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<br />REPORT <br /> <br />7A <br />Page 1 <br /> <br />To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />From the Cit Mana er <br /> <br />January 14, 2008 <br /> <br />SUBJECT <br />Building Codes and Water Main Upgrade Ordinances <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />1. Conduct a pUblic hearing and second reading on adoption of the building codes and water <br />main upgrade ordinances <br />2. Adopt the building codes ordinance with necessary local amendments, the resolution on <br />local conditions with the Finding of Facts, and the water main upgrade ordinance. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />This report addresses two ordinances, the adoption of building codes and water main upgrade <br />requirements, which were introduced on December 17, 2007. This report is identical to the <br />December 17, 2007 staff report, with the exception of the updated recommendation and <br />publishing information as a result of the City Council introducing the ordinances. <br /> <br />Building Codes- The Board of Building Review is appointed by the City Council to review the <br />updating of the City's building codes including suggested local amendments and to provide <br />recommendations to the City Council pertinent to the adoption of such codes. The Califomia <br />Building Standards Commission, appointed by the Governor, selects model codes to form the <br />basis of the Califomia Building Codes, processes State amendments, and establishes the <br />effective date of the California Building Codes, known as Title 24. Local jurisdictions are <br />required to enforce Title 24 for certain occupancies and types of buildings. Local jurisdictions <br />may adopt codes for the other occupancies and building types and also adopt amendments to <br />Title 24 based on local geologic, topographic, or climatic conditions. The model codes are <br />continually updated and then republished every three years, which triggers this State and local <br />code adoption process. This adoption cycle is significant since California has elected to adopt <br />some of the International Codes. One or more of the International Codes are now adopted in all <br />fifty states and the District of Columbia, representing over 26,000 jurisdictions. <br /> <br />These model codes combined with local and state building standards contain "green building" <br />requirements. Energy and water conservation, indoor air quality, stormwater best practices, and <br />the use of natural light and ventilation are addressed. A comprehensive guideline or green <br />building ordinance may subsequently be presented for adoption. Staff is working with the <br />community and other agencies on a regional approach to encourage even more green building <br />than the standards contained in these codes. <br /> <br />The Board of Building Review recommends the adoption of the following codes, in addition to <br />readopting the current Redwood City amendments (which are necessary due to local geological, <br />climatic, and the Younger Bay Mud soil conditions): <br />a) 2006 lntemational Building Code; <br />b) 2006 International Fire Code (covered in the Fire Code adoption ordinance); <br />c) 2006 International Property Maintenance Code; <br />d) 2006 Uniform Plumbing Code; <br />e) 2006 Uniform Mechanical Code; <br />f} 2005 National Electrical Code; and <br />g) 2006 International Code Council Electrical Code Administrative Provisions <br />