Chapter 15.20
HOUSE MOVING*
Sections:
15.20.010 Relocation Permit Required.
15.20.020 Application for Relocation Permit.
15.20.030 Conditions for Issuance.
15.20.040 Permit Terms and Conditions.
15.20.060 Exceptions to Relocation Permit Requirements.
15.20.070 Fees for Relocation Permit.
15.20.080 House Mover’s Permit Required.
15.20.090 Conditions for Issuance.
15.20.100 Application for House Mover’s Permit.
15.20.110 Restricted to Licensed and Authorized House Movers.
15.20.120 Restoration of Damaged Streets.
15.20.140 Protection of Sidewalks.
* Vehicles with tread potentially damaging to streets prohibited—See Chapter 11.08.
15.20.010 Relocation Permit Required.
No house mover’s permit shall be issued until the Building Inspector has first issued to the owner of the premises to which the building is to be moved, a permit to relocate the particular building upon such premises. Such permit shall be called a “relocation permit.” A relocation permit shall not be required for “relocatable buildings” subject to the provisions of Chapter 15.21 of this Code. (Ord. 1330 § 1; February 24, 1970: 1949 Code § 8401)
15.20.020 Application for Relocation Permit.
Every application to the Building Inspector for a relocation permit shall be in writing upon a form furnished by the Building Inspector and shall set forth such information as such inspector may reasonably require in order to carry out the purpose of this chapter. (1949 Code § 8402)
15.20.030 Conditions for Issuance.
No permit shall be issued to relocate any building or structure which is so constructed or in such condition as to be dangerous; or which is infested with pests, or is unsanitary; or which, if it be a dwelling, is unfit for human habitation; or which is so dilapidated, defective, unsightly or in such conditions of deterioration or disrepair that its relocation at the proposed site would cause appreciable harm, or be materially detrimental to the property or improvements in the district within a radius of one thousand (1,000) feet from the proposed site; or, if the proposed use is prohibited by the zoning laws of this City; or, if the structure is of a type prohibited, at the proposed location, by any fire district regulation, or by any other provision of this Code, or if the unlawful, dangerous or defective condition of the building or structure proposed to be relocated is such that remedy or correction cannot practicably and effectively be made in the judgment of the Building Inspector. If the condition of the building or structure, in the judgment of the Building Inspector, admits of practicable and effective repair, the permit may be issued upon condition as hereinafter provided.
In order to determine any of the matters presented by the application, the Building Inspector may cause to be made any investigation required in his discretion.
The Building Inspector, in granting any relocation permit, may impose such terms and conditions as he may deem reasonable and proper, including, but not limited to, the requirement of changes, alterations, additions or repairs to be made to, or upon the building or structure, to the end that the relocation thereof will not be materially detrimental or injurious to public safety or to public welfare or to the property and improvements, or either, in the district, as hereinabove limited, to which it is to be moved.
The terms and conditions upon which each permit is granted shall be written upon the permit or appended in writing. (1949 Code § 8403)
15.20.040 Permit Terms and Conditions.
Every relocation permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall be conditioned as follows:
A. That each and all of the terms and conditions of the relocation permit shall be complied with to the satisfaction of the Building Inspector.
B. That all the work required to be done pursuant to the conditions of the relocation permit shall be fully performed and completed within the time limit specified in the relocation permit; or, if no time limit is specified, within ninety (90) days after the date of the issuance by the Street Superintendent of the house mover’s permit. The time limit herein specified, or the time limit specified in any permit, may be extended for good and sufficient cause by the Building Inspector. No such extension of time shall be valid unless written, and no such extension shall release any surety upon any bond. (1949 Code § 8404)
15.20.050 Right of Entry.
The Building Inspector, the surety, and the duly authorized representatives of either, shall have access to the premises described in the relocation permit for the purpose of inspecting the progress of the work.
In the event of any default in the performance of any term or condition of the relocation permit, the surety, or any person employed or engaged on its behalf or the Building Inspector, or any person employed or engaged on his behalf shall have the right to go upon the premises to complete the required work, or to remove or demolish the building or structure.
No person shall interfere with or obstruct the ingress or egress to or from any such premises of any authorized representative or agent of any surety or of the City engaged in the work of completing, demolishing or removing any building or structure for which a relocation permit has been issued, after a default has occurred in the performance of the terms or conditions thereof. (1949 Code § 8405)
15.20.060 Exceptions to Relocation Permit Requirements.
The provisions of this chapter relating to a relocation permit shall not apply where the building or structure is to be moved to a point outside the limits of the City. In such cases, if the Building Inspector finds that the building or structure is so constructed and in such condition that it may be removed with safety, the permit shall be issued. (1949 Code § 8406)
15.20.070 Fees for Relocation Permit.
A. Application. Before any application for a relocation permit is accepted, a fee of ten dollars shall be paid by the applicant to cover the cost to the City of the investigation of the condition of the building to be moved and the inspection of the proposed new location. This application fee shall be in addition to the regular building permit fee required.
B. Exception. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the relocation of temporary buildings or structures to be used by a governmental agency for a governmental purpose.
C. Inspection. Whenever a relocation permit is sought for the purpose of moving a building from outside the City limits to within the City limits, the sum of five hundred dollars ($500.00) shall be paid to the City to accompany the application for a permit. If after the inspection is made, the permit is refused, the applicant shall be entitled to the return of three hundred dollars ($300.00), the remaining two hundred dollars ($200.00) to be retained by the City for the costs and expenses of inspections. (1949 Code § 8407)
15.20.080 House Mover’s Permit Required.
No person shall move any building or structure or any portion thereof over, upon, along or across any street until the Public Works Director has first issued a permit therefor. Such permit shall be called a “house mover’s permit.” A house mover’s permit shall not be required for “relocatable buildings” subject to the provisions of Chapter 15.21. (Ord. 2023-22 § 726, 2023; Ord. 1330 § 2; February 24, 1970: 1949 Code § 8400)
15.20.090 Conditions for Issuance.
No house mover’s permit shall be granted by the Street Superintendent unless:
A. The applicant shall furnish evidence that the Building Inspector has already issued a relocation permit for the particular building or structure, if such permit be required.
B. The applicant shall have paid to the Street Superintendent a fee of five dollars for each permit requested.
C. A separate application upon a form furnished by the Street Superintendent shall be filed and a separate permit obtained for the moving of each separate building or structure, or portion of a building or structure. (1949 Code § 8408)
15.20.100 Application for House Mover’s Permit.
Each application for a house mover’s permit must show:
A. The kind of building or structure to be moved.
B. The street location or other identifying description of the property to which it is proposed to be moved, and the route over, along, across and upon which such building or structure, section or portion thereof, is to be moved.
C. The number of sections in which the building or structure will be moved.
D. The time when it is proposed to be moved and within which removal will be completed. (1949 Code § 8409)
15.20.110 Restricted to Licensed and Authorized House Movers.
No permit shall be issued to any house mover pursuant to the terms of this chapter unless such house mover shall have been regularly licensed and authorized to engage in such business at the time of the application for any such permit. (1949 Code § 8410)
15.20.120 Restoration of Damaged Streets.
In case of damage to any street by reason of the moving of any building or structure, or section or portion thereof, the Street Superintendent shall do such work as may be necessary to restore the street to as good a condition as the same was in prior to such damage and shall charge the cost thereof to the house mover to whom the permit was issued for the moving of such building or structure, or section or portion thereof. (1949 Code § 8411)
15.20.130 Red Light Required.
No person moving any building, or structure, or section, or portion thereof over, upon, along, or across any street shall fail, neglect or refuse to keep a red light burning at all times between sunset and sunrise at each corner of such building, or structure, or section, or portion thereof and at the end of any projection thereon, while the same or any part thereof is located in or upon any street. (1949 Code § 8412)
15.20.140 Protection of Sidewalks.
No person shall drive any wagon or other vehicle over, along or across any cement or other improved sidewalk or curb, unless planking is laid thereon in such a manner as to protect such sidewalk or curb. No person shall remove any such planking, except the person by, or for whom it was laid, unless permission therefor is granted by the Street Superintendent. Provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to the driving of vehicles over sidewalks and curbs at places where cement or asphalt crossings are constructed across such sidewalks or curbs, or where expressly permitted by ordinance, or by written approval of the Street Superintendent. (1949 Code § 8413)