COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT

DATE:

November 20, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 9, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Lisa Grote, Director of Community Development

SUBJECT:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Adoption of the 2007 California Building Standards Code and Amending San Mateo County Ordinance Code, Division VII (Building Regulations).

RECOMMENDATION

1.

Adopt an ordinance to implement the 2007 Editions of the California Building Standards Code, 2007 California Plumbing Code, 2007 California Mechanical Code, and the 2007 California Electrical Code. Adopt San Mateo County Ordinance Code, Division VII in whole and amending Sections 9004, 9015, 9022, 9025, 9027, 9029, 9032, 9033, 9042, 9058, 9067, 9100, 9104, 9113, 9114, 9150, 9180, 9184, 9200, 9271, and adding new Sections 9116 and 9117 of said code.

2.

Waive the reading of the ordinance in its entirety, and continue the hearing until the second reading.

VISION ALIGNMENT

Commitment: Ensure Basic Health and Safety for All, and Responsive, Effective and Collaborative Government.

Goal: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

The adoption of the Building Regulations contributes to these commitments and goal by providing specific building code requirements to ensure that structures, which are erected or altered, are constructed in a manner that addresses health, fire, and life safety issues.

BACKGROUND

The Planning and Building Department recommends the adoption of the 2007 California Building Standards Code as required by State law, and corresponding amendments to the San Mateo County Ordinance Code, Division VII, Building Regulations, in addition to local amendments to the California Building Standards Code to address specific concerns within unincorporated San Mateo County.

State Code Requirements: The California Building Standards Code no longer uses the Uniform Building Code Standards. It has now adopted the International Building and Fire Code Standards (IBC and IFC-2006). Building and Fire Codes are published and adopted by the State of California on 3-year cycles. The most recent adoption was the 2007 Edition of the California Building Standards Code, which is based on the new model codes of the International Building Code, and the International Fire Code, developed and published by the International Code Council (ICC).

Environmental Quality Committee: On August 12, 2008, the Planning and Building Department brought this proposal to the Board of Supervisors’ Environmental Quality Committee for review and comment. It concurred with the proposal and recommended that the changes (local amendments) be brought to the full Board for adoption.

DISCUSSION

Local jurisdictions are required to enforce building code regulations as adopted by the State. Counties or cities may choose to modify specific code sections, and are required to make specific findings based on topographical, geological, or climatic conditions, which exist within the jurisdiction, that necessitate the local amendments.

The Planning and Building Department is recommending six major local amendments and the staff report includes the necessary information and discussion for the Board of Supervisors to make the required findings. Two of the six proposed major amendments are new and four are continuations of existing local amendments. The two proposed new amendments include: required clearances for roof and ground-mounted photovoltaic and other solar systems; and adoption of Wildland Urban Interface Fire Hazard Area Modifications and the Local Responsible Area (LRA) Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps. The four proposed continuations of existing local amendments include: Class B, or better, fire resistant roofing materials; floor slab reinforcement; fire sprinkler requirements; and prohibitions on the use of plastic piping within residential dwellings.

In addition to the six proposed major local amendments, thirteen minor administrative amendments are recommended, which do not require findings to be made for local approval. These proposed amendments include clarifications to building permit application requirements and other administrative procedures.

FISCAL IMPACT

None