Laserfiche WebLink
4.4.B. - Page 2 <br /> Because the Building and Fire Codes are supportive of one another, staff has brought <br /> both codes together at the same time. The Board of Building Review met with staff on <br /> October 15, 2013 to discuss the recommended changes to the codes and forwards its <br /> support for staff's recommendations. <br /> PROCESS <br /> Because the city is adopting the state codes by reference, it is necessary to notice and <br /> hold a public hearing prior to the adoption. The notice of the public hearing will be <br /> published once a week for a period of two successive weeks in a newspaper of general <br /> circulation in Redwood City in accordance with California Government Code § 6066. <br /> Copies of the state codes being adopted by reference will be kept on file in the Office of <br /> the City Clerk open to public inspection. <br /> State law also requires the City to make findings that all amendments or changes to the <br /> state codes are necessary due to local climatic, geological and topographical <br /> conditions. These findings are in the resolution presented for Council adoption. After <br /> the ordinances are adopted, they and the resolution must be submitted to the state for <br /> review and approval. It is possible, if the findings are not sufficient, for the state to reject <br /> the City's amendments. <br /> ANALYSIS <br /> Fire Code <br /> The California Building Standards Commission, appointed by the Governor, based the <br /> new code, for this code adoption cycle, on the 2012 edition of the International Fire <br /> Code. There are no significant differences between the City's current Fire Code and the <br /> proposed ordinance adopting the 2013 state code with local amendments. <br /> Buildinq Code <br /> New state Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Historical <br /> Building, Existing Building, and Green Building Standards Codes also go into effect on <br /> January 1, 2014 whether adopted by Redwood City or not. Therefore it is important that <br /> the proposed ordinances containing the city's local amendments be adopted. These <br /> Redwood City amendments are necessary to account for local climatic, geological, or <br /> topographical conditions. <br /> Examples of these amendments are the code sections addressing Younger Bay Mud, <br /> which is found in Redwood Shores. Additionally, the Board of Building Review has <br /> requested, and staff supports, the continued adoption of local amendments generally <br /> improving the quality of construction for residential projects. These are supported with <br /> findings related to the City's location within a seismically active zone and an area of <br /> high fire susceptibility. <br /> There are no substantial changes between the City's current codes and the codes <br /> proposed to be adopted including the local amendments. The 2013 local amendments <br /> may only be more restrictive, not less, than the state codes. Local amendments dealing <br />