News for California Building Departments
Issue 1, January - March 2004

Issue 13, Jan - Mar 2007
Issue 14, Apr - Jun 2007
Issue 15, Jul - Sep 2007
Issue 16, Oct - Dec 2007
Issue 17, Jan - Mar 2008
Issue 18, Apr - Jun 2008
Issue 19, Jul - Sep 2008
Issue 20, Oct - Dec 2008

Important Dates

March 12, 2004

Last day to apply IAPMO certification examinations to be held on April 24, 2004 in Ontario, Ventura, Oroville, Oakland and Sacramento

See www.iapmo.org

March 15, 2004

NFPA NEC Training Seminar
Anaheim, CA

See www.nfpa.org or
call 1-800-344-3555 for details

March 18, 2004

Building Standard Commission Hearing

See www.bsc.ca.gov for details, and the agenda when available

May 17-20, 2004

ICC Spring Meeting
Overland Park Kansas

See www.iccsafe.org for details

June 7-11, 2004

NFPA Professional Development Week
San Francisco, CA

See www.nfpa.org or call 1-800-344-3555 for details

September 26-30, 2004

75th Annual Educational and Business Conference Reno, NV

See www.iapmo.org for details

October 18, 2004

NFPA NEC Training Seminar
San Francisco, CA

See www.nfpa.org or call 1-800-344-3555 for details

What's Up With The State?

HCD continues to hold open public meetings on the rewrite of the accessibility regulations for multifamily dwellings in Chapter 11A, of California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2 (California Building Code). The next meeting is scheduled for February 9 and 10. Improved clarity is the primary goal of this project at HCD.
Executive Order S-2-03 issues by new Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on November 17, 2003, directed all state agencies to conduct a new review of all new regulations adopted or repealed since January 6, 1999, and conduct a careful review of all proposed regulations for compliance with state laws governing the adoption of state regulations, with emphasis on economic impact on businesses and individuals. This order may impact several state adopting agencies working on the adoption of the 2003 model codes. Each agency with regulations subject to the order must submit a report of their review within 90 days of the order’s issuance.
The Building Standards Commission hearing on January 7, 2004, provided information on the state’s progress to adopt the 2003 model codes selected on July 29, 2003. Most testimony focused on the NFPA 5000 Building Code. The chairpersons of the four working groups assigned to the NFPA 5000 reported that the July 1, 2004 deadline imposed by the Commission is not practical. The Structural Working Group reported receiving 120 pages of new structural text from the NFPA for review and consideration. The testimony indicated that the public review period for the proposed adoptions of the selected 2003 model codes may not begin until 2005.
Mr. Fred Aguiar was appointed as the Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency on December 11, 2003. By law Aguiar will also chair the California Building Standards Commission. The terms of three commissioners expired on January 1, 2004. New appointments by the Governor are expected.

2003 Legislation of Interest to Building Departments

1. Senate Bill 1025 (Chapter 642 of the 2003 Statutes)
SB 1025 amends existing section 12955.1 in, and adds new section 12955.1.1 to, the California Government Code. For projects where the application of a permit to construct is made on or after July 1, 2005, 10% of multistory dwelling units (townhomes) shall be accessible as specified in paragraph “b” of section 12955.1. In short, each such dwelling units will need to be served by an accessible route of travel, have accessible electrical switches, outlets, thermostats and other environmental controls; grab bar reinforcement at toilets, showers and bathtubs; and have kitchens with maneuvering space.

2. Assembly Bill 1400 (Chapter 648 of the 2003 Statutes)
AB 1400 adds section 17959.6 to the California Health and Safety Code (a portion known as the State Housing Law) to require the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), to adopt a standard to be followed by housing developers who must provide buyers a list of universal accessibility features that would make the home accessible to person with disabilities. Issuance of the list will be required within 90 days of the regulatory adoption by HCD, but not sooner than July 1, 2004.

3. Senate Bill 262 (Chapter 872 of the 2003 Statutes) SB 262 amends existing section 4458 in, and adds sections 4459.5, 4459.6 and 4459.8 to, the California Government Code, and amends existing sections 19954 and 19958.6 of the California Health and Safety Code. The enactment empowers the Division of the State Architect to develop a program for voluntary certification by the state of any person who meets specified criteria as a certified access specialist. By January 1, 2005, DSA must adopt regulations to administer the program, receive applications, and establish qualification criteria, an examination and fees. DSA will be required to publish a list of certified access specialist.

4. Assembly Bill 1034 (Chapter 474 of the 2003 Statutes)
Amends several sections of the Government Code and Health and Safety Code. Among the many changes in Health and Safety Code section 17958.8 to require local ordinances to permit the replacement, retention, and extension of original materials and the use of original methods of construction that comply with the Building Standards applicable at the time of the original construction.

5. Assembly Bill 1216 (Chapter 688 of the 2003 Statutes)
The enactment requires the State Fire Marshal to work with HCD and others to develop building standards for roofs, exterior walls, projections and openings of buildings located in fire hazard severity zones, very high fire severity zones, and urban wildland interface communities.

6. Assembly Bill 1576 (Chapter 581 of the 2003 Statutes)
AB1576 amends Health and Safety Code section 19211 that previously required water heaters to be strapped, to required all water heaters to be strapped, including water heaters of all types and in rental housing.

7. Senate Bill 567 (Chapter 60 of the 2003 Statutes)
Government Code sections 25132 and 36900 are amended to increase fines for violations of local “building and safety codes”. Now fines of $100, $500 and $1000 may be imposed for specified situations. The legislative intent is to help resolve code enforcement difficulties.

8. Senate Bill 919 (Chapter 274 of the 2003 Statutes)
Penal Code sections 241 and 243 that establish penalties for battery on a peace officer, firefighter, traffic officer and others, are amended to include a code enforcement officer. Penalties in fines and imprisonment will apply to any person committing battery on a code enforcement officer.

Did You Know?

The CBC Chapter 11B, section 1134B cost threshold for 2004 is $101,198.98. Projects with construction cost valuations not exceeding this threshold value qualify for the exceptions provided in section 1134B. That means less money is required to be spent on bringing an existing building into compliance with accessibility standards for building buildings and public accommodations.
Ever have trouble reading the Seismic Zone map in the Cal Building Code? A local jurisdiction could use the definitions adopted by DSA and OSHPD in section 1629A.4. of California Building Code, Volume 2 (California Code of Regulation, Title 24, Part 2, Volume 2) as justification to declare being in either Zone 3 or 4. Take a look!
IAPMO is seeking members for their Technical Committees. Contact Jay Peters at jaypeter@iapmo.org for details and the application