This title is adopted pursuant to Sections 50022.1 through 50022.4 of the California Government Code to provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare, by regulating and controlling structural design, construction, materials, occupancy and location of all buildings and structures within the unincorporated area of the county. (Ord. 598 § 3(part), 2004).

This title shall apply to the erection, construction, demolition, enlargement, alteration, repair, relocation, conversion, occupancy, change of occupancy, and maintenance of buildings, structures, swimming pools, and also the installation of electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling facilities and appurtenances necessary thereto within the unincorporated area of the county. (Ord. 598 § 3(part), 2004).

The current edition of the California Building Standards Code, incorporating the following codes by reference and, except as otherwise provided herein, are adopted and shall govern standards for buildings and construction within their respective applications:
A. The California Building Code, current edition, including the appendices, as adopted by the International Conference of Building Officials;
B. The California Mechanical Code, current edition, including all appendices thereto;
C. The Uniform Housing Code, current edition, including all appendices thereto, as adopted by the International Conference of Building Officials;
D. The California Plumbing Code, current edition, including all appendices thereto;
E. The California Electrical Code, current edition, including all appendices thereto;
F. The Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, current edition, including all appendices thereto, as adopted by the International Conference of Building Officials;
G. The Uniform Solar Energy Code, current edition, including all appendices thereto, as adopted by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials;
H. The California Fire Code, current edition, including those sections and appendices as more specified in Chapter 14.35;
I. National Fire Codes, current edition, as adopted by the National Fire Protection Association;
J. Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Code, current edition, as adopted by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. (Ord. 598 § 3(part), 2004).

The copies of the codes adopted under Section 14.04.030 shall be kept on file in all offices of the building official for the use and convenience of the public during regular office hours. (Ord. 598 § 3(part), 2004).

Whenever the following terms appear in this article or in any of the codes referred to in Section 14.04.020, they shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
“Administrative authority” means the county building official, except that when used in the Uniform Housing Code, “administrative authority” means the Madera County environmental health department or its authorized assistants, deputies or inspectors, when used for abatement of residential structures.
“Building department” means the department of engineering and general services.
“Building official” means the county building official or his authorized assistants, officers or inspectors. The term “building official” shall have the same meaning as that in Health and Safety Code § 18949.27 or later enacted statute, except that when used in the Uniform Housing Code, “building official” shall mean the director of environmental health or his authorized assistants, deputies or inspectors, when used for abatement of residential structures.
“City” means the unincorporated area of the county of Madera.
“City attorney” means the county counsel or other prosecuting attorney, as appropriate.
“City council” means the board of supervisors.
“Construction” includes erection, enlargement, repair, alteration, conversion and relocation, including replacement of roofing and siding.
“Dwelling” means any building or portion thereof that contains not more than two dwelling units.
“Dwelling unit” is any building or portion thereof that contains living facilities, including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation, as required by the relevant codes, for not more than one family, or a congregate residence for ten or fewer persons.
“Mayor” means the chairman of the board of supervisors.
“Municipality” means the county of Madera.
“Substandard” shall have the same meaning as that in Health and Safety Code § 17920.3. (Ord. 598 § 3(part), 2004).