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Home My WebLink About2007-10-23 - AGENDA REPORTS - MUNICODE AMEND BLDG FIRE (2)CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: Agenda Item: CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval Item to be presented by: October 23, 2007 S Ruben Barrera INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2007 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, MECHANICAL CODE, ELECTRICAL CODE, PLUMBING CODE, AND FIRE CODE, INCLUDING CITY AMENDMENTS Public Works RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council introduce and pass to second reading an ordinance adopting those parts of the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, requiring enforcement by local agencies to include the California Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing and Fire Codes with certain appendices and amendments entitled, "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, REPEALING AND REPLACING TITLES 18 THROUGH 22 OF THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2007 CALIFORNIA BUILDING, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING AND FIRE CODES WITH CERTAIN APPENDICES AND AMENDMENTS," and set the public hearing for November 13, 2007. BACKGROUND The State of California (State) mandates that local jurisdictions adopt and commence enforcement of the updated State building codes every three years. These codes are approved and published under the direction of the California Building Standards Commission. They are intended to provide for the safety and welfare of Californians through the implementation of the latest technology, materials, engineering, and construction methods, as regulated by the latest adopted building codes. The California Building Standards Commission recently updated the California Building Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, and Fire Code, setting an effective date of January 1, 2008, for enforcement by building departments throughout California. The new 2007 State building codes are based on the following model codes: -K)S' f 'pori e k fe Cl G N C�-k)bc r —30, C �7 • 2006 International Building Code, as published by the International Code Council • 2005 National Electrical Code, as published by the National Fire Protection Association • 2006 Uniform Mechanical Code, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials • 2006 Uniform Plumbing Code, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials • 2006 International Fire Code, as published by the International Code Council State law allows local jurisdictions to further amend the State building codes in accordance with the provisions of the State Health and Safety Code, where necessary, in order to address adverse local conditions related to climate, geology, and/or topography. City amendments include more stringent construction provisions for improved earthquake safety throughout the City and improved fire protection for buildings constructed in fire hazard zones. This ordinance adopts the above referenced 2007 California Codes, along with local amendments, and establishes an effective date of January 1, 2008, as mandated by the State. The proposed City amendments included within the ordinance set forth administrative provisions for adequate enforcement, and are consistent with the City's current enforcement practices. As part of an outreach effort to local contractors, developers, and design professionals, public meetings were held at City Hall to further explain the upcoming code adoptions and City amendments. During the meetings, the public had an opportunity to provide valuable input regarding the proposed amendments. The new codes, as well as the proposed City amendments, were well received with no opposition. In accordance with California Government Code, public notice will be duly given and a copy of the proposed codes and amendments will be available for public viewing in the City Clerk's office no less than 15 days prior to the public hearing. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS Other action as directed by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT Minor increases in staff resources may be necessary to properly enforce the new and revised State regulations due to increased State requirements. Any such impact will be further evaluated and addressed during the regular budget process. ATTACHMENTS Ordinance Summary of City Amendments to State Codes 2008 City Building Code Amendments available in the City Clerk's Reading File ORDINANCE NO. 07 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, REPEALING AND REPLACING TITLES 18 THROUGH 22 OF THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2007 CALIFORNIA BUILDING, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, AND FIRE CODES WITH CERTAIN APPENDICES AND AMENDMENTS WHEREAS, the State of California requires by its Government Code that the City adopt the latest State building codes; and WHEREAS, the State of California has adopted and published the 2007 California Building Code, California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, and California Fire Code, with each becoming effective on or before January 1, 2008; and WHEREAS, the State of California allows local jurisdictions to amend said codes in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 18941.5.(b) where necessary to reasonably address adverse local conditions related to climate, geology, and/or topography; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the local topography consists of natural hillsides, canyons, and rugged terrain that can contribute to accelerated spread of wildfires, and the local climate consists of hot dry and windy conditions during the summer months creating severe fire hazard that warrants enhanced construction provisions for fire safety; and WHEREAS, the City Council also finds that the local geology consists of an active class B earthquake fault, geologic formations, and areas subject to liquefaction presenting a significant earthquake risk that warrants enhanced design and construction provisions for structural safety; and WHEREAS, the City Council also finds that other adverse local soils and water conditions warrant enhanced construction provisions for protection of the public and local natural resources; and WHEREAS, the City also finds the need to modify or add certain administrative provisions in order to effectively enforce the regulations contained in the 2007 State codes; and WHEREAS, this ordinance repeals the current building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and fire codes and amendments thereto and re -adopts the new 2007 California Building Code, California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, and California Fire Code with local amendments; and WHEREAS, enforcement of the 2007 California Building Code, California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, and California Fire Code are mandated by the State to commence on or before January 1, 2008; and WHEREAS, the City finds that it is most effective and practical for the public to commence enforcement of the City's code amendments on the same effective date as the State code. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita, California, does hereby ordain as follows: SECTION 1. That current Titles 18 through 22 of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code are hereby repealed. SECTION 2. Titles 18 through 22 of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code are replaced with the revised editions consisting of the adoption of the 2007 State codes with local amendments, outlined as follows and to read as attached: TITLE 18 CITY BUILDING CODE TITLE 19 CITY ELECTRICAL CODE TITLE 20 CITY PLUMBING CODE TITLE 21 CITY MECHANICAL CODE TITLE 22 CITY FIRE CODE SECTION 3. This Ordinance shall become effective and in full force on January 1, 2008. SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and shall cause the same to be published as required by law. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this day of 12007. ATTEST: CITY CLERK 2 MAYOR STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I, Sharon L. Dawson, CMC, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 07-_ was regularly introduced and placed upon its first reading at a regular meeting of the City Council on the _ day of , 2007. That thereafter, said Ordinance was duly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council on the day of , 2007, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: 3 CITY CLERK STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) CERTIFICATION OF CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE I, Sharon L. Dawson, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the original Ordinance No. 07-_, adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita, CA on , 2007, which is now on file in my office. Witness my hand and seal of the City of Santa Clarita, California, this day of , 20 Sharon L. Dawson, CMC City Clerk By Susan Caputo Deputy City Clerk 0 Summary of City Amendments to State Codes Building Code Construction in Fire Hazard Zones Defines the City's Fire Hazard Zone to be consistent with the State fire hazard modeling data Maintains strict roofing requirements consistent with current City standards Consistent with State and LA County provisions for construction in fire hazard zones Structural Design and Construction for Earthquake Safety • Makes structural design provisions for earthquake safety slightly more restrictive than the State minimum standards by adopting structural design standards similar to LA County and LA City Prohibits the use of non -reinforced concrete for most structural applications Requires bracing of suspended ceiling systems to include earthquake bracing Electrical Code Solar Photo -Voltaic Systems • Requires safety switch for disconnecting multiple arrays when combined total output of the array is rated at more than 50 volts Plumbing Code Plastic Pipe • Allows the use of approved plastic pipe for a building's potable water system Water softener Systems • Prohibits water softeners that discharge into dry wells or into the public sewer system Mechanical Code (No technical City amendments proposed for this code) Fire Code Adopts the State Fire Code as amended by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, including administrative provisions Administrative Provisions (For Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical Codes) • Allows for proper enforcement and administration of the provisions of the City Codes including collection of fees, penalties, and inspection procedures • Formally adopts other Parts of State Title 24 that require local enforcement by the City Building Official • Consistent with State mandated provisions and with current City provisions S:\PW\BLDG\B&S Code Adoptions\2007 Codes\07 City Amendments\Summary of City Amendments to State Codes (1-page).doc ATTACHMENTS SEE OCTOBER 30, 2007 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING FOR: 2008 CITY BUILDING CODE AMENDMENTS (AVAILABLE IN THE CITY CLERK'S READING FILE)