15.36. 010 Purpose of provisions.

The purpose of this chapter is to promote public safety and welfare by reducing the risk of death or injury that may result from the effects of earthquakes on existing unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings. The provisions of this chapter are intended as minimum standards for structural seismic resistance. The provisions are established primarily to reduce the risk of life, loss or injury. Compliance with these provisions will not necessarily prevent loss of life or injury, or prevent earthquake damage to rehabilitated buildings. (Ord. 96-1150 § 2 (part), 1996: prior code § 7-5.1)

15.36. 020 Scope--Exceptions.

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all existing buildings having at least one unreinforced masonry bearing wall. Unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings constructed of hollow concrete blocks or hollow clay tiles that do not exceed two stories in height may be strengthened using these provisions. Bonding of hollow concrete block or hollow clay tile walls shall be verified to the satisfaction of the building official. It shall be shown by testing that the tile or block units are of bearing type and the capacity of the wall in bearing and shear based on net area in contact through bed joints is not less than those allowed for solid brick.

When a permit for reroofing of any building regulated by this ordinance is applied for, the requirements for parapet bracing and tension wall anchors between the roof and all exterior walls shall be complied with.

Exceptions: This chapter shall not apply to:

A. Detached one- or two-family dwellings and detached apartment houses containing less than five dwelling units and used solely for residential purposes; or

B. Essential or hazardous facilities as defined in Table 16-K of the building code. Such structures shall comply with the building code. (Ord. 96-1150 § 2 (part), 1996: prior code § 7-5.2)

15.36. 030 Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the applicable definitions in the building code shall apply. In addition, the following definitions shall apply:

"High risk building" means any building, other than an essential or hazardous facility, having an occupant load of three hundred (300) occupants or more as determined by Section 1002 of the building code.

Exceptions: A high risk building shall not include the following:

1. Any building having exterior walls braced with masonry crosswalls or woodframe crosswalls spaced less than forty (40) feet apart in each story. Crosswalls shall be full-story height with a minimum length of one and one-half times the story height;
2. Any building used for its intended purpose, as determined by the building official, for less than twenty (20) hours per week.

"Low risk building" means any building, other than an essential or hazardous facility, having an occupant load as determined by Section 1002 of the building code of less than twenty-five (25) occupants.

"Medium risk building" means any building, not classified as a high risk building or an essential or hazardous facility, having an occupant load as determined by Section 1002 of the building code of twenty-five (25) occupants or more, including buildings of greater than three hundred (300) occupants used less than twenty (20) hours per week. (Ord. 96-1150 § 2 (part), 1996: prior code § 7-5.3)

15.36. 040 Rating classifications.

The rating classifications identified in Table 7-V-1 are established and each building within the scope of this chapter shall be placed in one such rating classification by the building official. The total occupant load of the entire building as determined by Section 1002 of the building code shall be used to determine the rating classification.

Exception: For purposes of this chapter, portions of buildings constructed to act independently when resisting seismic forces may be placed in separate rating classifications. (Ord. 96-1150 § 2 (part), 1996: prior code § 7-5.4)

15.36. 050 Compliance requirements.

A. The owner of each building within the scope of this chapter shall, upon service of an order and within the time limits set forth in this chapter, cause a structural analysis to be made of the building by an engineer or architect licensed by the state to practice as such. If the building does not comply with earthquake standards specified in this chapter, the owner shall cause it to be structurally altered to conform to such standards or shall cause the building to be demolished.

B. The owner of a building within the scope of this chapter shall comply with the requirements set forth above by submitting to the building official for review:

1. Within two hundred seventy (270) days after service of the order, a structural analysis, which is subject to approval by the building official and which shall demonstrate that the building meets the minimum requirements of this chapter;
2. Within two hundred seventy (270) days after service of the order, the structural analysis and plans for structural alterations of the building to comply with this chapter;
3. Within one hundred eighty (180) days after service of the order, plans for the installation of wall anchors in accordance with the requirements of this chapter; or
4. Within two hundred seventy (270) days after service of the order, plans for the demolition of the building.

C. After plans are submitted and approved by the building official, the owner shall obtain a building permit, then commence and complete the required construction or demolition within the time limits set forth in Table 7-V-2.

D. Owners electing to comply with subsection B(3) of this section are also required to comply with subsection B(2) or (4) of this section; provided, however, that the two hundred seventy (270) day period provided for in subsection B(2) or (4) shall commence from the date on which plans are submitted pursuant to subsection B(3) of this section and the time limit to complete structural alterations or building demolition shall be extended in accordance with Table 7-V-2. (Ord. 96-1150 § 2 (part), 1996: prior code § 7-5.5)

15.36. 060 Administration.

A. Order--Service.

1. The building official shall, in accordance with the priorities set forth in Table 7-V-1, issue an order as provided in this section to the owner of each building within the scope of this chapter.
2. Prior to the service of an order, a bulletin may be issued to the owner as shown upon the last equalized assessment roll or to the person in apparent charge or control of a building considered by the building official to be within the scope of this chapter. The bulletin may contain information the building official deems appropriate. The bulletin may be issued by mail or in person.

B. Order--Priority of Service. Priorities for the service of the order for buildings within the scope of this chapter shall be in accordance with the rating classification as shown on Table 7-V-1. Within each separate rating classification, the priority of the order shall normally be based upon the occupant load of the building. The owners of the buildings housing the largest occupant loads shall be served first. The building official may, upon receipt of a written request from the owner, order such owner to bring his building into compliance with this chapter prior to the date for otherwise required under this chapter.

C. Order--Contents. The order shall be in writing and shall be served either personally or by certified or registered mail upon the owner as shown on the last equalized assessment roll and upon the person, if any, in apparent charge to control of the building. The order shall specify that the building has been determined by the building official to be within the scope of this chapter and, therefore, is required to meet the minimum seismic standards of this chapter. The order shall specify the rating classification of the building and shall be accompanied by a copy of Section 15.36.050, which sets forth the owner's alternatives and time limits for compliance.

D. Appeal from Order. The owner of the building may appeal the building official's initial determination that the building is within the scope of this chapter to the board of appeals, established by Section 105 of the building code. Such appeal shall be filed with the board within sixty (60) days from the service date of the order described in subsection C of this section. Any such appeal shall be given a written decision by the board within ninety (90) days, with the grounds thereof stated clearly and concisely. Appeals or requests for modifications from any other determinations, orders or actions by the building official pursuant to this chapter shall be made in accordance with the procedures established in Sections 104 and 105 of the building code.

E. Recordation. At the time that the building official serves the aforementioned order, the building official shall also file with the office of the county recorder a certificate stating that the subject building is within the scope of this chapter and is a potentially earthquake hazardous building. The certificate shall also state that the owner thereof has been ordered to structurally analyze the building and to structurally alter or demolish it where compliance with this chapter has not been demonstrated.

If the building is either demolished, found not to be within the scope of this chapter, or is structurally capable of resisting minimum seismic forces required by this chapter as a result of structural alterations or an analysis, the building official shall file with the office of the county recorder a form terminating the status of the subject building as being classified within the scope of this chapter.

F. Enforcement. If the owner or person in charge or control of the subject building fails to comply with any order issued by the building official pursuant to this chapter within any of the time limits set forth in Section 15.36.050, the building official shall verify that the record owner of this building has been properly served. If the order has been served on the record owner, then the building official shall order that the entire building be vacated and that the building remain vacated until such order has been complied with. If compliance with such order has not been accomplished within ninety (90) days after the date the building has been ordered vacated or such additional time as may have been granted by the board of appeals, the building official may order its demolition in accordance with the provisions of Section 102 of the building code.

Sel_End

1. Building risk classifications are based on the building occupant load as determined by the Uniform Building Code.
2. Parapet bracing includes bracing the parapets on all walls of the building and installing tension anchors from the walls to the roof on all walls. See special requirements of work required when a reroofing permit is applied for.
3. Complete strengthening includes the remainder of the strengthening work as required by this chapter. Parapets and wall anchor installation were completed in an earlier phase.
4. Complete strengthening includes all strengthening required by this chapter, including parapet bracing and wall anchors.
5. All buildings regulated by this chapter, undergoing a change of occupancy, may be strengthened in accordance with those provisions.

(Ord. 96-1150 § 2 (part), 1996: prior code § 7-5.6)