Chapter 1 — Division II of the CRC is adopted with the following amendments:

(a)

Section R105.2 (Work Exempt from permit) is amended at item 1 to read as follows, and is amended to insert a new item 11 to read as follows:

1.

One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided that the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (11.15 m[2 ] ). It is permissible that these structures still be regulated by Section 710A, despite exemption from permit.

Exception: Accessory structures used for sheltering livestock are only exempt under this Section if such structures do not exceed 144 square feet.

Readily removable plastic covered hoop structures without in-ground footings or foundations that are not more than 12 feet in height.

(b)

Section R105.5 (Expiration) is amended to delete Section R105.5.1 and to read as follows:

R105.5. Expiration. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within 12 months after its issuance or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 12 months after the time the work is commenced. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than 180 days each. When an extension in time is approved by the building official no subsequent extension in time shall be approved unless work has continued and inspections have been approved during the time period of the previous extension. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

(c)

Section R106.1 (Submittal documents) is amended to read as follows:

R106.1. Submittal documents. Submittal documents consisting of construction documents, and other data shall be submitted in two or more sets, or in a digital format according to the Department digital submittal standards, with each application for a permit. The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional where required by the statutes of the jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed. Where special conditions exist, the building official is authorized to require additional construction documents to be prepared by a registered design professional.

Such other information as may reasonably be required by the building official shall be provided. Geologic reports shall be necessary when the County Geologist determines that such reports are needed on the basis of the County hazard maps.

Exception: The building official is authorized to waive the submission of construction documents and other data not required to be prepared by a registered design professional if it is found that the nature of the work applied for is such that reviewing of construction documents is not necessary to obtain compliance with this code.

(d)

Section R108.1 (Payment of fees) is amended to read as follows:

R108.1. Payment of Fees. A permit shall not be valid until the fees prescribed by law have been paid, nor shall an amendment to a permit be released until the additional fee, if any, has been paid.

Plan Review Fee - A plan review fee, in an amount established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, shall be paid when plans or documents are required to be submitted for review prior to issuing a building permit.

Building Permit Fee - A building permit fee, in an amount established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, shall be paid for building inspections prior to issuing a building permit.

Investigation Fee - An investigation fee, in an amount established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, shall be paid for any building or structure that is constructed, altered, demolished, or has a change of occupancy without first obtaining the required building permits. This fee shall be in addition to any other fees required to review plans or issue any building permits for the building or structure.

(e)

Section R110.3 (Certificate issued) is amended to modify Item 5, delete Item 6, and to read as follows:

R110.3. Certificate issued. After the building official inspects the building or structure and does not find violations of the provisions of this code or other laws that are enforced by the department, the building official shall issue a certificate of occupancy containing the following:

1.

The permit number.

2.

The address of the structure.

3.

The name and address of the owner or the owner's authorized agent.

4.

A description of that portion of the structure for which the certificate is issued.

5.

A statement that the described portion of the structure has been inspected for compliance with the requirements of this code. Final inspection approval on the building inspection permit card shall constitute this statement.

6.

The edition of the code under which the permit was issued.

7.

Where an automatic sprinkler system is provided, whether the sprinkler system is required.

8.

Any special stipulations and conditions of the building permit.

The final approval of the Building Inspection Office on the building permit inspection card shall serve as the certificate of occupancy.

(f)

Section R112.1 (General) is amended to read as follows:

R112.1. General. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the building official relative to the application and interpretation of this code in connection with the application for a permit, there shall be and is hereby created a board of appeals as set forth in Division C2 of the Ordinance Code. The building official shall be an ex officio member of said board but shall not have a vote on any matter before the board. The board of appeals shall be appointed by the governing body and shall hold office at its pleasure. The board shall adopt rules of procedure for conducting its business, and shall render decisions and findings in writing to the appellant with a duplicate copy to the building official. Any appeal of the building official's determination that a violation of this code exists or of an associated notice or penalty related to that violation shall be made pursuant to County Ordinance Code Division A37.

(g)

A new section, Section R113.1.1 (Buildings, structure or equipment built, modified, or altered), is added to read as follows:

R113.1.1. Buildings, structure or equipment built, modified, or altered. It shall be unlawful for any person to use, occupy, or maintain any structure or equipment, or portions thereof, regulated by this code that was erected, constructed, altered, extended, repaired, or moved in conflict with or in violation of any of the provisions of this code.

(h)

A new section, Section R113.1.2 (Expired or suspended permits) is added to read as follows:

R113.1.2. Expired or suspended permits. It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain any building, structure or equipment, or portion thereof, regulated by this code if permits required by this code are expired or suspended without final inspection approval and no application by the permittee has been made to obtain new permits to complete the work authorized under the expired permit or to reinstate the suspended permit within 180 days of the expiration or suspension.

(Ord. No. NS-1100.136, § 5, 12-13-22)

Sec. C3-23. - Chapter 3 amendments.

Chapter 3 of the CRC is adopted with the following amendments:

(a)

Section R310.1 (Emergency Escape and Rescue Opening Required) is amended to delete item 2 and to read as follows:

R310.1. Emergency escape and rescue opening required. Basements, habitable attics and every sleeping room shall have not less than one operable emergency escape and rescue opening. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall be required in each sleeping room. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall open directly into a public way.

Exceptions:

1.

Basements with a ceiling height of less than 80 inches (2032 mm) shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings.

2.

Basements without habitable spaces and having not more than 200 square feet (18.6 m[2 ] ) in floor area shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings.

3.

Storm shelters are not required to comply with this section where the shelter is constructed in accordance with ICC 500.

4.

Where the dwelling unit or townhouse unit is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section R313, sleeping rooms in basements shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings provided that the basement has one of the following:

4.1.

One means of egress complying with Section R311 and one emergency escape and rescue opening.

4.2.

Two means of egress complying with Section R311.

(b)

Section R313.1 (Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems) is amended to read as follows:

R313.1. Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in all new townhouses and existing townhouses when additions are made that increase the total building area to more than 3,600 square feet.

Exception: Existing townhouses, when the building addition does not exceed 500 square feet and the resultant structure meets all the water supply requirements of Chapter 5 and Appendix B of the 2022 California Fire Code.

(c)

Section R313.2 (One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems) is amended to read as follows:

R313.2. One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in all new one- and two-family dwellings and existing one- and two-family dwellings when additions are made that increase the fire area to more than 3,600 square feet.

Exceptions:

1.

Accessory Dwelling Unit, provided that all of the following are met:

1.1

The unit meets the definition of an Accessory Dwelling Unit as defined in the Government Code Section 65852.2.

2.2

The existing primary residence does not have automatic fire sprinklers.

2.3

The accessory dwelling unit does not exceed 1,200 square feet in size.

2.4

The unit is on the same lot as the primary residence.

2.5

The unit meets all apparatus access and water supply requirements of Chapter 5 and Appendix B of the 2022 California Fire Code.

2.

Additions to existing structures causing the fire area to exceed 3,600 square feet, provided that all of the following are met:

2.1

Building additions do not exceed 500 square feet.

2.2

The resultant structure meets all water supply requirements of Chapter 5 and Appendix B of the 2022 California Fire Code.

(d)

Section R328.4 (Locations) is amended to read as follows:

R328.4. Locations. ESS shall be installed only in the following locations:

1.

Detached garages and detached accessory structures.

2.

Attached garages separated from the dwelling unit living space in accordance with Section R302.6.

3.

Outdoor installations or on the exterior side of exterior walls shall be located not less than 3 feet (914 mm) from doors and windows directly entering the dwelling unit and shall not be located below any emergency escape and rescue openings.

4.

Enclosed utility closets, basements, storage or utility spaces within dwelling units with finished or noncombustible walls and ceilings. Walls and ceilings of unfinished wood-framed construction shall be provided with not less than ⅝-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum wallboard.

ESS shall not be installed in sleeping rooms, or closets or spaces opening directly into sleeping rooms or in habitable spaces of dwelling units.

(e)

Section R328.7 (Fire Detection) is amended to read as follows:

R328.7. Fire Detection. Rooms and areas within dwelling units, basements and attached garages in which ESS are installed shall be protected by smoke alarms in accordance with Section R314. A heat detector, listed and interconnected to the smoke alarms, shall be installed in locations within dwelling units and attached garages where smoke alarms cannot be installed based on their listing.

ESS installed in Group R-3 and townhomes shall comply with the following:

1.

Rooms and areas within dwelling units, sleeping units, basements and attached garages in which ESS are installed shall be protected by smoke alarms in accordance with Section R314.

2.

A listed heat alarm interconnected to the smoke alarms shall be installed in locations within dwelling units, sleeping units and attached garages where smoke alarms cannot be installed based on their listing.

Exceptions:

1.

A listed heat detector may be used in place of a heat alarm, so long as it is interconnected with devices that provide an audible alarm at all sleeping areas.

2.

A fire sprinkler associated with an approved automatic sprinkler system that triggers an audible alarm upon activation of the waterflow switch, may be used in place of a heat alarm.

(f)

Section R337.7.10 (Underside of appendages) is amended to read as follows:

R337.7.10. Underside of appendages. The underside of overhanging appendages shall be enclosed to grade in accordance with the requirements of this chapter, or the underside of the exposed underfloor shall be protected by one or more of the following:

1.

Noncombustible material.

2.

Ignition-resistant material. The ignition-resistant material shall be labeled for exterior use and shall meet the requirements of Section R337.7.2.

3.

Fire-retardant-treated wood. The fire-retardant treated wood shall be labeled for exterior use and shall meet the requirements of Section 2303.2 of the California Building Code.

4.

Materials approved for not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction on the exterior side, as tested in accordance with ASTM El I9 or UL 263.

5.

One layer of 5/8-inch (16 mm) Type X gypsum sheathing applied behind the exterior covering on the underside of the appendage projection.

6.

The exterior portion of a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated exterior assembly, as tested in accordance with ASTM E119 or UL 263, applied to the underside of the appendage, including assemblies using the gypsum panel and sheathing products listed in the Gypsum Association Fire Resistance Design Manual.

7.

The underside of an appendage assembly that meets the performance criteria in Section 707A.11 when tested in accordance with the test procedures set forth in ASTM E2957.

8.

The underside of an appendage assembly that meets the performance criteria in accordance with the test procedures set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-3.

Exception to Section R337.7.10: Structural columns and beams do not require protection when they are constructed with sawn lumber or glue-laminated wood with the smallest minimum nominal dimension of 4

inches (102 mm). Sawn or glue-laminated planks shall be splined, tongue-and-grove, or set close together and well spiked.

(Ord. No. NS-1100.136, § 5, 12-13-22)

Sec. C3-24. - Chapter 6 amendments.

Chapter 6 of the CRC is adopted with the following amendments:

(a)

CRC Table R602.10.3(3) (Bracing Requirements Based on Seismic Design Category) is amended to add a footnote i to read:

i.

In Seismic Design Categories D0, D1, and D2, Method GB is not permitted and the use of Method PCP is limited to one-story single family dwellings and accessory structures.

(Ord. No. NS-1100.136, § 5, 12-13-22)

Sec. C3-25. - Chapter 9 amendments.

Chapter 9 of the CRC is adopted with the following amendments:

(a)

A new section, Section R902.1.4 (Roofing coverings within the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area), is added to read as follows:

R902.1.4. Roofing coverings within the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area. The entire roof covering of every new structure and/or every existing structure within the Wildland Urban Interface Fire Area where more than 50% of the total roof area is replaced within any one-year period, and any roof covering applied in the alteration, repair, or replacement of the roof of every existing structure, shall be a fire-retardant roof covering that is at least Class A.

(Ord. No. NS-1100.136, § 5, 12-13-22)