HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 2475 N.C.S. 11/18/2013EFFECTIVE DATE
OF ORDINANCE
December 19, 2013
ORDINANCE NO. 2475 N.C.S.
Introduced by
4 Mike Healy
Seconded by
Gabe Kearney
8 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA ADOPTING BY REFERENCE
9 THE 2013 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, INCLUDING: PART 1,
10 2013 CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE; PART 2, 2013 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE;
1 1 PART 2.5 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE; PART 3, 2013 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE;'
12 PART 4 2013 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE; PART 5 2013 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING
13 CODE; PART b, CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE; PART 8, 2013 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL
14 BUILDING CODE; PART 10, 2013 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE; PART 11 2013
15 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE; AND PART 12, 2013 CALIFORNIA
16 REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE, AND LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO SPECIFIED PROVISIONS OF
17 THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: REPEALED. Section 17.04.010 entitled "Adoption of Uniform Codes" and
Section 17.04.020 entitled "Amendments Made in California Building Code" of the Petaluma
Municipal Code are -hereby repealed in their entireties.
SECTION 2: FINDINGS. The City Council of the City of Petaluma finds that in order to best
protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Petaluma, the standards of
building within the City must conform with state law except where local climatic, geological,
and topographic conditions warrant more restrictive regulations. These considerations support
adoption of the state building codes contained in California Building Standards Code, Title 24,
and other uniform codes governing the construction and regulation of buildings and structures
with the modifications and amendments contained herein.
Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7, the City Council makes the
factual findings set forth in "Exhibit A" attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference,
and finds that the amendments made in this ordinance to the California Building Standards
Code Title 24, Parts 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, and 12, are reasonably necessary because of the
local climatic, geological or topographical conditions described in Exhibit A.
SECTION 3: CURRENT BUILDING CODES ADOPTED.
41 Section 17.04.010 entitled "Adoption of Uniform Codes" and Section 17.04.020 entitled
42 "Amendments made in California Building Code" are hereby added to the Petaluma
Ordinance No. 2475 N.C.S. Page 1
Municipal Code to read as follows:
17.04.010 - Adoption of Uniform Codes. Pursuant to Section 50022.2 of the California
Government Code, the following codes are adopted by reference, including the
amendments listed in this chapter, which are made pursuant to the findings of fact set
forth in Exhibit A of the adopting ordinance.
A. Part 1-2013 California Administrative Code;
B. Part 2-2013 California Building Code based on the 2012 International Building
Code, including Chapters 31 B (Public Swimming Pools) and 33 (Safeguards During
Construction) in their entirety, except as amended in Section 17.04.020;
C. Part 2.5 California Residential Code based on the 2012 International Residential
Code including Appendix Chapters G (Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs) and K
(Sound Transmission) in their entirety, except as amended in Section 17.04.020,
D. Part 3-2013 California Electrical Code based on the 2011 National Electrical
Code;
E. Part 4-2013 California Mechanical Code based on the 2012 Uniform Mechanical
Code including Sections 101.0 through 118.1 of Chapter 1 inclusively
(Administration);
F. Part 5-2013 California Plumbing Code based on the 2012 Uniform Plumbing
Code including Sections 101.1 through 103.1 of Chapter 1 inclusively
(Administration);
G. Part 6-20.13 California Energy Code;
H. Part 8-2013 California Historical Building Code;
I. Part 10-2013 California Existing Building Code based on the 2009 International
Existing Building Code;
J. Part 112013 California Green Building Standards Code at the Mandatory Level
for all Additions and Alterations, and at the Tier one level for all Wholly New
Construction, with the exception of Appendix A4, Division A4.2 Energy Efficiency
and Appendix A5, Division A5.2 Energy Efficiency, neither of which are adopted;
K. Part 12-2013 California Referenced Standards Code.
However, all fee amounts in the codes adopted by reference are hereby deleted. Fees
applicable in the city for inspections, permit issuance and any and all other services
related to the codes adopted by reference will be fixed by fee schedules set by the city
council by duly adopted resolution.
17.04.020 - Amendments Made in California Building Code. Part 2 of the 2013 California
Building Standards Code, California Building Code, as adopted in section 1.7.04.010, is
hereby amended to include the following additions, amendments and deletions:
Ordinance No. 2475 N.C.S. Page 2
Section 105.2 (1) is hereby amended to read as follows
105.2 (1) - One -Story Detached Accessory Structures Used as Tool and Storage Sheds,
Playhouses and Similar Uses. Provided the floor area is not greater than one hundred
twenty square feet (120' sq.) (1 1 m2), there are no wall finishes such as, but not limited to,
gypsum wallboard, plaster, stucco, or paneling placed on any interior surface of any wall
and/or partition, and no electrical, mechanical or plumbing systems are contained
within the structure.
Section 115 is hereby amended to read as follows
115 - Stop Work Orders
115.1 - Authority. Whenever the building official finds any work regulated by this code
being performed in a manner that is contrary to the provisions of this code, without a
permit, beyond the scope of the issued permit, in violation of the Petaluma Municipal
Code or Zoning Ordinance, or dangerous or unsafe, the building official is authorized to
issue a stop work order.
115.2 - Issuance. The stop work order shall been writing and shall be posted in a visible
location near the location where the work is being conducted. If the owner or owner's
agent is not on site at the time of posting, a notice advising the reasons for the stop work
order issuance shall be hand delivered or mailed first-class to the owner of the property
involved, or to the owner's agent, or to the person doing the work. Upon issuance of a
stop work order, the cited work shall immediately cease. The stop work order shall state
the reason for the order, the conditions under which the cited work will be permitted to
resume, and the name and contact information of the official or agency issuing the
order.
115.3 - Unlawful Continuance. Any person who continues to engage in any work after
having been served with astop work order, except such work as that person is directed
to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition; shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
115.4 - Removal of Posted Stop Work Order. Any person who removes a posted stop work
order without written consent of the Building Official shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
115.5 - Response Required. Violators receiving a stop work order are required to respond
to the Building Division within two (2) business days of the issued notice to receive
instructions on how to rescind the order.
115.6 - Permit Application Required. A building permit application with construction or
demolition plans and supporting (structural calculations, energy calculations, accessible
access) documents must be submitted for approval within fifteen (15) working days
following response to the Building Division. Plans will be reviewed and correction letters
issued or permit application approved within fifteen (15) working days of receipt by the
Building Division. A response to any correction letter must be submitted within fifteen (15)
working days of the date of the correction letter. Five working days will be required to
review this second submission and a permit approved for issuance. Permits ready for
issuance must be issued within 5 working days thereafter. All construction must be
inspected as work progresses and signed off by all (affected) departments within 60 days
of building permit issuance.
Ordinance No. 2475 N.C.S. Page 3
115.7 - Stop Work Order Penalty. The Building Official may impose Stop Work Order
Penalties in accordance with Section 1.14.050 of this code and/or other applicable law.
CHAPTER 7 - FIRE RESISTANCE -RATED CONSTRUCTION
Section 722 is added to read as follows:
722 - Repair of Breaches of Non -Rated Walls/Ceilings in Fire Zone 1. Breaches, openings,
holes or other broken wall and ceiling areas in buildings in Fire Zone 1 (generally defined
as the Downtown Business District) as defined in Section 17.22 of the Petaluma Municipal
Code shall be repaired, restored or replaced when damaged, altered, breached,
penetrated, removed or improperly installed. Openings/breaches can be repaired with
like material such as lath and plaster, sheetrock, plywood or other reasonable barrier. The
intent of this Section is to close openings/breaches to limit the spread of fire and
products of combustion in the downtown business district buildings.
CHAPTER 9 - FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Section 901.2.1 is added to read as follows:
901.2.1 - Problematic and Unreliable Fire Alarms. The Fire Chief may determine a fire
alarm to be unreliable upon receipt of more than three (3) false alarms within a twelve-
month period. Upon making such a finding, the Fire Chief may order the following:
(a) For any nuisance alarm where the system is not restored, the Fire Chief may
require the system owner to provide standby personnel or take such other measures as
the Fire Chief deems appropriate. Such measures shall remain in place until a fire
department approved fire alarm maintenance firm certifies in writing to the Fire Chief
that the alarm system has been restored to a reliable condition. The Fire Chief may
require such tests as he/she deems necessary to demonstrate the adequacy of the
system.
(b) Require the owner to pay mitigation fees pursuant to the City of Petaluma fee
schedule.
Section 903.2 is amended to read as follows:
903.2 - Where Required. Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and
structures shall be provided in locations described in this section. Additional local
requirements are described in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.19.1.2 and may supersede
the following requirements. The most restrictive requirement shall apply.
Section 903.2.20 is added to read as follows:
903.2.20 - Local Fire Sprinkler System Requirements.
Section 903.2.20.1 is added to read as follows:
903.2.20.1 - System Requirements. An approved automatic fire sprinkler system shall be
installed and maintained in all newly constructed buildings.
Exceptions:
Ordinance No. 2475 N.C.S. Page 4
1. Detached Group U occupancies one thousand square feet (1,000' sq.) or
less agricultural buildings and private riding arenas as approved by the Fire or
Building Code Official.
2. Detached pool houses up to one thousand square feet (1,000' sq.) in floor
area within fifty feet (50') of the pool and limited to a single bathroom.
3. Detached non-combustible motor vehicle fuel dispensing canopies
classified as Group M occupancy.
4. A room above a detached garage used for storage only that does not
contain a bathroom, cooking or refrigeration facilities.
5. Detached carports of noncombustible construction with non -habitable
spaces above.
6. Detached Group B or M occupancies five hundred square feet (500' sq.)
or less.
Section 903.2.20.2 is added to read as follows
903.2.20.2 - Additions -Residential. Additions to existing residential buildings that increase
the total square footage of existing floor area by fifty percent (50%) or greater shall meet
the requirements for a newly constructed building. This requirement applies to the
cumulative effect on square footage of 50% or greater as a result of additions taking
place over a five year period involving one or more building permits. All additions to
residential buildings with an existing approved automatic sprinkler system shall be
required to extend the sprinkler system into the addition.
Section 903.2.20.3 is added to read as follows:
903.2.20.3 - Remodels, Repairs and/or Alterations. Residential remodels, repairs and/or
alterations, individually or any combination thereof, involving fifty percent (50%) or
greater of square footage of the existing floor area shall meet the requirements for a
newly constructed building. This requirement applies to the cumulative effect on square
footage of fifty percent (50%) or greater as a result of remodels, repairs and/or alterations
taking place over a five year period involving one or more building permits.
Section 903.2.20.5 is added to read:
903.2.20.5 - Additions -Commercial and Multi -Family Additions. Additions to existing
commercial buildings that increase the total square footage of existing floor area by
twenty-five percent (25%) or greater shall meet the requirements for a newly constructed
building. All additions to commercial buildings with an existing approved automatic
sprinkler system shall be required to extend the sprinklers into the addition.
Section 903.2.20.6 is added to read as follows:
903.2.20.6 - Remodels, Alterations or Repairs -Commercial. For remodels, alterations
and/or repairs to existing building(s) involving demolition, removal or repair of fifty
Ordinance No. 2475 N.C.S. Page 5
percent (50%) or greater of the structure, the building
sprinkler requirements for a newly constructed building.
Exceptions: Alterations or additions made solely for the
American's with Disabilities Act.
Section 903.2.20.7 is added to read:
shall meet the automatic fire
purpose of complying with the
903.2.20.7 - Changes of Occupancy. When any change of occupancy occurs where the
proposed new occupancy classification is more hazardous based on fire and life safety
risks as determined by the Fire Code Official including, but not limited to, the conversion
of residential buildings to condominiums, the building shall meet the fire sprinkler
requirements for a newly constructed building.
Section 903.2.20.8 is added to read:
903.2.20.8 - Residential Conversions. Fire sprinkler systems shall be installed in all single-
family dwellings that are converted to duplexes and/or multi -family dwellings, bed and
breakfasts, inns, lodging houses or similar uses. Fire sprinkler systems shall be installed in all
conversions of a detached garage into living space or sleeping space.
Section 903.2.20.9 is added to read as follows:
22 903.2.20.9 - Elevation of Existing Buildings. An automatic fire extinguishing system shall be
23 installed throughout all existing buildings when the building is elevated to three (3) or
24 more stories or more than thirty-five feet (35') in height, from grade to the exposed roof.
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26 Exceptions: An automatic fire -extinguishing system need not be provided when the area
27 above thirty-five feet (35') is provided for aesthetic purposes only and is a non -habitable
28 space.
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30 Section 903.2.20.10 is added to read:
31
32 903.2,20.10 - Installation of Automatic Fire Sprinklers in Pre -Existing Buildings (Historic
3 3 Downtown Business District).
34
35 (a) Geographic Boundary -Historic Downtown Business District: For the
36 purposes of this section, the Historic Downtown Business District shall include all
37 buildings located inside the geographic area generally formed by Kentucky
3$ Street to the west, Washington Street to the north, the Petaluma River to the
39 east and B Street to the south. Also included in this section is 201 Washington
40 Street (Phoenix Theater) and 132 Keller Street (formerly Tuttle Drug), as more
41 particularly described in Figure 1003212.
Ordinance No. 2475 N.C.S. Page 6
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(b) Installation Requirements: An automatic sprinkler system conforming to
the Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (NFPA-13) shall be installed
in all existing buildings in the Historic Downtown Business District in accordance
with the following criteria:
(1) Kentucky Street and Western Avenue:
a. In any building wherein a change of occupancy occurs.
b. In any building or occupancy where the square footage of
the building or occupancy is increased or alterations to the
structure are made pursuant to Section 903.2.19.3, Section
903.2.19.4, Section 903.2.19.5, Section 903.2.19.6, Section
903.2.19.7 and Section 903.2.19.8 of this Ordinance.
c. All buildings with basements or space below street grade
used for storage, business or public use shall have automatic
fire sprinklers installed within the basements or the below
street grade areas no later than December 31, 2010.
d. All buildings not meeting the criteria of (a) or (b) above shall
have automatic fire sprinklers installed throughout the
structure, including all public, private, storage and/or
concealed spaces, as defined by the Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems (NFPA-13) by no later than
December 31, 2016.
(2) Petaluma Boulevard North: Automatic fire sprinkler requirements
shall not become effective until the City of Petaluma installs an
appropriate sized water main and laterals to the curb lines similar to the
main previously installed on Kentucky Street and Western Avenue. Upon
notice by the City of such installation, an automatic sprinkler system
Ordinance No. 2475 N.C.S. Page 7
conforming to the Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
(NFPA-13) shall be installed according to the following criteria:
a. In any building wherein a change of occupancy occurs.
b. In any building or occupancy where the square footage of
the building or occupancy Is increased or alternations to the
structure are made pursuant to Section 903.2.19.3, Section
903.2.19.4, Section 903.2.19.5, Section 903.2.19.6, Section
903.2.19.7 and Section 903.2.19.8 of this Ordinance.
c. All buildings with basements or space below street grade
used for storage, business or public use shall have automatic
fire sprinklers installed within the basements or the below
street grade areas, no later than December 31 of the year
that is six (6) years from the date of the water main
installation.
d. All buildings not meeting the criteria of (a) or (b) above shall
have automatic fire sprinklers installed throughout the
structure, including all public, private, storage and/or
concealed spaces, as defined by the Standard for the
Installation of Sprinklers (NFPA-13), no later than December
31 of the year that is twelve (12) years from the date of the
water main installation.
(3) Property Owner's Responsibility for System Installation:
a. The Property Owner shall be responsible for installation of the
lateral service from the curb line into the building. This also
includes isolation, check or other valves or devices, as
applicable.
b. The Property Owner shall be responsible for the installation of
the automatic fire sprinkler system according to the Standard
for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (NFPA-13).
(4) Plans and Specifications: Plans and Calculations (NFPA-13, Chapter
8) for the service .lateral and fire sprinkler system shall be submitted
to and approved by the Fire Prevention Bureau prior to installation of
equipment and materials.
a. For the Kentucky Street installations that are required on or
before December 31, 2010 or December 31, 2016, all Plans
and Calculations for service lateral and sprinkler systems shall
be submitted no later than June 30, 2010 or June 30, 20.16
respectively, with installation and approval of work to occur
prior to December 31, 2010 or December 31, 2016
respectively.
b. For Petaluma Boulevard North installations that occur in the
last year of the six (6) or twelve (12) year deadline (when
Ordinance No. 2475 N.C.S. Page 8
established) after the installation of the water main by the
City of Petaluma, Plans and Calculations shall be submitted
in that last year no later than June 30 of that year, with
installation and approval of work to occur prior to December
31 of that last year.
Section 903.3 is amended as follows
903.3 - Installation Requirements. Sprinkler systems shall be designed and installed in
accordance with NFPA-13, NFPA-13R (if approved by the Fire Code Official) and NFPA-
13D. Pursuant to Section 102.7.1 and Section 105.1.4, the Fire Code Official may require
additional sprinkler coverage to mitigate certain conditions such as access or water
supply issues.
Section 903.3.1 is amended to read:
903.3.1 - Design Criteria. Fire sprinkler systems installed in buildings of undetermined use
shall be designed and installed to have a design density of .33 gallons per minute per
square foot over a minimum design area of three thousand square feet (3,000' sq.).
Where a subsequent occupancy change requires a system with greater capacity, it shall
be the building owners' responsibility to upgrade the system to the required density and
meet any additional requirements of the Fire Code at the time of such change.
Section 903.3.7 is amended to read as follows:
903.3.7 - Fire Department Connections. The location of fire department connections
(FDC's) shall be within fifty feet (50') of a fire hydrant or as approved by the Fire Code
Official. Approved locking caps shall be provided on all newly installed FDC's and on
any existing FDC's found to be vandalized.
Section 903.4 is amended to read as follows:
903.4 - Sprinkler System Monitoring and Alarms. Except for Group R, Division 3
Occupancies, all valves controlling the water supply for automatic sprinkler systems,
pumps, tanks, water levels, temperatures, critical air pressure and water flow switches
shall be electronically supervised. Valves when used for standpipes are excluded from
this provision unless required by the Fire Code Official.
Section 903.4.2 is amended to read as follows:
903.4.2 - Alarms. One (1) exterior approved audible and visual device shall be
connected to every automatic fire sprinkler system in an approved location. Such
sprinkler water flow alarm devices shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow
of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Where a building fire
alarm system is installed, actuation of the automatic fire sprinkler system shall actuate the
building fire alarm system.
Every new commercial fire alarm system installed as a sprinkler system monitoring alarm,
including those systems activated solely by fire sprinklers, shall also function for the
purpose of occupant notification, so that occupants of the building shall be notified
audibly and visually within each major suite or tenant space. A minimum of one (1)
notification device shall be located in each major suite in a normally occupied location
as determined by the Fire Code Official or building division.
Ordinance No. 2475 N.C.S. Page 9
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Section 905.3.1 is amended to read as follows
905.3.1 - Building Height. Class I standpipes shall be installed in buildings three stories or
over in height and/or if, in the opinion of the Fire Chief, a hazard or condition exists in
which the installation of standpipes would improve firefighting operations. Standpipes will
be provided with approved outlets provided on each floor level, including the roof when
roof access is provided.
Section 905.9 exception 2 is deleted.
Section 907.10 is added to read as follows:
907.10 - False Fire Alarms. Owners of properties with a fire alarm system shall maintain the
system in accordance with section 907.8. False alarm fees shall be assessed per the
current adopted city fee schedule.
Section 1907.2 is hereby added to read as follows:
1907.2 - Prohibited Concrete Reinforcement Materials. Welded Wire Fabric of any size or
gauge shall not be used as concrete reinforcement of any concrete slab or flat work
including, but not limited to, flooring, sidewalks, patios, driveways, foundation slabs,
equipment slabs, and roadways.
APPENDIX- Chapter J is hereby modified by deleting J103.2 Exception 1.
Section 3109 is hereby modified to read as follows:
3109.4 - Residential Swimming Pools. Exception is deleted.
Section 3109.4.1 is hereby modified in part to read:
3109.4.1 Barrier Height and Clearances. The top of the barrier shall not be less than 72
inches (1829 mm) above grade measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from
the swimming pool.
SECTION 2.5: The California Residential Code, as adopted in section 17.04.010, is hereby
amended to include the following additions, amendments and deletions:
Section AG105.2 (11 is modified in part to read:
(1) The top of the barrier shall not be less than 72 inches (1829 mm) above grade
measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool.
SECTION 4. SEVERABILITY
If any part of this ordinance is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, unlawful or
otherwise invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision will not affect the
validity of the remaining parts of this ordinance. The City Council of the City of Petaluma
hereby declares that It would have adopted this ordinance and each of its provisions
irrespective of any part being held invalid.
Ordinance No. 2475 N.C.S. Page 10
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SECTION 5. CEQA NOT APPLICABLE
The City Council finds that this ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental
Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to section 15050(c)(2) of the CEQA Guidelines, because
the activity has no potential for resulting in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect
physical change in the environment, and pursuant to section 15060(c)(3)of the CEQA
Guidelines, because the activity is not project as defined in Section 15378 of the CEQA
guidelines.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE AND OPERATIVE DATES
This ordinance will become effective thirty days after the date of its adoption by the
Petaluma City Council; however, the provisions of this ordinance will not become
operative until January 1, 2014, at the same time the 2013 edition of the California
Building Standards Code takes effect.
SECTION 7. FILING
In accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7, the City Clerk is
hereby directed to file a copy of this ordinance and the attached findings of fact with
the California Building Standards Commission prior to the effective date of this ordinance
specified above.
SECTION 8. POSTING/PUBLICATION
The City Clerk is hereby directed to post and/or publish this ordinance or a synopsis for
the period and in the manner required by City Charter.
INTRODUCED and ordered posted/published this 21s' day of October, 2013.
ADOPTED this 181h day of November, 2013 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Vice Mayor Albertson, Healy, Kearney, Miller
Noes:
Barrett, Mayor Glass
Abstain:
None
Absent:
Harris
David Glass, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Claire Cooper, City Clerk Eric Danly, City Attorn
Ordinance No. 2475 N.C.S.
Page 11
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2 EXHIBIT "A"
3
4 CLIMACTIC
5
6 Precipitation: Precipitation ranges from twenty inches (20") to approximately twenty-five inches
7 (25") per year. Approximately ninety percent (90%) falls during the months of November through
8 April, and ten percent (10%) from May through October. Severe flooding occurred during the
9 months of January and March, 1995 and in 1998 and 2006.
10
1 1 Relative Humidity: Humidity generally ranges from fifty percent (50%) during daytime and eighty-
12 six percent (86%) at night. It drops to twenty -percent (20%) during the summer months and
1 3 occasionally drops lower during the months of September through November.
14
15 Temperatures: Temperatures have been recorded as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Average
16 summer highs are in the 78-85 degree range.
17
18 Winds: Prevailing winds are from the, northwest. However, winds are experienced from virtually
19 every direction at one time or another. Velocities are generally in the 5-15 mph range, gusting to
20 7.4-30 mph, particularly during the summer months. Extreme winds, up to 50 mph, have been
21 known to occur.
22
23 Soils: Much of Petaluma has "Adobe" type soil. This soil has very high clay content and is
24 extremely expansive. With Petaluma's dry summers and wet winters, the moisture content of the
25 soil varies greatly during the course of the year. This moisture content change causes
26 expansion/contraction of the clay soil. This expansion/contraction can place significant loads
27 on concrete slabs and foundation systems making some "standard" foundation
28 methods/materials inappropriate for the local conditions encountered.
29
30 TOPOGRAPHIC
31
32 The topographic environment of a community is primarily a combination of two (2) factors: the
33 area's physical geographic characteristics and the historic pattern of urban -suburban
34 development. These two (2) factors, alone and combined, create a mixture of environments
35 which ultimately determine the needs of the City of Petaluma's Building regulations.
36
37 The basic geographical boundaries of the city include hills to the south and west, and valley
38 floor in the central area and to the north and east. The Petaluma River bisects the city through
39 the central area. The City of Petaluma covers 13 square miles, including an urban population
40 estimated at 58,000. The city's service area is a conglomeration of bay, plains, hills, valleys, and
41 ridges.
42
43 GEOLOGICAL
44
45 The relatively young geological processes that have created the San Francisco Bay Area are still
46 active today. Two (2) active earthquake faults (San Andreas and the Hayward -Rodgers Creek)
47 affect the Petaluma area. Approximately fifty percent (50%) of the city's land surface is in the
48 high -to -moderate seismic hazard zones.
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50 Many of the soils found throughout the City of Petaluma are highly expansive adobe type soils.
51 The combination the highly expansive nature of these soils along with the long dry summers
Ordinance No. 2475 N.C.S. Page 12
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followed by a compressed rainy season create high stresses on building foundation systems, as
such some simpler types of foundation systems are not adequate for these soils conditions.
As there are no "isolated, self-contained" areas within City limits the Grading Permit exception
J 103.2 (1) was removed for clarity.
PROCEDURAL CLARIFICATION
Changes to the Stop Work Order section are made to more clearly explain the Stop Work Order
process and to establish the penalties for violations of this section.
DEFINITION CLARIFICATION
Due to code enforcement problems in the past, the description of buildings not requiring permits
was expanded to help clarify when permits are/are not required.
CONTINUITY
All the amendments to Chapters 7 and 9 of Part II (Building Code) of the California Building
Standards Codes contained in this Ordinance are made so that they reflect amendments to
chapters 7 and 9 of Part 9 (Fire Code) of the California Building Standards Code made through a
separate Ordinance sponsored by the Fire Marshal's Office.
SUMMARY
These local climatic conditions affect the pressures applied to concrete flatwork and
foundations beyond the strength of welded wire fabric reinforcement material.
The population and housing density increased the dangers of accidental drowning's thus
requiring the need to have taller swimming pool barriers.
The local climactic and geological conditions have necessitated these minor modifications to
the Title 24 California Building Standards Codes.
Ordinance No. 2475 N.C.S. Page 13
