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California Chapter Highlight

International Code Council Los Angeles Basin Chapter

In 1957, our founding members established one of the earliest chapters of the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) and now the International Code Council. Today, our chapter has grown to more than 40 Southern California jurisdictions, plus consulting firms and members of the construction industry. When ICBO merged with two other building official organizations to create the International Code Council, the Los Angeles Basin Chapter became a Code Council chapter in December 2002.

With the recent change of the model codes from the Uniform Building Codes to the International Codes, the International Code Council Los Angeles Basin Chapter has been active in leading the effort to create uniformity of building codes and regulations in the entire Southern California region, as well as addressing policy issues of interest to building officials and the construction industry.

One such effort to promote uniformity of building regulations is through the Los Angeles Regional Uniform Code Program (LARUCP). The LARUCP began in July 1999 with the purpose of developing uniform interpretations and handouts to serve as guidelines for building officials, contractors, engineers and architects in the consistent application of the codes. The mission was to minimize the number of, and to develop uniformity in, local technical amendments to model codes for adoption by jurisdictions in the greater Los Angeles region. With the cooperation of many jurisdictions in the region, this resulted in an exciting regulatory streamlining effort that:

Created uniformity of building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical codes in most of the jurisdictions in the region.
Reduced the total number of local amendments to the codes from over 1,000 to less than 50 (96-percent reduction in local amendments).
Has received support from 85 jurisdictions representing over 98 percent of the population in Los Angeles County.
With construction valuation of over $5 billion in the region, conservatively assuming that this program produces a one-percent construction cost savings, there resulted in an estimated cost saving of $50 million per year.

Collected various productivity awards such as the:

2000 National Association of Counties Achievement Award
1999 City of Los Angeles Productivity Improvement Award
1999 Los Angeles County Productivity and Quality Award
1999 ICBO Chapter Award for Special Meritorious Achievement

The most recent effort to streamline uniformity of technical amendments to the model code during this past code adoption year was achieved through the efforts of the chapter’s Structural Code Committee. Dedicated members of this committee helped to develop the 2007 LARUCP Recommended Structural Code Amendments. The recommendations contained in that document served to ensure improved performances of buildings and structures in the greater Los Angeles region, and its members found value to incorporating it into their local code. A copy of this document can be found on the chapter’s website.

To further promote the uniform application of the code regulations, the chapter recently developed and/or updated in May 2008 several plan review checklists to assist local building officials and their staff to ensure compliance with the new California Building Codes. Members of the Chapter can obtain the electronic version whereby they can insert their jurisdiction’s logo and have it modified for their specific needs. These plan review checklist are as follows:

2008 LARUCP Plan Review Checklist – Commercial
2008 LARUCP Plan Review Checklist – Multifamily Dwelling
2008 LARUCP Plan Review Checklist – One- or Two-Family Dwelling
2008 LARUCP Plan Review Checklist – Energy Efficiency
2008 LARUCP Plan Review Checklist – Structural Design
2008 LARUCP Plan Review Checklist – Commercial Accessibility
2008 LARUCP Plan Review Checklist – Residential Accessibility
2008 LARUCP Plan Review Checklist – Supplement Accessibility No. 1
2008 LARUCP Plan Review Checklist – Supplement Accessibility No. 2
2008 LARUCP Plan Review Checklist – Supplement Accessibility No. 3
2008 LARUCP Plan Review Checklist – Supplement Accessibility No. 4
2008 LARUCP Plan Review Checklist – Supplement Accessibility No. 5

Through the hard work and dedication of our members, the chapter re-established existing committees as well as initiated new ones. These committees will continue to further the goal of the chapter by providing a forum for members to discuss, review and address issues or topics relevant to our profession. They are as follows:

Structural Committee
Fire-Life Safety Committee
Administration Committee
Inspection Committee
Disabled Access Committee

The International Code Council Los Angeles Basin Chapter and the Los Angeles Regional Uniform Code Program have been instrumental in supporting and educating building and safety staff, and construction and design professionals throughout the Los Angeles basin area. Throughout the year, the chapter had many informative monthly meetings and held a record number of training classes to assist local building officials and their staff to become informed of all the new changes to the building codes. Dedicated members such as Stuart Tom or Ewa O’Neal have helped the chapter to provide valuable training and education; and not only to our chapter, but to other fellow chapters within our region. A chapter is only as effective as its members, so I am proud to say that our members have tremendously helped us in serving our community.

The chapter’s monthly business meetings are generally held the second Thursday of every month at the Los Angeles County Public Works Building in Alhambra. Please check the Chapter’s website for the latest meeting schedule and location.

Sincerely,

Craig Johnson
President
International Code Council Los Angeles Basin Chapter