Chino Hills Municipal Code Ch. 15.04 California Construction Codes Adopted

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 427, § 2, adopted Nov. 25, 2025, amended Ch. 15.04 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Ch. 15.04, §§ 15.04.010—15.04.090, pertained to similar subject matter, and derived from Ord. No. 388, § 2, adopted Nov. 22, 2022.

Except as hereinafter provided, those certain building codes known and designated as the California Building Code 2025 Edition Volumes 1 and 2 including Appendix Chapters "I," "J," "L," "P," and "Q," shall become the building codes of the City for regulating the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area, and maintenance of all buildings and/or structures in the City. The California Building Code and its appendix chapters will be on file for public examination in the Office of the City Clerk.

(Ord. No. 427, § 2, 11-25-2025)

The 2025 California Building Code is hereby amended as follows:

CHAPTERS DELETED

Chapters 16A, 17A, 18A, 19A, 21A, 22A, 27, 28, 31A, and 31F of the 2025 California Building Code are deleted in their entirety.

APPENDICES DELETED

Appendices "A" through "H," "K," "M," "N," "O," of the 2025 California Building Code are deleted in their entirety.

APPENDICES AMENDED

Appendix Chapter J Section J102.1 of the 2025 California Building Code is hereby amended, by the addition of new definitions to read as follows:

"Flatwork. For the purposes of this section, is defined as any prepared impervious or semi-pervious surface, not to exceed 6" in thickness and which does not support a structure."

"Non-Certified Fill. Gravel or soil which is placed without the supervision or compaction certification of a registered geologist or geotechnical Engineer."

Appendix Chapter J Section J102.1 of the 2025 California Building Code is hereby amended, by the deletion of the definition of "Grading" and its replacement with a new definition, to read as follows:

"Grading. Any combination of excavation or fill which changes the existing topography and/or drainage characteristics of a site."

Appendix Chapter J, section J103.1 of the 2025 California Building Code is hereby amended, by the deletion of the entire section and its replacement with a new section, to read as follows:

"J103.1 Permits Required. Except as exempted in Section J103.2, no grading or excavations of any kind shall be performed without first having obtained a permit therefore from the building official. No grading permit shall be issued until such time as the project for which the grading permit is being applied for has received all required entitlements and zoning approvals."

Appendix Chapter J Section J103.2 of the 2025 California Building Code is hereby amended, with the addition of new exemptions 8 and 9 to read as follows:

"8.

Any grading performed to accommodate the construction of flatwork, unless the grading and flatwork could cause an increase in cross lot drainage in any concentration or form, or threaten the structural integrity of adjacent structures."

"9.

Placement of non-certified fill into an existing swimming pool or pond where the area of fill remains clearly identifiable by visible pool coping, and where the bottom of the pool has been rendered incapable of retaining water. Non-certified fill materials must meet the requirements of Section J107.4."

CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATION

Section 1.8.8.3, of Section 1.1, of Division 1 of the California Building Code is amended to read as follows:

"1.8.8.3 Appeals. Except as otherwise provided in law, any person, firm or corporation adversely affected by a decision, order or determination by the City of Chino Hills relating to the application of building standards published in the California Building Standards Code, or any other applicable rule or regulation adopted by the Department of Housing and Community Development, or any lawfully enacted ordinance by a the City of Chino Hills, may appeal the issue for resolution to the Building Board of Appeals created pursuant to Chino Hills Municipal Code Section 15.04.020 as it amends California Building Code Section 113.

The Chino Hills Building Board of Appeals shall hear all appeals relating to new building construction and existing buildings under the authority of the City of Chino Hills Building Division."

SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION

Chapter 1 of the 2025 California Building Code is amended as follows:

Chapter 1 Section 105.1 is hereby amended to add the following provisions:

"105.1.3 Unpermitted Structures.

No person shall own, use, occupy or maintain any 'Unpermitted Structure.'

For the purposes of this Code, 'Unpermitted Structure' shall be defined as any structure, or portion thereof, that was erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, connected, converted, demolished, or equipped, at any point in time, without the required permit(s) having first been obtained from the Building Official, pursuant to Section 105.1, or any unfinished work for which a permit has expired.

105.1.4 Vacant Land.

No permits shall be issued on any vacant parcel or lot until such time as a principal/primary use as defined in Municipal Code Section 16.02.280 has been entitled or a temporary or special use permit is granted pursuant to the Municipal Code. For the purposes of this section 'entitled' means granted an approved Design Review, Site Plan or other development permit pursuant to Title 16 of the Municipal Code."

Chapter 1 Section 105.2 is hereby amended, and replaced with a new item number 1 to read as follows:

"1.

One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool or storage sheds, provided the height does not exceed 10-feet from lowest adjacent grade to the highest point and the floor area as measured from outside surface to outside surface does not exceed 120 square feet. Accessory structures must comply with regulations of the California Fire Code and California Wildland Urban Interface Code, despite exemption from a building permit."

Chapter 1 Section 105.2 is hereby amended, by the deletion of item 2 listed under work exempt from a Building Permit and its replacement with a new item number 2 to read as follows:

"2.

Fences not over 6 feet high and constructed of materials weighing less than three pounds per square foot."

Chapter 1 Section 105.2 is hereby amended, by the deletion of item 4 listed under work exempt from a Building Permit and its replacement with a new item number 4 to read as follows:

"4.

Masonry or concrete walls not exceeding 4 feet in height or retaining walls supporting less than 3' of soil, where all the following conditions are met;

a. The retained soil is sloped less than 4 units horizontal to 1 unit vertically,

b. The wall does not support a surcharge from any adjacent structure or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA Liquids,

c. All portions of the wall are more than 5' from any property line.

Chapter 1 section 105.2 is hereby amended by adding the following items listed under work exempt from a Building Permit.

"14.

Flagpoles not erected upon a building and not exceeding 15 feet in height.

15. A tree house where accessory to an R-3 occupancy, provided that:

a) It does not exceed 64 square feet of floor area and does not exceed 8 feet in height from floor to highest point of roof.

b) It does not exceed 16 feet in height from adjacent grade to highest point.

16. Decks accessory to an R-3 occupancy not exceeding 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in area, that are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling or townhouse and do not serve the exit door required by Section R318.4."

Chapter 1, Section 111.1 (placeholder for Certificate of Occupancy)

MEANS OF APPEAL

Chapter 1, Section 113 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"113.1 General. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the building official relating to the application and interpretation of this code or any other code within the authority and jurisdiction of the Building Official, there shall be and is hereby created a Building Board of Appeals. The Building Board of Appeals shall be appointed by the Chino Hills City Council and shall hold office at its pleasure. The City Council shall adopt rules of procedure for conducting appeal hearings.

113.2 Limitations on authority. An application for appeal shall be based on a claim that the true intent of this code or the rules legally adopted thereunder have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully apply, or determinations made relating to approval or denial of proposed alternative materials, designs, and methods pursuant to section 104.11 of this code. The board shall not have authority to waive requirements of this code or interpret the administration of this code. The board shall not have authority to waive requirements of this code.

113.3 Qualifications. The Building Board of Appeals shall consist of members who are qualified by experience and training on matters pertaining to the provisions of this code and who are not employees of the jurisdiction.

113.4 Administration. The Building Official shall take action without delay in accordance with the decision of the board.

113.5 Appeal Process. The following process must be followed in pursuit of an appeal under this section.

113.5.1. Preliminary review. Prior to filing a formal appeal, the appellant must first present the basis of the appeal to the Community Development Director. The Community Development Director must only consider an appeal which is based on claim that the true intent of this code or the rules legally adopted thereunder have been incorrectly interpreted, or the provisions of this code do not fully apply. The Community Development Director shall provide a written determination to the aggrieved within 30 days of being presented with the request for preliminary review.

113.5.2. Formal Appeal. If the preliminary review by the Community Development Director has not adjusted the matter to the appellant's satisfaction, a formal appeal may be filed with the City Clerk and all applicable fees and or deposits must be made within twenty (20) days of issuance of the preliminary review determination notice.

113.5.3. Appeals shall be requested and hearings conducted as set forth in Sections 1.20.010, subsection A, 1.20.020, 1.20.030, subsection A and 1.20.040, of this code, except that the hearing body shall be the Building Board of Appeals rather than the City Council and except that the publication requirement in the second sentence of Section 1.20.040, subsection A, is not applicable, ."

STOP WORK ORDER

Chapter 1, Section 115.1 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"115.1 Authority. Where the building official finds any work regulated by this code being performed in a manner contrary to the provisions of this code, in a dangerous or unsafe manner, or in such a manner that the site is deemed a public nuisance, the building official is authorized to issue a stop work order."

Chapter 1, Section 115.4 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"115.4 Failure to Comply. Any person who shall continue any work after a stop work order has been issued for a project, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be subject to penalties pursuant to Section 1.36.020."

FIRE-RESISTIVE ROOFING

Section 1505.1 of the 2025 California Building Code is hereby amended by the deletion of the entire section and its replacement with a new section, to read as follows:

"1505.1 General.

The roof covering on any structure regulated by this Code shall be Class 'A' as classified in Section 1505.2, except that repairs of and additions to existing structures, which require the replacement or installation of no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total roof area in any twelve-month period, may be made using material to match the existing roof."

SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION-SWIMMING POOLS, HOT TUBS, AND SPAS

Section 3109 of the 2025 California Building Code is hereby amended, by the addition of new subsections 3109.3 through 3109.10 to read as follows:

"3109.3 Swimming Pool Barriers. In addition to the requirements of the California Swimming Pool Safety Act, public and residential swimming pools shall be completely enclosed by a barrier which restricts public entry to the pool area. Pool barriers must comply with Sections 3109.3.1 through 3109.3.7.

3109.3.1 Barrier Height and Clearances. The top of the barrier shall be not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool. The vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be not greater than 2 inches (51 mm) measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool. Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, the barrier is authorized to be at ground level or mounted on top of the pool structure, and the vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be not greater than 4 inches (102 mm).

3109.3.2 Openings. Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere.

3109.3.3 Solid Barrier Surfaces. Solid barriers which do not have openings shall not contain indentations or protrusions except for normal construction tolerances and tooled masonry joints.

3109.3.4 Closely Spaced Horizontal Members. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is less than 45 inches (1143 mm), the horizontal members shall be located on the swimming pool side of the fence. Spacing between vertical members shall be not greater than 1¾ inches (44 mm) in width. Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall be not greater than 1¾ inches (44 mm) in width.

3109.3.5 Widely Spaced Horizontal Members. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is 45 inches (1143 mm) or more, spacing between vertical members shall be not greater than 4 inches (102 mm). Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall be not greater than 1¾ inches (44 mm) in width.

3109.3.6 Chain Link Dimensions. Mesh size for chain link fences shall be not greater than a 2¼-inch square (57 mm square) unless the fence is provided with slats fastened at the top or the bottom that reduce the openings to not more than 1¾ inches (44 mm).

3109.3.7 Diagonal Members. Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members, the opening formed by the diagonal members shall be not greater than 1¾ inches (44 mm).

3109.4 Gates. Access doors or gates shall comply with the requirements of Sections 3109.4.1 through 3109.4.3 and shall be equipped to accommodate a locking device.

3109.4.1. Pedestrian access doors or gates shall open outward away from the pool and shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device.

3109.4.2. Doors or gates other than pedestrian access doors or gates shall have a self-latching device. Release mechanisms shall be in accordance with Sections 1010.1.9 and 1109.13.

3109.4.3. Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the bottom of the door or gate, the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the door or gate 3 inches (76 mm) or more, below the top of the door or gate, and the door or gate and barrier shall be without openings greater than ½ inch (12.7 mm) within 18 inches (457 mm) of the release mechanism.

3109.5 Dwelling Wall as a Barrier. Where a wall of a dwelling serves as part of the barrier, one of the following shall apply:

Doors with direct access to the pool through that wall shall be equipped with an alarm that produces an audible warning when the door or its screen, if present, are opened. The alarm shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2017. In dwellings not required to be Accessible units, Type A units or Type B units, the deactivation switch shall be located 54 inches (1372 mm) or more above the threshold of the door. In dwellings required to be Accessible units, Type A units or Type B units, the deactivation switch shall be located not higher than 54 inches (1372 mm) and not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above the threshold of the door.

The pool shall be equipped with a power safety cover that complies with ASTM F1346.

Other means of protection, such as self-closing doors with self-latching devices, which are approved, shall be accepted so long as the degree of protection afforded is not less than the protection afforded by Item 1 or 2 above.

3109.6 Pool Structure as Barrier. Where an above-ground pool structure is used as a barrier or where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, and the means of access is a ladder or steps, then the ladder or steps either shall be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access, or the ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier that meets the requirements of Sections 3109.4.1.1 through 3109.4.1.8. Where the ladder or steps are secured, locked or removed, any opening created shall not allow the passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere.

3109.7 Indoor Swimming Pools. Walls surrounding indoor swimming pools shall not be required to comply with Section 3109.4.1.8.

3109.8 Prohibited Locations. Barriers shall be located so as to prohibit permanent structures, equipment or similar objects from being used to climb the barriers.

3109.9 Pool Safety Upgrades. All pool safety features and pool barrier requirements stipulated in Section 3109 shall be required whenever a permit is issued for a remodel, addition, or alteration project exceeding $1000 valuation on any property containing a pool, whether or not those features were required at the time of the original pool construction.

3109.10 Maintenance of Pool Safety Features and Pool Barriers. Required pool safety features and pool barriers shall not be removed and shall be maintained in such a way that they are fully functional.

(Ord. No. 427, § 2, 11-25-2025)

Except as hereinafter provided, those certain building codes known and designated as the California Residential Code 2025 Edition shall become the building codes of the City for regulating the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area and maintenance of all detached one and two family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures in the City. The California Residential Code and its appendix chapters will be on file for public examination in the Office of the City Clerk.

(Ord. No. 427, § 2, 11-25-2025)

The 2025 California Residential Code is hereby amended as follows:

CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATION

Section 1.8.8.3, of Section 1.1, of Division 1 of the California Residential Code is amended to read as follows:

"1.8.8.3 Appeals. Except as otherwise provided in law, any person, firm or corporation adversely affected by a decision, order or determination by the City of Chino Hills relating to the application of building standards published in the California Building Standards Code, or any other applicable rule or regulation adopted by the Department of Housing and Community Development, or any lawfully enacted ordinance by the City of Chino Hills, may appeal the issue for resolution to the Building Board of Appeals created pursuant to Chino Hills Municipal Code Section 15.04.020 as it amends California Building Code Section 113.

The Chino Hills Building Board of Appeals shall hear all appeals relating to new building construction and existing buildings under the authority of the City of Chino Hills Building Division."

ADMINISTRATION

Chapter 1 Section R105.1 is hereby amended to add the following provisions:

"R105.1.1 Unpermitted Structures.

No person shall own, use, occupy or maintain any 'Unpermitted Structure.'

For the purposes of this Code, 'Unpermitted Structure' shall be defined as any structure, or portion thereof, that was erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, connected, converted, demolished, or equipped, at any point in time, without the required permit(s) having first been obtained from the Building Official, pursuant to Section R105.1, or any unfinished work for which a permit has expired.

R105.1.2 Vacant Land.

No permits shall be issued on any vacant parcel or lot until such time as a principal use as defined in Municipal Code Section 16.02.280 has been entitled or a temporary or special use permit is granted pursuant to the Municipal Code. For the purposes of this section 'entitled' means granted an approved Design Review, Site Plan or other development permit pursuant to Title 16 of the Municipal Code."

Section R105.2 ("Work Exempt From Permit") is hereby amended, by the deletion of the entire section and its replacement with a new section, to read as follows:

"R105.2. Work Exempt From Permit.

Exemption from permit requirements of this Code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this Code or any other laws or ordinances of the City. Permits shall not be required for any of the items listed in Section 105.2 of the 2025 California Building Code, as amended by this Code."

MEANS OF APPEAL

Section R112, of Part 1 of the California Residential Code, shall be removed entirely and replaced with the following:

"R112.1 General. Appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the building official relative to the application and interpretation of this code shall be pursuant to Section 113 of the 2025 California Building Code as amended by Chino Hills Municipal Code Section 15.04.020."

STOP WORK ORDER

Chapter 1, Section R114.1 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"R114.1 Authority. Where the building official finds any work regulated by this code being performed in a manner contrary to the provisions of this code, in a dangerous or unsafe manner, or in such a manner that the site is deemed a public nuisance, the building official is authorized to issue a stop work order."

Chapter 1, Section R114.4 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"R114.4 Failure to Comply. Any person who shall continue any work after a stop work order has been issued for a project, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be subject to penalties pursuant to Section 1.36.020."

FIRE-RESISTIVE ROOFING

Section R902.1 of the 2025 California Residential Code is hereby amended, by the deletion of the entire section and its replacement with a new section, to read as follows:

"R902.1 Roof Covering Materials.

The roof covering on any structure regulated by this Code shall be Class 'A' as classified in Section 1505.2 of the 2025 California Building Code. Except that repairs of and additions to existing structures, which repairs and additions require the replacement or installation of no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total roof area in any twelve-month period, may be made using material to match the existing roof."

SWIMMING POOL ENCLOSURES AND SAFETY DEVICES

Appendix AX section AX 115922 (a)(5) of the 2025 California Residential Code is hereby amended, by the deletion of the entire section and its replacement with a new section thereto, to read as follows:

"(5)

A self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor on all doors providing direct or indirect access to the swimming pool or spa from the residence, including doors leading from an attached garage."

Appendix AX of the 2025 California Residential Code is hereby amended, by the addition of section AX 200, to read as follows:

"AX 200 Swimming Pool Additional Requirements. In addition to the requirements of the California Swimming Pool Safety Act, swimming pools shall also meet the requirements of Section 3109.3 through 3109.10 of the California Building Code."

(Ord. No. 427, § 2, 11-25-2025)

The California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition, shall be and become the Plumbing Code of the City of Chino Hills, regulating erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation, replacement, maintenance or use of plumbing systems within the City. The California Plumbing Code will be on file for public examination in the Office of the City Clerk.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE

"104.4 Permit Issuance. The application, construction documents, and other data filed by an applicant for a permit shall be reviewed by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Such plans shall be permitted to be reviewed by other departments of this jurisdiction to verify compliance with applicable laws under their jurisdiction. Where the Authority Having Jurisdiction finds that the work described in an application for permit and the plans, specifications, and other data filed therewith are in accordance with the requirements of the code and other pertinent laws and ordinances and that the fees specified in Section 104.5 have been paid, the Authority Having Jurisdiction shall issue a permit therefore to the applicant.

No permit shall be issued for private sewage disposal systems until the applicant submits sufficient documentation to the Building Official indicating that the proposed system is deemed approvable by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board."

(Ord. No. 427, § 2, 11-25-2025)

The California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition, shall be and become the Mechanical Code of the City of Chino Hills, regulating and controlling the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location, operation and maintenance of heating, ventilating, cooling, refrigeration systems, incinerators and other miscellaneous heat producing appliances. The California Mechanical Code is on file for public examination in the Office of the City Clerk.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE

The 2025 Edition of the California Mechanical Code is hereby adopted with no amendments.

(Ord. No. 427, § 2, 11-25-2025)

The California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition, shall be and become the Electrical Code of the City of Chino Hills, regulating all installation, arrangement, alteration, repair, use and other operation of electrical wiring, connections, fixtures, and other electrical appliances on premises within the City. The California Electrical Code is on file for public examination in the Office of the City Clerk.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE

The 2025 Edition of the California Electrical Code is hereby adopted with no amendments.

(Ord. No. 427, § 2, 11-25-2025)

The California Green Building Standards Code, 2025 Edition, shall be and become the Green Code of the City of Chino Hills. The purpose of this code is to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of residents, workers, and visitors by minimizing waste of energy, water, and other resources in the construction and operation of buildings in the City and by providing a healthy indoor environment. The green building practices required by this code will also further the goal of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions in the City. The 2025 Green Building Standards Code is on file for public examination in the Office of the City Clerk.

AMENDMENTS TO THE GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

The 2025 Edition of the California Green Building Standards Code Is hereby adopted with no amendments.

(Ord. No. 427, § 2, 11-25-2025)

The California Energy Code, 2025 Edition shall be and become the Energy Code of the City of Chino Hills. The purpose of this code is to reduce energy costs and environmental impacts of energy use - such as greenhouse gas emissions - while ensuring a safe, resilient, and reliable supply of energy.

AMENDMENTS TO THE ENERGY CODE

The 2025 Edition of the California Energy Code Is hereby adopted with no amendments.

(Ord. No. 427, § 2, 11-25-2025)