Morro Bay Municipal Code Ch. 14.04 Residential Code

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 673, § 2, adopted Nov. 12, 2025, repealed the former Ch. 14.04, § 14.04.010, and enacted a new Ch. 14.04 as set out herein. The former Ch. 14.04 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 625, adopted November 12, 2019; and Ord. No. 655, § 2, adopted November 22, 2022.

The California Residential Code, adopted in Section 14.01.020, is hereby modified, amended, and supplemented as follows:

A. Delete Division II of Chapter 1. Administration and Enforcement of the Residential Code shall be as set forth in the California Building Code, as modified, amended and supplemented by Chapter 14.02 of this code. Fees shall be as prescribed in the City's Master Fee Schedule.

B. Adopt Appendices AH, AS, AT and AX. Delete Appendices AA, AB, AC, AD, AE, AF, AG, AI, AJ, AK, AL, AM, AN, AO, AP and AQ, AR, AV, AW, AX, AY, AZ.W.

C. Amend Section R313.1 and R313.2 to read as follows:

R313.1 Townhouse and One- and Two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in all new townhouses and one and two family dwellings, and in all existing townhouses and one and two family dwellings where alteration results in an increase in floor area in excess of 50 percent, or 300 square feet. This section shall be applicable to mobile homes and factory-built housing not located in a mobile home or special occupancy park.

R313.2 Determination of Floor Area. For the purposes of this section, floor area shall be defined as the area within the exterior walls of the building under consideration. The floor area of a building, or portion thereof, not provided with surrounding walls, shall include the usable area under the horizontal projection of the roof or floor above.

For the purposes of this section, buildings shall be considered separate when:

1. The fire separation distance as defined in CBC Sec. 705.5 is not less than that permitted in CBC Table 705.5 and 705.8 where unprotected openings are allowed in an exterior wall of a non-sprinklered building, or

2. The buildings are structurally independent, the adjoining walls are constructed of fire-resistant construction as prescribed in CBC Table 705.5 without openings or penetrations, projections comply with CBC Section 705.2, and parapets are constructed where required by CBC Section 705.11.

D. Add Section R313.3.3.5 to read as follows:

R313.3.3.5 Waterflow Alarm. A local waterflow alarm and remote inspector's test valve, installed in accordance with NFPA 13, shall be installed on all sprinkler systems.

E. Amend Section R105.2 (Work exempt from permit), No. 3, to read as follows:

3. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or a sloping backfill. Retaining walls supporting a surcharge or a sloping backfill exceeding 20%, require calculations and plans signed by a registered civil or structural engineer.

(Ord. No. 673, § 2, 11-12-25)