El Cerrito Municipal Code Ch. 16.02 California Building Code

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, adopted Oct. 21, 2025, repealed the former Ch. 16.02 §§ 16.02.010—16.02.230 and enacted a new Ch. 16.02 as set out herein. The former Ch. 16.02 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 2022-03, Div. II, adopted Nov. 1, 2022.

The Building Code for the City, sometimes referred to as "the CBC," is the 2025 California Building Code, incorporating Volumes 1 and 2, (based on the International Building Code, 2021 Edition), including Appendix Chapters G, and J, as approved by the California Building Standards Commission, and as published in Title 24, Part 2, Volumes 1 and 2 of the California Code of Regulations.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Subsection 105.2(4) of the CBC is amended to read:

4. Retaining walls which do not retain more than thirty (30) inches of earth when the earth retained is level and where there is no surcharge load and retaining walls which do not retain more than two (2) feet of earth when the earth retained is sloping not greater than 2h:1v and there is no surcharge load. The above does not apply to retaining walls impounding Class I, II, or IIIA Liquids. See CBC Section 2304.12.5 for treatment of wood used for retaining walls.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Section 107.6 is added to the CBC, to read as follows:

Section 107.6 Garage, Carport and Driveway Grade Requirements.

(a) Garage and carport floors shall be concrete.

(b) Any person to whom a building permit has been issued shall, where established, obtain official line and grade information as required in Section 13.20.150 of the City Code prior to the construction of foundations or footings for carports and garages.

(c) When official line and grade has not been established, it shall be the responsibility of that person to provide such information as required by City Engineer to establish lines and grades.

(d) Any person to whom a building permit has been issued shall construct the finish floor of carports and garages to an elevation which shall conform to the official driveway data as set forth on plan LL-1031 on file with the City Engineer.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Subsection 107.3.1.1 is added to the CBC, to read as follows:

Review by Fire Chief. Whenever application is made for a building permit, as required by the CBC, the Building Official shall withhold issuance of the building permit until notification from the Fire Chief that all plans required by the California Fire Code (chapter 16.26 of this title) have been reviewed and approved, and that the requirements specified in Section 16.26 have been met.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Section 114.1.1 is added to the CBC, to read as follows:

Section 114.1.1 - Littering of Streets

It shall be unlawful for any person to excavate, dig or move dirt, rock, or other substances so as to allow fragments thereof from being thrown or dropped against or upon lots or buildings, or upon any public right-of-way. Any person dropping such material or tracking dirt, mud, or rocks from private property upon any public right-of-way shall immediately cause the same to be removed. Transportation of dirt and rock requires a permit obtained pursuant to chapter 13.24 of the El Cerrito Municipal Code.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Section 117 is added to the CBC, to read as follows:

Section 117 - General Regulation of Construction

(a) Work may be prohibited during inclement weather upon the order of the City Building Official.

(b) The hours of work shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Work shall be prohibited on Sundays and Holidays. Work hours in the public right-of-way shall be regulated by Public Works Department.

(c) Work must be controlled to prevent causing a public nuisance such as dust, noise, vibrations, uncontrolled storm water runoff, and traffic congestion.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Section 502.1 of the CBC is amended to read as follows:

Section 502.1 - Address Identification.

a) The city shall keep on file a description of the method to be used in the assignment of street address identification numbers. This method shall be approved by Council resolution and shall be available for inspection by any member of the public.

b) Every main structure or building constructed, altered, repaired, or moved into the city shall be assigned a street identification number by the Building Official.

c) Numbers identifying the street address shall be placed on the street side of the building or structure in such manner as to be plainly visible from the street or public way. Identification numbers shall be a minimum of four (4) inches in height with minimum ½" stroke width for residential, and six (6) inches in height with minimum 1" stroke width for commercial buildings, and of a color to contrast with the surrounding color. Numbers shall be installed prior to final inspection and occupancy of the building or structure.

d) The premises street address shall be internally or externally illuminated to the satisfaction of the Building Official.

e) Where required by the fire code official, address identification shall be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response.

f) Where access is by means of a private road and the building address cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole, or other approved sign or means shall be used to identify the structure.

g) The owner shall be responsible for the maintenance of identification numbers.

h) Any change of the assigned street identification number must be approved by the Building Official.

i) Every owner or occupant of any building or structure not numbered in accordance with the provisions of this section shall, within ten (10) days after notice given by the City change the number of such building or structure to the number specified in the notice.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Subsection 903.2 of the CBC is amended to add:

a) In every building where the total floor area exceeds 5,000 square feet.

b) In every building having three (3) or more stories.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Subsection 905.3 is amended by adding the following:

Standpipes shall be required in all buildings three (3) stories in height in addition to other requirements in this section, or when required by the Fire Chief.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

CBC Subsection 1705A.3, Concrete Construction is amended to read as follows:

1705.3 Concrete Construction. Special inspections and tests for concrete construction shall be performed in accordance with this section and TABLE 1705A.3.

Exceptions: Special inspections and tests shall not be required for:

1. Isolated spread concrete footings of buildings three stories or less above grade plane that are fully supported on earth or rock, where the structural design of the footing is based on a specified compressive strength, f'c, no greater than 2,500 pound per square inch (psi) (17.2 Mpa).

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Section 1905.1.7 ACI 318, section 14.1.4 Delete ACI 318, section 14.1.4, and replace with the following:

14.1.4 - Plain concrete in structures assigned to seismic design category C, D, E or F.

14.1.4.1 - Structures assigned to Seismic Design Category C, D, E or F shall not have elements of structural plain concrete, except as follows:

(a) Isolated footings of plain concrete supporting pedestals or columns are permitted, provided the projection of the footing beyond the face of the supported member does not exceed the footing thickness.

Exception: In detached one and two-family dwelling three stories or less in height, the projection of the footing beyond the face of the supported member is permitted to exceed the footing thickness.

(b) Plain concrete footing supporting walls are permitted, provided the footings have at least two continuous longitudinal reinforcing bars. Bars shall not be smaller than No. 4 and shall have a total area of not less than 0.002 times the gross cross-sectional area of the footing. A minimum of one bar shall be provided at the top and bottom of the footing. Continuity of reinforcement shall be provided at corners and intersections.

Exception: In detached one and two-family dwellings three stores or less in height and constructed with stud bearing walls, plain concrete footings with at least two continuous longitudinal reinforcing bars not smaller than No. 4 are permitted to have a total area of less than 0.002 times the gross cross-sectional area of the footing.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

The following Tables 2308.10.1 and 2308.10.3(1) and Sections 2308.10.4 and 2308.10.5 are amended to read as follows:

Table 2308.10.1 - Wall Bracing Requirements

Remove "PCP" and "GB" from the table column under the heading of "Bracing method" and remove footnotes "c" and "d" and any other references to "Portland Cement Plaster" and/or "Gypsum board."

Section 2308.10.3(1) - Bracing Methods

Under column "Methods, Material," remove rows "GB Gypsum board (double sided)" and "PCP Portland cement plaster" from table.

Section 2308.10.4 - Braced wall panel construction

Remove reference to "PCP" from text.

Section 2308.10.5 - Alternative bracing is deleted and replaced with the following:

2308.10.5 Alternate Bracing

An alternate braced wall (ABW) or a portal frame with hold-downs (PFH) described in this section is permitted to substitute for a 48-inch (1219 mm) braced wall panel of Method DWB, WSP, SFB, PBS, or HPS.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Subsection 2304.12.1.5 of the CBC is amended to add the following sentence at the end thereof:

Siding Materials: Wood shingles or shakes shall be Class B or better which comply with ASTM E108 or UL 790, except that in very high fire hazard severity zones, no wood shake or shingle siding shall be permitted regardless of class designation. See section 8.30.030 of the El Cerrito Municipal Code for roofing standards in very high fire hazard severity zones.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Section 2505 of the CBC on the use of gypsum or lath and plaster for shear wall construction is deleted in its entirety.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Chapter 1 Section 110.7 is added to the CBC to read as follows:

Storm water pollution control measures shall be implemented during all construction phases of development to prevent pollution from entering waterways. Specific practices of the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) Construction Best Management Practices Handbook shall be incorporated herein.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Section G102.3 is added to the CBC, to read as follows:

Section G102.3 - Construction in Special Flood Hazard Area

Construction within special Flood Hazard Areas must comply with chapter 13.40 of the El Cerrito Municipal Code.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Chapter 12, Section 1202.7 is added to the CBC to read as follows:

Balconies, landings, decks, stairs, and similar exterior projecting elements and appurtenances exposed to the weather and sealed underneath shall have cross ventilation for each separate enclosed space by ventilation openings protected against the entrance of rain or snow. Blocking and bridging shall be arranged so as not to interfere with the movement of air. The net free ventilation area shall not be less than 1/150th of the area of the space ventilated. Ventilation openings shall comply with Section 1203.2.1. An access panel of sufficient size shall be provided on the underside of the enclosed space to allow periodic inspection.

Exceptions:

1. An access panel is not required where the exterior coverings applied to the underside of the joists are easily removable using ordinary tools.

2. Removable soffit vents 4 inches minimum in width may be used to satisfy both ventilation and access panel requirements.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Chapter 14, Section 1403.15 is added to the CBC to read as follows:

Balconies, landings, decks, stairs and similar floor projections exposed to the weather shall be constructed of naturally durable wood, preservative-treated wood, corrosion resistant (e.g. galvanized) steel, or similar approved materials.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Chapter 23, Section 2303.12.2.3 of the CBC is amended to read as follows:

Naturally durable or preservative-treated wood shall be utilized for those portions of wood members that form the structural supports of buildings, balconies, porches, or similar appurtenances where such members are exposed to the weather.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Chapter 23, Section 2304.12.2.4 of the CBC is amended to read as follows:

The portions of glued-laminated timbers that form the structural supports of a building or other structure, projecting element, or appurtenance and are exposed to weather shall be pressure treated with preservative or be manufactured from naturally durable or preservative-treated wood.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)

Chapter 23, Section 2304.12.2.4 of the CBC is amended to read as follows:

Wood structural members that support moisture-permeable floors and roofs that are exposed to the weather, such as concrete or masonry slabs, shall be of naturally durable or preservative wood and shall be separated from such floors or roofs by an impervious moisture barrier. The impervious moisture barrier system protecting the structure supporting floors shall provide positive drainage of water that infiltrates the moisture-permeable floor topping.

(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. II, 10-21-2025)