Chapter 2.5
RESIDENTIAL CODE

Sections:

8-2.5.01    Adoption of the California Residential Code.

8-2.5.02    CRC Section R313—Findings and amendments.

    Chapter 2.5, consisting of Section 8-2.5.01, codified from Ordinance No. 1271-10 (CM), effective January 1, 2011, was repealed and replaced by Ordinance No. 1297-13 (CM), effective January 1, 2014.

    Chapter 2.5, consisting of Sections 8-2.5.01 through 8-2.5.04, codified from Ordinance No. 1297-13 (CM), effective January 1, 2014, was repealed and replaced by Ordinance No. 1341-16 (CM), effective January 1, 2017.

8-2.5.01 Adoption of the California Residential Code.

(a)    Except as herein provided, the 2022 California Residential Code (Part 2.5 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations) is adopted as the Residential Code of the City of Watsonville.

(b)    The following provisions are rejected and not adopted:

(1)    Chapter 1, Division I and Division II, Scope and Application and Administration;

(2)    CRC Appendix A, Sizing and Capacities of Gas Piping;

(3)    CRC Appendix B, Sizing of Venting Systems Serving Appliances Equipped with Draft Hoods, Category I Appliances, and Appliances Listed for Use with Type B Vents;

(4)    CRC Appendix C, Exit Terminals of Mechanical Draft and Direct-Vent Venting Systems;

(5)    CRC Appendix D, Recommended Procedures for Safety Inspection of an Existing Appliance Installation;

(6)    CRC Appendix E, Manufactured Housing Used as Dwellings;

(7)    CRC Appendix F, Passive Radon Gas Controls;

(8)    CRC Appendix G, Piping Standards for Various Applications;

(9)    CRC Appendix I, Private Sewage Disposal;

(10)    CRC Appendix J, Existing Building and Structures;

(11)    CRC Appendix L, Permit Fees;

(12)    CRC Appendix M, Home Day Care—R-3 Occupancy;

(13)    CRC Appendix N, Venting Methods;

(14)    CRC Appendix O, Automatic Vehicular Gates;

(15)    CRC Appendix P, Sizing of Water Piping Systems;

(16)    CRC Appendix Q, Reserved;

(17)    CRC Appendix R, Light Straw-Clay Construction;

(18)    CRC Appendix T, Recommended Procedure for Worst-Case Testing of Atmospheric Venting Systems under N1102.4 or N1105 Conditions ≤ 5ACH 50;

(19)    CRC Appendix U, Solar-Ready Provisions—Detached One- and Two-Family Dwellings, Multiple Single-Family Dwellings (Townhouses);

(20)    CRC Appendix V, Swimming Pool Safety Act;

(21)    CRC Appendix W, Areas Protected by the Facilities of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan;

(c)    The following appendices are hereby specifically adopted:

(1)    CRC Appendix H, Patio Covers.

(2)    CRC Appendix K, Sound Transmission.

(3)    CRC Appendix S, Straw Bale Construction.

(§ 1, Ord. 1341-16 (CM), eff. January 1, 2017, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1398-19 (CM), eff. January 1, 2020, § 1, Ord. 1445-22 (CM), eff. November 24, 2022)

8-2.5.02 CRC Section R313—Findings and amendments.

(a)    Findings. The amendments are reasonably necessary because of the following local geological, topographical and climatic conditions:

(1)    The City of Watsonville is within a very active seismic area. Severe seismic action could disrupt communications, damage gas mains, cause extensive electrical hazards, and place extreme demands on the limited and widely dispersed resources of the Fire Department resulting in failure to meet the fire and life safety needs of the community;

(2)    The local geographic, topographic and climatic conditions pose an increased hazard in the acceleration, spread, magnitude, and severity of potential fires in the City of Watsonville, and may cause a delayed fire response time, allowing further growth of the fire;

(3)    This section adopts the latest standards currently listed by the State of California Fire Marshal’s Office for automatic fire protection systems and includes references to the amendments to the standards made in the California Fire Code;

(4)    The type of automatic fire sprinkler systems set forth in the amendment is a more restrictive standard which will better prevent fire damage which can result from local conditions.

(b)    Amendments. Section R313 is not adopted. Instead the City shall apply Chapter 9 of the City Fire Code.

(c)    CRC Section R602.10.2.1 and Tables R602.10.3(1) and R602.10.3(2) are amended as follows:

(1)    Amend Table R602.10.3(1) to read:

Footnote:

d. In Seismic Design Categories D0, D1 and D2, Method GB is not permitted and the use of Method PCP is limited to one-story single family dwellings and accessory structures. Method CS-SFB does not apply in seismic Design Categories D0, D1, and D2.

(2)    Amend CRC Table R602.10.1.2(2) to read:

Footnote:

e. In Seismic Design Categories D0, D1 and D2, Method GB is not permitted and the use of Method PCP is limited to one-story single family dwellings and accessory structures. Method CS-SFB does not apply in seismic Design Categories D0, D1, and D2.

(3)    Add a new subsection R602.10.2.4, to read:

R602.10.2.4 Limits on methods GB and PCP. In Seismic Design Categories D0, D1 and D2, Method GB is not permitted for use as intermittent braced wall panels, but gypsum board is permitted to be installed when required by this Section to be placed on the opposite side of the studs from other types of braced wall panel sheathing. In Seismic Design Categories D0, D1 and D2, the use of Method PCP is limited to one-story single family dwellings and accessory structures.

(§ 1, Ord. 1341-16 (CM), eff. January 1, 2017)