CA Building Code 1802.7.2 Just May Affect Your Plans to Build

Below is California Building Code that became effective 1/1/08. It may have a significance on your future building project.

It is my understanding that Del Norte County is located within Earthquake Fault Zones or Seismic Hazard Zones as shown in the most recently published maps from the California Geological Survey and therefore is subject to these requirements and does not fit into any of the allowed exceptions.

I talked with building and planning today as well as a local engineer and was told that this could add anywhere from $1500 to $10,000 to a permitted building project, so it is definitely something that you need to look into before applying for your permit.

If you are planning on building a new home, an addition, or outbuilding which will require a permit and you live in Del Norte County, this new code will have an effect on your project. I urge you to read through this code that is now being enforced in Del Norte County and call our building and planning department if you have questions - 707-464-7353.

1802.7.1 Geologic and earthquake engineering reports shall be required for all proposed construction.

EXCEPTIONS: 1. Reports are not required for one-story, wood-frame and light-steel-frame buildings of Type V construction and 4,000 square feet (371m2) or less in floor area, not located within Earthquake Fault Zones or Seismic Hazard Zones as shown in the most recently published maps from the California Geological Survey (CGS); nonstructural, associated structural or nonrequired structural alterations and incidental structural additions or alterations, and structural repairs for other than earthquake damage ( See section 3402A.1 for definitions of terms in this section).

2. A previous report for a specific site may be resubmitted, provided that a reevaluation is made and the report is found to be currently appropriate.

1802.7.2 The purpose of the engineering geologic report shall be to identify geologic and seismic conditions that may require project mitigations. The reports shall contain data which provide an assessment of the nature of the site and potential for earthquake damage based on appropriate investigations of the regional and site geology, project foundation conditions and the potential seismic shaking at the site. The report shall be prepared by a California-certified engineering geologist in consultation with a California-registered geotechnical engineer. The preparation of the engineering geologic report shal CGS Note 48; Checklist for the Review of Engineering Geology and Seismology Reports for California Public School, Hospitals, and Essential Services Buildings.In addition, the most recent version of DMG / CGS Special Publication 42, Fault Rupture Hazard Zones in California, shall be considered for project sites proposed within an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone. The most recent version of DMG / CGS Special Publication 117, Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California, shall be considered for project sites proposed within a Seismic Hazard Zone. All conclusions shall be fully supported by satisfactory data and analysis.

The report shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

1. Geologic investigation.

2. Evaluation of the known active and potentially active faults, both regional and local3. Ground-motion parameters, as required by Section 1613 and ASCE 7.

4. Evaluation of slope stability at or near the site and

5. The liquefaction and settlement potential of the earth materials in the foundation.

Posted Thursday Feb 28