Chapter 16.02 — CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

This chapter shall be cited as the California Building Code of the city and any reference in the city municipal code or any chapter thereof to the California Building Code applies to this chapter.

The city of American Canyon does hereby adopt all those certain documents marked and designated, as "California Building Code, 2022 Edition," published and copyrighted by the International Code Council. The documents identified in this section are adopted in their entirety excepting additions, revisions and omissions listed in Sections 16.02.030 through 16.02.260 of this chapter. A copy of the adopted California Building Code shall be kept on file in the office of the building official for use and examination by members of the public.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Cross References Section 16.02.030

The Building Code as adopted by Section 16.02.020 is amended and adopted with the following appendices:

Appendix Chapter C, Group U – Agricultural Buildings

Appendix Chapter F, Rodent Proofing

Appendix Chapter G, Flood Resistant Construction

Appendix Chapter H, Signs

Appendix Chapter I, Patio Covers

Appendix Chapter J, Grading

Appendix Chapter O, Emergency Housing

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.) Cross References Section 16.02.020

As permitted in Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7 , the city of American Canyon finds and determines the local amendments to the 2022 California Building Code are either administrative in nature or reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the public due to local climatic, geological or topographical conditions. Those findings are as follows:

Express Finding Number 1: Climatic. The city is located in a climatic zone with precipitation ranging from fifteen to twentysix inches per year. Ninety-five percent of precipitation falls during the months of November through April, leaving a dry period of approximately six months each year. Relative humidity remains moderate most of the time. High temperatures in the summer average in the mid-eighty degrees Fahrenheit and in the winter in the mid-fifty degrees Fahrenheit. Prevailing winds in the area are common with gusts up to thirty-five miles per hour. These climatic conditions, along with our topography, necessitate a greater requirement for fire-sprinklers in residential construction, a minimum Class A roof covering and adequate spark arrestors.

Express Finding Number 2: Geological. The city is located in Seismic Design Category D, which is indicative of high seismic vulnerability. The West Napa fault is documented to be present in our city. The area includes various soil conditions and areas with significant movement potential. Buildings and other structures in Seismic Design Category D can experience major seismic damage. These geological conditions necessitate the prohibition of gypsum as a lateral-resisting building element, and the restriction of Portland cement plaster as a lateral-resisting building element to one-story structures of R-3 and U-1 occupancies.

Express Finding Number 3: Topographical. Areas of highly combustible dry grasses, weeds, brush and trees adjacent to structures are common throughout the city. Above-ground electrical power transmission lines are suspended through trees and above large areas of dry vegetation. The arrangement of man-made features around many buildings greatly limits any approach to all but one side of a building. The area immediately adjacent to the eastern border of the city has been classified as high and very high fire severity zones under the Fire and Resource Assessment Program of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. These topographical conditions, along with our climate, necessitate a greater requirement for fire-sprinklers in residential construction, a minimum Class A roof covering and adequate spark arrestors.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Cross References

Section 16.02.130

Section 16.02.140 Section 16.02.150

Section 16.02.160

Section 16.02.210

Section 16.02.220

Section 101.4.1 first sentence is amended to read as follows:

101.4.1 Gas. The provisions of the California Plumbing Code and California Mechanical Codes shall apply in the installation of gas piping from the point of delivery, gas appliances and related accessories as covered in this code.

The remainder of the paragraph is retained as published.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Section 105.2 exception 1 is hereby deleted and amended to read as follows:

(1) One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet. It is permissible for these structures to be regulated by Section 337 despite exemption from permit when they provide habitable living space.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Section 105.5 is hereby deleted and amended to read as follows:

Every permit issued by the Building Official under the provisions of this code shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the building, structure, equipment or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within twelve (12) months from the date of such permit, or if the building, structure, equipment or work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days.

Before such work can recommence, a new permit shall be first obtained to do so, and the recommence fee shall be one half the amount required for a new permit (i.e. building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical fees only) for such work, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work, and provided further such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year. To renew a permit after expiration for over one year, the permittee shall pay new full permit fee. The maximum life of any permit is three (3) years.

Any permittee holding an unexpired permit may apply for an extension of the time within which work may commence under that permit when the permittee is unable to commence work within the time frame required by this section for good and satisfactory reasons. The Building Official may extend the time for action by the permittee for a period not exceeding one hundred eighty (180) days on written request by the permittee showing circumstances beyond the control of the permittee that prevented action from being taken.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Section 107.1.2 of Chapter 1 of Division II of the California Building Code is hereby added to read:

107.1.2 Electric vehicle charging stations. Applications for electric vehicle charging stations may be processed utilizing the City of American Canyon Electric Vehicle Charging Station Expedited/Streamlined ordinance.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Section 202 of Chapter 2 of the California Building Code is hereby amended to add or modify the following definitions to read:

City of American Canyon Electric Vehicle Charging Station Expedited/Streamlined Permitting Process. A ministerial permitting process for electric vehicle charging station installations that utilizes an application checklist to expedite review of an electric vehicle charging station permit. For such installations, the process, including permit issuance, may be conducted entirely online utilizing digital forms or may be conducted at the City's Building Permit Counter utilizing printed forms.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Section 109.2 is deleted and replaced as follows:

109.2 Permit fees. Each building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing system or alteration that requires a permit shall include a fee payment in accordance with a schedule established by City Council Resolution.

The Building Official shall collect fees for permits and services specified in this title. Where the Building Official Director or designee finds the fees prescribed in this title do not cover the cost of providing the service which is the subject of the fee, the Building Official may charge a supplemental fee for the unpaid cost of the services provided.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Section 109.4 is deleted and replaced as follows:

109.4 Work commencing before permit issuance. Any person who commences any work on a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system before obtaining the necessary permits shall be subject to a fee established by the Building Official that shall be in addition to the required permit fees. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall not exceed five times the permit fee required by this code. The minimum investigation fee set forth in the fee schedule adopted by this jurisdiction or a lesser fee than the fee resolution may be permitted on the merits of each individual case by the Building Official. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of this code nor from any penalty prescribed by law.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Chapter 9, Section 901.2 is hereby amended by repealing the first two sentences of Section 901.2 (thus, the provisions of Section 902.2.1 remain in effect) and replacing it with the following:

901.2 Construction documents. The Fire Chief shall have the authority to require construction documents and calculations for all fire protection systems and to require permits be issued for the installation, rehabilitation or modification of any fire

protection system. Construction documents for fire protection systems shall be submitted for review and approval prior to the issuance of a building permit.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Section 903.2 of Chapter 9 is deleted in its entirety based upon Express Findings 1 and 3 in Section 16.02.040, and replaced with the following section:

903.2: Item 1, Approved automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed throughout all existing commercial or multi-family residential building when the floor area of an addition (including mezzanines) exceeds 50% of the existing floor area of the building or when an additional story is added.

903.2: Item 2, Any change of occupancy when the proposed new occupancy classification is more hazardous based on a fire and life safety evaluation by the Fire Code Official and Building Code Official, including conversion of buildings to singlefamily residences, accessory dwelling units, bed and breakfast, inns, lodging houses or congregate residences for 10 or less persons or other similar uses an automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed throughout.

903.2 Where required. Approved automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be provided in new and existing buildings in the locations described in this section.

903.2.1 New Construction.

Regardless of any exception listed above or in the remainder of this code or the California Building Code, all buildings shall be equipped throughout with an approved fully automatic fire sprinkler system.

Fire Sprinklers shall not be required if one or more of the following exceptions are met:

(1) Must comply with the American Canyon General Building Standards for residential, multi-family residential, commercial and industrial occupancies.

(2) When approved by the Fire Code Official spaces or areas in telecommunications buildings used exclusively for telecommunications equipment, associated electrical power distribution equipment, batteries and standby engines, provided those spaces or areas are equipped throughout with an automatic fire alarm system and are separated from the remainder of the building by fire barriers consisting of no less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated wall and 2-hour fire-resistance-rated floor/ ceiling assemblies.

(3) Automatic fire sprinkler protection for fixed guideway transit systems shall be as per Section 903.2.17.

(4) Detached Group U private garages and carports accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy and less than 1,000 square feet and with non-habitable space above.

(5) Detached pool houses, workshops, barns and similar structures, built in conjunction with existing non-sprinklered single-family residences and provided the new structure is less than 1,000 square feet and is not intended for use as a dwelling unit.

(6) Detached non-combustible canopies less than 3,000 square feet in roof area used exclusively for vehicle washing facilities or vehicle fuel dispensing stations.

(7) Group B or M occupancies less than 600 square feet.

(8) Detached, unenclosed gazebos, solar trellises or shade structures less than 1,000 square feet.

(9) Detached restroom facilities associated with golf courses, parks and similar uses.

903.2.2 Additions. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout any existing commercial or multi-family residential building when the floor area of an addition (including mezzanines) within any three-year period exceeds 50% of the existing floor area of the building or when an additional story is added.

903.2.3 Change of occupancy. Any change of occupancy when the proposed new occupancy classification is more hazardous based on a fire and life safety evaluation by the Fire Code Official and Building Code Official, including conversion of buildings to single-family residences, accessory dwelling units, bed and breakfast, inns, lodging houses or congregate residences for 10 or less persons or other similar uses an automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed throughout.

903.2.4 Floor control valves. Approved supervised indicating control valves and flow switches shall be provided at the point of connection to the riser on each floor in buildings two or more stories in height.

903.2.8 Group R. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area.

An automatic sprinkler system designed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3 shall not be utilized in Group R-2.1 or Group R-4 Occupancies.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Item 2 of Section 905.3.1 is deleted based upon Express Findings 1 and 3 in Section 16.02.040, and replaced with the following section:

905.3.1 Height.

(2) Class I standpipes shall be installed in buildings three or more stories in height with approved outlets provided at each level including the roof when required by the Fire Code Official.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Table 1505.1 is to be deleted and based upon Express Findings 1 and 3 in Section 16.02.040, and replaced with the following:

Table 1505.1

MINIMUM ROOF COVERING

CLASSIFICATION

FOR TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Section 1512 is amended and based upon Express Findings 1 and 3 in Section 16.02.040, to add the following section:

1512.6 Spark arrestor. Whenever a permit has been issued for reroofing a spark arrestor conforming to Section 2802 shall be installed (or the existing replaced if not in conformance with Section 2802) on all fireplace chimneys before final inspection and approval.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Delete Chapter 16.02.180. Should read "RESERVED."

Delete Section 1809.8 and replace as follows:

1809.8 Plain concrete footings. The edge thickness of plain concrete footings supporting walls of other than light-frame construction shall not be less than 8 inches (203 mm) where placed on soil and in all cases, as a minimum, one ½″ (51 mm)

continuous rebar shall be placed at the top and at the bottom of all grade beams and spread footings.

Exception: For plain concrete footings supporting Groups R-3 and one-story Group U occupancies the edge thickness is permitted to be 6 inches (152 mm), provided the footing does not extend beyond a distance greater than the thickness of the footing on either side of the supported wall. In all cases, as a minimum, one ½″ (51 mm) continuous rebar shall be placed at the top and at the bottom of all grade beams and spread footings.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Section 1905.1.7 is deleted and based upon Express Findings 1 and 3 in Section 16.02.040 is amended to read as follows:

1905.1.7 ACI 318, Section 22.10. Delete ACI 318, Section 22.10, and replace with the following:

22.10 - Plain concrete in structures assigned to seismic design category C, D, E or F.

22.10.1 - Structures assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F shall not have elements of structural plain concrete, except as follows:

(a) Isolated footings of plain concrete supporting pedestals or columns are permitted, provided the projection of the footing beyond the face of the supported member does not exceed the footing thickness.

Exception: In detached one- and two-family dwelling three stories or less in height, the projection of the footing beyond the face of the supported member does not exceed the footing thickness.

(b) Plain concrete footing supporting walls are permitted, provided the footings have at least two continuous longitudinal reinforcing bars. Bars shall not be smaller than No. 4 and shall have a total area of not less than 0.002 times the gross cross-sectional area of the footing. A minimum of one bar shall be provided at the top and bottom of the footing. Continuity of reinforcement shall be provided at corners and intersections.

Exception: In detached one- and two-family dwellings three stories or less in height and constructed with stud bearing walls, plain concrete footings with at least two continuous longitudinal reinforcing bars not smaller than No. 4 are permitted to have a total area of less than 0.002 times the gross cross-sectional area of the footing.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Section 1907.1 General is deleted and based upon Express Findings 1 and 3 in Section 16.02.040 is amended to read as follows:

1907.1 General. The thickness of concrete floor slabs supported directly on the ground shall not be less than 3 1/2 inches (89 mm). A 6-mil (0.006 inch; 0.15 mm) polyethylene retarder with joints lapped not less than 6 inches (152 mm) shall be placed between the base course or subgrade and the concrete floor slab, or other approved equivalent methods or materials shall be used to retard vapor transmission through the floor slab. As a minimum and in all cases where a slab is to be placed inside of a building, the slab shall be reinforced with not less than six inches by six inches ten-gauge welded wire mesh or an approved alternate installed at mid height of the slab.

Exception: A vapor retarder is not required:

(1) For detached structures accessory to occupancies in Group R-3, such as garages, utility buildings or other unheated facilities.

(2) For unheated storage rooms having an area of less than 70 square feet (6.5 m[2] ) and carports attached to occupancies in Group R-3.

(3) For buildings of other occupancies where migration of moisture through the slab from below will not be detrimental to the intended occupancy of the building.

(4) For driveways, walks, patios and other flatwork which will not be enclosed at a later date.

• (5) Where approved based on local site conditions.

In all slabs under habitable spaces, a 4-inch (10 mm) crushed rock capillary water barrier shall be provided under the minimum 6 mil vapor retarder.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Appendix Chapter H Section H101.2 is deleted and replaced as follows:

H101.2 Signs exempt from building and/or electrical permits. The following signs are exempt from the requirements to obtain a building and/or electrical permit before erection:

• (1) Painted non-illuminated signs not exceeding 9 square feet (2.74 m[2] ).

• (2) Temporary signs announcing the sale or rent of property not exceeding 9 square feet (2.74 m[2] ).

• (3) Signs erected by transportation authorities.

• (4) Projecting signs not exceeding 2.5 square feet (0.23 m[2] ).

(5) The changing of moveable parts of an approved sign that is designed for such changes, or the repainting or repositioning of display matter shall not be deemed an alteration.

(Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022.)

Cross References Section 16.02.020