NEW BUILDING CODES

2010 California Residential Code

• New Code to California. It is based on the 2009 International Residential Code.
• Applies to 1 and 2 family dwellings up to 3 stories, including townhomes.
• It contains structural and life safety provisions. This code does not include plumbing, mechanical, electrical or energy provisions. These provisions are in other CA adopted codes.
• Designers have the option of designing to CRC or CBC. However, when design exceeds the limits in the CRC, then CBC will need to be used.
• The CBC must be used when the project is located in Seismic Design Category E, or if the proposed construction does not correspond with the prescriptive provisions in the CRC.
• Door between garage and residence only needs to be self-closing and self-latching when both residence and garage are sprinklered.
• Carbon Monoxide alarms
• 7' min. habitable room headroom height including baths, kitchens and halls.
• 3' exterior wall fire separation distance for sprinklered buildings to allow unprotected wall.
• 12" minimum footing depth below undisturbed soil (geotechnical report may dictate footing depth)
• Seismic Design Categories C, D₀, D₁, D₂ and E (SC County sites are D₁, D₂, and E) However, must use CBC when for E.

2010 California Green Building Code

• New California code that applies to both new commercial and new residential buildings.
• Santa Cruz County amended this code to include the minimum mandatory requirements will apply to additions 500 square feet and greater.

Residential, Chapter 4:

• Water budget to reduce indoor water use by 20%. Easy table in code available.
• Irrigation controllers required, when irrigation systems are installed
• Construction waste reduction, disposal and recycling plan. Forms will be available and required at plan check and inspection.
• VOC limits for adhesives, sealants, flooring, and architectural coatings required. Tables in the code will need to be transferred on plans and building inspectors will verify compliance in the field.
• Formaldehyde emission limits for plywood, particle board and fiberboard. Table in the code will need to be transferred on plans and building inspectors will verify compliance in the field.
• Moisture control for concrete slabs, wood framing and insulation products
• Exhaust fans to have humidistat
• Whole house fan to have louvers or covers which close when the fan is off.
• Heating and air-conditioning system design sizing will be required prior to plan approval. ASHRAE standards apply.

Nonresidential, Chapter 5 :

• Separate meters for indoor and outdoor use for large buildings (50000 sf or more) or for buildings projected to consume more than 100 gal/day
• Water budget to reduce indoor water use by 20%. Easy table in code available.
• Water budget to reduce outdoor water use, based on State Model. The State model has prescriptive measures.
• Irrigation controllers and sensors for landscaped areas.
• Bicycle parking, carpool parking and parking for vehicles with low emissions.
• Design entries to protect from wind-driven rain and tracked in water.
• Construction waste reduction, disposal and recycling plan. Forms will be available and required at plan check and inspection.
• Commissioning plan and final reports of buildings 10.000 square feet and over. This is required in order to verify building systems and components meet project requirements. Includes HVAC, process equipment and renewable energy systems. Third party testing required.
• VOC limits for adhesives, sealants, flooring, and architectural coatings required. Tables in the code will need to be transferred on plans and building inspectors will verify compliance in the field.