111A.1 Purpose and intent.

111A.1 Purpose and intent. The purpose of this Section 111A (consisting of Sections 111A.1, 111A.2, and 111A.3) is to amend, expand, establish, and clarify alternative building standards for the conversion of existing non-residential buildings to accommodate new residential uses and still provide reasonable safety to the building occupants, as a means to promote the safe, flexible use of the existing structures, as part of the City’s strategy for economic recovery.

Key to the furtherance of this purpose is the ability of the Building Official and Fire Code Official to effectively use their authority to grant code modifications or authorizations for 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.

For example, the Building Official and Fire Code Official are authorized to consider alternative building standards consistent with Sections 17951 and 19957 of the California Health and Safety Code.