Citrus Heights Municipal Code Art. XVI Residential Code

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 2025-006, § 14, adopted November 12, 2025, repealed the former Art. XVI, §§ 18-580—18-583, and enacted a new Art. XVI as set out herein. The former Art. XVI pertained to Residential Code and derived from Ord. No. 2010-015, § 2, adopted Dec. 9, 2010; Ord. No. 13-002, §§ 8, 9, adopted March 14, 2013; Ord. No. 2013-009, § 9, adopted Oct. 10, 2013; Ord. No. 2019-005, § 9, adopted Oct. 10, 2019; Ord. No. 2022-010, § 9, adopted Oct. 27, 2022.

This article shall be known as the "Citrus Heights Residential Building Code."

(Ord. No. 2025-006, § 14, 11-12-2025)

The chief building official of the city (also referred to as "building official") is designated to be the authority having jurisdiction of the Citrus Heights building codes. The chief building official shall administer, enforce, and render interpretations of the provisions of the Citrus Heights Residential Building Code, and shall, upon application and after receipt of proper documentation as required under this chapter, grant permits for the construction, alteration, maintenance, and moving of all buildings and structures within this jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. 2025-006, § 14, 11-12-2025)

The 2025 California Residential Code, Part 2.5, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (hereinafter referred to as the "State Code"), incorporating the International Residential Code, 2025 Edition, published by the International Code Council, including Appendix BB (Tiny Homes), BF Sections BF101—BF105.2 (Patio Covers), except as otherwise amended in Section 18-583, is hereby adopted by reference as the residential building code of the City of Citrus Heights. One copy of the California Residential Code shall be kept on file in the office of the community development department for use and examination by the public.

(Ord. No. 2025-006, § 14, 11-12-2025)

A. Section R101.1, "Title" is amended to read as follows:

R101.1 Title. These provisions shall be known as the Residential Code for One- and Two-family Dwellings of The City of Citrus Heights, and shall be cited as such and will referred to herein as "this code."

B. Section R103.1, "Creation of Agency" is amended to read as follows:

R103.1 Creation of agency. The Citrus Heights Building & Safety Division is hereby created and the official in charge thereof shall be known as the building official. The function of the agency shall be the implementation, administration and enforcement of the provisions of this code.

C. Section R105.2, "Work exempt from permit" is amended 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 this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following:

Building Permits:

15. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area of such structures with walls does not exceed 120 square feet, and structures with four open sides do not exceed 120 square feet in roof area. It is permissible that these structures still be regulated by CCR Part 7 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, despite exemption from permit. Any utilities provided for such structures shall require a permit. All structures must meet set-back and height requirements as determined by the City Planning Division.

16. Other than storm shelters, residential one-story detached accessory structures greater than 120 square feet but not exceeding 200 square feet shall comply with all of the following conditions:

a. The accessory structure shall be pre-manufactured and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

b. The structure shall not be fully enclosed; examples include gazebos, patio covers, pergolas, arbors, or trellises.

c. The structure shall not be designed or used for storage purposes; sheds, carports and garages are not permitted under this section.

d. The structure shall not exceed twelve (12) feet in height, measured from the adjoining grade to the highest point of the roof.

e. The structure shall comply with fire separation distance requirements to the lot line as prescribed for a non-sprinklered building.

f. All parts of the structure, including eave overhangs, shall not project more than twelve (12) inches beyond the exterior walls, nor cross property lines.

g. Any utilities provided to the structure shall require a permit.

h. The structure shall not be used for human habitation or commercial purposes.

i. All structures shall comply with setback and height requirements as determined by the City Planning Division.

j. The structure shall not be located within a public utility or maintenance easement required by the Zoning Code where a neighboring dwelling has a zero side yard.

k. In addition to these Building & Safety Division requirements, all structures must also comply with setback and height requirements as established by the City Planning Division.

It is permissible that these structures still be regulated by CCR Part 7 California Wildland Urban-Interface Code, despite exemption from permit.

17. Fences, and other than swimming pool barriers, not over 7 feet high.

18. Retaining walls that:

a. Are not over 4 feet in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall.

b. Are constructed of reinforced concrete or reinforced masonry and do not retain more than 36 inches of earth.

c. Are constructed of pre-cast block retaining wall systems installed per the manufacturer's installation instructions and do not retain more than 36 inches of earth.

d. Are constructed of decay resistant or treated wood and do not retain more than 24 inches of earth.

e. Do not impound class I, II or IIIA liquids.

f. Do not support surcharge loads.

19. Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1.

20. Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route.

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

22. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground.

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

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

Electrical:

1. Listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting.

2. Reinstallation of attachment receptacles but not the outlets therefor.

3. Replacement of branch circuit overcurrent devices of the required capacity in the same location.

4. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus, or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.

5. Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.

Gas:

3. Portable heating, cooking or clothes drying appliances.

4. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.

5. Portable-fuel cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.

Mechanical:

9. Portable heating appliances.

10. Portable ventilation appliances.

11. Portable cooling unit.

12. Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.

13. Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.

14. Portable evaporative coolers.

15. Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.

16. Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.

Plumbing:

3. The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.

4. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided that such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.

D. Section R105.2.2.1, "Limits on repair for R-3 and U occupancies," is added to read as follows:

R105.2.2.1 Limits on repair for R-3 and U occupancies. When the scope of work for R-3 and U Occupancies involves the removal or replacement of 50 percent or greater of the linear length of the walls of the building (exterior plus interior) within a one-year period, the project shall be considered new construction; and the entire building shall comply with all current codes.

E. Section R105.3.2 "Time limitation of application," is amended to read as follows:

R105.3.2 Time limitation of application. An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be deemed to have been abandoned 180 days after the date of filing, unless such application has been pursued in good faith or a permit has been issued, except that the building official is authorized to grant one or more extensions of time for additional periods not exceeding 90 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

Any application not issued prior to the effective date of any new law, statute, provision, ordinance, or any revision or update to the same, that directly or indirectly applies to code regulation and enforcement, will be deemed void, and a new application shall be made, and new fees shall be calculated and collected at the rates currently in effect at the time of the new application.

F. Section R105.4.1, "Certificate of Construction," is added to read as follows:

R105.4.1 Certificate of Construction. The building official may issue a Certificate of Construction for projects where a building permit is not appropriate. Typical examples of such projects are structures constructed where a building permit would not be issued but a plan review would be performed or a project not under the City's jurisdiction but where inspection is to be conducted by the City on a contract.

G. Section R105.4.2, "Certificate of Release," is added to read as follows:

R105.4.2 Certificate of Release. Prior to issuance of a permit, a Certificate of Release shall be obtained from the fire protection district for the following:

1. Any new dwelling when there is no public water supply source with a distribution system conforming to City standards.

2. Any new dwelling, covered porch/patio, and attached garage 3,600 square feet or greater.

3. Any new dwelling with a private access road.

Where the furthest point of the habitable structure is more than 150 feet from the public road.

H. Section R105.5 "Expiration," and R105.5.1 "Expiration," are amended to read as follows:

R105.5 Expiration. Every building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permit issued by the Building official under this Code shall expire two (2) years after the date of issuance, or if the building or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within one year from the date the permit is issued, or if the building or work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of one year any time after the work is commenced. Once the permit is expired, no work can be performed until a new permit is obtained.

If the original permit expired due to a failure to commence the work within one year or because the work was suspended or abandoned for a period of one year, and if a new permit is sought within two years after the issuance of the original permit, the replacement permit fee shall be one half of the amount required for a new permit, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work.

Permits deemed to have been expired, suspended or abandoned shall be subject to all permit related fee increases, and new fees and code requirements currently in effect at the time of permit renewal as applicable, subject to the discretion of the building official.

Any applicant holding an unexpired permit may apply for an extension of the time within which he or she may continue and complete the work under that permit. Upon a showing to the building official that the applicant was unable to commence, continue or complete the work within the time required for good and satisfactory reasons, the building official may extend the permit for a period not to exceed one year. All requests for extensions must be in writing and must be received by the building official prior to the expiration of the permit. All requests must demonstrate that circumstances beyond the control of the applicant have prevented the timely completion of the work.

All permits will become null and void 180 days after the prescribed expiration date as described in Table 105.

TABLE 105

I. Section R105.7, "Placement of Permit," is amended to read as follows:

R105.7 Placement of permit. Work requiring a permit shall not be commenced until the permit holder or an agent of the permit holder has posted the building permit in a highly visible location on the job site so as to allow the building official to conveniently make the required entries thereon regarding inspection of the work. The permit application, or a copy, and all correction notices must be kept with the building permit. This permit shall be maintained available by the permit holder until completion of the work and final approval has been granted by the building official.

J. Section R106.1.5, "Deferred submittals," is added to read as follows:

R106.1.5 Deferred submittals. For the purposes of this section, deferred submittals are defined as those portions of the design that are not submitted at the time of the application and that are to be submitted to the building official within a specified period. Deferral of any submittal items shall have the prior approval of the building official. The registered design professional in responsible charge shall list the deferred submittals on the construction documents for review by the building official.

Documents for deferred submittal items shall be submitted to the registered design professional in responsible charge who shall review them and forward them to the building official with a notation indicating that the deferred submittal documents have been reviewed and been found to be in general conformance to the design of the building. The deferred submittal items shall not be installed until the design and submittal documents have been approved by the building official.

K. Section R108.2, "Schedule of permit fees," is amended to read as follows:

R108.2 Schedule of permit fees. On buildings, structures, electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing systems or alterations requiring a permit, a fee for each permit shall be paid as required, in accordance with the schedule as prescribed by resolution of the City of Citrus Heights.

When submittal documents are required by Section 106, a plan review fee shall be paid at the time of submitting the documents for plan review. Said plan review fee shall be prescribed by resolution of the City of Citrus Heights.

The plan review fees specified in this Section are separate fees from the permit fees specified in this Section and are in addition to the permit fees.

When submittal documents are incomplete or changed so as to require additional plan review, or when the project involves a deferred submittal item as defined in Section 106.4, an additional plan review fee shall be charged as prescribed by resolution of the City of Citrus Heights.

L. Section R108.3, "Building permit valuations," is amended to read as follows:

R108.3 Building permit valuations. The applicant for a permit shall provide an estimated permit value at time of application. Permit valuations shall include total value of work, including materials and labor, for which the permit is being issued, such as structures, electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing equipment, and permanent systems. If, in the opinion of the building official, the valuation is underestimated on the application, the permit shall be denied, unless the applicant can show detailed estimates to meet the approval of the building official. Final building permit valuation shall be set by the building official.

M. Section R108.5, "Refunds," is amended to read as follows:

R108.5 Refunds. The building official may authorize the refunding of any fee paid hereunder that was erroneously paid or collected.

The building official may authorize the refunding of not more than 40 percent of the total permit fee paid when no work has been done under a permit issued in accordance with this Code.

Where no plan review fee was required, the building official may authorize the refunding of not more than 80 percent of the total permit fee paid when no work has been done under a permit issued in accordance with this Code.

The building official may authorize the refunding of not more than 80 percent of the plan review fee paid when an application for a permit for which a plan review fee has been paid is withdrawn or canceled before any plan reviewing is done.

The building official shall not authorize the refunding of any fee paid except upon written application filed by the original applicant no later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.

N. Section R109.1.5.4, "Reinspections," is added to read as follows:

R109.1.5.4 Reinspections. A re-inspection fee may be assessed for any of the following reasons:

22. When such portion of work for which inspection is called is not completely ready or when previous corrections called for are not made.

23. When the job address is not clearly posted and visible from the street or the front of the building.

24. When there is a lack of access to the work to be inspected.

25. When the building permit is not posted on the job site.

26. When the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector.

27. When the building permit, or a copy, and any previous correction notice(s) are not readily available.

28. For deviating from plans requiring the approval of the building official.

This section is not to be interpreted as requiring re-inspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of this Code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is completely ready for such inspection.

To obtain a re-inspection, the applicant shall pay any re-inspection fee as prescribed by resolution of the City of Citrus Heights.

In instances where re-inspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid.

O. Section R110.1, "Use and change of occupancy," is amended to read as follows:

R110.1 Use and change of occupancy. A building or structure shall be used or occupied in whole or in part, and a change of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made, until the Building official has issued a certificate of occupancy therefor as provided herein. Issuance of a certificate of occupancy shall not be construed as an approval of a violation of this code or other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Certificates presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid.

Exceptions:

4. Certificates of Occupancy are not required for R-3 One or Two-Family Dwellings or Townhome occupancies.

5. Certificates of occupancy are not required for work exempt from permits under Section R105.2.

6. Accessory buildings or structures (Residential Only).

P. Section R110.2, "Certificate issued," is amended to read as follows:

R110.2 Certificate issued. After the building official inspects the building or structure and does not find violations of the provisions of this code or other laws that enforced by the Building & Safety Division, the building official shall issue a certificate of occupancy that contains the following:

14. The building permit number.

15. The address of the structure.

16. The name and address of the owner or the owner's authorized agent.

17. A description of that portion of the structure for which the certificate is issued.

18. Name of the business, if applicable

19. A statement that the described portion of the structure has been inspected for compliance with the requirements of this code for the occupancy and division of occupancy and the use for which the proposed occupancy is classified.

20. The name and signature of the building official

21. The edition of the code under which the permit was issued.

22. The use and occupancy, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 3.

23. The type of construction as defined in Chapter 6.

24. The design occupant load.

25. If an automatic sprinkler system is provided, whether the sprinkler system is required.

26. Any special stipulations or conditions of the building permit.

Q. Section R111.3 "Authority to disconnect service utilities" is amended to read as follows:

R111.3 Authority to disconnect service utilities. The building official or an authorized representative shall have the authority to authorize disconnection of any utility service or energy supplied to the building, structure, system or building service equipment regulated by this Code and the referenced codes and standards in case of emergency where necessary to eliminate an immediate hazard to life or property or where such utility connection has been made without approval required by Section R111.1 or R111.2.

The building official shall notify the serving utility and where possible, the owner, owner's authorized agent or the occupant of the building, structure, or service system of the decision to disconnect prior to taking such action. If not notified prior to disconnection, the owner, the owner's authorized agent or occupant of the building, structure or service system shall be notified in writing as soon as practical thereafter.

R. Section R111.4 "Authority to condemn building service equipment" is added to read as follows:

R111.4 Authority to condemn building service equipment. Whenever the building official ascertains that any building service equipment regulated in the codes has become hazardous to life, health, or property or becomes unsanitary, the building official shall order, in writing, that such equipment either be removed or restored to a safe or sanitary condition, whichever is appropriate. The written notice shall fix a time limit for compliance with such order. No person shall use or maintain defective building service equipment after receiving such notice.

When such equipment or installation is to be disconnected, a written notice of such disconnection and causes therefore shall be given within 24 hours to the serving utility, the owner, and occupant of such building, structure, or premises.

When any building service equipment is maintained in violation of the codes and in violation of any notice issued pursuant to the provisions of this section, the building official shall institute any appropriate action to prevent, restrain, correct, or abate the violation.

S. Section R112 "Means of Appeal," is deleted. Appeals will be conducted as per City policy for appeals of building code; See separate ordinance.

T. Section R113.1.1, "Connection after order to disconnect," is added to read as follows:

R113.1.1 Connection after order to disconnect. No person shall make connections from any energy, fuel, or power supply nor supply energy or fuel to any building service utilities or equipment that has been disconnected or ordered to be disconnected by the building official or the use of which has been ordered to be discontinued by the building official until the building official authorizes the reconnection and use of such equipment.

The building official shall have the right to withhold clearing building service utilities or equipment for hookup by the service agency if the owner or contractor refuses to comply with other ordinances affecting the structure as a whole.

U. Section R113.4, "Violation penalties," is amended to read as follows:

R113.4 Violation penalties. Any person who violates a provision of this code or fails to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who erects, constructs, alters or repairs a building or structure in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the building official, or of a permit or certificate issued under the provisions of this code, shall be subject to penalties as prescribed by law.

A violation fee is separate and independent from other fees, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued, provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to emergency work when it is proved to the satisfaction of the building official that such work was urgently necessary and that it was not practical to obtain a permit before commencement of the work. In all such cases, a permit must be obtained as soon as it is practical to do so; and, if there is an unreasonable delay in obtaining such permit, the violation fee as herein provided shall be charged.

The minimum violation fee will be double the fee calculated for the work performed, plus one hour of administrative work time, multiplied by the current labor rate for the appropriate position, plus the Total Permit Fee of any permits necessary to mitigate the violation.

Any person who violates the provisions of this code may also become subject to an Administrative Citation as prescribed by law, and as described in the Citrus Heights Municipal Code.

V. Section R506.3.3, "Vapor retarder," is amended to read as follows:

R506.3.3 Vapor retarder. Groups R-1 and R-3 occupancies with concrete floors bearing on the ground shall have provided below the concrete floor a minimum of 4 inches (101.6 mm) of clean, well graded crushed rock or gravel ⅜ inch (9.5 mm) minimum to 1 ½ inches (38 mm) maximum size. A 6-mil (0.006 inch; 0.15 mm) polyethylene vapor retarder with joints lapped not less than 6 inches (152 mm) shall be placed between the concrete floor slab and the base course or the prepared subgrade where a base course does not exist, or other approved equivalent methods or materials shall be used to retard vapor transmission through the floor slab.

Exception: A vapor retarder is not required:

1. For detached structures accessory to occupancies in Group R-3, such as garages, utility buildings or other unheated facilities.

2. For unheated storage rooms having an area of less than 70 square feet (6.5 m 2 ) and carports.

3. For driveways, walks, patios and other flatwork not likely to be enclosed at a later date.

4. Where approved by the building official, based on local site conditions

(Ord. No. 2025-006, § 14, 11-12-2025)