Dixon Adopts Building Standard Codes in Important Act for Real Estate Markets, Newly Elected Officials Sworn In After Finalization of November 8 Ballots
City Adopts Building Standard Codes in Important Act for Real Estate Markets, Newly Elected Officials Sworn In After Finalization of November 8 Ballots
By Ben Edokpayi, Staff Writer ©
Word Count 1252
After a presentation at the city council session on Tuesday members unanimously approved the 2022 Building Standards Code (CBSC) to be effective January 1 2023.
At the first meeting (November 15, 2022), the new codes were introduced by the Council (No public comments were recorded) which precipitated Tuesday’s Council meeting (Dec 6, 2022) which was considered a public hearing session.
There was no public comment or dissension from council members on December 6.
The California Building Standards Commission, along with other state agencies, review and amend Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, a.k.a. the California Building Standards Code (the “CBSC”) up for review triennially.
The CBSC contains several parts — the California Building Code, California Fire Code, California Electrical Code, CA Mechanical Code, etc. — that are applicable and enforceable at the local level based on specific geographical, topographical or climatic conditions that a City may have.
A number of the Parts are in turn based upon national model codes- International Building Code, National Electrical Code, etc. — established by professional building organizations, said Larry Paisley, the city’s new Building Inspector.
In addition, the California Building Standards Code provides Appendixes that are available for local jurisdictions to adopt that offer optional or supplemental criteria to the provisions in the main chapters of the code.
Once adopted by the state, all local jurisdictions, such as the City, are required to adopt the CBSC although they may adopt local amendments to the CBSC as necessary to account for local climatic, geological or topographical conditions. If a local agency fails to adopt the CBSC, with or without local amendments, the CBSC nonetheless takes effect by statute and must be enforced by local agencies upon January 1 of the following year, Larry Paisley informed Council.
Aside from the Fire Code, the 2019 CBSC or any local amendments were not adopted by the City, therefore, the 2019 CBSC were in effect by statute, without any local amendments. Since the 2019 Fire Code and local amendments were adopted in late 2018, those were in effect and enforceable. All Building and Fire Codes, and other associated codes are contained in Dixon Municipal Code Title 16 (Chapters 16.00–16.18)
Earlier this year the California State Building Standards Commission approved the 2022 edition of the CBSC. The 2022 CBSC will go into effect on January 1, 2023. The complete set of the CSBC is available for inspection in the Community Development Department. Other State Laws Requiring Incorporation into Local Ordinance: During the past 5 years, two State bills (AB 1236 in 2015 and AB 970 in 2021) required City’s to adopt Ordinances that establish procedures for expedited, streamlined processes for permitting of electric vehicle charging stations. In developing an expedited permitting process, the City must adopt a checklist containing objective requirements for the installation of an electric vehicle charging station ( a plus for California’s Climate Change enhancement initiatives) and a process for electronic submittal of permit applications. •
Assembly Bill 1236 also clarified that a jurisdiction shall not condition approval of a permit for an electric vehicle charging station based on the approval of an association as defined in California Civil Code, Section 4080. This was required to be adopted locally by Sep 30, 2017 (for cities less than 200,000)
• Assembly Bill 970 provided for the timely implementation of consistent statewide standards for timely and cost-effective installation of EVCS and parking considerations based on the California Building Codes and Standards, Title 24, 2022 edition. This is required to be adopted locally by Jan 1, 2023 (for cities less than 200,000) It was recently discovered that the City had not incorporated AB 1236 into the Dixon Municipal Code by 2017, as was required.
The City Council did pose two questions to staff during their review of the Ordinance which Paisley informed were completely resolved.
The questions were 1. What are we doing about “existing” salt-based water heaters (Mainly located in Garages) Does the Code require they be upgraded. Is there an incentive program?
Staff Response was “There is no current incentive program to trade-in existing noncompliant salt-based softeners and no current buyback program. The program finished in 2008 during the time when the City was working with the Water Board to lower our salt limits for the WasteWater Treatment Plant. The salt issue has been rectified, but the prohibition by local amendment remains in place to prevent any future issues. The local code amendment banning use of salt-based water softeners is a ban on installation of new softeners. It does not require upgrades to existing softeners. Therefore, no new salt-based softeners may be installed in the city. If an existing salt-based water softener needs to be replaced, only units that do not discharge salt can be installed.
In nearby Vacaville “Water heaters located in garages must be protected from mechanical damage (Which means they must be strapped and secured as well as refrigerators in the garage https://www.stewartmolander.com/brands/) This means placing them out of the path of vehicular traffic or providing a protective post or partition,” fully addressed in a 4 page code. Important part and process for County Assessors in deed transfers for Property Sales. https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/ar/home.asp https://www.ci.vacaville.ca.us/home/showpublisheddocument/7165/636295796411130000
This exchange about final sale documents with our realtor before the conclusion of the sale of our Vacaville property (financed by J.P. Morgan and Deutsche Bank among others https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-06/jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-calls-crypto-tokens-pet-rocks ) which was invaded at least thrice with vile acts committed indoors — High Crimes and Misdemeanors — including assault on family Pet home alone — with enough food and water — while we were on a three day vacation in Sonoma and in the garage is important for the real estate market for many reasons that include fact that former Vacaville Police Chief and Sergeant Otha Livingstone were our neighbors. https://www.thereporter.com/2013/11/30/the-final-word-vacaville-police-chief-heads-into-retirement/
https://www.thereporter.com/2012/11/13/three-suspects-arrested-in-vacaville-burglary-case/ https://www.thereporter.com/2022/11/17/vacaville-sergeant-and-military-veteran-heads-into-retirement/ Realtor to Ben I’ll read through everything. As for the strapping, draw a line through the portion of the document where it mentions “Water heater”. I’ll need to walk thru with the buyer soon as well. Almost all out, Debra?” Response from the ex-wife “ Zina, Attached are the signed disclosures. One was 12 pages long so Ben only printed the pages we needed to sign. We weren’t sure about the water heater being strapped so we did not sign for that. Let us know if you have any questions. Thanks, dke”
2. The Ordinance mentions the fireworks pilot program. Isn’t that over?
Staff Response was : The Draft Ordinance has been revised to remove the reference to the Dixon Firework’s Pilot program from the Fire Code. Therefore, the Draft Ordinance before the Council is recommended for adoption as presented.
Before Tuesday’s Council Session ended Jim Ernst (District 1) and City Clerk Kristin Janisch were in for second terms. Thom Bogue whose win for District 2 was challenged and bankrolled by incumbent Scott Pederson who was aghast at the number of blank ballots turned in did not show up for the ceremony because the notice violated the Brown Act.
His ceremony will be scheduled for a special council session to allow his family to be present.
