11 - Laserfiche WebLink

BACKGROUND The State of California revises and updates codes related to buildings and construction every three years. The 2016 edition of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 24, also known as the California Building Standards Codes, was published on July, 1 2016; California Building Standards Codes will govern starting on January 1, 2017. To be consistent with State regulations, local jurisdictions must begin enforcing the new codes as written by the State unless we amend those codes based upon our local climatic, geological and topographical conditions. When the State last adopted revised Codes in 2014, the City adopted them along with 45 local amendments (Ordinance No. 2083). Regulatory requirements of the California Building Standards Codes, specifically Title 24, are contained within the California Code of Regulations (CCR). The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) adopts and publishes those requirements as the: • California Building Code, • California Residential Code, • California Plumbing Code, • California Mechanical Code, • California Electrical Code, • California Energy Code, • California Historical Building Code, • California Fire Code, • California Existing Building Code, and • California Green Building Standards Code. DISCUSSION The attached ordinance adopts the state's new California Building Standards Codes, as well as carries forward the City's current local amendments relating to local conditions based upon the findings set forth in Exhibit A. Specifically, the proposed ordinance would amend Chapters 20.04 (Pleasanton Building Administrative Code), 20.08 (Building Code), 20.10 (Residential Code), 20.12 (Plumbing Code), 20.16 (Mechanical Code), 20.20 (Electrical Code), 20.24 (Fire Code) and 20.26 (Green Building Code) of the PMC, adopting by reference and amending the 2015 Editions of the International Building, Existing Building, Residential and Fire Codes; the 2014 Edition of the National Electrical Code and the 2016 CALGreen. The proposed ordinance would also add a new Chapter 20.06 (Pleasanton Existing Building Code). The remaining Chapters of PMC Title 20 do not reference specific editions of these codes and are not being amended at this time. Local Amendments Due to ongoing issues related to local seismic activity, fire hazard severity zones and hills adjacent to and within the City, weather conditions and freeways which bisect the community and possibly compromise water availability, local amendments to the California Building Standards Codes relating to structural design standards and fire resistivity are necessary. These amendments include enhanced wall bracing and Page 2 of 3