Chapter 15.08
MECHANICAL CODE
Sections:
15.08.010 Adoption.
15.08.020 Citation.
15.08.030 Section 103.1 Chapter 1-Division 2 amended—General.
15.08.040 Section 103.4 Chapter 1-Division 2 amended—Right of Entry.
15.08.050 Section 104.5 Chapter 1-Division 2 amended—Fees.
15.08.060 Section 106 Chapter 1-Division 2 amended—Violations.
15.08.070 Section 106.3 Chapter 1-Division 2 amended—Penalties.
15.08.080 Section 107.0, Chapter 1, Division 2 amended—Board of appeals.
15.08.090 Section 303 amended—General.
15.08.100 Section 303 amended—Installation.
15.08.010 Adoption.
The rules, regulations and standards, printed and published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and known as the Uniform Mechanical Code, 2024 Edition, with California amendments as set forth in the 2025 California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4), copies of which are in the Foster City Library and on file in the office of the city clerk (including the appendices B, C, D, G and H thereto), in this chapter collectively called the Mechanical Code, are adopted as and for the rules, regulations and standards within this city as to all matters therein contained except as otherwise provided in this chapter. (Ord. 697 § 5, 2025)
15.08.020 Citation.
The California Mechanical Code adopted in Section 15.08.010 may be cited as the “California Mechanical Code”; provided, however, that when any section thereof is amended by anything contained in this chapter, citations to such section shall be made to “Section _______ of the California Mechanical Code as amended by the Municipal Code Section _______.” (Ord. 697 § 5, 2025)
15.08.030 Section 103.1 Chapter 1-Division 2 amended—General.
The first paragraph of Section 103.1 of the California Mechanical Code is amended to read as follows:
Section 103.1 Chapter 1-Division 2 General. The “Authority Having Jurisdiction” shall be the Building Official and is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all provisions of this Code.
For such purposes, the Authority Having Jurisdiction shall have the powers of a law enforcement officer. The Authority Having Jurisdiction shall have the power to render interpretations of this code and to adopt and enforce rules and regulations supplemental to this code as deemed necessary in order to clarify the application of the provisions of this code. Such interpretations, rules, and regulations shall comply with the intent and purpose of this code.
In accordance with the prescribed procedures and with the approval of the appointing authority, the Authority Having Jurisdiction shall be permitted to appoint such number of technical officers, inspectors, and other employees as shall be authorized from time to time. The Authority Having Jurisdiction shall be permitted to deputize such inspectors or employees as necessary to carry out the functions of the code enforcement agency.
The Authority Having Jurisdiction shall be permitted to request the assistance and cooperation of other officials of this jurisdiction so far as required in the discharge of the duties required by this code or other pertinent law or ordinance.
(Ord. 697 § 5, 2025)
15.08.040 Section 103.4 Chapter 1-Division 2 amended—Right of entry.
Section 103.4 Chapter 1-Division 2 of the California Mechanical Code is amended by adding a third paragraph to read as follows:
“Authority Having Jurisdiction” shall include the officers named in Section 103.1 of this Code.
(Ord. 697 § 5, 2025)
15.08.050 Section 104.5 Chapter 1-Division 2 amended—Fees.
Section 104.5 Chapter 1-Division 2 General of the California Mechanical Code is amended to read as follows:
Section 104.5 Chapter 1-Division 2 General. Fee shall be assessed in accordance with the provisions of this section as set forth in the fee schedule adopted by resolution by the city council.
To determine the acceptability of technologies, processes, products, facilities, materials and uses attending the design, operation or use of a building or mechanical systems subject to inspection by the Chief Building Official, the Chief Building Official is authorized to require the owner or owner’s authorized agent to provide, without charge to the jurisdiction, a technical opinion and report. The opinion and report shall be prepared by a qualified mechanical engineer, subject matter expert, or accredited organization acceptable to the Chief Building Official. The Chief Building Official is authorized to require design submittals to be prepared by, and bear the stamp of, a California registered design professional.
(Ord. 697 § 5, 2025)
15.08.060 Section 106 Chapter 1-Division 2 amended—Violations.
Section 106.1 Chapter 1-Division 2 of the California Mechanical Code is amended to read as follows:
Section 106 Chapter 1-Division 2. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, convert or demolish, equip, use, occupy or maintain any building or structure in the City, or cause the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this code.
It is hereby declared that any violation of this code constitutes a public nuisance, and in addition to any other remedies provided by this code for its enforcement, the administrative authority may bring civil suit to enjoin the violations of any provision of this code.
(Ord. 697 § 5, 2025)
15.08.070 Section 106.3 Chapter 1-Division 2 amended—Penalties.
Section 106.3 Chapter 1-Division 2 of the California Mechanical Code is amended to read as follows:
Section 106.3 Penalties. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this code shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any violation of any of the provisions of this code is committed, continued or permitted, and upon conviction of any such violation such person shall be punished by a fine of up to $1,000.00 or by imprisonment of not more than six months, or both such fine and imprisonment.
(Ord. 697 § 5, 2025)
15.08.080 Section 107.0, Chapter 1, Division 2 amended—Board of appeals.
Section 107.0 of the California Mechanical Code is amended to read as follows:
107.1. General. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the Building Official relating to application, and reasonable interpretation of the provisions of this code, in the event of disagreement with the determination of the Building Official, there shall be and is hereby created a Board of Appeals, consisting of five members experienced in building construction. The Building Official shall act as Secretary of the Board. The City of Foster City Planning Commission shall convene as the Board of Appeals. The Board of Appeals shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations for conducting its investigations and shall consider all evidence or proof submitted and conduct, or cause to be conducted, any investigations or tests it deems necessary and shall render all decisions and findings in writing to the Building Official with a duplicate copy to the appellant and may recommend to the City Council such new legislation as is consistent therewith.
107.2. Limitations of Authority. An application for an appeal shall be based on a claim that the true intent of this code or the rules legally adopted thereunder have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully apply, or an equally good or better form of construction is proposed. The board shall not have authority to waive requirements of this code.
(Ord. 697 § 5, 2025)
15.08.090 Section 303 amended—General.
Section 303 of the California Mechanical Code is amended by adding Subsection 303.13 to read as follows:
Section 303.13 Equipment in Ceilings. All mechanical equipment and accessory equipment installed in a dropped ceiling assembly shall be supported by the building structure and not the dropped ceiling assembly.
(Ord. 697 § 5, 2025)
15.08.100 Section 303 amended—Installation.
Section 303 of the California Mechanical Code is amended by adding Subsection 303.14 to read as follows:
303.14 Metallic Materials Location. No metallic piping or ducts shall be located underground, unless in a chase or other method approved by the Building Official.
(Ord. 697 § 5, 2025)