Chapter 35A — MULTIPLE FAMILY CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS

SECTION 3501A - MULTIPLE FAMILY DEFINED

A multiple family building shall be defined as one or more dwelling units located on any property in the City except the R-O, R-1 or the R-M zoned areas.

3501.1A Application. Except where a more restrictive requirement in the California Building Code, State Law or City Ordinance is applicable, each provision of this Chapter shall apply to each multiple family building as defined herein.

SECTION 3502A. NOISE REDUCTION STANDARDS

3502.1A General. Attached multiple family dwelling units shall meet the sound transmission control standards specified in Appendix Chapter 12 of the Building Code and this Section.

3502.2A Packing of Voids. All voids surrounding water, drainage, and vent piping shall be packed with rock wool or equivalent approved sound deadening material, and all water, drainage, and vent piping shall be wrapped with an approved material at all points of contact with wood or steel framing members and strap hangers. Plumbing walls shall be a minimum of 2 inch by 6-inch construction.

3502.3A Plans. All required 2 inch by 6-inch plumbing walls shall be clearly identified on the building plans.

3502.4A Mechanical Equipment. All mechanical equipment shall be installed so as to reduce sound transmission to a minimum.

3502.5A Separation of Facilities. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical equipment or systems serving one dwelling unit shall not serve other dwellings units, nor shall such equipment or systems be located within another dwelling unit. Recessed wall fixtures, such as medicine cabinets or electrical, telephone, television and intercom outlets, shall not be located back-to-back or in the same wall cavity.

3502.6A Location of Plumbing and Ducts. Water, drainage, and vent piping and heating and air conditioning ductwork shall not be located within any wall or floor-ceiling sound assembly.

SECTION 3503A. COMFORT COOLING SYSTEM

A comfort cooling system shall be provided for each multiple family dwelling unit. The comfort cooling system shall be capable of maintaining a temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit three feet above the floor throughout the conditioned space of the building. Water evaporative cooling systems or individual window or wall-mounted units shall not be used to meet the requirements of this Section. The location of the comfort cooling system shall be shown on the building plans.

SECTION 3504A. ILLUMINATION

3504.1A Illumination. Public spaces of multiple family buildings including all stairs, ramps, driveways, walkways, corridors and parking areas shall be illuminated with automatic lighting capable of maintaining an intensity of one (1) foot-candle of light at ground level.

SECTION 3505A. EXTERIOR REQUIREMENTS

3505.1A Underground Utilities. All utility conductors, cables, conduits and wiring supplying electrical, cable and telephone service to a multiple family building shall be installed underground except risers which are adjacent to and attached to a building or as otherwise approved the City Council.

3505.2A Conductors, Conduit and Piping. All conductors, cables, wires, conduit and piping located outside of a building or structure and within the exterior property lines shall be installed underground except risers which are adjacent to and attached to a building or structure.

SECTION 3506A. PARKING AND ACCESS AREAS

3506.1A Paving. All parking, walkway, and driveway areas shall be paved with an approved material, such as concrete, asphalt, brick, or pavers. Paving materials and methods of installation shall be shown on the

building plans.

3506.2A Driveway Ramps

3506.2.1A Grade. Driveway ramps shall not exceed a maximum grade of twenty percent (20%). A 20 feet transition area shall be provided at the top of such ramp, as follows: the upper 10 feet of the transition area shall have a maximum grade of four percent (4%) and the lower 10 foot portion of the transition area shall have a maximum grade of ten percent (10%). A 15 feet transition area with a maximum grade of ten percent (10%) shall also be provided at the bottom of such ramp.

SECTION 3507A. OPEN PARKING REQUIREMENTS

3507.1A Marking. Open parking spaces, driving aisles, one-way traffic lanes, and turning area shall be identified by approved painted striping.

3507.2A Barriers. Bump rails, curbs or other approved protective barriers shall be installed where necessary to protect buildings, walls, or fences from damage by automobiles.

SECTION 3508A. GARAGE AND CARPORT REQUIREMENTS

3508.1A Walls. Where concrete masonry units are used to construct Group U or S Occupancies, the cells shall be grouted solid to height of four (4) feet above the floor level.

3508.2A Frame. Group U or S Occupancies of wood frame construction shall have approved protective barriers located so as to protect the finished wall coverings from damage by automobiles.

3508.3A Concrete Floors. The floor of every covered parking space shall be paved with cement concrete.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 3, 12-17-19; Ord. No. 2394, § 3, 11-15-22; Ord. No. 2408, § 3, 11-18-25)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2408, § 3, adopted November 18, 2025, repealed § 8130.21 which pertained to an administrative addition to the California Building Code and derived from Ord. No. 2366, adopted December 17, 2019; and Ord. No. 2394, adopted November 15, 2022.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2408, § 3, adopted November 18, 2025, repealed § 8130.22 which pertained to an amendment to the California Building Code and derived from Ord. No. 2366, December 17, 2019; and Ord. No. 2394, adopted November 15, 2022.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2408, § 3, adopted November 18, 2025, repealed § 8130.23 which pertained to an administrative addition to the California Building Code and derived from Ord. No. 2366, December 17, 2019; and Ord. No. 2394, adopted November 15, 2022.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2408, § 3, adopted November 18, 2025, repealed § 8130.24 which pertained to an amendment to the California Building Code and derived from Ord. No. 2366, December 17, 2019; and Ord. No. 2394, adopted November 15, 2022.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2408, § 3, adopted November 18, 2025, repealed § 8130.26 which pertained to an amendment to the California Building Code and derived from Ord. No. 2366, December 17, 2019; and Ord. No. 2394, adopted November 15, 2022.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2408, § 3, adopted November 18, 2025, repealed § 8130.27 which pertained to an amendment to the California Building Code and derived from Ord. No. 2366, December 17, 2019; and Ord. No. 2394, adopted November 15, 2022.

Item 3 of Section 402.6.2(3) of Chapter 4 of the 2025 California Building Code is hereby amended due to local climatic, geographical, and topographical conditions:

402.6.2(3). Kiosks.

The minimum horizontal separation between kiosks or groupings thereof and other structures within the mall shall be twenty (20) feet (6096 mm).

EXCEPTION: Horizontal separation between kiosks or groupings thereof and other structures within the mall may be reduced to fifteen (15) feet in area protected by smoke detection and quick response type sprinkler heads.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 3, 12-17-19; Ord. No. 2394, § 3, 11-15-2; Ord. No. 2408, § 3, 11-18-25)

Section 3302.4, Chapter 33 is added to Volume 2 of the 2025 California Building Code to read as follows:

3302.4. Construction Site Fencing. A six (6) foot tall construction fence with approved privacy screening shall be installed on all construction sites as required by the Building Official. All required construction fencing shall be located on private property and shall be maintained for the duration of the project.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 3, 12-17-19; Ord. No. 2394, § 3, 11-15-22; Ord. No. 2408, § 3, 11-18-25)