HomeMy WebLinkAbout585ORDINANCE 585
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS AMENDING
CHAPTERS 1 THROUGH 1.11 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") wishes to adopt building code regulations in
accordance with law and to use the most updated regulations in the processing of development in
the Town; 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 Edition of the California Building
Standards 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 and fire retardant roof coverings.
3. 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.
5. Roofs that are not fire -retardant contribute to the spread of fires, and therefore pose a
risk to the safety of the Town's citizens and their property.
Ordinance 585. Page 1
WHEREAS, prior to the effective date of this ordinance, the City Clerk shall file a copy of the
ordinance with the California Building Standards Commission; and.
WHEREAS, in accordance with Health and Safety Code section 17958.7, the City Council hereby
finds that each of the above findings is applicable to each of the modifications to the 2019 Edition
of the California Building Standards Code described in this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills finds that this project is exempt
from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), pursuant to Section
15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, because it can be seen with certainty that there is no
possibility that the ordinance will have a significant effect on the environment.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills does hereby ORDAIN as
follows:
1. Title VIII, Chapter 1, "California Administrative Code," is hereby amended to read as
follows:
Chapter 1 CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
8-1.01 Adoption of the 2019 California Administrative Code.
a. The 2019 California Administrative Code, Part 1, a portion of the California Building
Standards Code, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, as defined in the California
State Health and Safety Code Section 18901 et seq., (hereinafter referred to as the
"Administrative Code"), and any rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto are
hereby adopted and incorporated by reference herein.
b. One copy of the Administrative Code shall be kept on file at the Town of Los Altos Hills.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills does hereby ORDAIN as
follows:
1. Title VIII, Chapter 1. 1, ".California. Building Code (Volumes 1 & 2)" is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Chapter 1.1 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE (Volumes 1 & 2)
8-1.1.01 Adoption of 2019 California Building Code (Volumes 1 & 2).
a) The 2019 California Building Code, Part 2, Volumes 1 and 2, a portion of the California
Building Standards Code, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, as defined in the
California State Health and Safety Code Section 18901 et seq., (hereinafter referred to as
the "Building Code"), including all Appendices and any rules and regulations promulgated
pursuant thereto are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference herein.
Ordinance 585 Page 2
b) One copy of the Building Code shall be kept on file at the Town of Los Altos Hills.
8-1.1.02 Amended sections of adopted codes.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8-1.1.01, the Building Code is amended as follows:
A. Section 1505.1.3 is amended to read as follows:
1505.1.3 Roof coverings within all other areas. The entire roof covering of every existing
structure where more than 50 percent of the total roof area is replaced within any one-year
period, the entire roof covering of every new structure, and any roof covering applied in
the alteration, repair or replacement of the roof of every existing structure, shall be a fire -
retardant roof covering that is at least Class A.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills does hereby ORDAIN as
follows:
1. Title VIII, Chapter 1.2, "California Residential Code," is hereby amended to read as
follows:
Chapter 1.2 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE
8-1.2.01 Adoption of 2019 California Residential Code.
a) The 2019 California Residential Code, Part 2.5, Title 24 of the California Code of
Regulations, a portion of the California Building Standards Code, as defined in the
California State Health and Safety Code Section 18901 et seq., (hereinafter referred to as
the "Residential Code"), including all Appendices and any rules and regulations
promulgated pursuant thereto are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference herein.
b) One copy of the Residential Code shall be kept on file at the Town of Los Altos Hills.
8-1.2.02 Amended sections of adopted codes.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8-1.2.01, the Residential Code is amended as follows:
A. Section R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue opening required is amended by deleting
Exception No. 2.
B. Section R313.2 is amended to read:
R313.2 One and two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic
residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in all new one- and two-family dwellings
and in existing one- and two-family dwellings where during the process of a remodel and/or
addition, the existing roof structure (joists, rafters, etc.) is removed over an area that
Ordinance 585 Page 3
exceeds 75% of the existing dwelling floor area. For any disagreement on the amount of
roof structure being removed, a State of California licensed architect or structural engineer
shall be utilized to calculate the percentage of the roof to be replaced.
Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be required for
additions or alterations to existing buildings that are already provided with an automatic
residential fire sprinkler system.
C. Section R902.1.3 is amended to read as follows:
R902.1.3 Roof coverings in all other areas. The entire roof covering of every existing
structure where more than 50 percent of the total roof area is replaced within any one-year
period, the entire roof covering of every new structure, and any roof covering applied in
the alteration, repair or replacement of the roof of every existing structure, shall be a fire -
retardant roof covering that is at least Class A.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills does hereby further
ORDAIN as follows:
1. Title VIII, Chapter 1.3, "California Electrical Code," is hereby amended to read as follows:
Chapter 1.3 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE
8-1.3.01 Adoption of 2019 California Electrical Code.
a) The 2019 California Electrical Code, Part 3, Title 24 of the California. Code of -Regulations,
a portion of the California Building Standards Code, as defined in the California State
Health and Safety Code Section 18901 et seq., (hereinafter referred to as the `Electrical
Code"), and any rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto are hereby adopted
and incorporated by reference herein.
b) One copy of the Electrical Code shall be kept on file at the Town of Los Altos Hills.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills does hereby further
ORDAIN as follows:
1. Title VIII, Chapter 1.4, "California Mechanical Code," is hereby amended to read as
follows:
Chapter 1.4 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE
8-1.4.01 Adoption of 2019 California Mechanical Code.
(a) The 2019 California Mechanical Code, Part 4, Title 24 of the California Code of
Regulations, a portion of the California Building Standards Code, as defined in the
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California State Health and Safety Code Section 18901 et seq., (hereinafter referred to as
the "Mechanical Code"), and any rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto are
hereby adopted and incorporated by reference herein.
(b) One copy of the Mechanical Code shall be kept on file at the Town of Los Altos Hills.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills does hereby further
ORDAIN as follows:
1. Title VIII, Chapter 1.5, "California Plumbing Code," is hereby amended to read as
follows:
Chapter 1.5 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE
8-1.5.01 Adoption of 2019 California Plumbing Code.
a) The 2019 California Plumbing Code, Part 5, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations,
a portion of the California Building Standards Code, as defined in the California State
Health and Safety Code Section 18901 et seq., (hereinafter referred to as the "Plumbing
Code"), and any rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto are hereby adopted
and incorporated by reference herein.
b) One copy of the Plumbing Code shall be kept on file at the Town of Los Altos Hills.
8-1.5.02 Amended sections of adopted code.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8-1.5.01, the Plumbing Code is amended as follows:
A. Section 719.1 is amended to read:
719.1 Locations. Cleanouts shall be placed inside the building near the connection between
the building drain and the building sewer or installed outside the building at the lower end
of the building drain and extended to grade.
Additional building sewer cleanouts shall be installed at intervals not to exceed 100 feet in
straight runs, for each aggregate horizontal change in direction exceeding 135 degrees, and
at the property line where the private sewer system connects to the publically-maintained
sanitary sewer lateral. All such cleanouts . shall be extended to grade with materials and
according to specifications approved by the sewer agency and shall terminate with a
concrete box.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills does hereby further
ORDAIN as follows:
Title VIII, Chapter 1.6, "Energy Code," is hereby amended to read as follows:
Ordinance 585 Page 5
Chapter 1.6 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE
8-1.6.01 Adoption of 2019 California Energy Code.
a) The 2019 California Energy Code, Part 6, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations,
a portion of the California Building Standards Code, as defined in the California State
Health and Safety Code Section 18901 et seq., (hereinafter referred to as the "Energy
Code"), and any rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto are hereby adopted
and incorporated by reference herein.
b) One copy of the Energy Code shall be kept on file at the Town of Los Altos Hills.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills does hereby
further ORDAIN as follows:
Title VIII, Chapter 1.7, "California Historical Building Code," is hereby amended to
read as follows:
Chapter 1.7 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE
8-1.7.01 Adoption of 2019 California Historical Building Code.
(a) The 2019 California Historical Building Code, Part 8, Title 24 of the California Code of
Regulations, a portion of the California Building Standards Code, as defined in the
California State Health and Safety. Code Section 18901 et seq., (hereinafter referred to as
the "Historical Building Code"), and any rules and regulations promulgated pursuant
thereto are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference herein.
(b) One copy of the Historic Building Code shall be kept on file at the Town of Los Altos
Hills.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills does hereby further
ORDAIN as follows:
1. Title VIII, Chapter 1.8, "California Fire Code," is hereby amended to read as follows:
Chapter 1.8 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
8-1.8.01 Adoption of 2019 California Fire Code.
a) The 2019 California Fire Code, Part 9, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, a
portion of the California Building Standards Code, as defined in the California State Health
and Safety Code Section 18901 et seq.; (hereafter referred to as the Fire Code or CFC), and
also the 2018 International Fire Code, published by the International Code Council,
including Appendix B -Fire Flow Requirements, Appendix C -Fire Hydrant Locations and
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Appendix O -Temporary Haunted Houses and any rules and regulations promulgated
pursuant thereto are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference herein.
b) One copy of the Fire Code shall be kept on file at the Town of Los Altos Hills.
8-1.8.02 Amended sections of adopted code.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8-1.8.01, the following sections of Fire Code are
amended as follows:
A. Section 105.6.30 is deleted in its entirety.
B. Section 107.5 is added to read as follows:
107.5 Final Inspection. No final inspection as to all or any portion of a development shall
be deemed completed until the installation of the required fire protection facilities and
access ways have been completed and approved. No final certificate of occupancy may be
granted until the Fire Department issues notice of final clearance of such fire protection
facilities and access ways, as required by the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code, to the
Town's Building Department.
B. Section 109.1 is amended to read as follows:
109.1 Board of appeals established. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders,
decisions or determinations made by the fire code official relative to the application and
interpretation of this code, there shall be and is hereby created a board of appeals. The
board of appeals, as it appears in this code, shall be deemed and construed to mean the City
Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills. The fire code official shall be an ex officio
member of said board but shall have no vote on any matter before the board. The board
shall adopt rules of procedure for conducting its business and shall render all decisions and
findings in writing to the appellant with a duplicate copy to the fire code official.
C. Section 109.3, Qualifications, is deleted in its entirety.
D. Section 110.4 is amended to read as follows:
110.4 Violation Penalties. Persons who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail
to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, install, alter, repair or
do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the fire code
official, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable as set forth in Title 1,
Chapter 2 of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code.
E. Section 110.4.1 is amended to read as follows:
110.4.1 Abatement of Violation. In addition to the imposition of the penalties herein
Ordinance 585 Page 7
described, the fire code official is authorized to institute appropriate action to prevent
unlawful construction or to restrain, correct or abate a violation; or to prevent illegal
occupancy of a structure or premises; or to stop an illegal act, conduct of business or
occupancy of a structure on or about any premises. If any person fails to comply with the
order of the fire code official, or in the event that the fire code official is unable to locate
the responsible person within a reasonable time, the fire code official may take such steps
to abate a fire hazard or health hazard as are necessary for the protection of the public
health and safety. In no event is notice necessary before abatement when the fire hazard
constitutes a clear and present danger to the public welfare. The cost of any such abatement
is a debt to the Town, of the owner of the premises or who, by his or her act or inaction,
caused the fire hazard. The cost of the abatement shall become a lien on the premises when
the need for the abatement and the amount of the cost have been established.
F. Section 202 — General Definitions is amended by adding or amending the following
definitions:
Administrator means the City Manager of the Town of Los Altos Hills or his or her
designated representative.
Chief or Fire Chief or fire code official means the Fire Chief retained by the Los Altos
Hills County Fire District or designated representative.
Chief of Police means the Sheriff of the County of Santa Clara with whom the Town
contracts for police services, or his or her designated representative.
Corporation Counsel means the City Attorney for the Town.
Fire Department means the Fire Department retained by the Los Altos Hills County Fire
District.
Police Department means the Sheriff's Department of the County of Santa Clara with
whom the Town contracts for police service.
G. Section 503.1 is amended to read as follows:
503.1 Where required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in
accordance with Sections 503. 1.1 through 503.1.3 and as per Fire Department Access Road
Standards.
H. Section 503.2.1 is amended to read as follows:
503.2.1 Dimensions. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not
less than 20 feet (6,096 mm), exclusive of shoulders, or as required by the Fire Department
Access Road Standards, except for approved security gates in accordance with Section
503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of 13 feet 6 inches (4,115 mm).
Ordinance 585 Page 8
Exception: When there are not more than two Group R, Division 3, or Group U
occupancies, the access road width may be modified by the fire code official.
I. Section 5704.2.9.6.1 is amended to read as follows:
5704.2.9.6.1 Locations where above -ground tanks are prohibited. The storage of Class
I and II liquids in above -ground tanks outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits
established by law as the limits of districts in which such storage is prohibited. The limits
referred to above, in which the storage of flammable or combustible liquids in above-
ground tanks outside of buildings is prohibited, are hereby established as all locations
within the Town of Los Altos Hills.
J. Section 5706.2.4.4 is amended to read as follows:
5706.2.4.4 Locations where above -ground tanks are prohibited. The storage of Class
I and II liquids in above -ground tanks is prohibited within the limits established by law as
the limits of districts in which such storage is prohibited. The limits referred to above, in
which the storage of flammable or combustible liquids in above -ground tanks is prohibited,
are hereby established as all locations within the Town of Los Altos Hills.
K. Section 5806.2 is amended to read as follows:
5806.2 Limitations. The storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers
outside of buildings is prohibited within the limits established by law as the limits of
districts in which such storage is prohibited. The limits referred to above, in which the
storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers is prohibited, are hereby
established as all locations within the Town of Los Altos Hills.
L. Section 6104.2 is amended to read as follows:
6104.2 Maximum capacity within established limits. Within the limits established by
law restricting the storage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for the protection of heavily
populated or congested areas, the aggregate capacity of any one installation shall not
exceed a water capacity of 2,000 gallons (7,570 liters). The limits referred to above, in
which the storage of liquefied petroleum gas is restricted, are hereby established as all
locations within the Town of Los Altos Hills.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills does hereby further
ORDAIN as follows:
1. Title VIII, Chapter 1.9, "California Existing Building Code," is hereby amended to read
as follows:
Ordinance 585 Page 9
Chapter 1.9 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE
8-1.9.01 Adoption of 2019 California Existing Building Code.
a) The 2019 California Existing Building Code, Part 10, Title 24 of the California Code of
Regulations, a portion of the California Building Standards Code, as defined in the
California State Health and Safety Code Section 18901 et seq., (hereinafter referred to as
the "Existing Building Code"), and any rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto
are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference herein.
b) One copy of the Existing Building Code shall be kept on file at the Town of Los Altos
Hills.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills does hereby further
ORDAIN as follows:
1. Title VIII, Chapter 1.10, "California Green Building Standards Code," is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Chapter 1.10 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
8-1.10.01 Adoption of 2019 California Green Building Standards Code.
a) The 2019 California Green Building Standards Code, Part 11, Title 24 of the California
Code of Regulations, a portion of the California Building Standards Code, as defined in
the California State Health and Safety Code Section 18901 et seq., (hereinafter referred to
as "CALGreen Code"), and any rules .and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto are
hereby adopted and incorporated by reference herein.
b) One copy of the CALGreen Code shall be kept on file at the Town of Los Altos Hills.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills does hereby further
ORDAIN as follows:
Title VIII, Chapter 1. 11, "California Referenced Standards Code," is hereby amended to
read as follows:
Chapter 1.11 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE
8-1.11.01 Adoption of 2019 California Referenced Standards Code.
a) The 2019 California Referenced Standards Code, Part 12, Title 24 of the California Code
of Regulations, a portion of the California Building Standards Code, as defined in the
California State Health and Safety Code Section 18901 et seq., (hereinafter referred to as
"Referenced Standards Code"), and any rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto
are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference herein.
Ordinance 585 Page 10
b) One copy of the Referenced Standards Code shall be kept on file at the Town of Los Altos
Hills.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills does hereby further
ORDAIN as follows:
1. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or
circumstance is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this ordinance, including the
application of such part or provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby
and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, provisions of this ordinance are severable.
The City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills hereby declares that it would have passed each
section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase hereof irrespective of the
fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences,. clauses, or
phrases be held unconstitutional, invalid, or unenforceable.
2. Effective Date; Publication. This ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after
adoption. Within fifteen days after the passage of this ordinance the City Clerk shall cause this
ordinance or a summary thereof to be published once, with the names of those City
Councilmembers voting for or against it in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town of Los
Altos Hills, as required by law.
INTRODUCED: October 17, 2019
PASSED: December 19, 2019
AYES: Mayor Spreen, Vice Mayor Wu, Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember
Tankha, Councilmember Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: None
ATTEST:
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City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
BY: 4
May
Ordinance 585 Page 11