Group Refuses Santa Ana’s Bid to Cut Occupancy
- Share via
The international organization that sets building code standards on Thursday rejected Santa Ana’s proposal to limit the number of residents in homes and apartments.
Santa Ana had proposed that the International Conference of Building Officials set a standard reducing maximum occupancies by half. For example, the number of residents now allowed by state law to live in a one-bedroom, 600-square-foot apartment would be cut from 10 to 5.
But at its annual meeting in Las Vegas, the organization overwhelmingly rejected Santa Ana’s proposal to amend the Uniform Housing Code, Vice President Rick Okawa said.
The organization’s standards are not binding, but many states and countries use them as guidelines. California law requires the state to adopt the standards but allows them to be amended.
Santa Ana had argued that current state law allows overcrowded conditions, which make it difficult for residents to escape from fires.
But Okawa said many members thought enforcement of the law would be difficult and costly.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
