Capitola Municipal Code Ch. 15.04 BUILDING AND FIRE CODES Revised 1/26

The city of Capitola adopts the following codes or designated portions thereof:

A. The California Building Code and appendices, 2025 Edition.

B. The California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition.

C. The California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition.

D. The California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition.

E. The California Fire Code, 2025 Edition, as amended by the Central Fire Protection District.

F. The California Residential Code, 2025 Edition.

G. The California Referenced Standards Code, 2025 Edition.

H. The California Energy Code, 2025 Edition.

I. The California Green Building Standards Code, 2025 Edition.

J. The California Administrative Code, 2025 Edition.

K. The California Historical Building Code, 2025 Edition.

L. The California Existing Building Code, 2025 Edition.

M. The California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, 2025 Edition.

The International Building Codes may be used as an alternative to the California Codes, when submitted, reviewed, and approved by the city’s building official. (Ord. 1071 § 1, 2025; Ord. 1056 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1035 § 1, 2019: Ord. 1007 § 2, 2016: Ord. 987 § 2, 2014: Ord. 951 § 1, 2011; Ord. 927 § 1, 2007; Ord. 842 § 1, 2002: Ord. 812 § 1, 1999: Ord. 784 § 1, 1995: Ord. 733, 1992: Ord. 712, 1991; Ord. 684 § 1, 1989: Ord. 607 § 1 (part), 1986: Ord. 592 § 1, 1985: Ord. 549 § 2, 1984: Ord. 511 § 1, 1981; Ord. 496, 1981; Ord. 489, 1980; Ord. 479 § 2, 1980)

Any person violating any of the provisions or failing to comply with any of the mandatory requirements of said codes shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment not to exceed six months or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 479 § 3, 1980)

Residential structures not regulated by Chapter 11 of the California State Building Code shall have a minimum clear width of thirty inches at all doorways, through which any user may pass, excluding shower doors, closet or pantry doors when the back wall of the closet or pantry is less than three feet from the door. (Ord. 784 § 2, 1995: Ord. 607 § 1 (part), 1986: Ord. 502, 1981)

The following modifications apply to the California Building Code:

A. Section 105.5 is deleted and replaced with the following:

Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance or after commencement of work if more than 180 days pass between inspections. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods of not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

Section 105.5.1 is deleted. (Ord. 1071 § 2, 2025; Ord. 1056 § 3, 2022; Ord. 1007 § 3, 2016: Ord. 987 § 3, 2014: Ord. 927 § 2, 2007; Ord. 842 § 2, 2002)

The following modification applies to the California Residential Code:

A. Section R105.1 is deleted. (Ord. 1071 § 3, 2025; Ord. 1056 § 4, 2022; Ord. 1035 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1007 § 4, 2016: Ord. 987 § 4, 2014)

The following modifications apply to the California Mechanical Code:

A. Section 104.4.3 is deleted and replaced with the following:

Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance or after commencement of work if more than 180 days pass between inspections. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods of not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

Section 104.4.3.1 is deleted. (Ord. 1071 § 4, 2025; Ord. 1056 § 5, 2022)

The following modifications apply to the California Plumbing Code:

A. Section 104.4.3 is deleted and replaced with the following:

Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance or after commencement of work if more than 180 days pass between inspections. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods of not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

Section 104.4.3.1 is deleted. (Ord. 1071 § 5, 2025; Ord. 1056 § 6, 2022)

The following modification applies to the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code:

A. Section 105.8 is deleted and replaced with the following:

Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance or after commencement of work if more than 180 days pass between inspections. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods of not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

(Ord. 1071 § 6, 2025)

The following modifications apply to the California Green Building Standards Code:

A. Add Section 101.12, Creation of Green Building Fund:

Building Permits which are required to comply with the California Green Building Standards Code shall be assessed a fee equal to 0.0025 times the overall valuation of the project. Revenues collected shall be maintained by the Finance Department as a revolving green building fund and shall be used only for program management, training, publications, public educational purposes, incentive programs and materials and supplies necessary to promote sustainable development, water conservation, storm water pollution prevention and climate action planning activities.

(Ord. 1071 § 7, 2025)