Bakersfield Municipal Code Ch. 15.42 Dwelling Unit Location Identification in Multiple Dwelling

This chapter is adopted to promote and protect the public health, safety, peace, morals, comfort, convenience and general welfare, and for the accomplishment thereof is adopted, among other purposes, for the particularly specified purpose of requiring property owners to install and maintain dwelling unit location identification signage which will assist emergency personnel, e.g. fire suppression, police, medical services, in locating and responding to calls for emergency services. (Ord. 2682 § 1,, 1982)

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:

A. “Dwelling unit” means a building or portion thereof containing but one kitchen, designed and/or used to house not more than one housekeeping unit.

B. “Multiple dwelling unit complex” means a building or building(s) developed as a single project, whether simultaneously or in stages, containing more than four dwelling units, specifically including, but not limited to, apartment complexes and residential condominium complexes, but not including hotels or motels containing efficiency units.

C. “Site plan” means a schematic diagram of a multiple dwelling unit complex, drawn to scale, showing all buildings in the complex, all streets and walkways within the complex, the locations of fire hydrants within the complex, the adjacent public streets and the dwelling unit designations (whether by number or letter) within each building in the complex. (Ord. 2682 § 1, 1982)

A. The city building director shall not permit occupancy of any multiple dwelling unit complex, or for any dwelling unit therein, unless he finds that the complex satisfies the following requirements:

1. Each dwelling unit is marked by a distinguishing letter or number at least four inches in height and
contrasting in color with the background, mounted on the exterior of the unit within twenty-four inches of the
front door to the unit and of any entry way leading to the front door, and visible from a distance of not less
than twenty feet; and

2. Each separate building within a complex is identified by numbers or letters at least six inches in height
and contrasting in color with the background, mounted on the exterior of the building, and visible from each
walkway approach to the building; and

3. If the complex contains twenty or more dwelling units, site plans shall be displayed on the premises as
directed by the building director. The building director shall consult with the fire chief and the police chief in
determining the number and location of site plan displays required. Not less than one nor more than three
site plan displays shall be required for each fifty dwelling units, or fraction thereof, in the complex. A site plan
shall be submitted for approval at the time of application for a building permit for each multiple dwelling unit
complex as to which no building permit has been issued as of the effective date of the ordinance enacting this
chapter.

B. The owners of any multiple dwelling unit complex occupied as of the effective date of the ordinance enacting this chapter shall bring the complex into compliance with the requirements set forth in subdivisions 1 through 3 of subsection A of this section within one year of such effective date. For purposes hereof, the property owners’ association and each owner of a dwelling unit within a condominium project shall be jointly and severally responsible for the satisfaction of such requirements.

C. The owners of any multiple dwelling unit complex shall be responsible for upkeep of the site plan display and of the unit and building identifications required by this chapter, including protection from deterioration by the elements and removal of landscaping interfering with full visibility. Within any condominium project, such upkeep shall be the joint and several responsibility of the property owners’ association and each owner of a dwelling unit within such project.

D. Upon approval of a site plan by the building director, a copy of such plan shall be filed and maintained at the police/fire communications center.

E. The provisions of this chapter specify requirements in addition to those set forth in Chapter 15.42. Should any provision of this chapter conflict with any provision of Chapter 15.52, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail. (Ord. 2682 § 1, 1982)

A. 1. Enforcement. It shall be the duty of the building director to enforce this chapter. All departments, officials and public employees of the city vested with the duty or authority to issue permits or licenses shall conform to the provisions of this chapter and shall issue no permit or license for uses, buildings or purposes in conflict with the provisions of this chapter, and any such permit or license issued in conflict with the provisions of this chapter shall be null and void.

2. The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted and administered by the building director whose inspectors or authorized representatives shall have the right to enter upon any premises affected by this chapter for purposes of inspection.

3. Any building or structure erected or maintained, or any use of property, contrary to the provisions of this chapter, shall be and the same is unlawful and a public nuisance, and the city attorney may immediately

commence actions and proceedings for the abatement, removal and enjoinment thereof in the manner provided by law and shall take such other steps and shall apply to any court as may have jurisdiction to grant such relief as will abate or remove such building, structure or use and restrain and enjoin any person, firm or corporation from erecting or maintaining such building or structure or using any property contrary to the provisions of this chapter.

4. This chapter may also be enforced by injunction issued out of the superior court upon the suit of the city
or the owner or occupant of any real property affected by such violation or prospective violation. This method
of enforcement shall be cumulative and in no way affect the penal provisions hereof.

B. Penalty for Violations. Any person, firm or corporation, whether as principal, agent, employee or otherwise, violating any provision of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of no more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that violation of this chapter continues shall be considered a separate offense. (Ord. 2682 § 1, 1982)