FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
The California Building Standards Commission has adopted and published the 2010 Building Standards Code, which is comprised of the 2010 California Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, Residential and Green Building Codes. These State-wide codes become effective January 1, 2011. These codes are enforced in Contra Costa County by the Department of Conservation and Development Building Inspection Division.
Although these codes apply State-wide, Health and Safety Code sections 17958.5 and 18941.5 authorize a local jurisdiction to modify or change these codes and establish more restrictive building standards if the local jurisdiction finds that the changes and modifications are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological or topographical conditions. The attached proposed ordinance would adopt the State-wide codes and amend them to address local conditions.
Staff has reviewed the State-wide codes and recommends their adoption with a minimum of technical changes in order to retain as much State-wide uniformity as possible. The State did not adopt the new International Housing Codes, and therefore the 1997 Uniform Housing Code (UHC), with local amendments, continues as the adopted housing code for the County.
However, Ordinance No. 2011-03 would amend the State-wide codes in some respects to address certain local climatic, geological or topographical conditions. These conditions are described in the attached Findings. All of the recommended amendments continue existing amendments to the State Building Code and do not create any new requirements. The local amendments recommended to be continued through this proposed ordinance are predominately designed to address the risk of seismic activity within the County.
The proposed ordinance would amend the State-wide codes by increasing the minimum base shear in certain buildings to a level consistent with previous building codes. The ordinance will eliminate the use of unreinforced plain concrete where allowed by the State-wide codes. The ordinance would further amend the State-wide codes by requiring the installation of a smoke detector in existing flat roof buildings when a pitch roof is added on top of the existing flat roof and the solid sheathing of the flat roof is not removed.
Staff has determined that the adoption of this ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section 15061(b)(3). The adoption of the California building standards codes with local amendments will not have a significant effect on the environment.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the proposed ordinance is not approved, the County will not be able to adopt the 2010 California Building Code, the 2010 California Residential Code, The 2010 California Green Building Standard Code, the 2010 California Electrical Code, the 2010 California Plumbing Code and the 2010 California Mechanical Code, as amended.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
None.