Alameda Municipal Code Art. I Uniform Codes Relating to Building, Housing and Technical Codes

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 3265 N.S., § 1, adopted March 3, 2020, amended 13-1—13-11 in their entirety. The former Article I pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 3083 N.S., adopted November 19, 2013 and Ord. No. 3142 N.S., adopted November 17, 2015.

Cross reference— Housing and Building Code Hearing and Appeals Board, 2-17.

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 3389 N.S., § 3, adopted Oct. 21, 2025, set out provisions intended for use as § 13-12—13-12.3. Inasmuch as there were already provisions so designated, said section has been codified herein as § 13-11A—13-11A.3 at the discretion of the editor.

The International Property Maintenance Code, the 2024 Edition published by the International Code Council (ICC) including Appendix A, is adopted as amended and made a part hereof as if fully set forth herein at length, and shall be known as the Alameda Property Maintenance Code.

(Ord. No. 3389 N.S., § 3, 10-21-2025)

A copy of the International Property Maintenance Code, the 2024 Edition shall be maintained by the Building Official for use and examination by the public.

(Ord. No. 3389 N.S., § 3, 10-21-2025)

a. Section 102.3 of the IPMC is amended to read as follows:

IPMC 102.3 Application of other codes. Repairs, additions or alterations to a structure, or changes of occupancy, shall be made in accordance with the procedures and provisions of the City Municipal Code and the California Building Codes.

b. New Section 102.3.1 of the IPMC is added as follows:

IPMC 102.3.1 Reference to other codes. Whenever the International Property Maintenance Code refers to other codes, those other codes shall mean the City Municipal Code and the California Building Codes.

c. Section 302.4 of the IPMC is amended to read as follows:

IPMC 302.4 Weeds. Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds and other uncontrolled herbaceous growth in excess of eight (8) inches in height. Noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as ornamental and uncultivated grasses and herbaceous vegetation that when mature bear wingy or downy seeds, or which because of having attained such a height or extensiveness of growth and desiccation have become a fire menace, or which are otherwise noxious or dangerous to health or safety.

d. Section 304.14 of the IPMC is amended to read as follows:

304.14 Insect screens. Every door, window and other outside opening required for ventilation of habitable rooms, food preparation areas, food service areas or any areas where products to be included or utilized in food for human consumption are processed, manufactured, packaged or stored shall be supplied with approved tightly fitting screens of minimum 16 mesh per inch (16 mesh per 25 mm), and every screen door used for insect control shall have a self-closing device in good working condition.

Exception: Screens shall not be required where other approved means, such as air curtains or insect repellent fans, are employed.

e. Section 304.16 is amended to read:

304.16 Under-Floor areas. Under-floor access doors and ventilation openings shall be maintained to prevent the entrance of rodents, rain and surface drainage water. Doors shall be tight fitting and ventilation openings shall be properly screened with corrosion-resistant wire mesh having openings not exceeding 1/4 inch in any dimension or alternate approved materials pursuant to current CBC 1203.4.1.

f. Section 308.2.1.1 is added to read:

308.2.1.1 Garbage Receptacles. An adequate number of appropriate receptacles with close fitting covers for garbage and rubbish as may be considered necessary by the enforcing agency shall be provided for the occupant of every dwelling unit by the owner or operator of every apartment house, hotel, or combination thereof. Each receptacle shall be kept in a clean condition and good repair.

g. Section 308.3.1 of the IPMC is amended to read as follows:

IPMC 308.3.1 Garbage facilities. The owner of every dwelling shall supply one of the following: an approved mechanical food waste grinder in each dwelling unit or an approved leakproof, covered, outside garbage container.

h. Sections 309.1 and 309.2 are amended to read:

309.1 Infestation. All structures shall be kept free from insect, rodent and vermin infestation. When an insect, rodent or vermin infestation is brought to the attention of the code official, he or she may require the owner or agent having charge or control of the building, lot or premises to hire a licensed exterminator or other qualified professional to inspect the building, lot or premises and provide a written report verifying the presence and severity of such infestation including in the report a recommendation for proper extermination of the infestation. All structures in which insect, rodent or vermin infestations are found shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes that will not be injurious to human health. After the extermination of the infestation is complete, the code official may request a written notice from the licensed exterminator or other qualified professional attesting to the completion and success of the recommended extermination procedures. After the infestation is eliminated, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent reinfestation.

309.2 Owner. The owner of any structure shall be responsible for extermination within the structure prior to renting or leasing the structure. The owner of a structure or premises containing a dwelling unit, multiple occupancy, rooming house or a nonresidential structure shall be responsible for maintaining the structure and premises in a rodent or pest-free condition. If an infestation is caused by an occupant substantially failing to properly maintain their occupied area of the structure or premises as clean and sanitary as the condition of the structure or premises permits, the occupant and owner shall be responsible for pest elimination. For as long as the occupant's failure either substantially causes an unlivable condition to occur, or substantially interferes with the owners' ability to remedy the condition, the owner does not have to remedy the condition. Where the infestation is caused by defects in the structure, the owner shall be responsible for extermination.

i. Section 309.6 is added to read:

309.6 Bedding. In every room for rent, apartment house or hotel every part of every bed, including the mattress, sheets, blankets, and bedding shall be kept in a clean, dry and sanitary condition, free from filth, urine, or other foul matter; and from infection of lice, bed-bugs, or other insects. The bed linen shall be changed before a new guest occupies the dwelling unit.

j. Section 311 is amended to read:

311 Facilities Caretaker

k. Section 311.11 is amended to read as follows:

311.1 Caretaker. A manager, janitor, housekeeper, or other responsible person shall reside upon the premises and shall have charge of every apartment house in which there are sixteen (16) or more apartments and of every hotel in which there are twelve (12) or more guest rooms, in the event that the owner of any such apartment house or hotel does not reside upon said premises. If the owner does not reside upon the premises of an apartment house in which there are more than four (4) but less than sixteen (16) apartments, a notice stating his name and address, or name and address of his agent shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises.

l. Section 602.4 of the IPMC is amended to read as follows:

IPMC 602.4 Amended—Occupied Work Spaces. Indoor occupiable work spaces shall be supplied with heat during the entire year to maintain a temperature of not less than 65°F (18°C) during the period the spaces are occupied.

Exceptions:

1. Processing, storage and operation areas that require cooling or special temperature conditions.

2. Areas in which persons are primarily engaged in vigorous physical activities.

(Ord. No. 3389 N.S., § 3, 10-21-2025)