Ceres Municipal Code Ch. 01 General Provisions

The purpose of this title is to adopt by reference the 2022 edition of the California Building Standards Code, title 24-part 1; part 2, volumes I & II; part 2.5; part 3; part 4; part 5; part 6; part 8; part 9; part 10; and part 11 of the California Code of Regulations subject to the definitions, clarifications, and the amendments set forth in this title. The purpose of this title is also to provide minimum requirements and standards for the protection of public safety, health, property, and welfare of the City of Ceres. This chapter is adopted under the authority of Government Code section 50022.2 and Health and Safety Code section 18941.5.

(Ord. No. 2020-1058, § 1, 3-23-2020; Ord. No. 2024-1083, § 1, 7-22-2024)

This title is not intended to and shall not be construed or given effect in a manner that imposes upon the City or any officer or employee thereof a mandatory duty of care towards persons and property within or without the City, so as to provide a basis of civil liability for damages, except as otherwise imposed by law.

(Ord. No. 2020-1058, § 1, 3-23-2020)

The provisions of this title shall not affect or impair an act done or right vested or approved or any proceeding, suit or prosecution had or commenced in any cause before such repeal shall take effect; but every such act done, or right vested or accrued, or proceeding, suit or prosecution shall remain in full force and effect to all intents and purposes as if such ordinance or part thereof so repealed had remained in force. No offense committed and no liability, penalty or forfeiture, either civilly or criminally incurred prior to the time when any such ordinance or part thereof shall be repealed or altered by this Municipal Code shall be discharged or affected by such repeal or alteration; but prosecutions and suits for such offenses, liabilities, penalties or forfeitures shall be instituted and proceeded with in all respects as if such prior ordinance or part thereof had not been repealed or altered.

(Ord. No. 2020-1058, § 1, 3-23-2020)

California Building Code, 2022 edition, chapter 1, divisions I and II shall serve as the administrative, organization and enforcement rules and regulations of this title, unless more specific requirements are given in another adopted code.

(Ord. No. 2020-1058, § 1, 3-23-2020; Ord. No. 2024-1083, § 1, 7-22-2024)

This title shall not be construed as imposing upon the City, any liability or responsibility for damage resulting from defective buildings, nor shall the City, or any official or employee thereof, be held as assuming any such liability or responsibility by reason of the inspections authorized thereunder.

(Ord. No. 2020-1058, § 1, 3-23-2020)

For the purposes of section 15.02.120, "full public improvements" is defined as the installation of, and/or repair of, improvements including, but not limited to, street trees, utility services, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and driveway approaches.

(Ord. No. 2025-1089, § 1, 7-28-2025)

For purposes of section 15.02.120 "new construction" means:

A. All new buildings or structures;

B. All new property development including parking lots;

C. Any building or structure altered or expanded in excess of 50 percent of the value of such building structure;

D. Any alteration or expansion with a permit value in excess of the ADA valuation threshold for alterations, structural repairs, or additions to existing buildings established annually in January by the California Division of the State Architect (DSA); and,

1. The value in subsection D above shall not include any of the following items: Accessibility upgrades, rooftop solar installations, installation of fire sprinklers and maintenance items including, but not limited to, reroofing, replacement of mechanical equipment and energy efficiency upgrades.

E. Any work on a building or structure to change the occupancy to a more hazardous use and which requires a building permit.

F. The City Engineer has the discretion to make adjustments to the valuation with due cause.

(Ord. No. 2025-1089, § 2, 7-28-2025)