Chapter 14 — HISTORIC BUILDING CODE, EXISTING BUILDING CODE AND

REFERENCED STANDARDS*

• Sections 8-14.01 through 8-14.16, Historic Preservation, codified from Ord. 2509, eff. August 1, 1991, repealed by § 4, Ord. 2707, eff. December 16, 1999. Sections 8-14.01 through 8-14.03, Historic Building Code, Existing Building Code and Referenced Standards, codified from Ord. 3227, eff. January 5, 2023, as amended by § 12, Ord. 3321, eff. February 2026. 8-14.01 Adoption of California Historic Building Code 8-14.02 Adoption of California Existing Building Code 8-14.03 Adoption of California Referenced Standards 8-14.04 Alternative building standards for reuse projects

The 2025 Edition of the California Existing Building Code, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission in California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 10, is hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this chapter as if fully set forth at length herein. One (1) copy of said code is on file in the office of the City Clerk for public review. (§ 12, Ord. 3227, eff. January 5, 2023, as amended by § 12, Ord. 3321, eff. February 2026)

The 2025 Edition of the California Existing Building Code, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission in California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 10, is hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this chapter as if fully set forth at length herein. One (1) copy of said code is on file in the office of the City Clerk for public review. (§ 12, Ord. 3227, eff. January 5, 2023, as amended by § 12, Ord. 3321, eff. February 2026)

The 2025 Edition of the California Referenced Standards, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission in California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 12, is hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this chapter as if fully set forth at length herein. One (1) copy of said code is on file in the office of the City Clerk for public review. (§ 12, Ord. 3227, eff. January 5, 2023, as amended by § 12, Ord. 3321, eff. February 2026)

(a) Purpose. The Historic Preservation- Adaptive Reuse Plan in Title 9 Development Code expanded the scope of eligible and underutilized buildings or structures that have great potential to be converted into new uses or occupancy that can benefit from relief of parking standards, setbacks and zoning height limitations. However, key to the success of the Adaptive Reuse Plan relies on the ability of the Building Official and Fire Marshal to effectively use their authority to grant code modification or alternative materials, design and methods of construction and equipment to address practical difficulties involved in complying with the strict provisions of the code or consider alternative design or methods not specifically prescribed in the code. Other statutory regulations such as the California Historic Building Code adopted in § 8-14.01 and the California Existing Building Code adopted in § 8-14.02, including Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 17958.11 and Cal. Health and Safety Code § 19957, provides the Building Official and Fire Marshal with the ability to consider other alternative building standards. Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to amend, expand, establish and clarify alternative building standards for the conversion of existing buildings or structures to accommodate new uses or occupancy for other purposes than what it was originally designed for and still provide reasonable use and safety to the building occupants. (b) Applicability. Projects that meet the definition and applicable requirements of an adaptive reuse project pursuant to Title 9 Development Code may be permitted to use the alternative building standards of this chapter. (c) Adaptive Reuse Technical Manual. (1) Although other chapters or sections of the Ontario Municipal Code and the most recently adopted edition of the California Building Standards Code are applicable to new construction or a change of use or occupancy, the use of the Adaptive Reuse Technical Manual, which includes Alternative Building Materials and Methods, may be permitted to provide alternative regulations for adaptive reuse projects that meet the applicability requirement of subsection (b). (2) The Building Official and Fire Marshal shall prepare, maintain, and update, as deemed necessary and appropriate, the Adaptive Reuse Technical Manual and shall include technical information and implementation parameters, alternative compliance for technical infeasibility, as well as other rules, requirements and procedures as the City deems necessary, for implementing the provisions of this chapter. (3) The Building Official and Fire Marshal shall develop, as deemed necessary and appropriate, in cooperation with other City departments and stakeholders, informational bulletins, training manuals and educational materials to assist in the implementation of this chapter. (§ 2, Ord. 3292, eff. December 17, 2024, as amended by § 12, Ord. 3321, eff. February 2026)