Oakland Municipal Code Part 2.5 California Residential Code Non-Administrative (Technical) Amendments

Add the following new Section R300.3 to the California Residential Code:

"R300.3 Site Drainage. Surface, subsurface, potable, and equipment drainage water shall be conveyed in an approved manner to an adequate and approved downstream transportation facility. If percolating or discharging within the site, energy dissipation measures shall be installed to prevent erosion. Runoff shall not surface closer than 15 feet to the property lines. No augmented runoff may cross the property lines."

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

In Section 317.3.2 of the California Residential Code, delete the last sentence starting with "Wood foundations…" and the associated exceptions in their entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

In Section R401.1 of the California Residential Code, delete all references to "Wood foundations" in their entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

Delete Section R402.1 of the California Residential Code in its entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

In Section R403.1 of the California Residential Code, in the first sentence starting with "All exterior walls shall be…" delete "crushed stone footings" and delete "wood foundations."

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

In Section R403.1.1 of the California Residential Code, delete the sentence beginning with "Footings for wood foundations…" in its entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

In Section R403.1.3.1 of the California Residential Code, at the end of the last sentence add, "and intermediate No. 4 bars shall be vertically spaced at a maximum distance of 18" on center."

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

Delete section R403.1.3.6 in its entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

In Section R403.1.6 of the California Residential Code, replace the first sentence of the third paragraph starting with "Wood sole plates…" with the following:

"Wood sole plates at all exterior walls on monolithic slabs, wood sole plates of braced wall panels at building interiors on monolithic slabs and all wood sill plates shall be anchored to the foundation with minimum ⅝-inch-diameter (15.9 mm) anchor bolts spaced not greater than 4 feet (1219 mm) on center or approved anchors or anchor straps spaced as required to provide equivalent anchorage to ⅝-inch-diameter (15.9 mm) anchor bolts."

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

In Section R403.1.6.1 of the California Residential Code, delete items 3, 4 and 6 and replace Item 2 with the following:

2. Braced wall plates shall have anchor bolts spaced at not more than 4 feet (1219 mm) on center and located within 12 inches (305 mm) of the ends of each plate section where supported on a continuous foundation.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

Delete Section R403.2 of the California Residential Code in its entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

Delete Section R403.4.1 of the California Residential Code in its entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

Delete Section 404.1.2.1 and Table R404.1.1(1) of the California Residential Code in their entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

In Section R404.1.4.1 of the California Residential Code, delete the last sentence of the first paragraph and the associated items 1 through 4 in their entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

In Section R404.1.4.2 of the California Residential Code, delete the last sentence of the first paragraph starting with "In addition to the horizontal reinforcement…" and the associated items 1 through 3 in their entirety.

In Section R404.1.4.2 of the California Residential Code, delete the last sentence of the second paragraph starting with "Where Tables R404.1.2(2)…" in its entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

In Section R404.1.5.1 of the California Residential Code, in the first sentence after "thickness of the wall supported," add "or 6 inches, whichever is greater."

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

In Section R404.1.5.2 of the California Residential Code, in the first sentence after "story above" add "or 6", whichever is greater."

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

Delete Section R404.2 and Table R404.2.3 of the California Residential Code in their entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

Delete Section R405.2 of the California Residential Code in its entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

Delete Section R406.3 of the California Residential Code in its entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

Add after the first sentence: "The use of topically applied moisture barriers to concrete slabs in conjunction with conversion of non-habitable spaces to habitable spaces provided the following are adhered to:

a) The product's permeability is at most 0.09 perms for vapor transmission toward the habitable space, as tested according with ASTM E96, which is equivalent or better than that of 6-mil polyethylene (as tested with ASTM E1745).

b) Technical documentation, supplied by the manufacturer, based on accredited independent laboratory testing, is provided clearly indicating the product's performance meet these criteria.

c) The product is installed per its listing by qualified individuals and per the manufacturer's instructions and special inspection is conducted by a person knowledgeable and with demonstrated history of performing such inspections on the applications of such product.

d) The owner agrees to hold the City of Oakland Harmless by completing and submitting a Hold armless Agreement to be filed with the County Recorder against the parcel for a fee in accordance with the Oakland Master Fee Schedule."

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

In Section R606.4.4 of the California Residential Code, delete the first and second sentence both starting with "Unreinforced" in their entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

In Section R702.3.6 of the California Residential Code, at the end of the sixth sentence starting with "Gypsum board or gypsum panel products shall not be used…", add the following to the end of this sentence: "or in buildings in Seismic Design Categories Do, Di, or D 2."

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

Adopt Appendix BG Sound Transmission, California Residential Code, in its entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

Delete Appendix BF, Patio Covers, California Residential Code, in its entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

Delete Appendix BJ, Strawbale Construction, California Residential Code, in its entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

Adopt Appendix CI, Swimming Pool Safety Act, California Residential Code, in its entirety.

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)

Adopt Appendix CJ Emergency Housing, California Building Code, with the following amendments:

Section CJ101.1 Scope. Add: "The provisions and standards set forth in the Appendix shall be applicable to emergency housing established pursuant to a declaration of state of emergency, local emergency, or shelter crisis as defined in Section N102, and located in or on designated City properties or properties leased by the City for emergency housing during the period of the declared state of emergency, local emergency, and/or shelter crisis."

Section CJ103.2.1 New additions, alterations, and change of occupancy. Add the following second Exception: "Change in occupancy shall not mandate conformance with new construction requirements set forth in the Oakland Building Construction Code, provided such change in occupancy meets the minimum standards set forth in this Appendix."

Section CJ104.6 Electrical.

For #1. Add "at 115 volts alternating current or low voltage."

For #1. Revise Exception to Read: "The source of electricity may be an emergency generator, if operated only until continuous power is restored or 72 hours, whichever is shorter, or renewable source of power such as solar or wind power."

For #3. Delete in entirety including associated Exception.

For #4. Revise to Read: "At least one GFCI-protected receptacle outlet for use by the occupant(s). Alternatively, cabins may be equipped with low voltage USB charging stations instead of Standard GFCI outlets."

Section CJ106.1 General. Revise the first sentence of the second paragraph so "…when it is found necessary…" shall read "…whenever it is found necessary…."

Section CJ110 Emergency Housing Facilities. Revise the title of this section to read: "Emergency Housing Facilities Sanitation Requirements."

Section CJ110.2 Kitchens. Replace entire section with the following:

"Kitchens and food facilities. Where provided, kitchens and food facilities, as defined in Section 113789 of the California Health and Safety Code, which support emergency housing sites, shall comply with applicable food safety provisions of Sections 113980—114094.5 of the California Health and Safety Code."

Section CJ110.2 Toilet and bathing facilities. Add this sentence to the last paragraph: "This can include foot-pumped water at hand washing stations that are properly maintained."

(Ord. No. 13861, § 4, 9-15-2025)