Cloverdale Municipal Code Ch. 15.06 California Residential Building Code

The California Residential Building Code, 2025 edition, including Tables and Appendices BF, CI, and CJ as set forth in Part 2.5 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations is hereby adopted by reference in its entirety by the City, as amended herein, except that for purposes of citation, said code shall be renumbered by adding "15.06" before the sections of the California Residential Building Code.

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Sections 1.8.4.2 of Chapter One Division I and Section R108 of Chapter One Division II are deleted in their entirety and replaced to read as follow: Permit fees, Plan Review fees, and Work Commencing Before Permit Issuance shall be assessed as provided in Cloverdale Municipal Code Chapter 15.02. The provisions of Cloverdale Municipal Code section 15.02.050, Expiration of Plan Review Applications, shall be applicable to plans submitted pursuant to this chapter.

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Section 103.1 is amended as follows: "Insert Name of Department" is hereby deleted and replaced with "City of Cloverdale Building Department."

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Section R105.5 is amended to read as follows: 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 not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated. The chief building official may extend this time period when such extension is warranted, including but not limited to (1) to correct an error by the department, (2) when a legal action prevents the project from being completed within the allowed time frame, or (3) in the interest of public health and safety. The chief building official's decision regarding the limitation period shall be final.

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Section R202 is amended to add a definition for "New Construction" to read as follows: NEW CONSTRUCTION: "For the purposes of enforcing the provisions of the California Fire Code, California Building Code, and the California Residential Building Code, any work, addition to, remodel, repair, renovation, or alteration of any building(s) or structure(s) may be defined as "New Construction" when 50 percent or more of the exterior weight bearing walls are removed or demolished".

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Section R202 is amended to add a definition for "Alteration of Floor Area" to read as follows: ALTERATION OF FLOOR AREA: "For the purpose of this definition, the following criteria shall be considered in determining the percentage of "alteration of floor area." The 50% referred to under "Substantial Remodel" applies to the entire building's gross floor area in plan view. The entire room or space where the remodel is taking place will be considered in the calculation, either alone or in combination with any of the following:

a. Removing wall finishes and exposing framing of;

b. New wall construction, removing, or repositioning, either interior or perimeter exterior walls, the rooms or spaces on both sides of the wall will be included in the calculation.

c. Removal of the ceiling in any room or space to expose rafters, trusses, beams, purlins, or floor joists.

d. Removal of the roof structure (only rooms or spaces that are directly below the removed roof structure will be included in the calculation).

e. Removal of floor finishes which exposes floor framing and/or removal of concrete slab.

f. Relocating plumbing fixtures in a bathroom or kitchen will cause that entire room or space to be included in the calculation.

g. Other alterations considered substantial by the Fire Code Official (see DSA-AC definition of "Alteration" in the 2025 California Building Code).

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Section R202 is amended to add a definition for "Substantial Remodel" to read as follows: SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL: "In all existing buildings or structures, any alteration of floor area that is greater than fifty percent (50%) of the existing gross floor area."

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Section R202 is amended to add a definition for "Substantial Addition, Group R-3" to read as follows: SUBSTANTIAL ADDITION, GROUP R-3: "In all existing Group R-3 buildings or structures, any addition of floor area that exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the existing gross floor area."

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Section R309.2 is amended to read as follows: An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed and maintained in all newly constructed California Residential Code regulated buildings.

Exceptions:

1. Detached Group U occupancies 1,000 sq. ft. or less. Agricultural buildings and private riding arenas as approved by the fire or building code official.

2. Detached pool houses up to 1,000 sq. ft. in floor area within 50 feet of the pool and limited to a single bathroom.

3. Detached Car Ports of non-combustible construction with no habitable space above.

4. Systems preempted in ADU's and JADU's by State Law.

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Section R309.2.1.1 is added to read as follows: Group S occupancies located on private residential zoned parcels shall be designed to 903.3.1.3 as approved by the Fire Code Official.

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Section R309.2.2 is added to read as follows: Additions to any existing California Residential Building Code regulated buildings that meet the definition of "Substantial Addition" shall meet the requirements for a newly constructed building. All additions to any existing California Residential Building Code regulated building with an existing automatic sprinkler system regardless of size shall be required to extend the sprinkler system into the addition per Section R309.2.

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Section R309.2.3 is added to read as follows: For remodels, alterations, or repairs to an existing California Residential Building Code regulated building involving demolition, alterations, or repair which meets the definition of a Substantial Remodel, the building shall meet the requirements for a newly constructed building.

Exceptions:

1. Alterations or additions made solely for the purpose of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

2. Whenever there are practical difficulties involved, the Fire Code Official shall have the authority to grant modifications in individual cases provided the modifications do not lessen the health, life, and fire safety requirements as permitted in Section 104.8 of the Fire Code.

3. Additions or repairs solely for the purpose of seismic retrofit.

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Section R309.4 is added to read as follows: Residential fire sprinkler systems shall have an NFPA 13D approved pressure relief valve when static pressures are greater than 80 psi.

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Section 309.5 is added to read as follows: Residential fire sprinkler systems shall have adequate freeze protection to address outside temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be achieved by insulating coverings or other reliable means of maintaining a minimum temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Section R308 is deleted in its entirety and amended to read as follows: New buildings under the scope of the California Residential Code shall have approved illuminated address numbers or 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 be in contrasting color with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numerals or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled out. Where it is impractical to install illuminated numbers due to long driveways or other circumstances, approved reflective numbers with those properties listed above may be installed at the intersection of the driveway and road fronting the parcel. For existing properties, any additions, alterations or other work requiring a permit with a valuation over $20,000, approved numbers or addresses shall be installed. Numbers for buildings under the scope of the California Residential Code shall be a minimum of 4 inches high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inches. Where access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole, or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure.

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Section R404.1.1.1 is added to read as follows: Concrete and masonry foundation walls and retaining walls with a height of four (4) feet or more as measured from the bottom of the footing shall have the construction documents approved and stamped by a California licensed architect or engineer. Where applicable, the design parameters in this chapter may be used.

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Section R902.1 language is amended to read as follows: Regardless of other provisions of this chapter, the roof covering or roofing assembly on any structure within the City of Cloverdale shall be not less than Class "A" fire rated as classified in ASTM E 108 or UL 790. This requirement shall apply to all new structures and every existing structure when 25 percent or more of the total roof area is re-roofed within a one-year period. Roofing shall be secured or fastened to the supporting roof construction and shall provide weather protection for the building at the roof.

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)

Section R350 is added to read as follows: Limited cultivation of marijuana shall be in accordance with the City of Cloverdale's Municipal Code Chapter 18.15. Permit application and plan submittal is required.

(Ord. 765-2025, 12/10/2025)