Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Ch. 15.01 Building Code

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 2025-011, § 4, adopted Nov. 25, 2025, repealed the former Ch. 15.01, §§ 15.01.010—15.01.020.1, and enacted a new Ch. 15.01 as set out herein. The former Ch. 15.01 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 721, § 3, adopted Jan. 24, 2023.

Adoption of the California Administrative Code. The 2025 edition of the California Administrative Code is hereby adopted by reference as the Administrative Code of the City of Arroyo Grande.

(Ord. No. 2025-011, § 4, 11-25-2025)

Adoption of the California Building Code. The 2025 edition of the California Building Code is hereby adopted by reference as the Building Code of the City of Arroyo Grande, including Appendices B, I, J, P, and Q, except for the following amendments:

(Ord. No. 2025-011, § 4, 11-25-2025)

(a) CBC, Section 105.1, is hereby amended by adding the following: Permits Required and Violations and Penalties.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish, equip, use, occupy, or maintain any building or structure in the city, or cause or permit the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this Code. Any person violating any of the provisions of this Code shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense. The Building Official or his/her designee may commence any or all of the following proceedings in accordance with the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code:

(1) Issue an administrative citation in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 1.18 of Title 1 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code and related written policies.

(2) Request the City Attorney to institute legal action.

(b) CBC, Section 109.4, is hereby adopted by reference and Section 109.4.1 is added as follows:

109.4.1 Fees for Work Commencing Before Permit Issuance

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 be equal to the amount of the permit fee required by this code. The City Council may adopt or amend the fees set forth in this chapter by resolution.

Subsequent un-permitted work by the same permittee shall result in a progressive investigation fee being accessed, second violation would result in a three times the permit fee for the investigation fee, a third violation would result in a four times the permit fee for the investigation fee, a fourth violation would result in a five times the permit fee for the investigation fee, and so on to a maximum of a ten times the permit fee for the investigation fee.

The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt an applicant from compliance with all other provisions of either this code or the technical codes nor from the penalty prescribed by law. Swimming Pool Safety Barriers not finaled prior to pool water placement are subject to an investigation fee.

(c) Section 903.2 amended—Automatic sprinkler systems.

Sections 903.2 through 903.2.11.3 of the 2025 California Building Code shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

903.2 Where required. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed in the following locations:

1. In all new buildings and structures that exceed 1,000 square feet.

2. In additions or alterations for all buildings or structures as follows:

a. Throughout structures where additions add more than 50% of the existing square footage to the structure AND results in a total square footage in excess of 1,000 (one thousand) square feet.

b. Throughout structures where alterations remove more than 50% of the exterior walls and/or remove more than 50% of the roof framing, and are in excess of 1,000 square feet.

c. Throughout structures where additions and alterations combined encompass more than 50% of the existing square footage of the structure AND are in excess of 1,000 (one thousand) square feet.

d. Where there is a change of occupancy to a more hazardous use as determined by the building official or fire chief based on Table 903.2.1:

Table 903.2.1 Hazard Categories

e. These requirements will be applicable to the combined square footage of all building permits issued for the address or site within the last five years. Buildings or structures separated by less than ten (10) feet shall be considered as a single building or structure unless separation is provided by a permitted, code compliant, rated assembly.

For the purpose of requiring the automatic fire sprinkler systems specified in this chapter, the floor area within the surrounding exterior walls shall be considered as one building (measured from the exterior surface of these exterior walls). For the purpose of calculating square footage for the application of fire sprinkler requirements and fire flow, the floor area shall be as defined by Floor Area, Gross in Section 202 of this code.

(d) CBC, Appendix B, Board of Appeals, is adopted by reference and amended as follows:

1. Board of appeals established. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the building 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 shall be appointed by the city Council and shall hold office at its pleasure. The building official shall serve as clerk to the board.

2. Membership and qualifications. The board of appeals shall consist of three members who are qualified by experience and training to pass on matters pertaining to building construction and are not employees of the city.

3. Procedures. The board of appeals shall follow the procedures for the conduct of appeals set forth in Chapter 1.12 of Title 1 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code, or as may be established by the building official and shall provide for proper notice and a hearing that complies with due process procedures.

(Ord. No. 2025-011, § 4, 11-25-2025)