The State’s Health and Safety Code establishes that the Building and Fire Standards Code (Title 24, California Code of Regulations) as published by the California Building Standards Commission every 3 years, is the applicable code for occupancies throughout the State. The Building Standards Commission published the 2019 California Building and Fire Standards Code on July 1, 2019, and it becomes effective January 1, 2020.  During this waiting period, local governments may adopt modifications that impose more restrictive building and fire safety standards to the California Building Standards Code when deemed necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions, or when the revisions are purely administrative.

Ordinance No. 2910 adopts and amends the 2019 Editions of the California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Historical Building, Fire, Existing Building, Green Building and Referenced Standards Codes, adopted by the State of California; and adopts the 2018 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code, and the 2018 Edition of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code. The Community and Economic Development Department and Orange County Fire Authority are recommending changes and modifications to the 2019 California Building Standards Code.

The proposed modifications are intended to increase safety to life and property from fire and other hazards.  Many of the proposed modifications are carried over from previous code adoption and revisions.  After introduction, State law requires the City Council to hold a public hearing prior to its adoption. 

A public hearing notice was published in the Orange County News on October 25, 2019, and on October 30, 2019, to provide notification to any interested person to give testimony in writing or at the public hearing.

There is no financial impact to the City.

It is recommended that the City Council hold a public hearing and adopt Ordinance No. 2910 after the reading of its title.