Reedley Municipal Code Ch. 1 Building Codes

Pursuant to the provisions of Government Code section 50022.2, the City Council does hereby adopt by specific reference thereto and incorporation herein by said reference, the provisions, rules and regulations specified and set forth in the following codes, subject to the amendments, if any, set forth in section 9-1-2 of this chapter:

The above codes are hereby adopted by the City Council as the building codes of the City, for all intents and purposes and to the same effect as if each and every section, paragraph, subparagraph, word, phrase or clause contained therein were fully set forth herein. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter. The City Council hereby declares it would have adopted each section, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one (1) or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional. One copy of each of said codes hereby adopted are on file in the office of the building official and is available for examination by the public. (Ord. 2013-005, 12-10-2013; amd. Ord. 2022-006, 12-13-2022; Ord. 2025-006, 11-18-2025)

A. Building Code:

1. Valuation: The establishment of building valuation estimates are intended to comply with the definition of "valuation" in section 223 of the California building code. Therefore, the determination shall be based on valuation as computed by the International Conference Of Building Officials and as published bimonthly in the building standards. (Ord. 2005-07, 10-25-2005)

2. Plan Checking Fee: A plan checking fee of fifty percent (50%) of the original plan checking fee shall be levied where the building plan is in total area and design substantially the same as a plan approved within one year from the date of issuance of the original building permits for a building located on property with similar soil and terrain characteristics.

3. Moving Permit: Any person desiring to move any building or structure from one lot or parcel to another lot or parcel within the city limits or from some lot or parcel outside the city limits to a lot or parcel inside the city limits or to move a building out of the city, shall file a moving application with the building department and such application shall contain the following information:

a. The location and address of the old and proposed new site.

b. A plot plan of the new site indicating all dimensions and required setbacks.

c. Plans and specifications giving the proposed improvements and remodeling of such building or structure at the new site. Plans shall contain drawings and specifications to show that the building will fit in harmoniously as to type, character, size and value with other buildings at the proposed site. If placing the building at the proposed relocation site will substantially diminish the value of other property in the vicinity or will not fit aesthetically, the moving permit shall be denied.

d. The owner shall post a surety bond or other security with the city clerk in an amount fixed by the building official equal to the estimated value of all alterations, additions, repairs or corrections to make the building comply with all city laws. Such bond shall be automatically renewable until such time as the bonding company is notified in writing by the building official that all required corrections, alterations, additions, repairs guaranteed by said bond have been completed. Such bond shall also cover clean up of the site the building is moved from, if it is within the city, as well as damage to any city streets, sidewalks, curb, gutters or any other facilities owned by the city caused by moving of the building or related construction.

The provisions of subsections A3a, A3b and A3c of this section shall not apply when the building is being moved out of the city.

Upon the filing of such application the applicant shall be charged a fee in the amount of seventy dollars ($70.00) to be paid to the building department to cover the cost of moving inspection. Said fees may be adjusted from time to time by resolution of the city council.

The applicant shall make the property available at such time as is requested by the building official.

The applicant shall be prepared to remove any material or covering on the building or structure to be moved as directed by the building official for the purpose of making the moving inspection.

4. Payment Of Expense: The owner shall compensate the city for any expense incurred in moving buildings which involves service of the police department, or special building official at the current rates charged by the city, with a minimum charge of two (2) hours' time.

5. Inspection Outside City Limits: If the building official is requested by the property owner to inspect a building which is not located in the city, the city shall assess a fee equal to costs incurred in such inspection. No inspection service shall be provided on any building located more than a thirty (30) mile radius from the city. (Ord. 757, 7-9-1991)

6. Automatic Sprinklers, Where Required.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, standard automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed and maintained in all group A, B, E, F, I, M, S, U, and H5 occupancies exceeding five thousand (5,000) square feet in gross floor area. When such areas have any eaves or an overhang exceeding a distance of three feet (3') from the wall or support, the gross roof area shall include, but not be limited to, covered walkways, patios, porches or any architectural feature attached to or within ten feet (10') of the structure. In existing buildings where an automatic sprinkler system does not exist, and a change in the character of occupancy or use is made, or the floor area is increased, and the gross floor area exceeds the areas set forth in this subsection before or after the addition or change, an approved automatic sprinkler system shall be installed through the structure, unless a specific development agreement is approved by the building official for the existing areas.

Area separation walls, occupancy separation walls, or parapets shall not be used to create separate buildings on the same property to exclude required automatic sprinkler systems.

7. Appeals Board.

The City shall establish a local appeals board and a housing appeals board. The local appeals board and housing appeals board shall be the governing body of the City. The board may appoint one (1) or more hearing examiners to hear appeals brought before the board. The hearing examiners shall not be employees of the jurisdiction and shall be qualified and specifically knowledgeable in the California Building Standards Codes and applicable local ordinances. The hearing examiner or examiners shall submit a written report to the board. Such report shall contain a brief summary of the evidence considered and state the examiners findings, conclusions and recommendations.

B. Electrical Code:

Appeals Board

The City shall establish a local appeals board and a housing appeals board. The local appeals board and housing appeals board shall be the governing body of the City. The board may appoint one (1) or more hearing examiners to hear appeals brought before the board. The hearing examiners shall not be employees of the jurisdiction and shall be qualified and specifically knowledgeable in the California Building Standards Codes and applicable local ordinances. The hearing examiner or examiners shall submit a written report to the board. Such report shall contain a brief summary of the evidence considered and state the examiners findings, conclusions and recommendations.

C. Fire Code:

1. Chapter 28 of the California fire code, known as the California code of regulations, title 24, part 9 is hereby amended by adding thereto a new section 2810 to read as follows:

Section 2810

Storage Of Combustible Idle Pallets

Fire department access roadways, meeting the requirements of the city of Reedley fire department, shall be maintained within 150 feet of all pallet storage and structures.

Table 2810.4.1

Required Clearance Between Outside

Idle Pallet Storage And Other Yard Storage

Table 2810.4.2

Required Clearance Between

Outside Idle Pallet Storage And Structures

(Ord. 2013-005, 12-10-2013)

D. Plumbing Code:

1. Permit Fees: The third sentence of section 103.3.1 of chapter 1, "Administration", of the uniform plumbing code, shall read as follows:

If the building official finds that the work described in an application for permit and the plans, specifications and other data filed therewith conform to the requirements of the code and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and that the fees specified in the latest fee schedule adopted by the city council, and at the rate provided for each classification shown therein have been paid, the building official shall issue a permit therefor to the applicant.

2. Subsection 103.4.1, subsection 103.4.2 and table 1-1 of the uniform plumbing code are hereby deleted.

E. Mechanical Code:

1. Section 115.1 of chapter 1, "Administration" of the uniform mechanical code shall read as follows:

Permit Fees: Mechanical permit fees may be established and modified from time to time by resolution of the city council.

2. Subsection 115.1, subsection 115.2 and table 1-1 of the uniform mechanical code are deleted. (Ord. 2003-03, 4-22-2003)

F. Housing Code: No amendments.

G. Abatement Of Dangerous Buildings Code: No amendments. (Ord. 99-12, 11-23-1999)

H. Swimming Pool Code:

1. Requirements: Every person in possession of land within the city, either as owner, purchaser under contract, lessee, tenant or licensee upon which is situated a swimming pool, shall at all times maintain on the lot or premises upon which such pool is located and completely surrounding such pool, lot or premises, a fence or other solid structure not less than six feet (6') in height with no opening therein (other than doors and gates) larger than six inches (6") square. All gates or door openings through such enclosure shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device designed to keep, and capable of keeping, such door or gate securely closed at all times when not in actual use; provided, however, the door of any dwelling occupied by human beings and forming any part of the enclosure required by this subsection need not be so equipped.

All plans submitted to the city for swimming pools to be constructed shall show compliance with the requirements of the uniform swimming pool, spa and hot tub code, and final inspection and approval of all pools constructed shall be withheld until all requirements of said code have been complied with.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to public swimming pools for which a charge or admission price is required to be paid for such use thereof nor to swimming pools which are a part of, and located on the same premises of a hotel or motel during the time the owner, operator or adult employee of such owner or operator is present at, and in active charge of, the premises upon which such pool is located. (Ord. 757, 7-9-1991)

2. Schedule Of Fees: Section 110 of part 1 of said uniform swimming pool, spa and hot tub code is hereby deleted therefrom. Fees shall be calculated using the latest adopted fee schedule for building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits and plan checking services. (Ord. 99-12, 11-23-1999)

I. Sign Code: This code is hereby amended to include the provisions of the zoning regulations of the municipal code as said provisions pertain to signs in title 10, chapter 14 of the city code, as if each and every section, paragraph, subparagraph, word, phrase or clause contained therein were fully set forth herein. (Ord. 676, 1-3-1984)

J. Solar Energy Code: Section 20-6 of part 1 is hereby deleted from the uniform solar energy code. (Ord. 757, 7-9-1991)

K. Building Conservation Code: No amendments. (Ord. 97-15, 1-13-1998)

L. Administrative Code: No amendments. (Ord. 99-12, 11-23-1999)

M. Energy Code: No amendments. (Ord. 2005-07, 10-25-2005)

N. Water Conservation: This subsection is an element of the city's water conservation program ("WCP") implementing the 2030 general plan update, policy COSP3.10.10A. The following minimum standards for the installation of water conserving plumbing fixtures and fittings is intended to meet or exceed a twenty percent (20%) reduction in water consumption to ensure an adequate water supply to accommodate the projected growth and development pattern:

1. Showerhead fixtures and fittings shall be designed and installed so that they will not exceed a water supply flow rate of 1.75 gallons per minute.

2. Faucets at kitchens, lavatories, wet bars, laundry sinks, or other similar use fixtures shall be water sense labeled and installed so that they will not exceed a water supply flow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute.

3. Toilet fixtures and fittings shall have an average consumption that does not exceed 1.1 gallons of water per flush.

4. New residential dwellings that are equipped with clothes washers shall install washers that are energy star qualified.

5. The water pressure in any single-family home constructed under a building permit issued after the effective date of this subsection shall not exceed sixty (60) pounds per square inch (psi), and shall have no detectable water leaks. Multi-family and midrise projects are exempt from the water pressure testing criterion but shall have no detectable water leaks and are subject to the requirements as stated in subsections N1, N2, N3 and N4 of this section.(Ord. 2014-005, 9-23-2014; amd. Ord. 2022-006, 12-13-2022; Ord. 2025-006, 11-18- 2025)

Building permit fees may be established and modified from time to time by resolution of the city council. (Ord. 757, 7-9-1991)

It shall be unlawful for any person or corporation to carry on or engage in the business of general contracting or specialty contracting in the city without having a license therefor from the contractor's state license board, and a city business license 1 . (Ord. 676, 1-3-1984)

A. The following words and phrases as used in this section are defined as follows:

ELECTRONIC SUBMITTAL: The utilization of one or more of the following:

• 1. E-mail,
• 2. The internet,
• 3. Facsimile.

SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM: All of the following:

1. A solar energy system that is no larger than ten (10) kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or thirty (30) kilowatts thermal.

2. A solar energy system that conforms to all applicable state fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes as adopted or amended by the city and paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of section 714 of the Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or redesignated from time to time.

3. A solar energy system that is installed on a single- or duplex-family dwelling.

4. A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the authority having jurisdiction.

SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM: Has the same meaning set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of section 801.5 of the Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or redesignated from time to time.

B. Section 65850.5 of the California Government Code provides that, on or before September 30, 2015, every city, county, or city and county shall adopt an ordinance that creates an expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems.

C. Section 65850.5 of the California Government Code provides that in developing an expedited permitting process, the city, county, or city and county shall adopt a checklist of all requirements with which small rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. The building official is hereby authorized and directed to develop and adopt such checklist.

D. The checklist shall be published on the city's internet website. The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the city's building division by personal, mailed, or electronic submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection fees. In the case of electronic submittal, the electronic signature of the applicant on all forms, applications and other documentation may be used in lieu of a wet signature.

E. Prior to submitting an application, the applicant shall:

1. Verify to the applicant's reasonable satisfaction through the use of standard engineering evaluation techniques that the support structure for the small residential rooftop solar energy system is stable and adequate to transfer all wind, seismic, and dead and live loads associated with the system to the building foundation; and

2. At the applicant's cost, verify to the applicant's reasonable satisfaction using standard electrical inspection techniques that the existing electrical system including existing line, load, ground and bonding wiring as well as main panel and subpanel sizes are adequately sized, based on the existing electrical system's current use, to carry all new photovoltaic electrical loads.

F. For a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review, only one inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner. If a small residential rooftop solar energy system fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized; however the subsequent inspection need not conform to the requirements of this subsection.

G. An application that satisfies the information requirements in the checklist, as determined by the building official, shall be deemed complete. Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the building official shall issue a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.

H. Upon confirmation by the building official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the building official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to connect the small residential rooftop energy system to the local utility provider's electricity grid. The applicant is responsible for obtaining such approval or permission from the local utility provider. (Ord. 2015-004, 9-8-2015)

At least two (2) working days before any planned excavation or construction, the responsible party shall contact Underground Service Alert North (USA) by calling 811. (Ord. 2015-004, 9-8-2015)