFP Protocol
This document should be used in conjunction with the AI Factsheet, AI Review, and Vendor Agreement during the public procurement process. This document assumes the following RFP process:
1) Establish minimum requirements AI vendors must meet to be considered for Agency/Project bid and local procurement laws.
2) Publish AI Factsheet as part of the Agency’s RFP solicitation documentation. Require vendors to provide a completed AI Factsheet as part of their formal bid or proposal. 3) Subject Matter Expert (SME) will ask vendor additional questions provided in this document.
Below is an illustrative example of assessment questions and a scoring model of how to evaluate answers to these questions for an AI system. Recommended point values on a scale of zero to five are also provided for each category. Each section of assessment questions includes a “non-technical” question that asks the vendor to provide an answer in plain language that can be easily understood by a non-technical audience.
Any scoring methodology associated with evaluation of RFP bids is determined independently by City of Pico Rivera in alignment of City of Pico Rivera’s stated principles and priorities.
Please use this as a guide or rubric for best practices. It is the vendor’s responsibility to be responsive to these questions, and it is the SME’s responsibility to ensure that the vendor provides meaningful answers to the assessment questions.
Assessment Questions
1. System Overview
Brief summary of the AI system.
Purpose of the AI system, the intended use case, and users. Relevant context to the technology and maturity of the vendor. 22 What is the [Agency or Department] policy on data collection, storage, and distribution?
Training materials and implementation plan.
Non-technical: Can you provide a non-technical overview of how your AI system operates and its key functionalities?
2. Data Training and Model Description
How was the AI system trained, and what data was used? How often is data added to the training set?
What data was used to test system performance?
What conditions has the system been tested under?
Provide a general description of the model(s) used.
Non-technical: In layman's terms, can you explain how your AI system learns information and what kind of data it has been trained on?
3. System Operations
How often are the models updated for users?
Will the user have a choice in moving to the updated model or staying on the current model?
Where is prompt and output data stored? Is this information used for future model versions?
Do operators require specific education or certification to use the system? Non-technical: From a user's perspective, can you clarify where data is stored, as well as the process is for receiving updates or choosing to stay with a current model version?
4. Performance Evaluation
How was the accuracy and effectiveness of the system measured? What metrics were used, and why?
What is the range of accuracy of the AI system, and how does it vary depending on the data?
What is the system optimizing for and under what constraints? Non-technical: In simple terms, how well does your AI system perform, and what aspects do its performance metrics prioritize?
5. Ethical Considerations
What biases does the tool exhibit, and how does it handle that bias? Does the vendor report bias or justify why no bias would be present? How does the tool prevent or reduce harm to the end user? Non-technical: How do you ensure that your AI system treats all individuals and groups fairly, without any unintended biases?
6. System Reliability
How does the AI system handle outliers?
23 Do overwritten decisions feed back into the system to help calibrate it in the future?
What conditions does the model perform best under?
What conditions does the model perform poorly under?
What are the limitations of the AI system?
What expertise does this AI system require for operation, debugging, modification, and troubleshooting.
Non-technical: Can you explain, in non-technical terms, how your AI system deals with unusual cases or incorrect predictions?
7. Interpretability and Explanation
How does the AI system explain its predictions?
Are the outcomes of the AI system understandable by subject matter experts, users, impacted individuals, and others?
Non-technical: Can you share examples or scenarios illustrating how the AI system communicates its predictions in a way that is easy to understand for non-experts?
8. Monitoring and Correction
How is the AI tool monitored to identify any problems in usage? Can outputs (recommendations, predictions, etc.) be overwritten by a human? Do overwritten outputs help calibrate the system in the future? Non-technical: For end-users, how can they be involved in monitoring and correcting any issues with the AI system?
9. Studies and Transparency
Have the vendors or an independent party conducted a study on the bias, accuracy, or disparate impact of the system?
If yes, can the City of Pico Rivera review the study? Include methodology and results.
Is the data used to train the system representative of the communities it covers? Non-technical: Can you provide examples of studies conducted to ensure fairness and accuracy, and how transparent are these studies?
10. User Interaction and Feedback
How can the City of Pico Rivera and its partners flag issues related to bias, discrimination, or poor performance of the AI system?
How is the AI tool made accessible to people with disabilities? Has it been assessed against any usability standards, and if so, what was the result?
What other human factors, if any, were considered for usability and accessibility of the system?
Non-technical: How can users easily provide feedback on any issues they encounter with the AI system, and what measures have been taken to ensure accessibility for all users?
24 Scoring Model
1. System Overview
5 (Excellent): A comprehensive, non-technical overview that effectively communicates the AI system's purpose and functionality. 4 (Good): A clear and concise summary, providing a basic understanding of the AI system.
3 (Average): A brief overview but lacks clarity in conveying the system's purpose. 2 (Below Average): Limited information that does not effectively convey the system's purpose.
1 (Poor): No overview or insufficient information to understand the context.
2. Data Training and Model Description
5 (Excellent): Detailed information on training data, model architecture, and transparency on model usage.
4 (Good): Clear explanation of the training process and model description. 3 (Average): Basic information on training data and model without much detail. 2 (Below Average): Limited information on training data and model description. 1 (Poor): No information or inadequate details regarding training data and model.
3. System Operations
5 (Excellent): Regular model updates with clear communication and userfriendly options. 4 (Good): Frequent updates with communication on changes, providing user choice.
3 (Average): Regular updates but lacking clear communication or user choice. 2 (Below Average): Infrequent updates with unclear communication and no user choice.
1 (Poor): No updates or communication about the system's status.
4. Performance Evaluation
5 (Excellent): Comprehensive metrics, clear justifications, and superior performance compared to other vendors.
4 (Good): Well-explained metrics with justified performance in line with industry standards.
3 (Average): Basic metrics explanation with average performance. 2 (Below Average): Limited metric explanation with subpar performance. 1 (Poor): No metric explanation or poor performance without justification.
5. Ethical Considerations
5 (Excellent): Thorough identification and handling of biases with transparent reporting.
4 (Good): Clear recognition and handling of biases with transparency. 3 (Average): Basic acknowledgment of biases without much transparency. 2 (Below Average): Limited recognition or handling of biases. 25 1 (Poor): No acknowledgment or handling of biases.
6. System Reliability
5 (Excellent): Robust handling of outliers, effective calibration, and adaptability to corrections.
4 (Good): Efficient handling of outliers and adaptability to corrections. 3 (Average): Adequate handling of outliers with some adaptability to corrections. 2 (Below Average): Limited handling of outliers and minimal adaptability to corrections.
1 (Poor): No handling of outliers or adaptability to corrections.
7. Interpretability and Explanation
5 (Excellent): Clear and understandable explanations that cater to both experts and general users.
4 (Good): Comprehensible explanations for predictions. 3 (Average): Basic explanations that may lack clarity. 2 (Below Average): Limited explanations that are often unclear. 1 (Poor): No explanations provided or entirely incomprehensible.
8. Monitoring and Correction
5 (Excellent): Robust monitoring, efficient correction mechanisms, and clear user involvement.
4 (Good): Efficient monitoring and correction mechanisms with user involvement. 3 (Average): Adequate monitoring with basic correction mechanisms and user involvement.
2 (Below Average): Limited monitoring and correction mechanisms with minimal user involvement.
1 (Poor): No monitoring or correction mechanisms, and no user involvement.
9. Studies and Transparency
5 (Excellent): Independent studies, transparent methodologies, and representative training data.
4 (Good): Third-party studies with transparent methodologies. 3 (Average): Some transparency in studies and methodologies. 2 (Below Average): Limited transparency in studies and methodologies. 1 (Poor): No studies or transparency in methodologies.
10. User Interaction and Feedback
5 (Excellent): User-friendly feedback mechanisms, high accessibility, and positive usability assessment.
4 (Good): Effective feedback mechanisms with good accessibility. 3 (Average): Adequate feedback mechanisms and accessibility features. 2 (Below Average): Limited feedback mechanisms and basic accessibility. 1 (Poor): No feedback mechanisms or accessibility features. 26 Use-case specific questions
Practitioners may want to include additional questions based on the specific use case for the AI system. Below are a few examples of use-case specific questions. The lists below should be used as a starting point for ideating questions that would be helpful to ask a vendor.
Practitioners should review the Use Case Template to build out the AI use case. The Use Case Template is a helpful tool for framing AI use cases in the public sector. Practitioners should resist the urge to tie a use case to a solution, and instead be solution-agnostic.
Use Case: Translation-Based AI Systems
Please provide a list of all languages your solution supports for live speech translation, beyond the mandatory languages specified in Attachment A. Additionally, describe how often you introduce new languages to your platform and outline the process for these additions.
Does your solution offer text-to-speech functionality or other methods to accommodate American Sign Language speakers in both in-person and virtual meetings? If so, please describe the features and functionalities that enable this accommodation, including any limitations or requirements for optimal performance.
How do you measure the performance of your solution in terms of translation, speechto-text, and text-to-speech for English, Spanish, Tagalog, Mandarin, and Vietnamese? Please specify the metrics used (e.g., BLEU score, human ratings, etc.) and the conditions under which these measurements were taken. Based on these metrics, what is the performance of your solution for the specified languages? Please provide/describe any third-party evaluations or benchmarks that have been conducted on your solution’s translation capabilities. Include details on the evaluation process, criteria, results, and any subsequent improvements made to the solution based on these evaluations.
What is your solution’s average time delay between speech input and translation output?
How does the solution handle rapid speech or overlapping conversations? How can the solution adapt to idiomatic expressions, cultural references, or local slang? Use Case: ADA Compliance and Accessibility Considerations How well does your solution adapt to blurring, obstruction, poor lighting or any conditions that may lead to misclassification?
Does your product offer built-in accessibility features for users with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities? Please describe these features in detail. Has your product been tested for compatibility with common assistive technologies like screen readers, voice recognition software, and alternative input devices? Has your product undergone accessibility testing with users who have disabilities? If so, please share the testing methodology and key findings.
How can users with disabilities provide feedback about the product's accessibility? Are there dedicated channels or support options for such concerns? 27 Appendix
COUNCIL
MEETING
DATE
COUNCIL MEMBER REQUEST DETAIL DIRECTOR(S)
ACTION TAKEN: Memo; Staff
Report; Closed Session;
Presentation; Follow-up
Meeting; City Manager Reports;
Informal Action
DISCUSSION
ITEM
ACTION
ITEM DATE
STATUS:
Complete;
Pending;
On-going;
In-Progress
2/11/2025 Garcia/Lara Pico Boys relocation discussion Future City Council meeting In Progress 3/27/2025 Lutz/Lara CPR for City Officials In Progress
6/10/2025 Lutz/Garcia Art Contest Initiative with Nasa Victor Ferrer Office of Sustainability In Progress 6/24/2025 Lara/Sanchez ICE Flyer Distribution to Businesses Alvie Betancourt CED In Progress 9/9/2025 Sanchez/Garcia Smoke Free Multi-Unit Housing Alvie Betancourt CED Agenda Report In Progress
GOOD OF THE ORDER