Menlo Park Municipal Code Ch. 12.08 California Residential

§ 12.08.010. Adoption of Chapter 1 Division II and amendment of Section R105.2—Work…¶

Chapter 1 Division II of the 2025 California Residential Code, Part 2.5 of the California Building Standards Code, Title 24 California Code of Regulations is hereby adopted and Section R105 is hereby amended to read as follows

R105.2 Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other law or ordinance of the City of Menlo Park. Permits will not be required for the following: Building:

1.	Other than storm shelters, one story detached accessory structures, provided the height does not exceed eight feet, the projected roof area does not exceed 64 square feet, and the structure complies with Section 16.68.030 of the City of Menlo Park Municipal Code. These structures shall still be regulated by Section 710A despite exemption from permit.
2.	Wood fences not over seven feet high.
3.	Retaining walls which are not over two feet high measured from the top of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
4.	Detached free-standing water tanks supported directly on a concrete foundation at grade if the capacity does not exceed 500 gallons and the height above grade does not exceed six feet and the height to width ratio does not exceed two to one.
5.	Platforms, walks, and driveways not more than 12 inches above grade and not over any basement or story below.
6.	Painting, papering, carpeting, tiling except in showers, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work.
7.	Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep.
8.	Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings not exceeding 120 square feet as measured at the supports or nine feet in height as measured from existing natural grade to the top of the highest structural member, guard rail, or appendage.
9.	Windows awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R Division 3 occupancy when projecting not more than 36 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
10.	Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, that are not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling unit and do not serve the exit door required by Section 311.4.

(Ord. 1127, 11/4/2025)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 12.08.020. Amendment of Table R301.2—Climatic and geographic design criteria.¶

Based on the Geologic and Climatic findings in Section 1A of the ordinance codified in this chapter, Table R301.2 of the 2025 California Residential Code, Part 2.5 of the California Building Standards Code, Title 24 California Code of Regulations is amended to read as follows:

Table R301.2 Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria

GROUND SNOW LOAD n	WIND DESIGN	WIND DESIGN	WIND DESIGN	WIND DESIGN	SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORY f
GROUND SNOW LOAD n	Speed d (mph)	Topographic effects k	Special wind region l	Wind-borne debris zone m	SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORY f
NA	110	NA	NA	NA	D-E

SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM	SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM	SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM	Winter Design Temp E	Ice Barrier Under-Layment Required H	Flood Hazards G	Air Freezing Index I	Mean Annual Temp J
Weather- ing a	Frost line depth b	Termite c	Winter Design Temp E	Ice Barrier Under-Layment Required H	Flood Hazards G	Air Freezing Index I	Mean Annual Temp J
NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	National Flood Insurance program Date — Feb 4, 1981 revised April 21, 1999. Adoption of first code management of flood hazard areas — June 14, 1974 Flood insurance Study - Oct 16, 2012 revised July 16, 2015 Panel number — 06081C0195F, 06081C0215F, 06081C0302F, 06081C0306F, 06081C0307F, 06081C0308E, 06081C0309F, 06081C0311E, 06081C0326F, 06081C0328F,	NA	58.55

For SI: 1 pound per square foot = 0.0479 kPa, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s.

a.	Weathering may require a higher strength concrete or grade of masonry than necessary to satisfy the structural requirements of this code. The weathering column shall be filled in with the weathering index, "negligible," "moderate" or "severe" for concrete as determined from Figure R301.2(1). The grade of masonry units shall be determined from ASTM C34, C55, C62, C73, C90, C129, C145, 0216 or C652.
b.	The frost line depth may require deeper footings than indicated in Figure R403.1(1). The jurisdiction shall fill in the frost line depth column with the minimum depth of footing below finish grade.
c.	The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table to indicate the need for protection depending on whether there has been a history of local subterranean termite damage.
d.	The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with the wind speed from the basic wind speed map [Figure R301.2(2). Wind exposure category shall be determined on a site-specific basis in accordance with Section R301.2.1.4.
e.	Temperatures shall be permitted to reflect local climates or local weather experience as determined by the building official.
f.	The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with the seismic design category determined from Section R301.2.2.1.
g.	The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with (a) the date of the jurisdiction's entry into the National Flood Insurance Program (date of adoption of the first code or ordinance for management of flood hazard areas), (b) the date(s) of the Flood Insurance Study and (c) the panel numbers and dates of the currently effective Flood Insurance Study or other flood hazard map adopted by the authority having jurisdiction, as amended.
h.	In accordance with Sections R905.1.2, R905.4.3.1, 8905.5.3.1, R905.6.3.1, R905.7.3.1 and R905.8.3.1, where there has been a history of local damage from the effects of ice damming, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with "YES." Otherwise, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with "NO."
i.	The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with the 100-year return period air freezing index (BF-days) from Figure R403.3(2) or from the 100-year (99%) value on the National Climatic Data Center data table "Air Freezing Index-USA Method (Base 32°F)."
j.	The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with the mean annual temperature from the National Climatic Data Center data table "Air Freezing Index-USA Method (Base 32°F)."
k.	In accordance with Section R301.2.1.5, where there is local historical data documenting structural damage to buildings due to topographic wind speed-up effects, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with "YES." Otherwise, the jurisdiction shall indicate "NO" in this part of the table.
l.	In accordance with Figure R301.2(4)A, where there is local historical data documenting unusual wind conditions, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with "YES" and identify any specific requirements, Otherwise, the jurisdiction shall indicate "NO" in this part of the table.
m.	In accordance with Section R301.2.1.2.1. the jurisdiction shall indicate the wind-borne debris wind zone(s). Otherwise, the jurisdiction shall indicate "NO" in this part of the table.
n.	The jurisdiction shall fill in this section of the table using the ground snow loads in figures R301.2(3) and R301.2(4).

(Ord. 1127, 11/4/2025)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 12.08.030. Amendment of Section R306.1—General.¶

Based on the Climatic findings in Section 1A of the ordinance codified in this chapter, Section R306.1.1 of the 2025 California Residential Code, Part 2.5 of the California Building Standards Code, Title 24 California Code of Regulations is amended to read as follows:

R306.1 General.

Buildings and structures constructed in whole or part in flood hazard areas established in Table R301.2, and substantial improvement and repair of substantial damage of buildings and structures located in whole or in part flood hazard areas, shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions contained in this section and Chapter 12.42, Flood Damage Prevention, of the City of Menlo Park's Municipal Code. Buildings and structures that are located in more than one flood hazard area, including A Zones, Coastal A Zones and V Zones, shall comply with the provisions of associated with the most restrictive flood hazard area. Buildings and structures located in whole or in part in identified floodways shall be designed and constructed in accordance with ASCE 24.

(Ord. 1127, 11/4/2025)

Exceptions & meaning →