Administrative
Report
H.10., File # 22-4967 Meeting Date: 11/15/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: BRANDY FORBES, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
TITLE
ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY ORDINANCE NO. O-3247-22, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2022 EDITIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA
BUILDING CODE, CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE,
CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE,
CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE, CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE,
CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE, CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE, THE CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE, 2021 INTERNATIONAL
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, UNIFORM SWIMMING POOL, SPA, AND HOT TUB CODE 2006; AND 1997 UNIFORM HOUSING CODE TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN DELETIONS, ADDITIONS AND AMENDMENTS TO TITLES 3, 5 AND 9 OF THE REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The California Building Standards Commission published the most recent edition of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, known as the California Building Standards Code, on July 1, 2022, with an effective date of January 1, 2023. The Triennial Code Adoption Cycle is a routine rule-making process that occurs every three years in which various State agencies adopt building standards based on model codes. State law requires local governments to enforce the California Building Standards Code. Most cities adopt the published Title 24 by reference. The City must adopt these codes with any local amendments before January 1, 2023.
These Building Standards Codes include the 2022 California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Existing and Green Building codes.
There are changes to the City of Redondo Beach Municipal Code required in adopting these regulations. These include corrections of code section references, administrative codes, fees, violations, and structural amendments. Additional local amendments are made where the City intends to adopt standards that exceed state restrictions.
Additionally, changes are required to the Municipal Code due to align with modifications made as part of the 2022 California Fire Code update. It should be noted that the City will retain local fire codes approved in previous adoptions that exceed state restrictions such as increased requirements for fire sprinklers, restrictions on fireworks in the City, and additional safety features for photovoltaic systems.
The California Government Code mandates that the City conduct a public hearing prior to the
H.10., File # 22-4967 Meeting Date: 11/15/2022
The California Government Code mandates that the City conduct a public hearing prior to the adoption of any State Codes. The public hearing was properly advertised and held on November 1, 2022 to initiate the process of adopting the most recent California State Codes to update and bring into compliance the City of Redondo Beach’s building regulations. The Ordinance making those amendments was introduced at that public hearing. This item provides for the adoption of the amendments to the Building Standards Codes.
BACKGROUND
The State of California has adopted the 2022 California Building Standard Codes that must in turn be adopted or utilized by each city or county. The City is able to amend certain provisions due to unique climatic, geological, and topographical conditions prevailing within Redondo Beach. The California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958.5 and 18941.5 provide for amendments to the California Building Standard Codes, provided findings of necessity can be made.
Historically, the City of Redondo Beach has adopted the most recently published edition of the California Code of Regulations Title 24 and has amended certain code sections that apply to the unique characteristics and special hazards within the community. Some of these characteristics include but are not limited to steep terrain that poses geotechnical challenges, lateral and uplift forces from seismic events, and location of structures often six feet or less making fire spread more likely with local climatic conditions. In order to have the new California Code of Regulations Title 24 with amendments recognized as law, the City Council must officially adopt these Codes by Ordinance.
Additionally, as required by law, the proposed California Code of Regulations Title 24 with amendments and the proposed adoption of the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), Uniform Swimming Pool and Hot Tub Code 2006, 1997 Uniform Housing Code must be considered at a public hearing.
Amendments to the 2022 California Building Codes correct prior code section references, and continue the existing amendments that are identified in Title 9 of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code.
A majority of the amendments clarify and update the structural requirements due to potential hazards specific to the community. Significant code changes contained within the California Code of Regulations Title 24 with regard to the regulation of building construction are the ever-increasing energy standards. Again, only minor amendments are proposed for this adoption process. The amendments to these codes correct prior code section references and continue or delete the existing amendments.
Amendments to the 2022 California Fire Code correct the Redondo Beach Municipal Code to have the current references to the sections in the newest code for all of the existing local restrictions. All existing code amendments will remain in place and are located in Title 3, Chapter 4 of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code. These existing amendments cover topics such as fire alarm systems, fire sprinklers, fireworks, and enhanced lettering on addresses. The amendments maintain the width of roads on private property that allow for Fire Apparatus access and require additional safety features for photovoltaic arrays on roofs. These restrictions allow firefighters access to private roads and build safety features into solar energy systems.
The Building and Fire Code amendments are part of the joint effort by 89 jurisdictions within Los Angeles County to develop the Los Angeles Regional Uniform Code Program (LARUCP) to meet local conditions and present similar requirements for vendors who work in the area.
H.10., File # 22-4967 Meeting Date: 11/15/2022
All previous amendments shall remain in force, and are identified in Title 9, of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code. The recommended action is consistent with actions taken by other cities adopting State codes by reference. The required public hearing and introduction of the code amendments was held on November 1, 2022. This item allows for adoption of the amendments to the Building Standards Codes.
COORDINATION
The California Code of Regulations Title 24 code amendments have been developed in collaboration between the Community Development Department and the Fire Department. Regional municipal agencies have been consulted in the process to develop reasonable continuity between other local city departments. All amendments have been reviewed and numbered to be placed in the Redondo Beach Municipal Code by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost for preparing the Building Code update is included in the annual budget.
ATTACHMENTS
· Ordinance 3247-22 Amending Title 9 Building Code and Title 3 Chapter 4 Fire Prevention Code
· Public Hearing Notices, October 13, 2022
· Public Hearing Notices, October 20, 2022