Chapter 15.04 — BUILDING CODE

Sections: 15.04.010 California Building Code, Volume 1 and 2 adopted. 15.04.020 Definitions. 15.04.030 Deletions. 15.04.040 Section 105.2 amended —Exempted work. 15.04.050 Section 109.2 amended—Permit fees.

15.04.060 Section 109 amended—Plan review fees. 15.04.070 Section 109 amended—Investigation fees. 15.04.080 Section 1511.1 amended—General. 15.04.090 Appendix Chapter J amended. 15.04.100 CBC Section 1808 Foundations.

A. Except as provided in this chapter, those certain building codes known and designated as the 2022 California Building Code, Volume 1 and Volume 2, (CBC) (Part 2, Title 24, California Code of Regulations), based on the 2021 International Building Code, including the appendices to the International Building Code as published by the International Code Council, shall be and become the building code for the city for regulating the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area and maintenance of all buildings and/or structures in the city. B. One copy of the California Building Code, Volume 1, Volume 2 and its appendices has been deposited in the office of the City Clerk and shall be at all times maintained by the Clerk for use and examination by the public. (Ord. 2022-12-1542 § 2 (part): Ord. 2019-12-1510 § 2 (part))

Whenever any of the following names or terms are used in the California Building Code Volume 1,Volume 2 or its appendices (Title 24 Part 2) each such name or term shall be deemed and construed to have meaning ascribed to it in this section as follows: A. “Residential code” means Chapter 15.06 of this code as amended. B. “Fire code” means Chapter 15.08 of this code as amended. C. “Electrical code” means Chapter 15.12 of this code as amended. D. “Plumbing code” means Chapter 15.16 of this code as amended. E. “Mechanical code” means Chapter 15.20 of this code as amended. (Ord. 2019-12-1510 § 2 (part))

A. The California Building Code is amended by deleting Chapter 1, Division I therefrom. B. The appendices to the California Building Code are amended by deleting Chapter 13 Energy Efficiency therefrom. (Ord. 2019-12-1510 § 2 (part))

(CBC 105) A. Section 105.2 of the California Building Code is amended by deleting Sections 105.2 Item 2 and 105.2 Item 4 and renumbering the remaining subsections accordingly, so that building permits are required for all fences and retaining walls regardless of height. B. Section 105.2 of the California Building Code is amended by adding a new item so that replacement windows and doors in the same size openings are exempt from permits to read as follows: 105.2., Item 14. Same size, replacement windows and doors installed in existing openings that do not disturb the exterior water resistant barrier of walls or roofs, do not alter, change, or modify structural framing, do not require interior finishes to be altered, changed, or modified in excess of 100 square feet, comply with the 2022 Energy Code for U-factor and SHGC, and in residential occupancies, comply with the 2022 California Residential Code requirements for replacement windows, emergency escape and rescue openings, Section R310. (Ord. 2022-12-1542 § 2 (part): Ord. 2019-12-1510 § 2 (part))

(CBC 109.2) Permit fees shall be those which the City Council may from time to time adopt by resolution.

(Ord. 2019-12-1510 § 2 (part))

(CBC 109) When a plan or other data are required to be submitted by Section 107, a plan review fee shall be paid at the time of submitting plans and specifications for review. Plan Review Fees shall be those which the City Council may from time to time adopt by resolution. (Ord. 2019-12-1510 § 2 (part))

(CBC 109) A. Investigation. Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this Code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, a special investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued for such work. B. Fee. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, may be required and collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be equal to the amount of the permit fee required by this Code. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all of the provisions of either this Code or the technical codes or from any penalty described by law. (Ord. 2019-12-1510 § 2 (part))

(CBC 1511.1) Section 1511.1 of Chapter 15 of the California Building Code is amended to read in its entirety as follows: Section 1511.1. All reroofing shall conform to the applicable provisions of Chapter 15 of this code and as otherwise required in this chapter. If twenty-six percent (26%) or more of the roof covering of any building or structure is reroofed in any twelve (12) month period, the roof covering of such reroofed portion shall conform to the requirements of this code for new buildings or structures. Roofing materials and methods of application shall comply with International Building Code referenced standards or shall follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions when approved. (Ord. 2019-12-1510 § 2 (part))

(CBC Appendix J) Chapter J of the Appendices to the California Building Code is amended as follows: A. Section J101.3 Amended - Purpose. (CBC J101.3) Section J101 of the appendix to the California Building Code is added to read as follows: Section J101.3. The purpose and intent of this appendix is to implement the programs and policies of the General Plan relating to the maintenance of the natural character and amenity of hillsides as a scenic resource of the City; and to safeguard life, limb, property and the public welfare by regulating grading on private property. B. Section J102 Amended - Definitions. Section J102.1 of Appendix J of the California Building Code is amended by adding an additional sentence after the first sentence in the section to read as follows: Additional definitions may be included in the City of Signal Hill Grading Manual, as adopted and approved by resolution of the City Council, the Los Angeles County Grading Manual, or other engineering standards that are site specific and approved by the Building and Safety Division. C. Section J103 Amended - Permits Required. Section J103.2 of the appendix to the California Building Code is amended to read as follows: Section J103.2 Exemptions. No person shall do any grading without first having obtained a grading permit from the Building and Safety Division except for the following:

1. An excavation below finished grade for basements and footings of a building retaining wall or other structure authorized by a valid building permit. This shall not exempt any fill made with the material from such excavation nor exempt any excavation having an unsupported height greater than five (5) feet after the completion of such a structure.

2. Cemetery graves.

3. Refuse disposal sites controlled by other regulations.

4. Excavations for wells or tunnels or utilities.

5. Exploratory excavations under the direction of soil engineers or engineering geologists under the scope of a plan approved by the Director with the following conditions: a. Not more than 500 square feet of soil is disturbed to a depth not to exceed 12" b. Bore holes not wider than 24" and to a depth not to exceed 4 feet c. Trenches not wider than 24" and to a depth not to exceed 4 feet on the same parcel. d. Prior to the commencement of any work, a plan and a soils report for possible contamination shall be submitted to the Building and Safety Division for approval by the Director. The Building and Safety Division shall determine the size and dimensions of the drawings. Drawings shall contain the full scope of work at the site with details showing the locations of excavations and the placement of soil piles within the parcel. a schedule of work by phases with start and completion dates. BMP requirements during construction and after completion to be maintained by the property owner until the parcel is developed, backfill schedule and whether excavations shall remain open for further testing, and the use of barricades or guards during excavations.

6. Restricted grading permits may be issued when the application has been approved by the City Engineer. D. Section J104 Amended - Engineered Grading Requirements. Section J104.5 of the appendices of the International Building Code area is added to read as follows: J104.5 Engineering grading requirements. Section J 104.5.1 Plans and Specifications.

7. Each application for a grading permit shall be accompanied by: three (3) sets of approved Grading Plans, two (2) copies of a soils engineering report and two (2) copies of an engineering geology report (if the site is in the Alquist-Priolo Special Studies Zone or if required by the Director).

8. The Director may further require that preliminary soils reports be submitted to the City for review. Pursuant to such review, the City Engineer may require additional information or reject the report if it is found to be incomplete, inaccurate or unsatisfactory.

9. The grading plan shall be prepared under the supervision of a civil engineer, signed by a civil engineer and stamped with the civil engineer’s seal.

10. The soils engineering and engineering geology reports shall be signed by those professionals authorized by the State of California to sign these reports. Section J104.5.2 City Review of Plans.

11. The City will review each site with the intent of achieving the following objectives: a. Minimize the height of slopes between building pads; b. Encourage the use of retaining walls of less than six (6) feet in height to create a landscaped, terraced appearance. Provide four (4) foot wide landscaped terraces; c. Encourage the use of multi levels within buildings and use building walls to take up slopes; d. Preserve existing or introduce plant materials so as to protect slopes from soil erosion; e. Avoid long uniform slopes and successive terracing of building pads; f. The introduction and utilization of permanent full coverage irrigation systems adequate to sustain existing and developed slope plantings and to help protect against potential hazards due to fire; and g. The utilization of street designs and improvements which serve to reduce grading alterations and harmonize with the natural contours and character of the hillside.

12. Upon determination by the City, the applicant may be required to submit a scaled profile model depicting any or all portions of the site proposed for development.

13. The City of Signal Hill Grading Manual, the Los Angeles County Grading Manual, and other engineering standards that are site specific and approved by the Building and Safety Division may formulate such rules, procedures, and interpretations as may be necessary or convenient to administer the Excavation and Grading Code. Such rules, amendments thereto shall be referred to as the City of Signal Hill Grading Manual once approved by the Director. E. Section J106.1 Amended - Maximum slope. Section J106.1 of the California Building Code is amended to read: J106.1 Maximum slope. The slope of cut surfaces shall be no steeper than is safe for the intended use and shall be no steeper than two units horizontal to one unit vertical.

F. Section J108.2 Amended - Setbacks. Section J108.2 of the California Building Code is amended to read: Section J108.2 Top of slope. The tops of cuts and toes of fill slopes exposed to weathering shall be set back as far as necessary from the outer property boundaries of the permit area, including slope easements and in accordance with this section. Setback dimensions shall be horizontal distances measured perpendicular to the site boundary. The top of cut or fill slopes exposed to weathering shall not be made nearer to the site boundary and/or permit area boundary line than three (3) feet for height of cut or fill or six (6) feet or less and five (5) feet for height of cut or fill more than six (6) feet. The tops and the toes of cut and fill slopes exposed to weathering shall be setback from structures as far as is necessary for adequacy of foundation support and to prevent damage as a result of water runoff, erosion or maintenance of the slopes. Unless otherwise approved by the Building Official based on recommendations in the approved soil engineering and/or engineering geology report on the approved grading plan, structure setbacks from slopes exposed to weathering shall be:

1. From top of cut or fill slope to building wall, one half of the height of cut or fill with seven (7) foot minimum and ten (10) foot maximum.
2. From the lower outside edge of the footing along a horizontal line to the face of the slope, the distance shall be one half of the height of cut or fill with five (5) foot minimum and ten (10) foot maximum.
3. From the toe of cut or fill slope to building wall, the distance shall be one half of the height of cut or fill with three (3) foot minimum and fifteen (15) foot maximum.
4. The use of retaining walls to reduce setbacks must be approved by the Building Official. G. Section J109.3 and J109.4 Amended - Drainage and Terracing. Section J109.3 and J109.4 of the California Building Code are amended to read: Section J109.3 Disposal. All drainage facilities shall be designed to carry waters to the nearest practicable drainage course approved by the City Engineer. Erosion of ground in the area of concentrated discharge shall be prevented by installation of non-erosive down drains, riprap, energy dissipaters or other approved devices including a return of flow to a natural sheet flow condition provided the potential effects of greater volume than existing conditions generated are accounted for. Where surface waters are to be conveyed or directed onto adjacent property in an unnatural manner, the applicant shall be required, prior to issuance of a grading permit, to obtain a drainage easement from the owner of said property. This easement shall be recorded. There shall be a drainage gradient of two percent (2%) from the building pad toward an approved drainage facility. Section J109.4 Interceptor drains. Paved interceptor drains shall be installed along the top of all cut and fill slopes where the tributary drainage area above slopes towards the cut or fill and has a drainage path greater than forty (40) feet measured horizontally. Interceptor drains shall be paved with a minimum of three (3) inches of concrete or gunite and reinforced. They shall have a minimum depth of twelve (12) inches and a minimum paved width of thirty (30) inches measured horizontally across the drain. The slope of the drain shall be approved by the Building and Safety Division. (Ord. 2022-12-1542 § 2 (part): Ord. 2019-12-1510 § 2 (part))

Section 1808.1 General. The California Building Code is amended by adding a new item to read as follows: Item 1 All new foundations, slabs, or any impermeable surface material, such as but not limited to artificial turf, concrete, or asphalt that increase the square footage of a building, structure, or caps the parcel shall comply with Chapter 16.24.080 Methane Assessment and Mitigation Standards for areas of new development or additions to existing development. (Ord. 2022-12-1542 § 2 (part))