TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to prepare an ordinance amending Title 18 and other development-related sections of the Long Beach Municipal Code in order to adopt and amend the 2016 Edition of the California Building Standards Code. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Every three years, the State of California adopts new construction codes, known collectively as the California Building Standards Code, to establish uniform standards for the construction and maintenance of buildings, electrical systems, plumbing systems, mechanical systems, and fire and life safety systems. Sections 13143.5, 17922, 17958, and 18941.5 of the California Health and Safety Code require that the latest edition of the California Building Standards Code apply to local construction 180 days after publication. The 2016 Edition of the California Building Standards Code will be adopted by the California Building Standards Commission and published on July 1, 2016. Therefore, State law requires that these codes and code amendments become effective at the local level on January 1, 2017.
Prior to adoption, State law permits local jurisdictions to amend the State-mandated Code in certain circumstances. Pursuant to Sections 17958.5 and 17958.7 of the California Health and Safety Code, such amendments can only be enacted when an express finding and determination is made that such amendments are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological or topographical conditions that affect the jurisdiction.
Staff from the Building and Safety Bureau, Fire Prevention Bureau, Code Enforcement Division, and the Office of Sustainability are currently reviewing the State codes and will be recommending a number of local amendments in order to address concerns of a local nature. The proposed amendments will include structural, green building (including electric vehicle parking standards), and fire and life safety standards, as well as administrative provisions.
Notice to increase public awareness...
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