Laguna Beach Municipal Code Ch. 14.52 Residential Code

Pursuant to Section 50022.2 of the Government Code of the state of California, there is hereby adopted by reference by the city council for the purpose of prescribing regulations for the erection, construction, improvement, removal, conversion, demolition, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area and maintenance of all detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress in the city of Laguna Beach, that certain code known as the California Residential Code including Chapter 1, Div. II, Appendix BH and CI as published by the International Code Council, including the index thereto (2025 Edition) except those portions as are hereafter deleted, modified or amended, and this Code is adopted by reference and incorporated as though fully set forth herein and designated and referred to as the “Residential Code” of and for the city of Laguna Beach. Should there be a conflict between the California Residential Code as adopted and other municipal code requirements, the more restrictive shall govern.

(Ord. 1536 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1581 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1620 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1641 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1681, § 2, 2023; Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)

Subsection R101.4 of the California Residential Code adopted in Section 14.52.010 is added to read as follows:

R101.4 Administrative Provisions. The provisions contained in Sections 101 through 114 of the California Building Code are applicable to the construction regulated by this code.

(Ord. 1536 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1581 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1620 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1641 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1681, § 2, 2023; Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)

Table R301.2 of the California Residential Code adopted in Section 14.52.010 is amended to read as follows:

TABLE R301.2 - CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA

(Ord. 1536 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1581 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1620 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1641 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1681, § 2, 2023; Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)

Subsection R324.6.2 of the California Residential Code adopted in Section 14.52.010 is amended to read as follows:

R324.6.2 Permitted materials. The following types of glazing may be used:

1. Laminated glass with a minimum 0.015-inch polyvinyl butyral interlayer for glass panes 16 square feet or less in area located such that the highest point of the glass is not more than 12 feet above a walking surface or other accessible area; for higher or larger sizes, the minimum interlayer thickness shall be 0.030 inch.

2. Fully tempered glass.

3. Heat-strengthened glass.

4. Wire glass.

(Ord. 1536 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1581 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1620 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1641 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1681, § 2, 2023; Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)

Subsection R309.1 of the California Residential Code adopted in Section 14.52.010 is amended to read as follows:

R309.1 Townhouse automatic sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in townhouses and garages attached to townhouses. A garage is considered attached for the purposes of this subsection if it is within ten feet of the townhouse. If the cumulative value of additions, alterations and repairs done to a townhouse and attached garage in any three-year period exceeds fifty percent of the valuation of the townhouse and attached garage prior to the additions, alterations, and repairs, the entire townhouse and attached garage must be sprinklered throughout. The valuation used for the existing building and for the additions, alterations, and repairs is the valuation established in the City’s resolution for computation of building permit fees. For the purposes of this subsection, each townhouse with its attached garage will be considered a separate building.

(Ord. 1536 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1581 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1620 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1641 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1681, § 2, 2023; Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)

Subsection R309.2 of the California Residential Code adopted in Section 14.52.010 is amended to read as follows:

R309.2 One- and two-family dwellings automatic sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in one- and two-family dwellings and garages attached to one- and two-family dwellings. A garage is considered attached for the purposes of this subsection if it is within ten feet of the one- or two-family dwelling. If the cumulative value of additions, alterations and repairs done to a one- or two-family dwelling and attached garage in any three-year period exceeds fifty percent of the valuation of the one- or two-family dwelling and attached garage prior to the additions, alterations, and repairs, the entire one- or two-family dwelling and attached garage must be sprinklered throughout. The valuation used for the existing building and for the additions, alterations, and repairs is the valuation established in the City’s resolution for computation of building permit fees. For the purposes of this subsection, firewalls, fire barriers, or fire partitions shall not define separate buildings or fire areas.

(Ord. 1536 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1581 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1620 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1641 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1681, § 2, 2023; Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)

Subsection R309.3 of the California Residential Code adopted in Section 14.52.010 is amended to read as follows:

R309.3 Dwelling unit fire sprinkler systems. Where installed, residential fire sprinkler systems, or portions thereof, shall be in accordance with the most current NFPA 13D standard for design and calculation. All residential fire sprinkler systems shall have a flow switch installed that activates an electric exterior alarm. The residential fire sprinkler flow switch shall also activate all interconnected interior smoke detectors.

(Ord. 1536 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1581 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1620 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1641 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1681, § 2, 2023; Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)

Subsections R309.3.1 through R309.3.8.2 of the California Residential Code adopted in Section 14.52.010 are deleted in their entirety.

(Ord. 1536 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1581 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1620 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1641 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1681, § 2, 2023; Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)

Subsection CI100 of the California Residential Code adopted in Section 14.52.010 is amended to read as follows:

115922

Except as provided in Section 115925, when a building permit is issued for the construction of a new swimming pool or spa or the remodeling of an existing swimming pool or spa at a private single-family home, the respective swimming pool or spa shall be equipped with item #1 below AND at least one additional following seven drowning prevention features:

Subsection 115922(a) #1 of the California Residential Code adopted in Section 14.52.010 is amended to read as follows:

1. An enclosure that meets the requirements of 115923 and isolates the swimming pool and spa from the private single-family home. Any walls of the residential structure or accessory structures used to complete the isolation enclosure must have door openings equipped with protection as required in 115922(a) #4 or #5. Any such door protection device provided for this purpose may not be used to comply with the second drowning prevention feature requirement.

(Ord. 1641 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1681, § 2, 2023; Ord. 1725, 12/18/2025)