Chapter 12.100 — ADOPTED CODES

The following recognized codes are hereby adopted by the City of San Rafael together with the supplements, listed changes, additions, and deletions as noted:

1.

2025 Edition, California Building Code ("CBC"), chapters 2 through 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, and Appendices C, G, H, I, N, and O.

2.

2025 Edition, California Electrical Code ("CEC").

3.

2025 Edition, California Energy Code ("CEgC").

4.

2025 Edition, California Existing Building Code ("CEBC"), chapters 2 through 16 and Appendices.

5.

2025 Edition, California Green Building Construction Standards Code ("CalGreen"), chapters 1 through 8.

2025 Edition, California Historical Building Code ("CHBC")

7.

2025 Edition, California Mechanical Code ("CMC") chapters 2 through 17.

8.

2025 Edition, California Plumbing Code ("CPC"), chapters 2 through 17 and Appendices A, C, D, and I.

9.

2025 Edition, California Referenced Standards Code.

10.

2025 Edition, California Residential Code ("CRC"), chapters 2 through 10, chapter 44, and Appendices BB, BF, BG, BI, BJ, BK, BL, BM, BO, and CI.

11.

2024 International Property Maintenance Code ("IPMC") chapters 1 through 8 and Appendix A.

12.

2024 Edition, International Swimming Pool and Spa Code ("ISPSC"), chapters 2 through 11.

(Ord. No. 1974, div. 1, 11-18-2019; Ord. No. 2021, § 1, 11-21-2022; Ord. No. 2052, div. 1, 9-15-2025)

12.100.020 - Local design criteria.

The following are the local climatic and geographic design criteria:

Wind Exposure: C, unless site complies with definition for Exposure B.

Risk Category IV: 120 mph.

(Ord. No. 1974, div. 1, 11-18-2019)

As used in the adopted codes and Title 12, inclusive, of the Municipal Code, City of San Rafael.

1.

"Adopted codes" shall mean the codes listed in Section 12.100.10, as amended.

2.

"Authority having jurisdiction" shall mean the chief building official or designated representative.

3.

"Department" shall mean the San Rafael Building Division.

4.

"FEMA" shall mean the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

5.

"Jurisdiction" and other similar terms shall be construed to mean the City of San Rafael, California.

6.

"SRMC" shall mean the Municipal Code, City of San Rafael.

7.

"This code" shall mean the building code of the City of San Rafael.

(Ord. No. 1974, div. 1, 11-18-2019)

Wherever the terms, "building official," "code official," "administrative authority," "chief building inspector," "chief electrical inspector," "building inspector," "authority having jurisdiction" and other similar terms that appear in the SRMC, or in those codes therein adopted by reference, they shall mean the "chief building official," or his designated representative.

(Ord. No. 1974, div. 1, 11-18-2019)

All sections within the Municipal Code and those codes therein adopted by reference which are in conflict with the provisions of this chapter are hereby repealed.

(Ord. No. 1974, div. 1, 11-18-2019)

Chapter 12.101 - GENERAL

12.101.010 - Title.

These regulations shall be known as the building codes of the City of San Rafael Building Code, hereinafter referred to as "this code."

(Ord. No. 1974, div. 1, 11-18-2019)

12.101.020 - Scope.

The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures.

12.101.020.1 Appendices. Provisions in any appendices of the adopted codes shall not apply unless specifically adopted.

12.101.020.2 California Building Code. The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures.

Exception: Detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three (3) stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures not more than three (3) stories above grade plane in height, shall comply with this code or the California Residential Code.

12.101.020.3 California Existing Building Code. The California Existing Building Code is to provide flexibility to permit the use of alternative approaches to achieve compliance with minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare insofar as they are affected by the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition and relocation of existing buildings. This code shall apply to the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition and relocation of all existing buildings, regardless of occupancy, subject to the criteria of Sections 12.101.6.1 and 12.101.6.2.

12.101.020.4 California Mechanical Code. The California Mechanical Code shall apply to the installation, alteration, repairs and replacement of mechanical systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings, and appurtenances, including ventilating, heating, cooling, air conditioning and refrigeration systems, incinerators, and other energy related systems.

12.101.020.5 California Plumbing Code. The California Plumbing Code shall apply to the installation, alteration, repairs and replacement of plumbing systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings, and appurtenances, where connected to a water or sewage system, gas system, and all aspects of medical gas system. The provision of the California Plumbing Code shall apply to private sewage disposal systems.

nia Plumbing Code. The California Plumbing Code shall apply to the installation, alteration, repairs and replacement of plumbing systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings, and appurtenances, where connected to a water or sewage system, gas system, and all aspects of medical gas system. The provision of the California Plumbing Code shall apply to private sewage disposal systems.

12.101.020.6 California Residential Code. The provisions of the California Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal and demolition of detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three (3) stories above-grade in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures not more than three (3) stories above the grade plane in height.

Exception: The following shall be permitted to be constructed in accordance with this code where provided with a residential fire sprinkler system complying with IRC Sections R313:

a.

Live/work units located in townhouses and complying with the requirements of Section 419 of the California Building Code.

b.

Owner-occupied lodging houses with five (5) or fewer guestrooms.

c.

A care facility for five (5) or fewer persons receiving custodial care within a dwelling unit.

d.

A care facility for five (5) or fewer persons receiving medical care within a dwelling unit.

e.

A care facility for five (5) or fewer persons receiving care within a dwelling unit.

12.101.020.7 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code. The International Swimming Pool and Spa Code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, renovation, replacement, repair and maintenance of aquatic recreation facilities, pools, and spas. The pools and spas covered by this code are either permanent or temporary, and shall be only those that are designed and manufactured to be connected to a circulation system and that are intended for swimming, bathing or wading.

12.101.020.7.1 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to establish minimum standards to provide a reasonable level of safety and protection of life, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location and maintenance or use of pools and spas.

(Ord. No. 1974, div. 1, 11-18-2019)