Photos of projects plan checked or inspected by Willdan

News for California Building Departments
Issue 8, October - December 2005

Index to all issues of The Willdan Letter

Important Dates

October 1, 2005	The 2005 California Energy Standards (Title 24 Part 6) become effective. See the Energy Commissions website for the regulations and training information.
October 3-7, 2005	CALBO CTI Education Week Concord, CA
October 24-28, 2005	CALBO CTI Education Week Ontario, CA
November 15-17, 2005	CALBO CTI Education Week Modesto, CA
December 1, 2005	Phase I, Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas become effective and are enforceable by local government.
December 13 and 14, 2005	Next hearing of the California Building Standards Commission	Watch the Commission's website for more information and the agenda.

What's Up With The State?

Status of the 2004 Annual Code Adoption Cycle: Early in 2004, the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) began the 2004 Annual Code Adoption Cycle by requesting proposed amendments to the California Building Standards Code (Cal Code of Regulations, Title 24) from the state agencies and established August 2, 2004, as the deadline for such proposed amendments. The CBSC received proposed code changes from the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the Division of the State Architect (DSA), the Office of the State Fire Marshal (SFM) and the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD). The proposed code change submittals included a new California Building Code Chapter 11A by HCD for multifamily dwelling accessibility, amendments to CBC Chapter 11B by DSA, numerous amendments to the 2001 California Building Code, and adoption of the 2003 Uniform Plumbing and Mechanical Codes. The proposals were then presented to the Code Advisory Committees (of volunteers) who made recommendations to the CBSC. Related public hearings have been held by the CBSC.

In October 2005, the CBSC will make available a monograph of the public comments received during the hearings. The CBSC has established November 3, 2005, as the deadline for the state agencies to complete their rulemaking files including responses and determinations on all public comments made during the hearings. The final public hearing to consider adopting the 2004 proposals will occur in May 2006. It is reasonable to expect that those 2004 proposals still before the CBSC at that time will be adopted.

At the September 21, 2005 hearing of the CBSC, Phase II of the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Areas building standards, proposed by the State Fire Marshal for adoption in Parts 1 and 9 of Title 24, were adopted but with an effective date of January 1, 2008. Yes, 2008!!
At the September 21, 2005, hearing of the CBSC, HCD’s building standards approved by the CBSC back on May 18, 2005 as emergency building standards needed to implement SB1025 (Chapter 642 of 2003 Statutes) taking effect on July 1, 2005, were adopted as final building standards. Only minor editorial changes were made in the final language from what was originally approved on May 18, 2005. Local building departments should already be enforcing the accessibility requirements applicable to privately funded townhomes in multifamily dwellings. The standards are available on HCD’s website until published by the CBSC for insertion in Chapter 11A of the California Building Code.
Work to adopt the International Building Code is progressing. The CBSC has established May 1, 2006 as the deadline for the state agencies to submit their IBC adoption proposals, based on the 2006 IBC. Public hearings will be held by the CBSC in late 2006. Given the time for post hearing changes, a final adoption hearing, and an effective date set 180 days after publication, the next California Building Code will be effective in 2008.

2005 Legislation of Interest to Building Departments

2005 legislation that has passed and will become law on January 1, 2006, include the following:

AB 304 has passed (Chapter 525 of 2005 Statutes) and will encourage local standards for seismic retrofitting of multistory wood frame residential structures with open or soft ground floor wall lines.

AB 1064 has passed (Chapter 325 of 2005 Statutes) and amends the Health and Safety Code to allow a manufactured home with a 60-pound roof design to be installed in a mobilehome park at an elevation above 5000 feet, if the park has an approved snow removal program.

AB 1194 has passed (Chapter 537 of 2005 Statutes) and will require the locations of emergency exits to be announced prior to a performance at any ticketed event of live entertainment. Bills of interest that were vetoed include AB40, that would have added new enforcement means for violations in mobilehome parks, SB198 regarding manufactured home installations, AB769 proposing more penalties for substandard buildings, and SB765 regarding wastewater disposal in mobilehome parks.

Bills of interest that may remain active in 2006, the second year to the 2005/2006 Legislative Session, include AB371 proposing the adoption of a state version of Appendix J of the Uniform Plumbing Code for use of recycled water in specific systems, and Senate Bill 1, to be known as the Million Solar Roofs Initiative, will require the Energy Commission to establish programs to encourage solar energy producing systems and require sellers of production homes to offer solar energy systems beginning in 2010.

Did You Know?

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a mobilehome and a manufactured home? The answer is, not much other than the name. In 1991 the U.S. Congress and the California legislature both passed bills to change the name "mobilehome" to "manufactured home" in federal and state laws establishing the construction standards and sales procedures. This was done as a means to promote the product that was seen as a possible solution to the national affordable housing needs. Many believe that these homes manufactured in a factory setting could be produced more economically than site-built housing. California Health and Safety Code (HSC) section 18007 defines a manufactured home as a structure transportable in one or more sections on a permanent chassis and that is designed for used as a dwelling with 320 square feet or more. HSC section 18008 defines the word “mobilehome” to be a manufactured home. The term Manufactured Home in federal and California law does not include similar looking forms of transportable structures such as Factory-Built Housing defined in HSC section 19971, a Recreational Vehicle defined in HSC 18010, a Park Trailer defined in HSC 18009.3, a Commercial Modular defined in HS3C 18001.8 or Special Purpose Commercial Modular defined in HSC 18012.5. Use, installation and inspection requirements defer substantially among these units. For more information about manufactured homes and the inspection requirements for the local building department, open and print Manufactured Homes, A Handbook for Local Government, available at the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Division of Codes and Standards, Manufactured Housing Program, Informational Booklets.

Other News
Recently the California Energy Commission issued a letter to homeowners advising of the need for duct testing when central heating or cooling equipment is installed or replaced on or after October 1, 2005. Some exceptions apply but if the duct test reveals leaks of 15% or more, the duct must be repaired. Learn more about this requirement and third-party verifications.	The 2005 California Energy Standards (Part 6 of CCR Title 24) effective October 1, 2005 are available.	On December 1, 2005, Phase I Wildland-Urban Interface building standards become effective and are enforceable by local government. These new standards are located in new Chapter 7A, of the California Building Code (Part 2 of Title 24 California Code of Regulations), with reference from Chapter 15. There are new requirements for attic ventilation screening, roof eave gutters and roof materials. Find these new building standards at the State Fire Marshal's website and California Building Standards Commission.	CALBO will arrange for a training seminar within the areas of the ICC Chapters with the chapter receiving 30% of the profits. For more information see CALBO’s website News and Articles.