BUILDING DIVISION -When you are considering making property improvements, or if you are concerned about construction activity in your neighborhood, we recommend that you contact our Building Division staff to determine the Codes and other requirements that apply. New Building Construction such as additions, alteration, repair or demolition and occasional events such as movie filming, carnivals, circuses, amusement parks, etc. At the public counter you can view records of previous permits. An information card for each property lists the types of permits issued. For projects currently under construction, we also keep copies of the approved plans and "job folders" containing public records. We are often asked if the City maintains copies of building plans. Project plans are kept on file until the original construction is completed. Plans for commercial projects and large residential construction are also microfilmed and are stored for later viewing at our public counter. However, by State law we cannot make copies of plans or reports without the written permission of the owner and the person who prepared the plans. We advise you to contact the original architect, engineer or designer to obtain approval to copy plans. Be sure and check the maps and computer information available at our City Hall counter. We have copies of geotechnical reports; specialized data on maps illustrating County Assessor parcels, flood zones, address numbers, abandoned oil wells, and so on. The Department has also prepared special memorandums to clarify and interpret code issues. See APPLYING FOR PERMITS , for the next step in building construction process. CITY TREASURER - Fees from the various City Departments are paid at the Treasurer's window, City Hall Door E. The License and Collections section, City Hall Door C, monitors business licenses required for contractors, sub-contractors under their control or direction to have a current Redondo Beach business license prior to permitting them to begin work, obtain a "list of Sub-Contractors" form, and submit the completed form to the License Department 15 days prior to request for final inspection. COMMUNITY SERVICE - See Financial Assistance ENGINEERING DIVISION - This Division provides information, issue permits, establishes bonds and makes inspections for improvements, construction in the public way such as excavations in or under public right-of-way, or installation of pipes, curbs, sidewalks, storing of materials and private property in the public way; reviews drainage plans, traffic, and so on. FIRE DEPARTMENT - The Fire Department review plans for Fire and Building Codes items, such as fire sprinkler permits, the use of hazardous materials or handling of high flammable materials, large occupancy facilities, high rise buildings, oil well drilling, tents, fuel/chemical tanks, filming permit reviews and so on. The Fire Department then inspects the buildings for compliance. For more detailed information, contact the Fire Prevention Bureau. PLANNING DIVISION - Regulations governing how a property can be used and the minimum zoning standards for development are supplied at the Planning Division. Contact the city planners for information regarding requirements for allowed uses, height restrictions, yards, lot coverage, density, parking, architectural treatments, historic preservation, etc: processing of variances, conditional use permits, subdivisions, building within the Coastal Zones, etc. Any applications needing Planning Commission or Historical Commission approvals will be handled here. POLICE DEPARTMENT - Permits to install burglar alarm systems in building are processed by the Crime Prevention Unit. Also filming permit review. SCHOOL DISTRICT - California law allows school districts to assess fees when new buildings are built, and when additions to existing buildings are constructed. These fees are based on the square footage added. Prior to permit issuance, you or your representative must take a set of plans to the school district. Their staff will determine the school fees to be paid prior to permit issuance. If required, fee must be paid prior to permit issuance. INFORMATION FROM OTHER SOURCES (alphabetical order) COUNTY/STATE/FEDERAL AGENCIES These agencies regulations supplement and sometimes supersede the City's. For information contact: ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) This act sets guidelines for accessibility to places of public accommodation, multiple residential and commercial facilities by individuals with disabilities. These guidelines are to be applied during the design, construction, and alteration of such buildings and facilities to the extent required by regulations issued by Federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as well as existing ones. Cal-OSHA - general information, excavation permits for vertical cuts over 5' and potentially hazardous conditions, installation of elevators and lifts 5' or more. COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES (DHS) Call the appropriate telephone number from the following list: permits for food establishments, restaurants, markets, warehouses, public pools, environmental health, management of radiation-producing equipment including medical office devices, contaminated soils site investigation. COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT - hazardous materials COUNTY RECORDER - The legal documents that give ownership to property sometimes have restrictions on what can be done with the land. Check your deed and title report for any building restrictions. Some of the types of restrictions you might find in your deed and/or title search are: easements (strip(s) of land within your parcel that you cannot built over without permission of the easements holder, such as a utility company), public rights-of way: or mortgage or tenant rights of approval. Fortunately, most remodel projects do not conflict with deed restrictions. However, remember that deed restrictions must be considered even if the City is not authorized to enforce them. L.A. COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, WASTE MANAGEMENT DIVISION - Soil contamination, underground tanks. COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR - People express concern to our staff about the potential effect of improving their property on their property taxes. You should contact the Assessory" Office for their policies regarding improvements to property and how it will affect your taxes. OFFICE OF STATE ARCHITECT - The office of the State Architect/Access Compliance Section has staff available to respond to questions regarding the access regulations, either through the hotline or by correspondence (see resource guide). Also, the State Architect's Office regulates the construction of some essential facilities such as public schools, hospitals, etc. HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - If you are considering construction a new multi-unit residential building, apartment buildings (3 or more units), condominium buildings (4 or more units), hotel, motel, lodging houses, factory built housing, be aware that State disabled access requirements may apply. Contact HCD for copies of requirements. SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT - Notifying, reporting, removing, handling, labeling, storing and disposing of asbestos containing material; permits for uses releasing various airborne materials-see City questionnaire. STATE DIVISION OF OIL AND GAS - A limited number of private parcels in the City are currently or have been oil well drilling sites, including sites designated for residential use. On lots with wells, State review of the condition of the well is required prior to City building permit. Application information is available from the Building Division. STATE CONTRACTOR'S LICENSE BOARD - Most construction permits are obtained by licensed contractors. You may contact the License Board to obtain names of local contractors and their current status. Contractors must bring their "pocket licenses" to the Building Division as proof of registration. CALTRANS may require improvements or widening along State Highways such as Artesia Boulevard, Hawthorne Boulevard, and Pacific Coast Highway. CONTACTING LOCAL UTILITIES Below are the entities to contact to arrange for the locating, identifying, marking, and rerouting of existing utility lines and easements, as well as installation of new ones. TIME WARNER CABLE COMPANY - for cable hook-up location, information on proper cable materials. CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE - contact their commercial office to sign up for temporary construction site water from hydrants, new and resized meters, routing of lines; for repairs and emergencies. COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT - The County charges connection fees for increased sewer demand (for example, constructing a new building or changing a building to a more intensive use such as retail to a Laundromat). We have fee schedules and maps to their office. DIG-ALERT - will identify underground utilities in your project area. By the California Government Code, a "Dig-Alert" I.D. number must be issued before a Permit to Excavate is valid. GENERAL TELEPHONE OF CALIFORNIA - Contact VERIZON to arrange for a field engineer to locate a connection point. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT - for sewer connection. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON - to contact planner for meter spotting, checking clearance to power lines, construction in easements, "Action Line" for energy saving measures, rebate programs. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY- add meter, service line removal, marketing. CONSOLIDATED DISPOSAL - waste disposal, recycling program. SELECTING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PROFESSINALS First step, after you decide on improving your property, we advise that you contact a design professional such as an architect or an engineer to assist you with the proper design and plans that meet your needs and yet comply with City, State and Federal laws. Then, with or without the help of your design professional, organize your construction project by making a list of all work necessary, and decide who will do the work. Think in terms of the trades involved: carpentry, masonry, electrical work, plumbing, painting, metal work, tiling, plasterwork, insulating, foundation work, etc. Owners who obtain construction permits must perform the work in a safe and professional manner, and must provide worker's compensation insurance for relatives and others working on the project. When you do not act as owner-contractor, the contractor must be State licensed, have a valid City business license, current certificate of worker's compensation, have obtained the appropriate permits, and have signed a contract for all desired work. Listed in the Resource Guide are telephone numbers of agencies who register and monitor these professionals, including the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Board of Architectural Examiners, State Contractor's License Board, and the California Board of Registration for Engineers and Land Surveyors. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Rebate programs for repairs and upgrades of both residential and commercial properties are sometimes available (for example, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and energy conserving construction and appliances). Check for notifications at the public counter and contact the utilities listed in the Resource Guide. Financial assistance is available in some cases to repair homes through the Community Services Department, Housing Rehabilitation Section. Before you try to "cost out" the job in real dollars and apply for a loan, we suggest you check it against our local building code requirements. When shopping for a loan compare credit units, savings and loan associations, commercial banks, and finance companies. ADOPTED BUILDING CODES, CITY AMENDMENTS AND INTERPRETATIONS Most state Building Codes which are mandated to be adopted locally by the City Council are revised and published on three-year cycles. These codes undergo an ever-changing process in order to accommodate new technologies and materials, respond to new researches and studies, react to natural phenomenon's and disasters or simply improve on current code requirements. Current adopted codes are as follows:  2001 California Building Code 2001 California Plumbing Code 2001 California Mechanical Code 2004 California Electrical Code 2005 California Energy Code Uniform Building Code (ICBO) - International Conference of Building Officials covers fire and life safety, structural soundness and health aspects of all buildings and related structures. Uniform Building Code Standard, (ICBO) Listing of national test, material and special design standards referred to in the UBC. Uniform Building Security Code, (ICBO) Requires a minimum level of security features in doors and windows for the protection of your family. Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, (ICBO) Provides for the procedures to be used in Abating Dangerous Buildings. Uniform Fire Code, (Western Fire Chiefs Association and ICBO) Sets out provisions necessary for fire prevention while achieving uniformity in terms and requirements with other codes. Uniform Housing Code, (ICBO) Provides complete requirements affecting maintenance and rehabilitation of housing. Compatible with the UBC. Uniform Mechanical Code, (ICBO) Contains requirements for the installation and maintenance of heating, ventilating, cooling and refrigeration systems. Uniform Plumbing Code, (IAPMO - International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officers) Covers all aspects of plumbing, including requirements for plumbing materials, and installation standards. Uniform Sign Code, (ICBO) Its requirements pertain to all signs and sign construction attached to building. Does not include Planning regulation of signs. Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Code, (IAPMO) Specifies minimum standards for materials, electrical, plumbing, heating devices, and so on. National Electrical Code, (NFPA - National Fire Protection Association) Professional guide to electrical power design and equipment and circuit installation in private properties. California State Regulations and Amendments Title 19 State Building Code State Historical Code Title 24 for amendments, which exceed regular State Building Code requirements and apply to specific buildings such as schools, hospitals, etc. Disabled access requirements Energy conservation REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE PROVISIONS Redondo Beach has enacted laws known as Municipal Ordinances dealing with specialized building construction requirements. Copies of the Ordinances listed below are available at the City Clerk's Office, Door C, City Hall. Ordinances affecting the maintenance of existing structures are described in Code Enforcement. Ordinance 2010 (Section 9-10.03) - City issued Reports of Residential Building Records must be obtained by building owners or their authorized representatives prior to entering into agreements of sale exchanges of residential buildings. These Reports will list all permits associated with a particular property. To request a Report, complete an application and submit it along with the standard filing fee to our counter staff. The completed Report will be ready in a few days. Ordinance 2011 (Section 4-11.101) - Procedures for management of new, idle and abandoned oil wells are covered in this ordinance. Check the Building Division's copy of the State Division of Oil and Gas maps for known well locations. Ordinance 2076 (Section 9-6.02) - This law deals with the proper support and anchorage of roof heating, ventilating and comfort cooling equipment. If you are planning to replace or add this type of equipment, check the requirements of this ordinance. Ordinance 2183 (Section 4-24.101) - Noise Regulation Ordinance 2225 (Section 10-2.1403) - Construction and maintenance of fences, hedges, and walls are covered by this regulation. You can also discuss the requirements with the Planning Division counter staff. Ordinance 2306 (Section 3-4.4.01) - Persons planning construction work within the King Harbor Recreation Area must comply with the minimum fire resistive construction standards such as one-hour fire rated construction, fire-retardant roofing, and specific separations between buildings. Ordinance 2753 (Section 9-3.08) - Special provisions-May require the undergrounding of utility service wires for new construction, additions and repairs. Check to see if the Ordinance applies to your project. Ordinance 2477 (Section 9-2.01) - The Building Division Designates all building numbers in accordance with these Municipal Code requirements and enters them upon maps kept at our public counter. To avoid conflicts with the U.S. Postal Service and to avoid correcting stationery and records, contact us prior to using a new address. Ordinance 2512 (Section 9-12) - Flood damage prevention Certain areas within each city are designated as potential flood areas. Check our maps at the Engineering Division for this information. Ordinance 2536 (Section 4.22.01) - Holders of building and demolition permits must properly fence their construction sites, store construction materials, remove litter, provide access, maintain public ways, sandblasting, etc. as part of this Construction site maintenance law. Ordinance 2548 (Section 9-17) - Demolition permits Ordinance 2565 (Section 9-1.08) - Roof covering (fire ratings for residential buildings) Ordinance 2769 (Section 9-1.05) - Fire sprinklers for all occupancies and Ordinance 2637 and 2604 Ordinance 2576 (Section 9-19.01) - Earthquake Hazard Reduction in Existing Buildings (Unreinforced masonry buildings) Ordinance 2663 (Section 9-1.06) - Building permit limitation (2 years maximum) if project is not completed within 2 years, a new permit must be secured prior to the resumption of construction.