ADOPTION OF THE 1998 EDITIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING PLUMBING, MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, BUILDING CONSERVATION AND FIRE CODES AND THE 1997 EDITIONS OF THE UNIFORM HOUSING AND ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS CODES

Recommendation:

That the City Council waive further reading and adopt the attached Resolution and the Urgency Ordinance #________ and introduce for first reading of the Non-urgency Ordinance #______.

Background:

The adoption of the referenced codes will update the City's building regulations in conformance with State law. As a general law city, Hermosa Beach is required to enforce the codes adopted by the State, although amendments for administration and local conditions can be made.

The State of California, Building Standards Commission has adopted the 1997 editions of the various uniform codes along with the 1996 National Electrical Code creating a deadline for local adoption of July 1, 1999. Every three years, the State adopts a new edition of the uniform codes and it is incumbent upon local jurisdictions to adopt them along with any current or proposed local amendments. Should the City not take any action to adopt the 1997 codes (with amendments), the codes as adopted by the State would be the governing regulations as of July 1, 1999 . The three year code adoption cycle is intended to maintain uniformity in construction and design requirements and to assist architects, engineers and builders in adjusting to the code changes.

Analysis:

Detailed changes to the uniform codes from the 1994 editions are outlined in the 78 page document entitled " Analysis of Revisions to the 1997 Uniform Codes" published by the International Conference of Building Officials on file in the City Clerks office.

Some examples of the Uniform Building Code revisions include the following:

1. The fee schedule in the 1997 UBC (although not adopted by Hermosa Beach) has been

updated to reflect an increase in the CPI (Consumer Price Index).

2. Chapter 10 of the 1997 UBC has been completely revised as it relates to exiting from structures. This change, although less technical and more editorial in nature, reflects the three-part definition of "means of egress" now used by all model code groups.

3. Chapter 11, the chapter dealing with accessibility to those physically challenged, has been changed to bring residential accessibility provisions in line with HUD Fair Housing Guidelines and presumably closer to federal (ADA) standards.

4. New rules governing the H (hazardous) Occupancies have been added including storage of fireworks in H-2 and rules relative to electrical equipment in H-6 occupancies.

5. Language has been changed relative to permit exempted structures clarifying that these structures need not comply with fire protection of exterior walls or opening protection requirements.

6. Chapter 24 - Glass and Glazing has been altered to allow glass not supported on all four edges to be used for interior applications in residential occupancies.

7. Chapter 16, "Structural Design Requirements" has been revised relative to design requirements for seismic and lateral loads.

All current local amendments are those carried forward from previous model code adoptions. They relate to administrative matters, fees and requirements for fire retardant roofing and automatic fire-extinguishing systems. The only new local amendment is as follows:

Section 3301 of the UBC would be amended so that not only permanent but temporary cut or fill slopes could not exceed 50% (1 unit vertical in 2 units horizontal) without a soils report and prior approval. This is necessary because of our predominately sandy soil.

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