AgdaPkt 2019-10-28 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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8.B. - Page 3 of 63 regarding "safe and sane" fireworks. Additionally, the proposed ordinance includes changes to the compliance requirements for the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map; changes to fire hydrant specifications; and changes to emergency responder radio coverage system requirements. It also removes provisions related to the Fire Safety First program, which has proven to be impractical to implement due to the high cost of retrofitting buildings with custom fire sprinkler systems. Staff will return with alternative provisions to increase fire safety in older apartment buildings later this year. Building Code Staff has reviewed previous amendments and has compared them against current practice and the new building codes. Staff recommends including some of the City's past amendments related to conditions found in Redwood Shores such as bay mud which interacts corrosively with metallic material. Additionally, the Board of Building Review has requested, and staff supports, the continued adoption of local amendments that are reasonably necessary due to local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions. For example the Building Code describing unsafe structures and equipment was amended to add a subsection requiring that buildings deemed structurally unsafe by the Building Division must be evaluated by a licensed structural engineer to ensure an assessment is adequate. The 2019 local amendments may only be more restrictive, not less, than the state codes. Certain amendments were removed from Chapter 9 of the Municipal Code because many of these amendments were sufficiently addressed in the current Building Code, making the previous code changes redundant. For example, the amendments from previous Building Code adoptions that were removed include, but are not limited to, definitions for sheds or assembly areas, the required thickness for concrete slab floors, a requirement for permit cards to be in weather proof sleeves, etc. To better communicate the Building Division's processes, staff plan to address and present the relevant information on the City's website. This section will have material targeted to applicants for new construction, alterations, additions, or rebuilds. Staff anticipates having this information posted on the website by the end of the first quarter in 2020. The amendments also set the fine amount for work done without a permit from the City. Another change was made to the previous amendment to Section 105.1. The section describes when permits would be required, and the previous amendment sought to identify when certain projects would be required to comply with certain standards, such as a requirement that new buildings be fitted with fire sprinklers. The previous language was not as clear and staff worked to better specify when additions, alterations, or other improvements would have to be brought into conformity with such standards for new construction. Additionally, staff propose introducing the ordinances to add articles to Chapter 9 (Buildings) and amend Chapter 24 (Noise Regulation). These ordinances were included because of a legal requirement, to improve administration or oversight of the building code or construction related issues, or to address goals identified by the City: a. Addition to Chapter 9: Safety Assessment Program Placards (improves administration of building code) establishes standard placards to be used to indicate the condition of a structure for continued occupancy. b. Addition to Chapter 9: Expedited Permitting for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (legal requirement) encourages the installation of electric vehicle charging stations by removing obstacles to permitting for charging stations so long as the action does not supersede the City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.org 147