First Reading - Ordinance 2022-004 amending Carmel Municipal Code (CMC) Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) by adopting the 2022 editions of the California Building (CBC), Residential (CRC), Energy (CEnC), Fire (CFC), Mechanical (CMC), Plumbing (CPC), Electrical (CEC), Green Building Standards (CGBSC), Historic Building (HBC), and Existing Building Codes (EBC) with local amendments.

1. Request the City Attorney to read the title of Ordinance 2022-004.

2. Motion to waive further reading and INTRODUCE Ordinance 2022-004 amending Chapter 15 of  the Carmel Municipal Code (Buildings and Construction) adopting the 2022 editions of the California Building (CBC), Residential (CRC), Energy (CEnC), Fire (CFC), Mechanical (CMC), Plumbing (CPC), Electrical (CEC), Green Building Standards (CGBSC), Historic Building (HBC), and Existing Building Codes (EBC) with local amendments.

The State of California Building Standards Commission (CBSC), under CCR Title 24 establishes the minimum standards for building construction, fire safety and prevention, and public health and safety in the built environment throughout the State. The CBSC updates the Title 24 codes on a triennial cycle, with periodic updates as deemed necessary by the CBSC between triennial updates. The CBSC has adopted the 2022 edition of the California Building, Residential, Fire, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Green Building, Energy, Historic Building and Existing Building Codes, and they will become effective January 1, 2023. Local jurisdictions are required to begin enforcing the updated codes on that same date.

On October 4, 2022, the City Council was given a presentation by the City’s Building Official, Jermel Laurie, on the required California Building Standards Code (Title 24) adoption and two additional discretionary amendments to the Carmel Municipal Code recommended by staff.

On October 12, 2022, a public meeting was hosted by the Building Official at City Hall in person and virtually via Zoom. Two participants joined in person, and six joined virtually.  The meeting presented the public with the required changes to the 2022 California Building Standards Codes and suggested additional local amendments. There were no concerns raised by the community about any of the amendments to the codes.

Following the first reading, staff will return to Council on December 6^th for a second reading and formal adoption. Upon adoption, the State Building Codes will become effective on January 1, 2023. The Municipal Building Codes will become effective on January 7, 2023.

This Ordinance adopts the codes enumerated in CCR Title 24 as required by the CBSC with local amendments addressing unique conditions and circumstances in the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea as described in the Ordinance in accordance with CBSC requirements.

No new revenues are anticipated as a result of this update.  Processing this ordinance and implementation of the new codes are included part of the Community Planning and Building FY2022-2023 adopted budget. 

The City Council approved updating Title 15 most recently in 2020 (Ord. 2020-001).