Monday, February 3, 2014

Building & Safety Code 2014

Every three years, the State of California adopts new model codes to establish uniform standards for the construction and maintenance of buildings, plumbing systems, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and fire & life safety systems. Pursuant to Health & Safety Code Section 18941.5, local jurisdictions are mandated to adopt such state codes, generally within 180 days after publication of the code by the California Building Standards Commission. 

Local adoption of such codes is mandated on January 1, 2014, and requires a four-fifths (4/5th) approval of the City Council. Prior to such adoption, jurisdictional bodies may amend said codes if such amendments are justified on the basis of a local climatic, local geological or local topographical condition which makes such amendment(s) necessary.

Staff from the Community Development’s Building and Safety Division and the Fire Department have reviewed the state codes, and have proposed a number of local amendments for adoption as the Building and Safety Code of the City of Glendale, 2014, with proper justifications to be submitted to the California Building Standards Commission. 

These amendments are deemed necessary to maintain the current level of protection throughout the City of Glendale, that has been provided through the current Glendale Building and Safety Code.  In fact, many of the proposed amendments have been carried over from the current code.