ARTICLE II

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

PART I

SITE-BUILT, NEW CONSTRUCTION

Section 1. Purpose.

The purpose of this part is to provide information to the permit applicant so as to assist them by providing as much information as possible with regard to the application and permit approval process for site built residential, commercial, retail and accessory structures.

The application requirements contained in this part are based on requirements as specified by State regulations and/or the administrative provisions of the Uniform Codes adopted pursuant to this Chapter, Section 5-22. The requirements contained herein are subject to change as State regulations are amended from time to time, new Codes become effective, or as local needs may dictate. Therefor, this part may be amended by the Department of Public Works at any time, and while this Article is a part of Chapter 5, changes contained in this part, Article V, need not to be specifically adopted by the City of Alturas City Council as with other parts of said chapter.

Section 2. General Information.

(A) Approval process-Permit approval. Applicants for permit shall expect the approval process from Planning Department through the Department of Public Works to take about two (2) weeks. Building plans are checked in the order in which they are submitted. Approval times may exceed this expected time allotment depending primarily on the time of year and the scope of the proposed work.

(B) Effective dates of Enforcement. From time to time, pursuant to changes or passing of legislation, building standards, and regulations have effective dates for enforcement. When complete plans, specifications and other required documents have been submitted prior to the effective date of the new requirements, the rule in effect when the application is made applies, providing other terms and conditions of the approvals have not been violated.

(C) Applicable Codes. The following codes are in effect and should be consulted in the preparation of construction plans. Each being the latest edition adopted by City of Alturas Ordinance:

1997 edition of the Uniform Building Code

1997 edition of the Uniform Mechanical Code

1997 edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code

1996 edition of the National Electrical Code

(D) Design information & City of Alturas Requirements.

SEISMIC ZONE (Earthquake): ZONE 3

CLIMATE ZONE (Title 24): ZONE 16

BASIC WIND SPEED (mph) General, 70 (mph)

EXPOSURE (General) Exposure B

ROOF SNOW LOAD (psf) Pounds per square ft. 30 (psf)

Minimum recommended design roof slope for Alturas is 4" rise in 12" run.

Note: Wind speed & exposure should be verified for your site with the Building Official

(E) Title 24, Residential Energy Standards. The State of California requires that all new Dwellings and Commercial structures comply with Title 24, Energy Efficiency Standards. The permit applicant must follow these general steps:

(1) Verify that the correct climate zone is used.

(2) Demonstrate that the building meets one of the three compliance options.

(3) Prescriptive packages, point system, or approved computer method.

(4) Include all appropriate mandatory features and provisions applicable to the design.

(5) Document and coordinate all calculations. This includes completing a Certificate of Compliance (CF-1R) which must accompany the drawings.

(6) Install all specified conservation measures in the building.

(F) Methods of compliance. There are two methods of compliance with the California Energy Standards, the Prescriptive Method and the Performance Method.

(1) The Prescriptive Method lists specific levels of insulation, type of glazing, percentage of glazing, shading, thermal mass, infiltration control, space heating systems, space cooling systems and domestic water heating type.

(2) The Performance Method allows two options. The first is a California Energy Commission approved computer program, and the second is the Point System.

(a) The Computer option outlines computer modeling guidelines and restricted inputs, and illustrates computer compliance documentation.

(b) The Point system option assigns Plus or Minus Points for the various building components, equipment and features to illustrate compliance documentation. The score of all the points when totaled together must be equal to or greater than zero.

(G) Mandatory measures. Regardless of the method of compliance used, Prescriptive or Performance, there are a number of Mandatory Measures. Mandatory Measures represent a minimum level of conservation which may be in addition to, or superseded by the features required for compliance with the Prescriptive packages, Computer run or Point System.

(1) All methods of compliance require a Certificate of Compliance (CF-R), and a Mandatory Measures Checklist (MF-R) form to be completed and attached to each set of plans submitted to the Building Department.

(2) Along with other "Mandatory Measures" the basic mandatory requirements in Modoc County (Climate zone 16) are:

(a) R-38 Ceiling

(b) R-21 Walls

(d) Ground vapor barriers are required to be installed in the under floor crawl space.

Section 3. Plans, requirements for Commercial Structures.

General Requirements. Plans for commercial buildings shall be performed as required by the Professional Engineers Act, Architect’s Practice Act and as required by the Business and Professions Code.

Section 4. Plans, requirements for Dwellings.

(A) General Requirements. Plans for residential dwellings shall be black or blue line. Any "added" changes in ink or pencil shall be avoided The plans submitted with the completed application shall include the following:

(1) All pages should be the same size (18" x 24" min.), and bound on one side.

(2) Two (2) complete sets of house plans and specifications shall be submitted.

(3) The plans shall be drawn to scale and clearly indicate the location and scope of all work proposed.

(4) The plans must clearly show how the structure is to be constructed.

(5) All plans must be signed by the person who is responsible for the plans.

(B) The building plans must include at least the following:

(1) Plot plan: Shall show building site, porches, decks and additions as well as all the other buildings. List dimensions of property and distances between structures, etc. Show sewage / septic system, water service / well, electrical and gas service locations. Differences in elevations (slope / grade) and drainage. Indicate North.

(2) Foundation plan: Shall depict and specify materials, reinforcement.

(3) Floor plan: Shall show all dimensions of the building and individual rooms, door and window locations and sizes. List the use of the building and the rooms, bedroom, etc.

(4) Structural plan and sectionals: Shall depict and specify materials, spacing and size of members and connectors. Roofs spanning more than 24 ft. free area require engineered trusses. Truss calculations must accompany the plans, include two (2) copies, Engineering calculations may be required.

(5) *Electrical plan: Shall depict all electrical equipment. Service entrance, lights, switches, receptacles etc. Specify the wiring method and materials to be used. Calculations and diagrams are not required for residential services of 200 amperes of less.

(6) *Mechanical plan: Specifications and layout for heating, cooling, ventilation, systems, ducts, and related equipment. Specifications shall include manufacturer’s equipment information (approvals and listings), sizing, and efficiency.

(7) *Plumbing plan: Locations of fixtures, fixture types and location of building sewer. Show gas piping if applicable.

(8) Energy Compliance forms (Residential energy standards)

Note: * Single Family Dwellings may include the above listed requirements on the floor plan.

Section 5. Plans, requirements for Accessory Structures.

(A) General Requirements. Plans for accessory structures including Agricultural Buildings (Group M, Div. 3) may be submitted in pen or pencil. The plans submitted with the completed application shall include the following:

(1) Plans may be 8 1/2" x 11", 8 1/2" x 14" or 11" x 17", all pages should be the same size and bound on one side.

(2) Two (2) complete sets of plans and specifications for review

(3) The plans must be drawn to scale and clearly indicate the location and scope of all work proposed.

(4) The plans must clearly show how the structure is to be constructed.

(5) All plans must be signed by the person who is responsible for the plans.

(B) The building plans must include all the following that apply:

(1) Plot plan: Shall show building site, all other buildings, porches, decks, etc. List dimensions of property and distances between structures, etc. Show sewage / septic system, water service / well, electrical and gas service locations. Differences in elevations (slope/grade)and drainage. Indicate North.

(2) Foundation plan: Shall depict and specify materials, reinforcement.

(3) Floor plan: Shall show all dimensions of the building and individual rooms, door and window locations and sizes. List the use of the building and the rooms, storage, utility, etc.

(4) Structural plan and / or sectionals: Shall depict and specify materials, spacing and size of members and connectors. Roofs spanning more than 24 ft. free area require engineered trusses. Truss calculations must accompany the plans, include two (2) copies.

(5) *Electrical plan: Shall depict all electrical equipment. Service entrance, lights, switches, receptacles etc. Specify the wiring method and materials to be used.

(6) Mechanical plan: Show location of wood stove or other heating appliance, include appliance information. Listed appliances in garages and shops are not required.

(7) Plumbing plan: If applicable, show the location for sewer, fixtures & types, and gas piping if any.

Note: * May include the above listed requirements on the floor plan.