Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Section 4.406.1 applies to openings at exterior walls. Does this apply to a combination of all openings through exterior walls or just the openings in the top and bottom plates?
A: This section requires the sealing of openings, e.g., cuts, holes and notches in bottom plates, to prevent entry of rodents and the resulting damage.
Q: CALGreen requires that 100 percent of excavated soil and land clearing debris must be reused or recycled for commercial projects. Does this requirement also apply to residential projects?
A: No. CALGreen Section 408.1 requires 50 percent reduction of construction waste with a specific exception for excavated soil and land-clearing debris from this requirement. Unlike the provisions for nonresidential construction, there are no mandatory requirements for reuse or recycling of excavated soil and land-clearing debris. However, CALGreen voluntary Tier 1
level of enhanced green building does include a prerequisite for topsoil protection and reuse (Section A4.106.2.3). As noted, this is not a mandatory requirement of CALGreen unless the voluntary Tier 1 level is adopted or the measure is specifically required at the local level.
Q: The building department in my jurisdiction does not allow the reuse of previously used materials. Is reuse of materials a violation of CALGreen?
A: No. There are provisions for used materials in the California Building Standards Code. The code specifies that used materials, equipment and devices shall not be reused unless approved by the building official. This means that some materials cannot be reused if they do not comply with the requirements of the California Building Standards Code and/or the local ordinances for new construction. CALGreen Sections A4.105.1 and A4.105.2 state that reused materials or products must comply with current building standards requirements or be an accepted alternate method or material.
Q: Is a building operation and maintenance manual required for each condominium, duplex or dwelling unit?
A: Yes. Each individually-owned unit in a multifamily building shall have an approved operation and maintenance manual at the time of final inspection. Information must be for the appropriate dwelling unit or building. Paper or electronic copies of these documents are acceptable. The required documentation must stay with the building or dwelling unit throughout its life-cycle and be accessible to the owner, tenant or the individual(s) responsible for operating the feature, equipment or device.
Q: Is a building operation and maintenance manual required for each apartment dwelling unit?
A: No. In multifamily dwellings not individually-owned, such as an apartment complex, it is not the intent of HCD to require a complete operation and maintenance manual in each individual dwelling unit. An individual operation and maintenance manual may be necessary for each building where dwelling unit features differ within an apartment community or where different special inspections have been required for each building. However, a single comprehensive manual may be permitted when approved by the local enforcing agency.
Tenant rights and responsibilities typically vary with each rental contract. The building owner/manager shall retain the original manual(s), which must remain on-site and made available for review by all tenants. All maintenance and operation information for all applicable features of a dwelling unit and common areas shall be provided to whoever is responsible for operating the feature, equipment or device. When the tenant is the responsible party, applicable maintenance or operating information shall be provided to them. Photocopied information from the approved manual is acceptable. Public transportation options or other information required by the manual, applicable to all individual tenants, may be provided individually or at a central location where all tenants have access.
Q: Is a building operation and maintenance manual required for each guest room in hotels/motels?
A: No. All operation and maintenance information for all applicable features of guest rooms and common areas shall be provided to whoever is responsible for operating the feature, equipment or device. In hotels/motels, where the occupants are primarily transient in nature, guests are not responsible for the maintenance of the property, buildings or rooms; the only responsible party is the building owner and/or the manager. For more details regarding hotels/motels in which occupants are primarily permanent in nature, see the previous question and answer.
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