Ceres Municipal Code Ch. 16 Disaster Repair and Reconstruction

This chapter establishes standards and regulations for the expeditious repair and reconstruction of structures damaged as a result of a disaster for which a local emergency has been declared by the City Council. This chapter does not allow exemptions from the building, fire, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or other codes.

(Ord. No. 2020-1058, § 1, 3-23-2020)

A. The provisions of this chapter are applicable to all buildings and structures of all occupancies regulated by the City following each disaster when a local emergency has been declared by the City Council. The Council may extend the provisions as necessary.

B. When approved by the Building Official, the requirements of this chapter may be waived in favor of repair recommendations included in an engineering evaluation as defined in section 15.16.030 of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2020-1058, § 1, 3-23-2020)

For the purposes of this chapter the following definitions apply:

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

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

Current Code means the latest adopted editions of the California Code of Regulations title 24 as adopted by the City of Ceres in accordance with operation of law pursuant to section 18941.5 of the State of California Health and Safety Code.

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 evaluations shall, at a minimum, contain recommendations for repair with appropriate opinion of construction cost for those repairs.

Essential service facility 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 a disaster.

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.

Structural engineer means an individual registered by the State of California 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. No. 2020-1058, § 1, 3-23-2020)

Buildings and structures of all occupancies, except as otherwise noted, which have been damaged as a result of a disaster shall be repaired in accordance with the following criteria:

A. When the estimated value of repair does not exceed ten percent of the replacement value of the structure, the damaged portion(s) shall be restored to their pre-disaster condition.

Exception: When the damaged elements include suspended ceiling systems, the ceiling system shall be repaired and all bracing required by the current code shall be installed.

B. When the estimated value of repair is greater than ten percent, but less than 50 percent, of the replacement value of the structure, the damaged elements, as well as all critical ties, supported elements and supporting elements associated with the damaged elements, shall be repaired and/or brought into conformance with the structural requirements of the current code.

C. When the estimated value of repair is 50 percent or more than the replacement value of the structure, the entire structure shall be brought into conformance with the structural requirements of the current code.

D. In Group R, Division 3 occupancies, the repair value of damaged chimneys shall be excluded from the computation of percentage of replacement value. Damaged chimneys shall be repaired in accordance with section 15.16.050 of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2020-1058, § 1, 3-23-2020)

A. All damaged chimneys must be repaired or reconstructed to comply with the requirements of the current code. Damaged portions of chimneys shall be removed in accordance with the following criteria:

1. When the damaged portion of the chimney is located between the roof line and the top of the chimney, the damaged portion shall be removed to the roof line, provided the roof and ceiling anchorage are in sound condition. The reconstructed portion of the chimney shall be braced to the roof structure.

2. For a single-story structure where the damaged portion of the chimney is below the roof line, or the damaged portion extends from above the roof line to below the roof line, the chimney shall be removed to the top of the fireplace.

3. For a multi-story structure, the damaged portion of the chimney shall be removed from the top to a floor line where sound anchorage is found.

4. In any structure where the fireplace has been damaged, the entire chimney and fireplace shall be removed to the foundation. If the foundation is in sound condition, the fireplace and chimney may be reconstructed using the existing foundation. If the foundation has been damaged, it shall be removed and replaced.

B. Where existing conditions preclude the installation of all anchorage required by the current code, alternate systems may be used in accordance with the alternate methods and materials provisions of the current code when approved by the Building Official. Such alternate systems shall be designed and detailed by a structural engineer, civil engineer or architect.

C. When the portion of the chimney extending above the roof line exceeds two times the least dimension of the chimney, that portion above the roof line shall be braced to the roof structure.

(Ord. No. 2020-1058, § 1, 3-23-2020)

A. Buildings or structures housing essential services facilities which have been damaged as a result of a disaster shall have an engineering evaluation performed.

B. Minimum criteria for repair shall be as follows:

1. When the estimated value of repair is less than 50 percent of the replacement value of the structure, the damaged elements, as well as all critical ties, supported elements and supporting elements associated with the damaged elements, shall be repaired and/or brought into conformance with the structural requirements of the current code.

2. When the estimated value of repair is 50 percent or more than the replacement value of the structure, the entire structure shall be brought into conformance with the structural requirements of the current code.

(Ord. No. 2020-1058, § 1, 3-23-2020)

A. Buildings or structures which are included on a national, State or local Register of Historic Places or which are qualifying structures within a recognized historic district, which have been damaged as a result of a disaster, shall have an engineering evaluation performed.

B. The minimum criteria for repair shall be as included in section 15.16.040, "Repair Criteria," of this chapter, with due consideration given to the historical rating and nature of the structures. Additional standards and criteria, as noted in part 8, title 24, California Code of Regulations, the State Historic Building Code shall apply.

C. Where conflicts exist between the standards contained herein and the State Historic Building Code, the Historic Building Code shall govern.

(Ord. No. 2020-1058, § 1, 3-23-2020)

A. The latest adopted editions of the California Code of Regulations title 24 as adopted by the City of Ceres in accordance with operation of law pursuant to section 18941.5 of the State of California Health and Safety Code shall apply to determine repair criteria for masonry buildings and structures.

B. All damaged bearing walls constructed of unreinforced masonry shall be repaired and strengthened to fully comply with all current California Code of Regulations title 24 as adopted by the City of Ceres.

(Ord. No. 2020-1058, § 1, 3-23-2020)

The provisions of this chapter may be appealed to the City Board of Building and Construction Appeals, pursuant to section 15.17.050 of this title.

(Ord. No. 2020-1058, § 1, 3-23-2020)