Hillsborough Municipal Code Ch. 15.06 Historical Building Code

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 799, § 3(Exh. A), adopted December 9, 2025, in effect repealed Ch. 15.06 and enacted a new Ch. 15.06 as set out herein and as may later be amended. Former Ch. 15.06 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 690, adopted December 13, 2010; Ord. No. 712, adopted November 12, 2013; Ord. No. 758, adopted November 12, 2019; Ord. No. 786, adopted November 28, 2022; and Ord. No. 788, adopted January 9, 2023.

The purpose of the California Historical Building Code is to provide regulations for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, relocation, or reconstruction of buildings or properties designated as qualified historical buildings or properties. The California Historical Building Code is intended to provide solutions for the preservation of qualified historical buildings or properties, to promote sustainability, to provide access for persons with disabilities, to provide a cost-effective approach to preservation, and to provide for the reasonable safety of the occupants or users. The California Historical Building Code requires enforcing agencies to accept solutions that are reasonably equivalent to the regular code (as defined in Title 24 Part 8) when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties. The intent of the California Historical Building Code is to facilitate the preservation and continuing use of qualified historical buildings or properties while providing reasonable safety for the building occupants and access for persons with disabilities.

Sections within this chapter may include both local amendments to Title 24 as adopted therein and local development standards related to construction in the town that are not part of Title 24.

(Ord. No. 799, § 3(Exh. A), 12-9-2025)

A. The rules, regulations and standards printed in the California Historical Building Code, 2025 Edition, contained in the California Building Standards Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24 Part 8), 2025 Edition, are hereby adopted as the rules, regulations, and standards for the town as to all matters contained therein except as herein otherwise provided.

B. One copy of the California Historical Building Code shall at all times be kept on file at the town building department. The copy shall be accompanied by copies of this chapter (as well as any additional, subsequent amendments) to show the town amendments to the California Historical Building Code.

C. In the event there is any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this code and the California Historical Building Code when applied to any particular case, that requirement which establishes the higher degree of safety shall be complied with unless otherwise specifically stated in this code.

D. No provision of the California Historical Building Code, as amended hereby, shall be deemed to supersede any other provision of this code.

(Ord. No. 799, § 3(Exh. A), 12-9-2025)

None. Any section within this chapter that modifies the 2025 California Historical Building Code shall include the code section being changed or modified and language which describes the nature of the change or modification. Sections that do not include such reference or language are local development standards and are not amendments to Title 24.

(Ord. No. 799, § 3(Exh. A), 12-9-2025)

A. When, in the judgment of the building department, it is reasonably necessary to amend the provisions of the California Historical Building Code due to local climatic, geological, topographical, or other statutorily permissible conditions, the building official shall prepare and submit the proposed amendments to the city council for consideration at the next regularly scheduled city council meeting. Before adopting any changes or modifications in the requirements contained in the provisions published in the California Historical Building Code, or in any other regulations adopted hereunder, the city council shall make an express finding that such modifications or changes are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, topographical, or other statutorily permissible conditions. Such finding shall be made available as a public record. Upon approval by the city council and filing of the city council's findings with the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) or other governing body, such amendments shall be added to and become a part of the provisions of this chapter.

B. From October 1, 2025, through June 1, 2031, the town is limited in its ability to modify provisions related to residential units. Allowable findings for modifications during this time are limited to:

1. Modifications previously adopted and filed with the CBSC before September 30, 2025;

2. Administrative changes related to administration of the code;

3. Emergency health and safety measures as deemed by the CBSC;

4. Needed to implement a greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy as outlined in a general plan adopted before June 10, 2025; or

5. Related to fire home hardening.

(Ord. No. 799, § 3(Exh. A), 12-9-2025)

As successive editions of the California Historical Building Code are promulgated and incorporated by reference in the California Building Standards Code, the building department, under the guidance and direction of the building official, shall review the provisions of the new code in order to determine whether they are consistent with the provisions of the California Historical Building Code then in force as modified by the provisions of this chapter. The building official shall submit a list of recommendations with respect to such changes (if any) to the city council. Upon review and adoption by the city council, according to the procedure set above, such revised version of the California Historical Building Code, together with all amendments thereto which are recommended by the building official and/or required by the provisions of this chapter, shall govern all buildings and construction within town limits.

(Ord. No. 799, § 3(Exh. A), 12-9-2025)