Belmont Municipal Code Div. 1 Building Code

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 1073, adopted Nov. 12, 2013, repealed former divs. 1 and 1.5 and enacted a new div. 1 to read as set out herein. The former div. 1, § 7-21, pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 1033, adopted Nov. 13, 2007, and Ord. No. 1054, adopted Nov. 23, 2010. The former div. 1.5, § 7-22, pertained to the residential code and derived from Ord. No. 1054, adopted Nov. 23, 2010.

The regulations contained in this division shall be known as the City of Belmont Building Code.

(Ord. No. 1073, § 6, 11-12-13)

The 2025 California Building Code (CBC), California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2, adopting the 2024 International Building Code with necessary California amendments, is adopted by reference as the Building Code of the City of Belmont. The Office of the City Clerk is directed to maintain a copy of the 2025 CBC.

(Ord. No. 1073, § 6, 11-12-13; Ord. No. 2016-1112, § 3, 11-22-16; Ord. No. 2019-1144, § 3, 12-10-19; Ord. No. 2023-1169, § 3, 1-10-23; Ord. No. 2025-1191, § 7, 11-25-25)

(a) The following Appendix Chapter of the 2025 California Building Code is adopted: Appendix Chapter I (Patio Covers).

(b) The remaining Appendix Chapters are not adopted unless adopted by a state agency for application to occupancies subject to that agency's jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. 1073, § 6, 11-12-13; Ord. No. 2016-1112, § 4, 11-22-16; Ord. No. 2019-1144, § 4, 12-10-19; Ord. No. 2023-1169, § 4, 1-10-23; Ord. No. 2025-1191, § 8, 11-25-25)

(a) Except for the sections set forth in subsection (b), the requirements reproduced in Chapter 1, Division II of the 2025 California Building Code are adopted by reference, and govern the administration of the Belmont Building Code. References to model codes in the adopted sections mean the corresponding California Codes as adopted by the City of Belmont.

(b) The following sections of Chapter 1, Division II of the 2025 California Building Code are not adopted unless adopted by a state agency for application to occupancies subject to that agency's jurisdiction: 101.1, 101.2, 102, 103, 104.8, and 114.3.

(Ord. No. 1073, § 6, 11-12-13; Ord. No. 2016-1112, § 5, 11-22-16; Ord. No. 2019-1144, § 5, 12-10-19; Ord. No. 2023-1169, § 5, 1-10-23; Ord. No. 2025-1191, § 9, 11-25-25)

The 2025 California Building Code is amended as provided in Sections 7-25.502, 7-25.903, 7-25.905, and 7-25.907. The number to the right of the decimal point in these sections corresponds to the section in the 2025 California Building Code that is amended.

(Ord. No. 1073, § 6, 11-12-13; Ord. No. 2016-1112, § 6, 11-22-16; Ord. No. 2019-1144, § 6, 12-10-19; Ord. No. 2023-1169, § 6, 1-10-23; Ord. No. 2025-1191, § 10, 11-25-25)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2019-1144, § 7, adopted December 10, 2019, repealed the former § 7-25.501, which pertained to the Amendment of 2016 CBC Section 501 (General) and derived from Ord. No. 1073, adopted November 12, 2013; and Ord. No. 2016-1112, adopted November 22, 2016.

Section 502 of the 2025 California Building Code is amended by amending section 502.1 and adding sections 502.1.2, 502.1.3, and 502.1.4 to read:

502.1 Address Identification. New and existing buildings must have approved address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers must contrast with their background. Address numbers must be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters. The numbers must be either internally or externally illuminated in all new construction and in all alterations greater than 50% of the original structure. Numbers must be as follows:

1. Minimum of ½ inch stroke by 4 inches high.

2. When the structure is 36 to 50 feet from the street or fire district access a minimum of ½ inch stroke by 9 inches high is required.

3. When the structure is more than 50 feet from the street or fire apparatus access, a minimum of 1 inch stroke by 12 inches high is required.

502.1.1 Multi-Tenant Buildings. Numbers or letters must be designated on all occupancies within a building. Size must be ½ inch stroke by 4 inches high and on a contrasting background. Directional address numbers or letters must be provided. The addresses or numbers must be visible from the street posted at a minimum height of 5 feet, 6 inches above the finished floor, must be visible from the street and must be either internally or externally illuminated in all new construction.

502.1.2 Multiple buildings on one site. Where multiple buildings on one property cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument sign, or other signs or other approved means must be used to identify the entry to the given structure. Address identification must be maintained on each of the buildings within the site.

502.1.3 Rear Addressing. When required by the chief, approved numbers or addresses must be placed on all new and existing buildings in such a position as to be plainly visible and legible from the fire apparatus road at the back of a property or where rear parking lots or alleys provide an acceptable vehicular access. Number stroke and size must comply with 502.1.

(Ord. No. 2019-1144, § 8, 12-10-19; Ord. No. 2023-1169, § 7, 1-10-23; Ord. No. 2025-1191, § 11, 11-25-25)

Section 903 of the 2025 California Building Code is amended to read:

903.1 through 903.1.1 {CBC text not modified}

903.2 Where required. Approved automatic sprinkler systems must be installed throughout all new buildings unless the structure does not require a building permit.

Exception: Detached Group U occupancies separated from structures in accordance with Table 705.5 of the California Building Code.

903.2.1 through 903.2.10 - deleted

903.2.11 through 903.2.21 {CBC text not modified}

903.2.22 Existing buildings and structures. Proposed addition, alterations or fire repairs in existing non-sprinklered buildings over a three-year period exceeding 50% of the original gross floor area square footage must require the entire building to be installed with an automatic fire sprinkler system as follows:

1. Any additions that increase the existing gross floor area by more than 50% require the entire building to be installed with an automatic fire sprinkler system.

2. Any combination of additions, alterations and/or fire repairs to more than 50% of the existing gross building area requires the entire existing building to be installed with an automatic fire sprinkler system. For purposes of this section, alterations only apply to the building area if they increase the size of the fire area of the room or space. See the Policy Manual for further guidance.

3. Any addition, alteration or repair within a building that contains an automatic fire sprinkler system must have the automatic fire sprinkler system extended or modified to the area of proposed work.

4. Any change in use or occupancy creating a more hazardous fire or life safety condition, as determined by the Fire Code Official requires that an automatic fire sprinkler system be installed. For purposes of this section, the relative hazard category must be in accordance with table 903.2.22 based on table 1011.5 of the California Existing Building Code.

Table 903.2.22

Exceptions:

1. Seismic or accessibility improvements.

2. Any exemption otherwise allowable under the Fire Code, as adopted by the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department at the discretion of the Fire Marshal.

3. Exterior improvements and work not requiring permits as provided in the Building Code.

4. Detached Group U occupancies or detached carports less than 400 square feet.

5. Work requiring only a mechanical, electrical, plumbing and/or demolition permit.

6. Group R-3.1 occupancies unless already containing a fire sprinkler system.

903.3 through 903.3.1.2.3 {CBC text not modified}

903.3.1.3 NFPA 13D sprinkler systems. Automatic Sprinkler systems installed in one-and two-family dwellings; Group R-3; and townhouses may be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13D as amended in Chapter 35. NFPA 13D sprinkler systems must comply with section 903.4.2 Alarms.

903.3.2 through 903.4.2 {CBC text not modified}

903.4.3 Alarms. One approved audible and visual devices must be connected to every automatic sprinkler system at an approved location. The sprinkler water-flow alarm devices must be activated by waterflow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Where a fire alarm system is installed, actuation of the automatic sprinkler system must actuate the building fire alarm system.

903.5 {CBC text not modified}

(Ord. No. 1073, § 6, 11-12-13; Ord. No. 2016-1112, § 8, 11-22-16; Ord. No. 2019-1144, § 10, 12-10-19; Ord. No. 2023-1169, § 9, 1-10-23; Ord. No. 2025-1191, § 12, 11-25-25)

Section 905 of the 2025 California Building Code is amended to read:

905.1 through 905.3 {CBC text not modified}

905.3.1 Height. {CBC text not modified}

1. {CBC text not modified}

2. Buildings that are more than 2 stories in height.

3. {CBC text not modified}

4. {CBC text not modified}

Exceptions: 1 - 6.2 {CBC text not modified}

905.3.2 through 905.11 {CBC text not modified}

(Ord. No. 2016-1112, § 9, 11-22-16; Ord. No. 2019-1144, § 11, 12-10-19; Ord. No. 2023-1169, § 10, 1-10-23; Ord. No. 2025-1191, § 13, 11-25-25)

Section 907 of the 2025 California Building Code is amended to read:

907.1 through 907.1.5 {CBC text not modified}

907.1.6 Fire Alarm Certification. New fire alarm systems must be UL-Certified. A Certificate of Completion and other documentation as listed in NFPA 72 must be provided for all new fire alarm system installations. It is the responsibility of the building owner or owner's representative to obtain and maintain a current and valid Certificate. The protected premises must be issued a UUFX type certification from Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

907.1.6.1 Posting of Certificate. The UL certificate required in section 907.1.6 must be posted in a durable transparent cover within 3 feet of the fire alarm control panel within 45 days of the final acceptance test/inspection.

907.2 through 907.8 {CBC text not modified}

(Ord. No. 2016-1112, § 10, 11-22-16; Ord. No. 2019-1144, § 12, 12-10-19; Ord. No. 2023-1169, § 11, 1-10-23; Ord. No. 2025-1191, § 14, 11-25-25)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2019-1144, § 13, adopted December 10, 2019, repealed § 7-25.909, which pertained to the Amendment of 2016 CBC Section 909 (Smoke Control Systems) and derived from Ord. No. 2016-1112, adopted November 22, 2016.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2025-1191, § 15, adopted Nov. 25, 2025, repealed § 7-25.1009, which pertained to the amendment of 2022 CBC Section 1009 (Accessible Means of Egress) and derived from Ord. No. 2016-1112, § 12, adopted Nov. 22, 2016; Ord. No. 2019-1144, § 14, adopted Dec. 10, 2019; and Ord. No. 2023-1169, § 12, adopted Jan. 10, 2023.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2019-1144, § 15, adopted December 10, 2019, repealed the former § 7-25.1505, which pertained to the Amendment of 2016 CBC Section 1505 (Fire Classifications) and derived from Ord. No. 2016-1112, adopted November 22, 2016.