Bakersfield Municipal Code Ch. 15.17 California Residential Code

Sections: 15.17.010 Adoption. 15.17.020 Deletions. 15.17.030 Modifications. 15.17.040 Section R108 amended—Fees. 15.17.050 Section R401 amended—General—Foundations. 15.17.060 Section R403 amended—Footings. 15.17.070 Section 404 amended—Foundation and retaining walls. 15.17.080 Section R501 amended—Floors—General. 15.17.090 Section R503 amended—Floor sheathing. 15.17.100 Section R602 amended—Wood wall framing. 15.17.110 Section R606 amended—General masonry construction. 15.17.120 Section R803 added—Roof sheathing.

• Prior ordinance history: Ord. 4637.

Except as provided in this chapter, that certain building code known and designated as the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, including Chapter 1, Division II, and Appendix BF, which code was based on the 2024 International Residential Code as published by the International Code Council, and a copy of which is on file in the building department of the city for use and examination by the public, and each portion and provision thereof, is adopted by reference as modified and amended in this chapter and is declared to be the residential building code of the city for the purpose of regulating the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, use, height and maintenance of all residential structures and certain equipment therein specifically regulated within the incorporated limits of the city, issuance of permits and the collection of fees thereof. (Ord. 5204 § 8, 2025; Ord. 5111 § 8, 2022; Ord. 4994 § 9, 2019; Ord. 4878 § 9, 2016; Ord. 4755 § 9, 2013)

The following sections, tables and chapters of the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, or appendix thereto, are not adopted as part of the ordinance codified in this chapter and are deleted:

Chapter 1 Division II, Section R112—Board of Appeals;

Appendix AA—Reserved;

Appendix AB—Reserved;

Appendix AC—Reserved;

Appendix AD—Reserved;

Appendix AE—Reserved;

Appendix AF—Radon Control Methods;

Appendix AG—Reserved;

Appendix AI—Private Sewage Disposal;

Appendix AJ—Existing Buildings and Structures;

Appendix AK—Sound Transmission;

Appendix AL—Permit Fees;

Appendix AM—Reserved;

Appendix AN—Reserved;

Appendix AO –Automatic Vehicular Gates;

Appendix AP—Reserved;

Appendix AR—Light Straw Clay Construction;

Appendix AS—Strawbale Construction;

Appendix AT—Solar Ready Provision;

Appendix AU—COB Construction;

Appendix AV—Board of Appeals;

Appendix AW—3D Printed Building Construction. (Ord. 5204 § 8, 2025; Ord. 5111 § 8, 2022; Ord. 4994 § 9, 2019; Ord. 4878 § 9, 2016; Ord. 4755 § 9, 2013)

The sections of the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition, Appendix BF mentioned in Sections 15.17.040 through 15.17.120, as adopted by reference, are amended as provided in Sections 15.17.040 through 15.17.120. (Ord. 5204 § 8, 2025; Ord. 5111 § 8, 2022; Ord. 4994 § 9, 2019; Ord. 4878 § 9, 2016; Ord. 4755 § 9, 2013)

Subsection R108.2 is amended to read as follows:

All plan check and permit fees shall be assessed in accordance with the Master Fee Schedule adopted by the City.

Subsection R108.5 is amended to read as follows:

R108.5 Refunds. See BMC 15.05.050 Section 109.6 Refunds.

(Ord. 4994 § 9, 2019; Ord. 4878 § 9, 2016; Ord. 4755 § 9, 2013)

The second paragraph of subsection R401.1 is amended to read as follows:

Wood foundations in Seismic Design Category D0, D1, or D2 shall not be permitted.

Exception: In non-occupied, single-story, detached storage sheds and similar uses other than carport or garage, provided the gross floor area does not exceed 240 square feet, the plate height does not exceed 12 feet in height above the grade plane at any point, and the maximum roof projection does not exceed 24 inches.

(Ord. 4994 § 9, 2019; Ord. 4878 § 9, 2016; Ord. 4755 § 9, 2013)

Section R403.1.2 is amended to read as follows:

R403.1.2 Continuous footing in Seismic Design Categories D0, D1 and D2. The braced wall panels at exterior walls of buildings located in Seismic Design Categories D0, D1 and D2 shall be supported by continuous footings. All required interior braced wall panels in buildings shall be supported by continuous footings.

The second paragraph of Subsection R403.1.3 is added to read as follows:

All concrete floor slabs poured on earth, for buildings of group R occupancies, including garage floor slabs, shall be reinforced with a welded wire fabric of 6 x 6-10/10 minimum weight or an approved equal.

(Ord. 4994 § 9, 2019; Ord. 4878 § 9, 2016; Ord. 4755 § 9, 2013)

Subsection R404.2 is amended to read as follows:

R404.2 Wood foundation walls. Wood foundation walls shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions of Sections R404.2.1 through R404.2.6 and with the details shown in Figures R403.1(2) and R403.2(3). Wood foundation walls shall not be used for structures located in Seismic Design Category D0, D1, or D2.

(Ord. 4994 § 9, 2019; Ord. 4878 § 9, 2016; Ord. 4755 § 9, 2013)

Subsection R501.1 is amended to read as follows:

R501.1 Application. The provision of this chapter shall control the design and construction of the floors for all buildings including the floors of attic spaces used to house mechanical or plumbing fixtures and equipment weighing less than 400 lbs.

(Ord. 4994 § 9, 2019; Ord. 4878 § 9, 2016; Ord. 4755 § 9, 2013)

Subsection R503.2.4 is added to read as follows:

R503.2.4 Openings in horizontal diaphragms. Openings in horizontal diaphragms with a dimension perpendicular to the joist that is greater than 4 feet (1.2 m) shall be constructed in accordance Section 2308.11.3.3 of the California Building Code. Openings shall be further limited in accordance with Section R301.2.2.2.5.

(Ord. 4994 § 9, 2019; Ord. 4878 § 9, 2016; Ord. 4755 § 9, 2013)

Exception to subsection R602.3.2 amended to read as follows:

Exception: In other than Seismic Design Category D0, D1, or D2. A single top plate may be installed in stud walls, provided the plate is adequately tied at joints, corners and interesting walls by a minimum 3-inch-by-6-inch by a 0.036-inch-thick (76 mm by 152 mm by 0.914 mm) galvanized steel plate that is nailed to each wall or segment of wall by six 8d nails on each side, provided the rafters or joists are centered over the studs with a tolerance of no more than 1 inch (25 mm). The top plate may be omitted over lintels that are adequately tied to adjacent wall sections with steel plates or equivalent as previously described.

(Ord. 4994 § 9, 2019; Ord. 4878 § 9, 2016; Ord. 4755 § 9, 2013)

Subsection R606.4.4 is amended to read as follows:

R606.4.4 Parapet Walls. Unreinforced solid masonry parapet walls shall not be less than 8 inches (203

mm) thick and their height shall not exceed four time their thickness. Unreinforced hollow unit masonry parapet walls shall not be less than 8 inches (203 mm) thick, and their height shall not exceed three times their thickness. Masonry parapet walls in areas subject to wind loads of 30 pounds per square foot (1.44 kPa) or located in Seismic Design Category D0, D1, or D2 or on townhouses in Seismic Design Category C shall be reinforced in accordance with Section R606.12.

(Ord. 5111 § 8, 2022; Ord. 4994 § 9, 2019; Ord. 4878 § 9, 2016; Ord. 4755 § 9, 2013)

Subsection R803.2.4 is added to read as follows:

R803.2.4 Openings in horizontal diaphragms. Openings in horizontal diaphragms shall conform with Section R503.2.4.

(Ord. 4994 § 9, 2019; Ord. 4878 § 9, 2016; Ord. 4755 § 9, 2013)