Rolling Hills Municipal Code Ch. 15.04 Building Code

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 382-U, § 1, adopted Dec. 13, 2022, amended Ch. 15.04 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Ch. 15.04, §§ 15.04.010—15.04.150, pertained to similar subject matter, and derived from Ord. No. 363-U, § 1, adopted in 2020; and Ord. No. 363, § 1, adopted in 2020.

Except as hereinafter provided, Title 26, Building Code, of the Los Angeles County Code, as amended and in effect on January 1, 2026, adopting the California Building Code, 2025 Edition (Part 2 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations) is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, as if fully set forth below, and shall be known and may be cited as the Building Code of the City of Rolling Hills.

In the event of any conflict between provisions of the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, Title 26 of the Los Angeles County Code, or any amendment to the Building Code contained in the Rolling Hills Municipal Code, the provision contained in the later listed document shall control.

A copy of Title 26 of the Los Angeles County Code and the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, have been deposited in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Rolling Hills and shall be at all times maintained by the City Clerk for use and examination by the public.

(Ord. No. 382-U, § 1, 12-13-2022; Ord. No. 389-U, § 1, 12-9-2025)

This chapter shall be known as the "Building Code of the City of Rolling Hills" and will be referred to herein as "this code."

(Ord. No. 382-U, § 1, 12-13-2022; Ord. No. 389-U, § 1, 12-9-2025)

Section 105, "Permits," of the Building Code is amended to add a subsection 105.8, "Review hearing," to read:

105.8 Review hearing. The City Council of the City of Rolling Hills may conduct a public hearing to review any decision or order of the Board of Appeals, the Code Enforcement Appeals Board, or the Building Rehabilitation Appeals Board upon an affirmative vote of three members of the City Council within thirty (30) calendar days of the decision or order. The City Council may, upon conclusion of the public hearing, sustain or reverse in whole or in part any said action or order. Notice of the City Council public hearing shall be given by the City Clerk not less than ten (10) days prior to the hearing by first class mail to all property owners within 1,000 feet of the exterior boundaries of the subject property and all owners of record of the subject property at the time of mailing said notice.

(Ord. No. 382-U, § 1, 12-13-2022; Ord. No. 389-U, § 1, 12-9-2025)

Whenever any of the following names or terms are used in the California Building Code or the County of Los Angeles Building Code, each such name or term shall be deemed and construed to have the meaning ascribed to it in this section, as follows:

"Board of Appeals" means the Board of Appeals established by Section 105 of said Los Angeles County Building Code.

"Building department" means the entities charged by resolution of the City Council with the responsibility of administering the building code for the City.

"Building Official" means the persons charged by resolution of the City Council with the responsibility of administering the building code for the City.

"City" means the City of Rolling Hills.

"City Engineer" means the persons charged by resolution of the City Council with the responsibility of performing the functions of city engineer for the City.

"County," "County of Los Angeles" or "unincorporated territory of the County of Los Angeles" means the City of Rolling Hills.

"Electrical Code" means Chapter 15.16 of this code.

"Existing Building Code" means Chapter 15.24 of this code.

"Fire Code" means Chapter 15.20 of this code.

"Fire zone" means the fire zone adopted by an ordinance creating and establishing fire zones or where no such fire zones have been adopted by the City of Rolling Hills, shall mean very high fire hazard severity zone ("VHFHSZ").

"General fund" means the City Treasury of the City of Rolling Hills.

"Green Building Standards Code" means Chapter 15.22 of this code.

"Health Code" or "Los Angeles County Health Code" means Chapter 8.04 of this code.

"Health Officer" means the Health Officer of the City of Rolling Hills.

"Mechanical Code" means Chapter 15.12 of this code.

"Plumbing Code" means Chapter 15.08 of this code.

"Residential Code" means Chapter 15.18 of this code.

(Ord. No. 382-U, § 1, 12-13-2022; Ord. No. 387, § 4, 6-9-2025; Ord. No. 389-U, § 1, 12-9-2025)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.04.010, the Building Code is amended by increasing the amount of each and every fee set forth in the Building Code, to a sum set by resolution of the City Council, including a park and recreation fee.

(Ord. No. 382-U, § 1, 12-13-2022; Ord. No. 389-U, § 1, 12-9-2025)

Section 202, "Definitions," of the Building Code, regarding the definition of a "basement," is amended to read as follows:

BASEMENT is any floor level below the first story of the primary residence, including an attached garage. Except for walls within light wells, basement walls across any elevation may not exceed a height of five (5) feet above finished grade at any point immediately adjacent to the basement exterior, and shall have no greater than an average of two and one-half (2½) feet exterior height. Basement well(s) shall be incorporated into the overall design of the building so that it does not give an appearance of a separate story.

(Ord. No. 382-U, § 1, 12-13-2022; Ord. No. 389-U, § 1, 12-9-2025)

Section 202, Definitions," of the Building Code, regarding the definition of a "story," is amended to read as follows:

STORY is that portion of a building included between the upper surface of any floor and the ceiling or roof above it. There shall be no story on top of another, except as permitted in Section 17.16.080 of the Zoning Ordinance.

(Ord. No. 382-U, § 1, 12-13-2022; Ord. No. 389-U, § 1, 12-9-2025)

Section J103.2, "Exemptions," Exemption 8, is amended to read as follows:

8. An excavation that does not exceed 50 cubic yards and complies with one of the following conditions and as shown in Figure J103.2:

(a) Is less than 2 feet (0.6 m) in depth.

(b) Does not create a cut slope greater than 5 feet (1.5 m) measured vertically upward from the cut surface to the surface of the natural grade and is not steeper than 2 units horizontal to 1 unit vertical (50 percent slope).

Section J103.2, "Exemptions," Exemption 9, is amended to read as follows:

9. A fill not intended to support a structure that does not obstruct a drainage course and complies with one of the following conditions and as shown in Figure J103.2:

(a) Is less than 1 foot (0.3 m) in depth and is placed on natural terrain with a slope flatter than 5 units horizontal to 1 unit vertical (20 percent slope).

(b) Is less than 3 feet (0.9 m) in depth at its deepest point measured vertically upward from natural grade to the surface of the fill, does not exceed 50 cubic yards, and creates a fill slope no steeper than 2 units horizontal to 1 unit vertical (50 percent slope).

(c) Is less than 5 feet (1.5 m) in depth at its deepest point measured vertically upward from natural grade to the surface of the fill, does not exceed 20 cubic yards, and creates a fill slope no steeper than 2 units horizontal to 1 unit vertical (50 percent slope).

Section J103.6, "Compliance with Zoning Code," is amended to read as follows:

The Building Official may refuse to issue a grading permit for work on a site if either the proposed grading or the proposed land use for the site shown on the grading plan application does not comply with the provisions of Title 17 of the Rolling Hills Municipal Code (Zoning).

(Ord. No. 382-U, § 1, 12-13-2022; Ord. No. 389-U, § 1, 12-9-2025)

Section J106.1, "Maximum cut slope," is amended to read as follows:

The slope of cut surfaces shall be no steeper than is safe for the intended use and shall be no more than one unit vertical to two units horizontal (50 percent slope), unless the owner, or the owner's authorized agent, receives a variance for a steeper slope from the Planning Commission of the City of Rolling Hills and furnishes a geotechnical or an engineering geology report, or both, justifying a steeper slope. The reports must contain a statement by the Geotechnical Engineer or Engineering Geologist that the site was investigated and an opinion that a steeper slope will be stable and will not create a hazard to public or private property, in conformance with the requirements of Section 111. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the Building Official may require the slope of cut surfaces to be less than 50 percent, if the Building Official finds it necessary for the stability and safety of the slope.

Exceptions:

The slope of a cut surface may be permitted to be as steep as 1.5 units horizontal to one unit vertical (67 percent) only if all of the following conditions are met:

1. It is not intended to support structures or surcharges.

2. It is approved by the Planning Commission of the City of Rolling Hills.

3. It is adequately protected against erosion.

4. It is no more than 8 feet (2438 mm) in height.

5. It is approved by the Building Official.

6. Ground water is not encountered.

(Ord. No. 382-U, § 1, 12-13-2022; Ord. No. 389-U, § 1, 12-9-2025)

Section J106, "Excavations," is amended to add subsection J106.2, "Driveways," to read as follows:

Section J106.2 Driveways. Driveways which provide access from any lot or parcel of land to any of the private roads in the City of Rolling Hills which are maintained by the Rolling Hills Community Association shall be so constructed that the first twenty (20) feet of said driveway, measured from the edge of the paved portion of said private road, shall not be steeper in grade than seven percent (7%). All new and relocated driveways require approval of the City of Rolling Hills Traffic Commission prior to construction.

(Ord. No. 382-U, § 1, 12-13-2022; Ord. No. 389-U, § 1, 12-9-2025)

Section J106, "Excavations," is amended to add subsection J106.3, "Balanced cut and fill ratio," to read as follows:

J106.3 Balanced cut and fill ratio.

Adherence to balanced cut and fill ratio is an important policy of the City and furthers the goals and objectives of its General Plan, except that export of soil generated from construction of basements and other excavation activities, promotes the preservation of natural terrain of the property. A project, which does not include excavation, may deviate from balanced cut and fill only under unusual circumstances related to the size, shape, topography or other physical conditions of the property that qualify it for a variance pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.38.050.

1. No import of soil shall be permitted to any lot in the City, except where a variance pursuant to Chapter 17.38 has been approved.

2. No export of soil shall be permitted from any lot in the City, except where the soil is generated from an excavation activity, as defined in Municipal Code Section 17.12.050 or where a variance pursuant to Chapter 17.38 has been approved. Export of soil must comply with City refuse diversion requirements.

3. No grading plan for which a permit is required shall be approved unless the amount of soil to be cut from the site equals the amount of soil to be filled on the site, except where the soil is generated from an excavation activity or where a variance pursuant to Chapter 17.38 has been approved.

4. The City Manager, or his or her designee, may grant an exception to the requirements of parts 1 and 2 of this subsection to allow for the import or export of soil not to exceed 500 cubic yards if he or she finds, based upon written reports and other information submitted, that all of the following conditions are present:

(a) The project does not require discretionary review (a cut that is three feet or less, or a fill that is three feet or less and where the activity covers 2,000 square feet or less of surface area), and

(b) That the need to import or export the soil could not have been foreseen prior to commencement of construction.

5. The City Manager or his or her designee may grant an exception to the requirements of parts 1 and 2 of this subsection to allow for the import or export of soil not to exceed 500 cubic yards for remedial repair of the lot that has eroded, and of hillside or trail if he or she finds, based upon written reports and other information submitted, that all of the following conditions are present:

(a) The project does not require discretionary review (a cut that is three feet or less, or a fill that is three feet or less and where the activity covers 2,000 square feet or less of surface area);

(b) The import or export of soil is no greater than necessary to avoid a threat of land subsidence or other imminent danger; and

(c) A professionally prepared drainage plan for permanent repair shall be required if the erosion is re-occurring and if/when the amount of dirt requested, when added to the amount of dirt used in previous years, exceeds a total of 500 cubic yards.

(Ord. No. 382-U, § 1, 12-13-2022; Ord. No. 389-U, § 1, 12-9-2025)

Section J107.6, "Maximum slope," is amended to read as follows:

The slope of fill surfaces shall be no steeper than is safe for the intended use. Fill slopes steeper than 1 unit vertical to 2 units horizontal (50 percent slope) shall not be permitted unless the owner receives a variance for a steeper fill slope from the Planning Commission of the City of Rolling Hills, pursuant to the provisions of Title 17 of the Municipal Code. Such slopes shall be justified by geotechnical reports conforming with the requirements of Section 111, containing a statement by the Geotechnical Engineer that the site has been investigated and an opinion that a steeper fill slope will be stable and will not create a hazard to public or private property. Substantiating calculations and supporting data may be required where the Building Official determines that such information is necessary to verify the stability and safety of the proposed slope. The Building Official may require the fill slope to be constructed with a face flatter in slope than 2 units horizontal to 1 unit vertical (50 percent slope) if the Building Official finds it necessary for stability and safety of the slope.

(Ord. No. 382-U, § 1, 12-13-2022; Ord. No. 389-U, § 1, 12-9-2025)

Section J107, "Fills," is amended by adding subsection J107.10, "Balanced cut and fill ratio," to read as follows:

J107.10 Balanced cut and fill ratio.

Adherence to balanced cut and fill ratio is an important policy of the City and furthers the goals and objectives of its General Plan, except that export of soil generated from construction of basements and other excavation activities, promotes the preservation of natural terrain of the property. A project, which does not include excavation, may deviate from balanced cut and fill only under unusual circumstances related to the size, shape, topography or other physical conditions of the property that qualify it for a variance pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.38.050.

1. No import of soil shall be permitted to any lot in the City, except where a variance pursuant to Chapter 17.38 has been approved.

2. No export of soil shall be permitted from any lot in the City, except where the soil is generated from an excavation activity, as defined in Municipal Code Section 17.12.050 or where a variance pursuant to Chapter 17.38 has been approved. Export of soil must comply with City refuse diversion requirements.

3. No grading plan for which a permit is required shall be approved unless the amount of soil to be cut from the site equals the amount of soil to be filled on the site, except where the soil is generated from an excavation activity or where a variance pursuant to Chapter 17.38 has been approved.

4. The City Manager, or his or her designee, may grant an exception to the requirements of parts 1 and 2 of this subsection to allow for the import or export (other than from excavation activities), of soil not to exceed 500 cubic yards if he or she finds, based upon written reports and other information submitted, that all of the following conditions are present:

(a) Construction of a structure on the lot or parcel has commenced,

(b) That the need to import or export the soil could not have been foreseen prior to commencement of construction, and

(c) That either the structure, as approved, cannot be completed without the requested import or export of soil or that an emergency condition exists due to the threat of land subsidence or other imminent danger.

5. The City Manager or his or her designee may grant an exception to the requirements of parts 1 and 2 of this subsection to allow for the import or export of soil not to exceed 500 cubic yards for remedial repair of an area of the lot that has eroded, is on a hillside or a trail if he or she finds, based upon written reports and other information submitted, that all of the following conditions are present:

(a) The project does not require discretionary review (a cut that is three feet or less, or a fill that is three feet or less and where the activity covers 2,000 square feet or less of surface area).

(b) The import or export of soil is no greater than necessary to avoid a threat of land subsidence or other imminent danger.

(c) A professionally prepared drainage plan for permanent repair shall be required if the erosion is re-occurring and if/when the amount of dirt requested, when added to the amount of dirt used in previous years, exceeds a total of 500 cubic yards.

(Ord. No. 382-U, § 1, 12-13-2022; Ord. No. 389-U, § 1, 12-9-2025)

Section J101.2, "Flood hazard areas," is amended to read as follows:

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.04.010 of this chapter, the Building Code is amended by requiring that in addition to Section J101.2, all new construction and substantial improvements proposed to be built in a flood-prone area, as determined in accordance with Section 8.36.050 of the Rolling Hills Municipal Code ("RHMC"), is subject to the floodplain management regulations set forth in Chapter 8.36 of the RHMC.

(Ord. No. 382-U, § 1, 12-13-2022; Ord. No. 389-U, § 1, 12-9-2025)

A. It is unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish, equip, use, occupy or maintain any building or structure or portion thereof or perform any grading in the City of Rolling Hills, or cause the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this code.

B. Penalty. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this code shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and each such person shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any violation is committed, continued or permitted. Upon conviction, such person may be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. The provisions of this section are in addition to and independent of any other sanctions, penalties or costs which are or may be imposed for a violation of any of the provisions of this code.

(Ord. No. 382-U, § 1, 12-13-2022; Ord. No. 389-U, § 1, 12-9-2025)