Chapter 15.04 — Sacramento Zoning Code

ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT*

Sections:

15.04.010 Title. 15.04.020 Purpose. 15.04.030 Applicability of code. 15.04.040 Definitions. 15.04.050 Adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards Code. 15.04.060 Violation-Penalty. 15.04.070 Violation-A public nuisance. 15.04.080 Authority of city attorney in case of violations. 15.04.090 Chief building official-Position created-Duties. 15.04.100 Chief building official-Assistants. 15.04.110 Liability. 15.04.120 Power to grant minor modifications. 15.04.130 Right of entry-Inspection of the work. 15.04.140 Utility service-Temporary connections. 15.04.150 Utility service-Connection before inspection. 15.04.160 Utility service-Changes in service-Notice. 15.04.170 Occupancy violations. 15.04.180 Stop work orders.

Prior history: Ords. 2000-017 and 2008-056; prior code §§ 9.01.001-9.01.021 and 9.01.034-9.01.038.

15.04.010 Title.¶

The following chapters of this title shall be known and referred to as the Sacramento City Building Code, and may be cited as such, and will be referred to as "this code" or "this building code": Chapter 15.04 through and including Chapter 15.156, save and except for Chapter 15.36. (Ord. 2011-026 § 2)

15.04.020 Purpose.¶

The purpose of this code is to provide minimum requirements and standards for the protection of the public safety, health, property and welfare. This code is not intended as a design specification or an instructional manual for untrained persons. (Ord. 2011-026 § 2)

15.04.030 Applicability of code.¶

This code shall apply to all new construction and to any alterations, repairs, relocations or reconstruction of a building or structure or any portion thereof including any electrical, mechanical, gas or plumbing equipment installed on any property or used on or within any building or structure. (Ord. 2011-026 § 2)

15.04.040 Definitions.¶

When used in this code, the following terms shall be construed as defined in this section: "Building official," "administrative authority," "director," "enforcing authority," and "manager" mean the chief building official. "CBC" means the California Building Code, 2025 Edition, Volumes 1 and 2.

"CEBC" means the California Existing Building Code, 2025 Edition.
"CEC" means the California Electrical Code, 2025 Edition.
"CEnC" means the California Energy Code, 2025 Edition.
"CGC" means the California Green Building Standards Code, 2025 Edition.
"CHBC" means the California Historical Building Code, 2025 Edition.
"Chief building official" means the manager of the building division or authorized representatives.
"CMC" means the California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition.
"CPC" means the California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition.
"CRC" means the California Residential Code, 2025 Edition.
"CRSC" means the California Referenced Standards Code, 2025 Edition.
"CWUIC" means the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, 2025 Edition.
"Electric vehicle charging station" or "charging station" means any level of electric vehicle supply equipment station that is designed and built in compliance with Article 625 of the CEC and
delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle.
"Permit" means a permit required by this code or required by any other code or ordinance enforced by the manager.
"Responsible party" means any person, business, company or entity, and the parent or legal guardian of any person under the age of 18 years, who has done any act for which an
administrative penalty may be imposed.
"Shell building" means any building or structure consisting only of floors (or slab), walls and a roof, the interior of which is to be completed at a later date.
"Small residential rooftop solar energy system" means a solar energy system that is no larger than 10 kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or 30 kilowatts thermal; conforms to all
applicable state fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes as adopted or amended by the city; conforms to the requirements of California Civil Code section 714, subdivision (c)(3); is
installed on a single-unit dwelling or duplex dwelling; and does not exceed the maximum legal building height. (Ord. 2025-0031 § 2; Ord. 2022-0026 § 2; Ord. 2019-0042 § 2; Ord. 2016-0052 §
2; Ord. 2016-0037 § 1; Ord. 2015-0032 § 1; Ord. 2014-0001 § 2; Ord. 2011-026 § 2)
15.04.050 Adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards Code.
The building standards included in the following parts of the 2025California Building Standards Code ,Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations ,are adopted by reference and incorporated
in this code, except as expressly amended or superseded by the provisions of this code:
A. The CBC, including Appendices C, I, and Q, which is based on and which amends the provisions of the 2024 International Building Code, as published by the International Code Council.
B. The CRC, including Appendices BF, BO, BG, and CJ, which is based on and which amends the provisions of the 2024 International Residential Code, as published by the International
Code Council.
C. The CEC, which is based on and which amends the provisions of the 2023 National Electrical Code, as published by the National Fire Protection Association.
D. The CMC, which is based on and which amends the provisions of the 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.
E. The CPC, which is based on and which amends the provisions of the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.
F. The CEnC.
G. The CWUIC.
H. The CHBC.
I. The CEBC, including Appendix A Chapter A-1 and Appendix A Chapter A-3, which amends the provisions of the 2024 International Existing Building Code, as published by the International
Code Council.
J. The CGC.
K. The CRSC. (Ord. 2025-0031 § 3; Ord. 2022-0026 § 3; Ord. 2019-0042 § 3; Ord. 2019-0001 § 1; Ord. 2016-0052 § 3; Ord. 2014-0001 § 3; Ord. 2011-026 § 2)
15.04.060 Violation-Penalty.
A. No responsible party, whether as owner, lessee, sublessee or occupant, shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, demolish, equip, use, occupy or maintain any
building or premises, or cause or permit the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or any order issued by the building official hereunder.
Any responsible party violating the provisions of this section or any other provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for each day such violation continues. Any responsible party
violating the provisions of this section or any other provisions of this title shall also be liable for civil penalties of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) or more than twenty-five thousand
dollars ($25,000.00) for each day the violation continues. The city attorney may bring a civil action to enforce any provision of this title.
B. Administrative Penalties. In addition to criminal sanctions, civil penalties as provided in this chapter, and other remedies set forth in this title, administrative penalties may be imposed
pursuant to Chapter 1.28 of the Sacramento City Code against any responsible party, whether owner, lessee, sublessor or sublessee or occupant of any premises in violation of any of the
provisions of this title. Imposition, enforcement, collection and administrative review of administrative penalties imposed shall be conducted pursuant to Chapter 1.28 of the Sacramento City
Code.
C. Reasonable Period to Correct Violations. No administrative penalty shall be imposed for violations of city building, plumbing, electrical, or structural codes or provisions of the Planning and
Development Code unless the owner has been provided a reasonable period of time to correct the violation before imposition of the penalty, except in those cases in which there is an immediate

"CEBC" means the California Existing Building Code, 2025 Edition.
danger to health or safety. The reasonable period for purposes of this title shall be thirty (30) days from service of any notice issued pursuant to this title.
D. The increased civil penalties, imposition of administrative penalties, and modification of the crime classification from an infraction to a misdemeanor shall apply to all violations where a
notice and order or other official notice from the city has not been sent to the person in violation prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. The civil penalties and crime
classification as provided in the City Code prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall continue to apply to all violations where a notice and order or other official
notice of violation was sent by the city prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. Nothing shall prohibit the imposition of administrative
penalties for continuing violations. (Ord. 2013-0021 § 39; Ord. 2011-026 § 2)

15.04.070 Violation-A public nuisance.¶

The erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, improvement, removal, conversion, demolition, equipping, wiring, plumbing, heating, cooling, use, occupation, or maintenance of any building or structure in violation of the provisions of this code constitutes a public nuisance. (Ord. 2011-026 § 2)

15.04.080 Authority of city attorney in case of violations.¶

The city attorney, in the name of and on behalf of the city and the people of the state, may institute an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to restrain or abate any violation of the provisions of this code as a public nuisance. (Ord. 2011-026 § 2)

15.04.090 Chief building official-Position created-Duties.¶

The position of chief building official is created. The chief building official shall supervise and administer the building division. He or she shall be the principal enforcement officer of the building, dangerous buildings, and housing codes of the city. In addition, he or she shall enforce such other regulations and codes of the city as the council by ordinance may prescribe. (Ord. 2011-026 § 2)

15.04.100 Chief building official-Assistants.¶

The chief building official shall have the following assistants:

A. Deputy chief building official;

B. Principal building inspector;

C. Supervising engineer;

D. Code and housing enforcement chief. (Ord. 2016-0027 § 6; Ord. 2011-026 § 2)

15.04.110 Liability.¶

The chief building official, his or her assistants and authorized representatives charged with the enforcement of this code, acting in good faith and without malice for the city in the discharge of their duties, are relieved from all personal liability for any damage to persons or property as a result of any act or omission they may perform in the discharge of their duties. (Ord. 2011-026 § 2)

15.04.120 Power to grant minor modifications.¶

To the extent authorized by this section or authorized by other applicable law, the chief building official may make minor modifications from the specific requirements of this code or any other portion of the Sacramento City Code enforced by him or her when such modifications are reasonable and when in his or her opinion, such changes will not create a hazard to human life or health or constitute a fire hazard. (Ord. 2011-026 § 2)

15.04.130 Right of entry-Inspection of the work.¶

The chief building official may enter on premises to make inspections to the extent authorized by law. (Ord. 2011-026 § 2)

15.04.140 Utility service-Temporary connections.¶

The chief building official may, prior to final inspection and approval of any electrical or gas equipment, grant permission for a temporary power pole to supply electrical power for construction purposes and temporary gas for dryout purposes if, in his or her judgment, such temporary supply may be used without danger to life or property and there exists a reasonably urgent necessity for such temporary supply.

Approval for the use of temporary gas for dryout purposes shall be limited to thirty (30) days and such gas service shall be discontinued by the company or person supplying such gas to the building for such purpose at the end of the thirty (30) day period unless notified by the chief building official that such temporary gas connection approval has been extended for an additional thirty (30) days. No person shall use, or permit to be used, any electric power or gas supplied under a temporary permit for other than construction purposes. Permission for the use of temporary electric power or gas shall be subject to revocation by the chief building official if he or she finds that such temporary power or gas is being used for other than construction purposes. (Ord. 2011026 § 2)

15.04.150 Utility service-Connection before inspection.¶

No person shall make a utility connection to a building or structure for the purpose of supplying gas or electricity to such building or structure until the chief building official has inspected all facilities and equipment in or on such building or structure to be serviced by such utility supply and has authorized such connection. No person shall permit any connection to be made to any existing utility supply to a building or structure, previously approved by the chief building official, for the purpose of putting into use any equipment that has been replaced, repaired, added, altered, or enlarged until the chief building official has inspected such installation and authorized such connection. Whenever the chief building official finds that any utility distribution system or any energy supply there from has been connected to any facility or equipment in or on any building or structure, or that any equipment has been replaced, repaired, added, altered, or enlarged and such equipment connected to a utility source, whether directly or indirectly, without the chief building official's authorization, the chief building official may cause such utility supply to be disconnected from such building or structure or require the utility supply to be disconnected by the person who connected it. Every person engaged in the distribution for sale of electrical or gas energy or owning or operating any electrical or gas distribution system shall be held responsible for all supply or service connections from the distribution system owned or operated by him or her. (Ord. 2011-026 § 2)

15.04.160 Utility service-Changes in service-Notice.¶

No utility company shall change the method of supply, supply more energy than that required by existing approved facilities, or alter the means or type of energy supplied to any installation in, on or about any building without first giving written notice to the chief building official of such change of supply or service, which notice shall specify the location and address of the installation affected; provided that notice need not be given of any such change of supply or service which has been expressly approved and authorized by the chief building official. (Ord. 2011-026 § 2)

15.04.170 Occupancy violations.¶

A. Whenever any structure or portion thereof is being used contrary to the provisions of this code, the chief building official may order such use discontinued and the structure or portion thereof vacated by notice served on any person causing such use to be continued. Within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, such persons shall discontinue such use or make the structure, or portions thereof, comply with the requirements of this code.

B. If the use of a structure or portion thereof renders the structure or portion thereof unsafe, the chief building official may proceed to abate such structure as a public nuisance pursuant to Chapter 8.96 of this code.

C. Whenever any structure is ordered vacated and the occupant fails to comply with such vacation order, the chief building official may order the utilities to such structure disconnected if:

The structure is unsafe to occupy due to inadequate egress, lack of proper fire protection or fire-resistive construction; or
There is a lack of adequate structural support against seismic forces, wind loads, or required vertical dead and/or live loads, and any or all of such conditions could result in failure or damage to the utility facilities within the structure thereby creating hazards to life. (Ord. 2011-026 § 2)

15.04.180 Stop work orders.¶

Whenever any work is being done contrary to the provisions of this code, the chief building official may order the work stopped by giving notice in writing. Such notice shall be served on any person who is doing the work or causing the work to be done, or posted on the structure on or adjacent to the place where the work is being done. Upon the service or posting of the order, all persons shall forthwith stop the work until the chief building official permits its resumption. (Ord. 2011-026 § 2)