Chapter 15.04 — BUILDING CODE

This chapter shall be known as the Building Code of the City of Norwalk and shall be cited as the Building Code.

(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Except as hereinafter provided, the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, based on the 2024 International Building Code as published by the International Code Council, including Appendices I and J thereto, is adopted by reference and incorporated herein as though fully set forth herein and shall constitute the Building Code of the City. A copy of the 2025 California Building Code has been deposited in the office of the Building Official and shall be, at all times, maintained by the Building Official for use and examination by the public.

(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 13-1649 § 1; Ord. 16-1683 § 1; Ord. 19-1709 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 22-1738 § 1; Ord. 25-1761, 11/18/2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.04.020, whenever any of the following names or terms is used in the Building Code, each such name or term shall be deemed to have the meaning ascribed to it in this subsection, as follows:

"Board of Appeals" means the Building Rehabilitation Appeals Board established by Section 15.32.120 of the Administrative Code.

"Building Department" means the Building and Safety Division of the City of Norwalk Community Development Department.

"Building Official" means the Building and Safety Manager.

"City" means the City of Norwalk.

"General Fund" means the City Treasury of the City of Norwalk. (Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.04.020, the California Building Code is hereby amended as follows:

• A. Division II (Scope and Administration) of Chapter 1 is hereby deleted.

• B. Table 1505.1 is hereby amended, by the deletion of Table 1505.1 and the addition of a new Table 1505.1 thereto, to read as follows:

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City of Norwalk, CA

NORWALK CODE

§ 15.04.040

§ 15.04.040

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Table 1505.1a
MINIMUM ROOF COVERING CLASSIFICATIONS
TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
IA IB IIA IIB IIIA IIIB IV VA VB
A A A A A A A A A
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Notes:

2 For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m .

• a. Unless otherwise required in accordance with the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.

• C. Section 1505.1.2 is hereby amended, by the deletion of the entire section and the addition of a new section thereto, to read as follows:

1505.1.2 Roof coverings within all other areas other than Fire Hazard Severity Zone or a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). The entire roof covering of every existing structure where more than 50 percent of the total roof area is replaced within any one-year period, the entire roof covering of every new structure, and any roof covering applied in the alteration, repair or replacement of the roof of every existing structure, shall be a fireretardant roof covering that is at least Class A.

• D. Section 1613.8 is hereby added to Chapter 16 to read as follows:

1613.8 Suspended Ceilings. Minimum design and installation standards for suspended ceilings shall be determined in accordance with the requirements of Section 2506.2.1 of this Code and this section.

1613.8.1 Scope. This part contains special requirements for suspended ceilings and lighting systems. Provisions of Section 13.5.6 of ASCE 7 shall apply except as modified herein.

1613.8.2 General. The suspended ceilings and lighting systems shall be limited to 6 feet (1,829 mm) below the structural deck unless the lateral bracing is designed by a licensed engineer or architect.

1613.8.3 Sprinkler Heads. All sprinkler heads (drops) except fire-resistance-rated floor/ ceiling or roof/ceiling assemblies, shall be designed to allow for free movement of the sprinkler pipes with oversize rings, sleeves or adaptors through the ceiling tile. Sprinkler heads and other penetrations shall have a 2 inch (51mm) oversize ring, sleeve, or adapter through the ceiling tile to allow for free movement of at least 1 inch (25.4 mm) in all horizontal directions. Alternatively, a swing joint that can accommodate 1 inch (25.4 mm) of ceiling movement in all horizontal directions is permitted to be provided at the top of the sprinkler head extension.

Sprinkler heads penetrating fire-resistance-rated floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assemblies shall comply with Section 714 of this Code.

• E. Section 1807.1.4 Permanent wood foundation systems is hereby amended, by adding a paragraph as follows:

Permanent wood foundation systems shall not be used for structures assigned to Seismic

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City of Norwalk, CA

BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION

§ 15.04.040

§ 15.04.080

Design Category D, E, or F.

• F. Section 1807.1.6 Prescriptive design of concrete and masonry foundation walls is amended, by adding a paragraph as follows:

Prescriptive design of concrete and masonry foundation walls shall not be used for structures assigned to seismic design category D, E, or F.

• G. Section 3109.2 is amended by the deletion of the entire section and the addition of a new section thereto, to read as follows:

3109.2 Construction permit; safety features required. New or remodel pools or spas, at a private single-family home, shall have an enclosure complying with the amended California Residential Code Appendix CI. (Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 13-1649 § 1; Ord. 16-1683 § 1; Ord. 19-1709 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 22-1738 § 1; Ord. 25-1761, 11/18/2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.04.020, violations and penalties shall be as specified in Section 15.32.130 of the Administrative Code. (Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.04.020, the Building Official may record a notice with the County Recorder's office that a property, building or structure, or any part thereof, is in violation of any provision of the Technical Codes or this Code in accordance with Section 15.32.130.3 of the Administrative Code.

(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

• A. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Norwalk Municipal Code, no building permit shall be issued for any property which is subject to the provisions of this subsection, unless all public utility distribution lines, wires or cables, including, but not limited to, electric, communications, street lighting and cable television service, installed within the boundaries of such property and for the purposes of serving such property are placed underground. This subsection shall not apply to:

  1. The development of a single-family residence located in an area which is predominantly served by an overhead electrical distribution system; nor

  2. Any building permit(s) which is (are) issued within any 12 month period when the amount of the improvement is less than thirty-three and one-third (33 1/3) percent of the assessed valuation of the improvements on the subject property.

• B. The provisions of subsection A requiring that utility lines and facilities be installed underground shall not apply to the following types of facilities.

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City of Norwalk, CA

NORWALK CODE

§ 15.04.080

§ 15.04.080

1. Poles without overhead wires used exclusively for police and fire alarm boxes, traffic control facilities or any similar municipal equipment installed under the supervision of and to the satisfaction of the City Engineer;

2. Poles used exclusively for street lighting;

3. An electric distribution system in excess of 15 kilovolts, unless the City Engineer determines that underground installation of such distribution system is feasible and practicable;

4. Surface mounted transformers, pedestal mounted terminal boxes and meter cabinets and concealed ducts in an underground system.

• C. Special Exceptions. The City Council may waive or modify the requirements set forth in this subsection as topographical, soil or any other conditions make such underground installation impractical or if such would constitute an unnecessary hardship inconsistent with the purpose of this section. Any modification may be subject to such conditions as the City Council may deem proper.

(Ord. 10-1633 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

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City of Norwalk, CA