HomeMy WebLinkAboutBuilding Code Amend PP 11-2-2016Adoption of 2016 Building Codes
November 2, 2016
Background
•State Law requires updating of CA Building Standards Code (CBSC) every 3 years
•CA Building Standards Commission compiles and publishes CBSC
•CBSC is a Statewide Model Code enforced through Building Permit Process
•Cities adopt the CBSC by ordinance & may also adopt local modifications
•Modifications only allowed for local climatic, geological, or topographical
conditions and based on specific findings
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Background (Continued)
•Saratoga last updated the CBSC in 2013 w/ local amendments
•July 1, 2016 CA Bldg Stds Commission adopted new CBSC (“The New Codes”)
•New Codes become effective January 1, 2017
•Building Permit Applications filed by December 22, 2016 may use 2013 Code
Summary of 2016 Local Modifications
•Adopts by reference all 12 Parts of CBSC
•Fire Sprinkler requirements from 2013 made consistent with 2016 Code
•Fire resistance requirements for projections (e.g. soffits, eaves, etc.) made consistent with 2016 Code
•Deletion of duplicate sections
•Clarifying minimum fire resistance for accessory structures
•Foundation (i.e.footings) structural reinforcements suggested by Building Officials Code Group
•Specifying City retention of plans
•Specifying 180-day expiration period for permits
•Clarifies ability to charge fees
•Decreases threshold for requiring Class A roof replacement from 50-percent to 10-percent
Findings for Local Modifications
•CLIMATIC CONDITIONS:
Saratoga experiences low humidity, high winds, & warm temperatures during the summer months creating conditions conducive to the ignition &spread of grass, brush, and structure fires.
•TOPOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS:
The remoteness &steepness of hillside areas in the City along w/long,narrow roadways significantlyimpacttheabilityofemergencyresponderstoextinguishorcontrolwildlandorstructurefires.ThelandscapeofSaratogaalsoincludessteepslopessusceptibletoerosion,especially during the rainyseason.Areas of critically expansive soil &other unstable soil conditions create a need for soil retentionandthediversionorincreasedflowofsurfacewaters,particularly on steep slopes.
•SEISMIC CONDITIONS:
Saratoga’s dense population is located in an area of high seismic activity,as indicated by the UnitedStatesGeologicalSurveyandtheCaliforniaDivisionofMinesandGeology.Recent earthquake activities,including the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake,have indicated that the lack of adequate design anddetailingendangeredbuildingoccupantsandtheoccupantsofnearbystructures.Adjacency to activeearthquakefaultsalsomeansthatbuildingworkmustbecompletedinatimelyfashiontominimizethedangertothepublichealth,safety,and welfare.
Recommended Action
(1)Conduct a public hearing;
(2)Introduce and waive the first reading of the attached ordinanceadoptingandmodifyingthereferencedcodes;and
(3)Direct staff to place the ordinance and the attached resolutionmakingfindingsregardingproposedmodificationstothereferencedcodesontheconsentcalendarforadoptiononNovember16,2016.