The International Property Maintenance Code adopted pursuant to section 9-1-1601 is hereby amended as follows:
Section 101.1 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Property Maintenance Code of the City of Beverly Hills, hereinafter referred to as 'this code'.
Section 102.3 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
102.3 Application of other codes. Repairs, additions or alterations to a structure, or changes of occupancy, shall be done in accordance with the procedures and provisions of the California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Existing Building Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Electrical Code, California Fire Code, California Energy Code and California Green Building Standards Code. Nothing in this code shall be construed to cancel, modify or set aside any provision of the Beverly Hills Municipal Code.
Section 102.6 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
102.6 Structural Analysis. Where structural analysis is used to determine if an unsafe structural condition exists, the analysis shall be done as determined by the Building Official.
Section 104.1 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
104.1 Fees. The fees for activities and services performed by the department in carrying out its responsibilities under this code shall be as indicated by the Beverly Hills Municipal Code and/or the adopted Schedule of Taxes, Fees and Charges.
Section 107 of the International Property Maintenance Code, including subsections, is amended to read as follows:
SECTION 107
MEANS OF APPEAL
Any person directly affected by a decision of the code official or a notice or order issued under this code shall have the right to appeal to the Director of the Department, City Manager, and City Council, respectively. Appeals for unsafe and dangerous buildings shall be in accordance with the City of Beverly Hills Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings and the Beverly Hills Municipal Code.
Section 108, Board of Appeals of the International Property Maintenance Code, is deleted.
Section 111.1 of the International Property Maintenance Code, including subsections, is amended to read as follows:
111.1 General. When a structure or equipment is found by the code official to be unsafe, or when a structure is found unfit for human occupancy, or it is found unlawful, such structure shall be condemned pursuant to the provisions of this code and provisions of the City of Beverly Hills Abatement of Dangerous Buildings Code.
Section 202 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended by adding the following definitions:
INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE shall mean the California Building Code.
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE shall mean the California Energy Code.
INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE shall mean the California Existing Building Code.
INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE shall mean the California Fire Code.
INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE shall mean the California Mechanical Code.
INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE shall mean the California Plumbing Code.
INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE shall mean the California Residential Code.
NFPA 70 shall mean the California Electrical Code.
Section [F]702.4 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
[BE]702.4 Emergency escape openings. Required emergency escape openings shall be maintained in accordance with the code in effect at the time of construction, and the following. Required emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys or tools. Bars, grilles, grates or similar devices are NOT permitted to be placed over emergency escape and rescue openings.
Section [F]704.6.2 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
[F]704.6.2 Interconnection. Where more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit or sleeping unit in Group R occupancies, the smoke alarms shall be interconnected in such a manner that the activation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. Physical interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be required where listed wireless alarms are installed and all alarms sound upon activation of one alarm. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed. When low-voltage systems are required, the fire official may require additional sounder bases installed. Low voltage systems shall be installed per NFPA 72 fire alarm system requirements.
Exceptions:
Interconnection is not required in buildings which are not undergoing alterations, repairs or construction of any kind.
Smoke alarms in existing areas are not required to be interconnected where alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available which could provide access for interconnection without the removal of interior finishes.
Section [F]704.6.3 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows:
[F]704.6.3 Power source. In existing construction, new construction, and in newly classified group R occupancies, required smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring where such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Smoke alarms shall emit a signal when the batteries are low. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than as required for overcurrent protection.
Exception: Smoke alarms are not required to be equipped with battery backup where they are connected to an emergency electrical system.
Exceptions specifically for properties regulated by California Residential Code:
Smoke alarms shall be permitted to be battery operated when installed in buildings without commercial power.
Interconnection of smoke alarms in existing areas shall not be required where the alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available which could provide access for hard wiring and interconnection without the removal of interior finishes. (Ord. 16-O-2719, eff. 1-20-2017; amd. Ord. 19-O-2793, 11-19-2019; Ord. 22-O-2868, eff. 1-1-2023)