Chapter 15.44
POST-DISASTER BUILDING STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS

Sections:

15.44.010    Purpose.

15.44.020    Definitions.

15.44.030    Post-disaster safety assessment placards.

15.44.040    Post-disaster demolition.

15.44.050    Disaster repair and reconstruction.

15.44.060    Board of appeals.

15.44.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide building standards and requirements which will apply in declared emergencies caused by natural or man-made disasters in order to allow rapid recovery and reconstruction efforts in the city. (Ord. 1474 § 3 (part), 1994)

15.44.020 Definitions.

For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

“Architect” means an individual licensed by the state to practice architecture as defined in the State of California Business and Professions Code.

“Building official” means the building official of the city or his or her designee.

“Civil engineer” means an individual registered by the state to practice civil engineering as defined in the State of California Business and Professions Code.

“Current code” means the edition of the California Existing Building Code, published by the International Code Council, as adopted by the city in accordance with operation of law pursuant to the State of California Health and Safety Code. The edition to be applied shall be that edition in effect at the time of the declaration of an emergency.

“Declared emergency” means the duly proclaimed existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons or property within the territorial limits of the city by the Governor of the state or by the mayor of the city.

“Engineering evaluation” means an evaluation of a damaged building or structure, or suspected damaged building or structure, performed under the direction of a structural engineer, civil engineer or architect retained by the owner of the building or structure. Engineering evaluation shall, at a minimum, contain recommendations for repair with appropriate opinion of construction cost for those repairs.

“Essential service facilities” means those buildings or structures which have been designated by the city council to house facilities which are necessary for the emergency operations subsequent to an event.

“Event” means any occurrence, natural or manmade, which results in a declared emergency.

“Historic building or structure” means any building or structure included on the National Register of Historic Places, the State Register of Historic Places or points of interest, or a local register of historic places. Historic buildings and structures shall also include those buildings and structures within a recognized historic district wherein the specific building has historic significance.

“Replacement value” means the dollar value, as determined by the building official, of replacing the damaged structure with a new structure of the same size, construction material and occupancy on the same site.

“State Historic Preservation Officer” (SHPO) means the individual appointed by the Governor, pursuant to Section 101(b)(1) of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, to administer the State Historic Preservation Program.

“Structural engineer” means an individual registered by the state to practice civil engineering and to use the title structural engineer as defined in the State of California Business and Professions Code.

“Value of repair” means the dollar value, as determined by the building official, of making the necessary repairs to the damaged structure. (Ord. 1798 § 1, 2018; Ord. 1474 § 3 (part), 1994)

15.44.030 Post-disaster safety assessment placards.

A. This section establishes standard placards to be used to indicate the condition of a building or structure for continued occupancy or use after any declared emergency.

B. Following each declared emergency, authorized staff and representatives of the building and safety division shall make a safety assessment of each damaged building and structure within the city and post the appropriate placard at each entry point to such building or structure. For purposes of this section a “safety assessment” is a visual, nondestructive examination of a building or structure.

C. Placards. The following are the three types of designations to be indicated by the placards. The ordinance number, the name of the department, its address and phone number shall be permanently affixed to each placard.

1. INSPECTED – Lawful Occupancy Permitted is to be posted on any building or structure wherein no apparent structural hazard has been found. This placard is not intended to mean that there is no damage to the building or structure.

2. RESTRICTED USE is to be posted on each building or structure that has been damaged wherein the damage has resulted in some form of restriction to the continued occupancy. The individual who posts this placard will note in general terms the type of damage encountered and will clearly and concisely note the restrictions on continued occupancy.

3. UNSAFE – Do Not Enter or Occupy is to be posted on each building or structure that has been damaged such that continued occupancy poses a threat to life safety. Buildings or structures posted with this placard shall not be entered under any circumstance except as authorized in writing by the city. Safety assessment teams shall be authorized to enter these buildings at any time. This placard is not to be used or considered as a demolition order. The individual who posts this placard will note in general terms the type of damage encountered.

D. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to remove a placard once it has been attached to a building or structure unless the placard is removed by an authorized representative of the City or upon written approval from the city. (Ord. 1474 § 3 (part), 1994)

15.44.040 Post-disaster demolition.

Post-disaster demolition shall be handled through the procedures set forth in the California Existing Building Code, Section 117, entitled “Demolition.” (Ord. 1798 § 2, 2018: Ord. 1474 § 3 (part), 1994)

15.44.050 Disaster repair and reconstruction.

Disaster repair and reconstruction shall be handled through the procedures set forth in the California Existing Building Code, Section 105, entitled “Permits.” (Ord. 1798 § 3, 2018: Ord. 1474 § 3 (part), 1994)

15.44.060 Board of appeals.

In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the building official relative to the application and interpretation of this chapter, there shall be and is created a board of appeals which shall consist of the members of the planning and environmental quality commission. The building official shall be an ex officio member and shall act as secretary to said board but shall have no vote upon any matter before the board. The board shall be governed by the same procedures as the planning and environmental quality commission. The board shall render all decisions and findings in writing to the appellant with a duplicate copy to the building official. The decision of the board shall be final and conclusive. The written decision sent to appellant shall provide that pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6, any action to review said decision shall be commenced in an appropriate court of law not later than the ninetieth day after the date that the board decision is issued. (Ord. 1474 § 3 (part), 1994)