Chino Municipal Code Ch. 15.36 Posting of Unreinforced Masonry Buildings

The purpose of this chapter is to promote public safety and welfare by reducing the risk of death or injury that may result from the effects of earthquakes on buildings of unreinforced masonry bearing wall construction.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

The requirements of this chapter shall apply to all buildings as required by other provisions of this code including all unreinforced masonry bearing wall structures constructed prior to the adoption of earthquake design requirements by this jurisdiction. (Exception: This chapter shall not apply to a detached Group R, Division 1 occupancy containing less than five dwellings used solely for residential purposes.)

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

For the purpose of this chapter, certain terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meaning herein.

A. The word "shall" is mandatory and the word "may" is permissive. Words not defined shall be given their common and ordinary meanings.

B. "Unreinforced masonry bearing walls" are masonry walls having all of the following characteristics:

1. Provide the vertical support for a floor or roof;

2. Have a total superimposed load over one hundred pounds per lineal foot;

3. Have an area of reinforcing steel less than fifty percent of that required by the California Building Code.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

A. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of an identified unreinforced masonry building to post in a conspicuous place visible before or upon entry into the structure with the following wording:

"NOTICE

This building has been identified by City of Chino as having potentially hazardous unreinforced masonry bearing walls subject to Chapter 122 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the California Government Code.

In the event of an earthquake, this building could be subject to structural damage that could cause death or injury to its occupants and/or persons near the building exterior."

B. The posting notice shall be of durable metal and shall be a minimum of eight and one-half inches by fourteen inches. Lettering shall be no smaller in size than one-quarter inch and shall have a contrasting color as a background. Posting notice shall be printed in both English and Spanish.

C. Posting shall be completed within thirty days from adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter or as determined by the building official.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

The city council declares that should any section, paragraph, sentence, or word of this chapter or of the code hereby adopted for any reason be invalid, it is the intent of the city council that it would have passed all other portions of this chapter independent of the elimination hereof any such portion as may be declared invalid.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)