588 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ORDINANCE 588 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS AMENDING CHAPTERS 1.2 (RESIDENTIAL CODE) AND 1.8 (FIRE CODE) OF TITLE VIII OF THE LOS ALTOS HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE WHICH ADOPTS AND AMENDS BY REFERENCE PROVISIONS OF THE 2019 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE AND LOCAL CODE AMENDMENTS WHEREAS, the 2019 Edition of the California Building Standards Code, has been amended and adopted by the California Building Standards Commission; and WHEREAS, the Town of Los Altos Hills ("Town") has adopted the 2019 Edition of the California Building Standards Code with amendments, and WHEREAS, Government Code § 50022.2 authorizes cities to enact ordinances adopting any code by reference; and WHEREAS, because of the Town's unique climatic, topographic and geologic conditions, the Town desires to make amendments and additions to the 2019 California Residential Code and California Fire Code, as set forth herein; and WHEREAS, pursuant to California Health and Safety Code sections 18941.5 and 17958, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills hereby finds that the amendments adopted herein are reasonably necessary because of the following local climatic, topographic and geologic conditions: 1. The Town of Los Altos Hills experiences low humidity, high winds and warm temperatures during the summer months creating conditions which are particularly conducive to the ignition and spread of grass, brush and structure fires. 2. The remoteness and steepness of hillside areas in the Town significantly impacts the ability of emergency responders to extinguish or control wildland or structure fires. These factors cumulatively mandate special provisions for Fire Department access, fire protection water supplies, automatic fire sprinklers, fire retardant roof coverings and ignition -resistant exterior materials. The Town of Los Altos Hills is geographically situated adjacent to active earthquake faults capable of producing substantial seismic events. Since the Town is divided by a freeway and other major traffic corridors, the occurrence. of a major earthquake would significantly impact the ability of fire crews to respond to emergencies should one or more bridges collapse or be substantially damaged. 4. Fire suppression capabilities will be severely limited should the water system be extensively damaged during the seismic event. Ordinance 588 Page 1