Chino Municipal Code Ch. 15.04 Building Code

There is adopted by reference the 2025 California Building Code, with errata, incorporating the 2024 International Building Code, Volumes I, II, including Chapter 1, Division II, and appendices C, I, and J. That certain document, three copies of which are on file with the city of Chino, being marked and designated as California Building Code, 2025 Edition, Volumes I, II as copyrighted 2025 by the International Code Council, is adopted as the Building Code of the City of Chino, for regulating the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, conversion, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area and maintenance of all buildings and structures in the city of Chino, providing for the issuance of permits therefor; and each and all such regulations are referred to, adopted and made part hereof as though fully set out in this section, excepting such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified, or amended by this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

The California Building Code, adopted by Section 15.04.010, is amended as set out in this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

Section 502.1 of the California Building Code is amended to read as follows:

502.1 Address identification. Buildings shall 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 shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be numerals or alphabetical letters. Numbering for one and two-family residential dwellings shall be four inches (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of one-half inch (12.7 mm). Numbering for buildings other than one and two-family residential dwellings shall be a minimum of eight inches (203 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of one inch (25.4 mm). Address identification shall be maintained.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

Section 705.8.7 is added to the California Building Code and shall read as follows:

705.8.7 Industrial building doorways. When adjoining industrial properties are owned by the same person or entity, the fire-resistive exterior walls of an existing industrial building located within the ten feet of the common property line may contain a doorway provided that the following conditions must be met:

a. The doorway would be permitted if the common property line did not exist.

b. The plans for the construction of the doorway must be approved and a building permit issued by the building official who is authorized to require reasonable fire protection measures as a condition of the issuance of the building permit.

c. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, the owner must record a covenant as to each property that, upon the sale of the property, the fire-resistive exterior wall shall be restored to meet the requirements of this section for each property qualifying for such doorway.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

Section 903.2 of the California Building Code is amended by adding the following three paragraphs:

In addition to the requirements of Section 903, fire sprinklers are required for the construction of buildings five thousand square feet or more, regardless of fire walls, except for Group R-3 (one- and two-family dwelling) and Group U accessory to Group R-3 occupancies.

Fire Sprinklers are required when additions exceed five thousand square feet. When the addition is less than fifty percent of the original building square footage, the addition shall be equipped with a sprinkler system. When the addition is fifty percent or greater than the original building square footage, the entire structure shall be equipped with a sprinkler system.

Alternate automatic fire extinguishing systems complying with sections 904 of the California Building Code may be permitted in lieu of automatic sprinkler protection where recognized and approved by the Building Official and the Fire Marshall.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

The definition of "swimming pool" in Section 3109.2 of the California Building Code is amended to read as follows:

"Swimming pool" Any structure intended for swimming, recreational bathing, wading, or other purposes, that contains water over eighteen inches (457 mm) deep. This includes in-ground, above-ground and on-ground pools; hot tubs; spas, fixed-in-place wading pools, water fountains, or any other constructed water feature.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

Section 3109.2.1 is added to the California Building Code and shall read as follows:

3109.2.1 Applicability to residential settings. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this code, the provisions of Chapter 31 in this code shall apply to all residential single-family homes.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

Section 3109.3 is added to the California Building Code and shall read as follows:

3109.3 Residential swimming pools. The provisions of this section apply to the design and construction of barriers for swimming pools located on the premises of Group R-3 occupancy and shall comply with Sections 3109.3.1 through 3109.3.3.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

Section 3109.3.1 is added to the California Building Code and shall read as follows:

3109.3.1 Barrier height and clearances. An outdoor swimming pool shall be provided with a barrier that shall be installed, inspected, and approved prior to plastering or filling the pool with water. The top of the barrier shall be at least sixty inches (1,524 mm) above grade, measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be two inches (51 mm) measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance at the bottom of the barrier may be increased to four inches (102 mm) when grade is a solid surface such as a concrete deck, or when the barrier is mounted on the top of the aboveground pool structure. When barriers have horizontal members spaced less than forty-five inches (1,143 mm) apart, the horizontal members shall be placed on the pool side of the barrier. Any decorative design work on the side away from the swimming pool such as protrusions, indentations or cutouts, which renders the barrier easily climbable, is prohibited.

3109.3.1.1 Openings. Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a four-inch (102 mm) diameter sphere.

EXCEPTIONS:

a. When vertical spacing between such openings is forty-five inches (1,143 mm) or more, the opening size may be increased such that the passage of a four-inch (102 mm) diameter sphere is not allowed.

b. For fencing composed of vertical and horizontal members, the spacing between vertical members may be increased up to four inches (102 mm) when the distance between the top and bottom of horizontal members is forty-five inches (1,143 mm) or more.

3109.3.1.2 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.

3109.3.1.3 Chain link fences. Chain link fences used as the barrier shall not be less than eleven gauge, with an approved filler material interwoven between openings that provide a smooth surface free of foot and hand holds.

3109.3.1.4 Access gates. Access gates shall comply with the requirements of 3109.3.1 through 3109.3.1.3 and in no case shall any gate have a width greater than four feet (1,290 mm). Any access gate through the barrier must swing away from the pool or spa. Pedestrian access gates shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device. Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than fifty-seven inches (1,448 mm) from the bottom of the gate, (1) the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the barrier at least three inches (76 mm) below the top of the gate, and (2) the gate and barrier shall have no opening greater than one half inch (12.7 mm) within eighteen inches (457 mm) of the release mechanism. Any gates other than pedestrian access gates shall be equipped with lockable hardware or padlocks and shall remain locked at all times when not in use.

3109.3.1.5 Dwelling wall as a barrier. Where a wall of a Group R, Division 3 Occupancy dwelling unit serves as part of the barrier and contains door openings between the dwelling unit and the outdoor swimming pool that provides direct access to the pool, a separation fence meeting the requirements of Section 3109.3.1 shall be provided.

EXCEPTIONS: When approved by the Building Official, two of the following may be used.

a. An enclosure that meets the requirements of Section 115923 and isolates the swimming pool or spa from the private single-family home.

b. Removable mesh fencing that meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specifications F2286 standards in conjunction with a gate that is self-closing and self-latching and can accommodate a key lockable device.

c. An approved safety pool cover, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 115921.

d. Exit alarms on the private single-family home's doors that provide direct access to the swimming pool or spa. The exit alarm may cause either an alarm noise or a verbal warning, such as a repeating notification that "the door to the pool is open."

e. A self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor on the private single-family home's doors providing direct access to the swimming pool or spa.

f. An alarm that, when placed in a swimming pool or spa, will sound upon detection of accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water. The alarm shall meet and be independently certified to the ASTM Standard F2208 "Standard Safety Specification for Residential Pool Alarms," which includes surface motion, pressure, sonar, laser and infrared type alarms. A swimming protection alarm feature designed for individual use, including an alarm attached to a child that sounds when the child exceeds a certain distance or becomes submerged in water, is not a qualifying drowning prevention safety feature.

g. Other means of protection, if the degree of protection afforded is equal to or greater than that afforded by any of the features set forth above and has been independently verified by an approved testing laboratory as meeting standards for those features established by the ASTM or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

3109.3.1.6 Pool structure as a 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, the (1) the ladder or steps shall be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access or (2) the ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier that meets the requirements of Sections 3109.3.1 through 3109.3.1.4. When ladder or steps are secured, locked or removed, any opening created shall not allow the passage of a four-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

Section 3109.3.2 is added to the California Building Code and shall read as follows:

3109.3.2 Indoor swimming pools. Walls surrounding indoor swimming pools shall not be required to comply with Section 3109.3.1.5.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

Section 105.2 of Division II of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code is amended to read as follows:

105.2 Work exempt from permit. A building permit will not be required for the following:

1. One story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, gazebos, playhouses, temporary tents, and similar uses, provided the structure area, measured from the exterior, does not exceed one hundred twenty square feet and meets all required setbacks. Open structures, such as gazebos, will be measured from the roof line, not the support posts. It is permissible that these structures still be regulated by California Building Code Section 710A, despite exemption from permit.

2. Oil derricks.

3. Nonfixed and moveable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over five feet, nine inches in height.

4. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed five thousand gallons.

5. Platforms, decks, walks, and driveways not more than thirty inches above grade and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.

6. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work.

7. Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery.

8. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support of Group R-3 and U occupancies.

9. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R, Division 3 Occupancy that are less than eighteen inches deep, do not exceed five thousand gallons, and are installed entirely above the ground.

10. Block walls and fences less than three feet in height.

11. Retaining walls under eighteen inches in height.

12. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings.

13. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems.

14. Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height.

Unless otherwise exempted by this code, separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits will be required for the above exempted items. Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be in violation of any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

Section 109.1 of Division II of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code is amended to read as follows:

109.1 Payment of fees. The application plans, and specifications and other data filed by an applicant for a permit shall be reviewed by the Building Official. Such plans shall be reviewed by other departments of the city to verify compliance with any applicable laws or ordinances under their jurisdiction. If the Building Official finds that the work described in an application for a permit and the plans, specifications and other data filed therewith conform to the requirements of this code, and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and that the fees specified in Section 109.2.1 and the fees required by other departments of the city have been paid, the Building Official shall issue a permit therefor to the applicant.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

Section 109.2.1 is added to Division II of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code and shall read as follows:

109.2.1 Permit fees. A fee for each building permit shall be paid to the Building Official as set forth in a resolution adopted by the city council.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

Section 109.2.2 is added to Division II of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code and shall read as follows:

109.2.2 Plan review fee. When a plan or other data is required to be submitted by Section 107, a plan review fee shall be paid at the time of submitting plans and specifications for review. Said plan review fee shall be at an amount set by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

Section 109.2.3 is added to Division II of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code and shall read as follows:

109.2.3 Inspection fee. That in lieu of the permit fees otherwise provided for in this section, the fee for the inspection of a structure to be moved into the City shall be paid as set by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

Section 109.4.1 is added to Division II of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code and shall read as follows:

109.4.1 Work commencing before permit issuance penalty. When the building official has determined that work which requires a permit by this code has commenced prior to permit issuance, a penalty equal to double the cost of the permit, may be charged.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

Section 109.6 of Division II of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code is amended to read as follows:

109.6 Refunds. The Building Official may authorize refunding of any fee paid hereunder in accordance with the department policies and procedures.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

Throughout Appendix J of the California Building Code where the word "Building Official" appears it shall be amended to read "City Engineer."

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

Section J103.1 of the California Building Code is amended to read as follows:

Except as exempted in Section J103.2, no grading shall be performed without first having obtained a permit thereof from the City Engineer. A grading permit does not include the construction of retaining walls or other structures.

A fee for each grading permit shall be paid as set forth in the City of Chino's Comprehensive Fee Schedule. Separate permits and fees shall apply to retaining walls or major drainage structures as required elsewhere in this code. There shall be no separate charge for standard terrace drains and similar facilities. The fee for a grading permit authorizing additional work to that under a valid permit shall be the difference between the fee paid for the original permit and the fee shown for the entire project.

When a plan or other data are required to be submitted, a plan review fee shall be paid at the time of submitting plans and specifications for review. Said plan review fee shall be as set forth in the City of Chino's Comprehensive Fee Schedule. Separate plan review fees shall apply to retaining walls or major drainage structures as required elsewhere in this code.

For excavation and fill on the same site, the fee shall be based on the volume of excavation or fill, whichever is greater.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)