1.8.6 Local Modification by Ordinance or Regulation

1.8.6.1 General. Subject to other provisions of law, a city, county, or city and county may make changes to the pro- visions adopted by the Department of Housing and Com- munity Development. If any city, county, or city and county does not amend, add, or repeal by local ordi- nances or regulations the provisions published in this code or other regulations promulgated by the Depart- ment of Housing and Community Development, those provisions shall be applicable and shall become effec- tive 180 days after publication by the California Build- ing Standards Commission. Amendments, additions, and deletions to this code adopted by a city, county, or city and county pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958.5, 17958.7, and 18941.5, together with all applicable portions of this code, shall also become effective 180 days after publication of the Cali- fornia Building Standards Code by the California Build- ing Standards Commission.

1.8.6.2 Findings, Filings, and Rejections of Local Mod- ifications. Prior to making any modifications or estab- lishing more restrictive building standards, the governing body shall make express findings and filings, as required by California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7, showing that such modifications are reasonably neces- sary due to local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions. No modification shall become effective or operative unless the following requirements are met:

1. The express findings shall be made available as a public record.

2. A copy of the modification and express finding, each document marked to cross-reference the other, shall be filed with the California Building Standards Commission for a city, county, or a city and county, and with the Department of Housing and Commu- nity Development for fire protection districts.

3. The California Building Standards Commission has not rejected the modification or change.

Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of fire protection districts pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 13869.7(a).