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7.A. - Page 2 of 38 BACKGROUND The City last updated its Building and Fire Codes in January 2017. New State Building and Fire Codes become effective on January 1, 2020 and are applicable to the City whether adopted by the City or not. Therefore, it is important that these ordinances containing local amendments necessary for Redwood City be adopted in a timely manner. The Building and Fire Codes support one another; therefore, staff has brought both codes together at the same time. Between June and October, the Board of Building Review held four meetings to review the recommended changes to the building codes. On October 14, the Board of Building Review, by motion, recommended to City Council staff's building code recommendations. On October 28, 2019, the City Council held the first reading of the ordinances implementing the changes to the City's Building and Fire Codes. State law also requires the City to make findings that the amendments or changes to the State codes are necessary due to local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions. Amendments may also be made to administrative sections of the codes without State review. On October 28, 2019 the City Council adopted a resolution making findings of local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions which support the local amendments. After the ordinances are adopted, they and the resolution must be submitted to the State for review and approval. It is possible, if the findings are not sufficient, for the State to reject the City's amendments. The California Codes and amendments are adopted to address various code related issues. On October 28, 2019 the City Council also discussed potential adoption of a Reach Code to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by reducing reliance on natural gas through energy efficient construction. Staff is researching questions raised by the City Council and anticipates bringing forward REACH codes at the January 13, 2020 City Council meeting. The currently -proposed building and fire code changes do not address this issue. The City is adopting the State Building and Fire Codes by reference, therefore it is necessary to notice and hold a public hearing prior to the adoption. During the October 28, 2019 meeting, Council set the November 25, 2019 meeting to hold a second reading and public hearing for the adoption of building codes. The State Building and Fire Codes and local amendments, if adopted, will go into effect on January 1, 2020. Should Council adopt the other building related ordinances, they will go into effect 30 days thereafter. ANALYSIS Fire Code The California Building Standards Commission, appointed by the Governor, based the new code for this code adoption cycle on the 2018 edition of the International Fire Code. The proposed ordinance adopts the 2019 State code with local amendments including, but not limited to, codifying requirements for car stackers and car puzzler systems, defining what constitutes a high rise structure, and outlining prohibitions 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 Page 2 of 5 City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.ore 277