§ 7A-26. Definitions.

1.

Enforcing/enforcement agency. "Enforcing or enforcement agency" shall mean the permit and resource management department, unless otherwise specifically noted.

2.

California Model Codes. "California Model Codes" shall mean state regulations that govern the design and construction of buildings, associated facilities and equipment, known as "building standards," and in particular, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, Parts 1-12, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission.

3.

Conventional construction. "Conventional construction" shall mean structures of simple design and construction with no unusual conditions that conform with Chapter 23 of the California Building Code.

4.

Graywater. "Graywater" shall include all domestic waste water obtained from the drainage of showers, bathtubs, lavatories, and laundry facilities, exclusive of kitchen sinks, toilets, bidets, dishwashers, or any waste water utilized for the transport and disposal of body eliminations.

5.

Limited density rural dwelling. "Limited density rural dwelling" is any structure consisting of one (1) or more habitable rooms intended or designed to be occupied by one (1) family with facilities for living and sleeping, with use restricted to rural areas that fulfills the requirements of this chapter.

6.

Non-conventional construction. "Non-conventional construction" shall mean structures of complex design and construction which may contain unusual conditions, as determined by the chief building official, and do not conform with the conventional construction requirements of Chapter 23 of the California Building Code.

7.

Owner-built.

(a)

"Owner-built" shall mean constructed by any person or family who acts as the general contractor for, or as the provider of part or all of the labor necessary to build housing to be occupied as the principal residence of that person or family, and not intended for sale, lease, rent or employee occupancy.

(b)

For the purposes of this chapter, the sale, lease, renting or employee occupancy of owner-built structures shall not occur within three (3) years of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

8.

Rural. For the purposes of this chapter only, "rural" shall mean those unincorporated areas of counties designated and zoned by the enforcing agency for the application of this chapter. Suitable areas may include those wherein the predominant land usage is agricultural and undeveloped.

9.

Sound structural condition. A structure shall be considered to be in "sound structural condition" when it is constructed and maintained in substantial conformance with the California Model Codes, accepted construction principles, or performance criteria (engineering analysis) which provide minimum requirements for the stressing of structural members; footing sizes when related to major load-bearing points; proper support of load-bearing members; nailing schedules where essential to general structural integrity; and provisions for adequate egress, ventilation, sanitation, and fire safety. Conditions which would not render a structure unsound are; ceiling heights, size or arrangement of rooms, heating, plumbing, and electrification requirements, alternative materials, appliances or facilities, or methods of construction, or building designs that perform to protect health and safety for the application and purpose intended, and any other provisions of this chapter regulating the construction, use and occupancy of dwellings and appurtenant structures.

10.

Substandard building. A "substandard building" is a structure or portion thereof in which there exists any hazardous condition, as determined by the chief building official, to an extent that endangers the life, limb, health, or safety of the occupants. Except as amended by the provisions of this chapter, Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3 shall be the determining criteria for compliance with the standards of this chapter and the defining of a substandard building.

(Ord. No. 5904, § II, 11-2-2010; Ord. No. 4906, § 4(A), 1995; Ord. No. 2875.)