Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 16 — BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
El Cerrito Municipal Code Ch. 16.09 California Existing Building Code
El Cerrito Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · El Cerrito
Cite as: El Cerrito Municipal Code Chapter 16.09 · Text as of 2026-10-04
Section:
Footnotes:
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Editor's note— Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. VII, adopted Oct. 21, 2025, repealed the former Ch. 16.09 §§ 16.09.010 and 16.09.030 and enacted a new Ch. 16.09 as set out herein. The former Ch. 16.09 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 2022-03, Div. VII, adopted Nov. 1, 2022.
16.09.010 - California Existing Building Code—Adoption.¶
The Existing Building Code for the City, sometimes referred to as "the CEBC," is the 2025 California Existing Building Code, (based on the International Existing Building Code, 2024 Edition), including Appendix chapters A3 and A4, as approved by the California Building Standards Commission, and as published in Title 24, Part 10 of the California Code of Regulations.
(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. VII, 10-21-2025)
16.09.030 - Chapter 4, Section 405 added—Repairs including all subsections associated.¶
The following repair requirements are hereby added as a new Subsection 405.2.3.1.1 to Chapter 4, Section 405 "Repairs" of the CBC to read as follows:
405.2.3.1.1 Seismic evaluation and design. Seismic evaluation and design of an existing building and its components shall be based on the following criteria.
405.2.3.1.2 Evaluation and design procedures. The seismic evaluation and design shall be based on the procedures specified in the building code, ASCE 31 Seismic Evaluation of Existing Buildings (for evaluation only) or ASCE 41 Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings. The procedures contained in Appendix A of the International Existing Building Code shall be permitted to be used as specified in Section 405.2.3.1.4.
405.2.3.1.3 CBC level seismic forces. When seismic forces are required to meet the building code level, they shall be one of the following:
100 percent of the values in the building code. The R factor used for analysis in accordance with Chapter 16 of the building code shall be the R factor specified for structural systems classified as "Ordinary" unless it can be demonstrated that the structural system satisfies the proportioning and detailing requirements for systems classified as "Intermediate" or "Special."
Forces corresponding to BSE-1 and BSE-2 Earthquake Hazard Levels defined in ASCE 41. Where ASCE 41 is used, the corresponding performance levels shall be those shown in Table 405.2.3.1.3.
TABLE 405.2.3.1.3 ASCE 41 and ASCE 31 PERFORMANCE LEVELS
| OCCUPANCY CATEGORY (BASED ON IBC TABLE 1604.5) | PERFORMANCE LEVEL FOR USE WITH ASCE 31 AND WITH ASCE 41 BSE- 1 EARTHQUAKE HAZARD LEVEL | PERFORMANCE LEVEL FOR USE WITH ASCE 41 BSE- 2 EARTHQUAKE HAZARD LEVEL |
|---|---|---|
| I | Life Safety (LS) | Collapse Prevention (CP) |
| II | Life Safety (LS) | Collapse Prevention (CP) |
| III | Note (a) | Note (a) |
| IV | Immediate Occupancy (IO) | Life Safety (LS) |
a. Performance levels for Occupancy Category III shall be taken as halfway between the performance levels specified for occupancy Category II and Occupancy Category IV.
405.2.3.1.4 Reduced CBC level seismic forces. When seismic forces are permitted to meet reduced building code levels, they shall be one of the following:
75 percent of the forces prescribed in the building code. The R factor used for analysis in accordance with Chapter 16 of the California Building Code shall be the R factor as specified in Section 405.2.3.1.3.
In accordance with the applicable chapters in Appendix A of the International Existing Building Code as specified in Items 2.1 through 2.5 below. Structures or portions of structures that comply with the requirements of the applicable chapter in Appendix A shall be deemed to comply with the requirements for reduced building code force levels.
2.1.
The seismic evaluation and design of unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings in Occupancy Category I or II are permitted to be based on the procedures specified in Appendix Chapter A1.
2.2.
Seismic evaluation and design of the wall anchorage system in reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry wall buildings with flexible diaphragms in Occupancy Category I or II are permitted to be based on the procedures specified in Appendix Chapter A2.
2.3.
Seismic evaluation and design of cripple walls and sill plate anchorage in residential buildings of light-frame wood construction in Occupancy Category I or II are permitted to be based on the procedures specified in Appendix Chapter A3.
2.4.
Seismic evaluation and design of soft, weak, or open-front wall conditions in multiunit residential buildings of wood construction in Occupancy Category I or II are permitted to be based on the procedures specified in Appendix Chapter A4.
In accordance with ASCE 31 based on the applicable performance level as shown in Table 405.2.3.1.3.
Those associated with the BSE-1 Earthquake Hazard Level defined in ASCE 41 and the performance level as shown in Table 405.2.3.1.3. Where ASCE 41 is used, the design spectral response acceleration parameters Sxs and Sx1 shall not be taken less than 75 percent of the respective design spectral response acceleration parameters SDS and SD1 defined by the International Building Code and its reference standards.
405.2.3.1.5 Wind Design. Wind design of existing buildings shall be based on the procedures specified in the building code.
405.2.3.1.6 Repairs to damaged buildings. Repairs to damaged buildings shall comply with this section.
405.2.3.1.7 Unsafe conditions. Regardless of the extent of structural damage, unsafe conditions shall be eliminated.
(Ord. No. 2025-03, Div. VII, 10-21-2025)
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