DATE: December 15, 2015
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Development Services Director
SUBJECT
Title
Introduction of an Ordinance to Amend the Hayward Building Code to Rescind Previously Adopted Amendments to the State Building Code that Restricts Issuance of Permits Only to Licensed Contractors and Resident Owners, and that Limits all Building Permits to a Duration of One Year
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council introduces the attached ordinance.
Body
SUMMARY
In response to complaints from owners of properties who do not live on-site and who wish to pull permits as owners-builders, staff is recommending that the Hayward Building Code be amended to better align it with the California Building Code and the codes and practices of most other jurisdictions. Additionally, because many permits associated with active projects are not completed within the currently required one-year timeframe, staff is also recommending additional amendments to Hayward's Building Code to better align it with the State Code and most other jurisdictions related to the "life" of a building permit.
Legacy concerns with non-resident owners pulling permits and having their workers perform construction work are addressed via the City's building inspectors, who serve as the quality control for construction , and concerns with construction projects continuing indefinitely without completion are addressed in the California Building Code as written. Also, the recommended changes would provide Hayward rental unit owners the same privileges enjoyed by such owners in other jurisdictions throughout the State.
BACKGROUND
Owner-Builder Permit Restriction - Prior to 2013, the City ordinances simply restated state law, or did not mention this subject at all. In other words, they did not prohibit non-resident property owners from pulling permits as owner-builders. The amendment in question was adopted in la...
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