HomeMy WebLinkAboutCode AdoptionCity Council Meeting–November 20, 2019
2019 Building Code Amendments
Notable Change: Green Building Standards Code
4.106.4.1 New one-and two-family dwellings and townhouses with attached private garages.
For each dwelling unit a wired National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) outlet supplied by a 40-
ampere minimum dedicated branch circuit shall be installed specifically for supplying electrical power for
an Electric Vehicle Charger.
For each dwelling unit, install a listed raceway to accommodate a dedicated 208/240-volt branch circuit.
The raceway shall not be less than trade size 1 (nominal 1-inch inside diameter). The raceway shall originate at the
main service or subpanel and shall terminate into a listed cabinet, box or other enclosure in close proximity to the
proposed location of an EV charger. Raceways are required to be continuous at enclosed, inaccessible or concealed
areas and spaces. The service panel and/or subpanel shall provide capacity to install a 40-ampere minimum
dedicated branch circuit and space(s) reserved to permit installation of a branch circuit overcurrent protective
device.
One of the required circuits or raceways must be installed inside the garage and the second circuit or
raceway must be installed outside of the garage.
Notable Change: California Energy Code
16-51.015 –Electric Water and Space Heating Requirement.
Amend Section 100.0(e)2A to read as follows:
2. Newly constructed buildings.
A. All newly constructed buildings.Sections 110.0 through 110.12 apply to all newly constructed buildings within
the scope of Section 100.0(a). In addition, newly constructed buildings shall meet the requirements of
Subsections B, C, D or E, as applicable; and shall be an Electrically Heated Building as defined in Section
100.1(b).
Exceptions:
Public agency-owned and operated emergency centers are not required to be built as Electrically Heated Buildings.
To take advantage of this exception, an applicant shall provide third party verification that All-Electric space-and
water-heating is not cost effective and feasible.
All newly constructed Accessory Dwelling Units.
Note: In such exception situations, the Building Official shall have the authority to approve alternative materials,
design and methods of construction or equipment per California Building Code Section 104
Notable Change: California Energy Code
Add Section 100.0(e)(2)(F) to read as follows:
F. Electric-Readiness. If natural gas powered cooking appliances, fireplaces, or clothes drying appliances are used in
an Electrically Heated Building, the location of such natural gas appliance shall include the following:
1. Clothes Drying:
A dedicated 240-volt, 30-amp or greater electrical receptacle that is connected to the electric
panel with conductors of adequate capacity, within 3 feet of the appliance and accessible with no
obstructions;
Both ends of the conductor shall be labeled with the words “For Future Heat Pump Clothes Drying” and
be electrically isolated; and
A reserved double-pole circuit breaker space in the electrical panel adjacent to the circuit breaker for the
branch circuit above and labeled with the words “Future Heat Pump Clothes Drying”;
Other electrical components, including conductors, receptacles, or blank covers, related to this section
shall be installed in accordance with the California Electrical Code.
Notable Change: California Energy Code
Add Section 100.0(e)(2)(F) to read as follows:
F. Electric-Readiness. If natural gas powered cooking appliances, fireplaces, or clothes drying appliances are used in
an Electrically Heated Building, the location of such natural gas appliance shall include the following:
1.Clothes Drying:
2.Cooktop or Range
3.Stand Alone Cooking Oven
4.Other Gas Equipment
Notable Change: California Energy Code
Amend Section 100.1(b) to add the following definition:
Electrically Heated Building: is a building that uses an electric heat pump(s) for space heating and an
electric heat pump water heater(s), and that does not use natural gas for either space or water heating. The
cooking appliances, fireplaces, and clothes drying appliances may utilize natural gas but the locations of
these appliances must additionally be wired for future use of electric appliances pursuant to section
100.0(c)(2)(F). Electrically Heated Buildings may include thermal solar pool heating.
Notable Change: California Residential Code
R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue opening required.
Basements, habitable attics and every sleeping room shall have not less than one operable emergency escape and
rescue opening. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, an emergency escape and rescue opening
shall be required in each sleeping room. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall open directly into a public
way, or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.
Exceptions:
1.Storm shelters and basements used to house mechanical equipment not exceeding a total floor area of 200
square feet.
2.Where the dwelling or townhouse is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
Section P2904, sleeping rooms in basements shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue
openings provided that the basement has one of the following:
2.1 One means of egress complying with Section R311 and ne emergency escape and rescue opening.
2.2 Two means of egress complying with Section R311
Notable Change: California Residential Code
Amend Section R310.1 Emergency escape and Rescue openings to delete exception 2 in its entirety
R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue opening required.
Basements, habitable attics and every sleeping room shall have not less than one operable emergency escape and
rescue opening. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, an emergency escape and rescue opening
shall be required in each sleeping room. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall open directly into a public
way, or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.
Exceptions:
1.Storm shelters and basements used to house mechanical equipment not exceeding a total floor area of 200
square feet.
2.Where the dwelling or townhouse is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
Section P2904, sleeping rooms in basements shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue
openings provided that the basement has one of the following:
2.1 One means of egress complying with SectionR311 and ne emergency escape and rescue opening.
2.2 Two means of egress complying with Section R311
Recommendation
1.Introduce and waive the first reading of the attached ordinance adopting
and modifying the referenced codes; and
2.Direct staff to place the ordinance and the attached resolution making
findings regarding proposed modifications to the referenced codes on the
consent calendar for adoption on December 4, 2019.