Chapter 5-5 — BUILDING STANDARDS

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 361, § 1, adopted December 12, 2016, amended Ch. 5-5 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Ch. 5-5 pertained to similar subject matter, and derived from Ord. 214, 11-21-88; Ord. 233, 2-11-91; Res. 491, 12-991; Ord. 252, 5-11-92, eff. 6-28-92; Ord. 253, 6-8-92; Ord. 254, 6-8-92; 1994 Code; Ord. 274, 12-28-95; Ord. 274U, 12-2895; Ord. No. 295, §§ 3—10, 5-24-99; Ord. No. 311, §§ 3—10, 10-14-02; Ord. No. 311-U, §§ 3—10, 9-23-02; Ord. No. 322, §§ 2—9, 1-14-08; Ord. No. 322-U, §§ 2—9, 12-10-07; Ord. No. 324, § 1, 2-25-08; Ord. No. 335, §§ 2—11, 1-10-11; Ord. No. 335-U, §§ 2—11, 12-13-10; Ord. No. 347, §§ 2—10, 11-25-13.

ARTICLE A. - GENERAL BUILDING STANDARDS PROVISIONS

In the event two (2) or more provisions of any Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Residential, Green Building Standards, Housing or Administrative Codes of the City are found to be in conflict, the following rules of precedence shall apply:

• A. Local amendments of the City set forth in ordinances of the City shall control over amendments of the State set out in Title 24 of the California Building Code of Regulations and included in the California Building Standards Code and shall also control over the provisions of the International Code as published by the International Code Council or other code-writing organizations.

• B. Amendments of the State set out in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations and included in the California Building Standards Code shall control over the provisions of the International Code as published by the International Code Council or other code-writing organization.

• (Ord. No. 361, § 1, 12-12-16; Ord. No. 372, § 1, 11-18-19; Ord. No. 383, § 1, 11-14-22; Ord. No. 403, § 1, 11-1025)

• A. No person shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish, equip, use, occupy, or maintain any land, building or structure, building service equipment, machine or equipment, or cause or permit the same to be done, in violation of the Building Code of the City, the Plumbing Code of the City, the Mechanical Code of the City, the Electrical Code of the City, the Housing Code of the City, the Administrative Code of the City, or the Dangerous Buildings Code of the City (collectively, the "Technical Codes"). Each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any violation of any of the provisions of the Technical Codes is committed, continued, or permitted.

B.

No person shall remove, deface, alter, or obstruct from view a posted notice of the Building Official, or his or her authorized representative, when such notice constitutes a stop work order or a warning of substandard or hazardous conditions or prohibits or restricts the occupancy or use of a building, structure, or building service equipment regulated by the Technical Codes.

• C. Every violation of the Technical Codes shall be deemed a misdemeanor, punishable as set forth in Section 1-5-1(A) of this Code.

• (Ord. No. 361, § 1, 12-12-16; Ord. No. 372, § 1, 11-18-19; Ord. No. 383, § 1, 11-14-22; Ord. No. 403, § 1, 11-1025)

ARTICLE B. - BUILDING CODE

Except as hereinafter provided, the California Building Code, 2025 Edition (Part 2, Title 24, California Code of Regulations), which incorporates and amends the International Building Code, 2024 Edition, published by the International Code Council, including Appendix, C, I, and J, is hereby adopted by reference as the Building Code of the City of Hidden Hills. A copy of the Building Code of the City shall be maintained in the office of the City Clerk and shall be made available for public inspection while the Code is in force.

(Ord. No. 361, § 2, 12-12-16; Ord. No. 372, § 2, 11-18-19; Ord. No. 383, § 2, 11-14-22; Ord. No. 403, § 2, 11-1025)

Except as hereinafter provided, Chapter 1 Division II Scope and Administration, of the California Building Code 2025 Edition, published by the International Code Conference, is hereby adopted by reference as the Administrative Code of the City of Hidden Hills. A copy of the California Building Code, Chapter 1 Division II, 2025 Edition shall be maintained in the Office of the Building Official while this code is in force. The administrative provisions governing the Building Code of the City shall be as set forth in Article G of this Chapter. Violation and penalty provisions shall be as set forth in Section 5-5A-3 of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 361, § 2, 12-12-16; Ord. No. 372, § 2, 11-18-19; Ord. No. 383, § 2, 11-14-22; Ord. No. 403, § 2, 11-1025)

• A. Subsections 1505.1.1 and 1505.1.2 of Section 1505 ("Fire Classification") of Chapter 15 ("Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures") of the Building Code of the City are hereby deleted in their entirety.

• B. Section 1514 is hereby added to Chapter 15 ("Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures") of the Building Code of the City to read as follows:

SECTION 1514 ROOF COVERINGS

1514.1 Roof Coverings. Roof coverings for all buildings shall be Class A (having satisfied the fifteen-year weathering test and certified as such by Underwriting Laboratories or an equivalent recognized testing agency) except that no wooden shakes or shingles, treated or untreated, shall be permitted. The roofcovering assembly includes the roof deck, underlayment, insulation and covering which is assigned a roofcovering classification.

(Ord. No. 361, § 2, 12-12-16; Ord. No. 372, § 2, 11-18-19; Ord. No. 383, § 2, 11-14-22; Ord. No. 403, § 2, 11-1025)

• A. Section 1808.10 is hereby added to Chapter 18 ("Soils and Foundations") of the Building Code of the City to read as follows:

1808.10 Foundations on Expansive Soil. When there is a lack of a soils report, foundations shall be designed for expansive soil. Foundation systems on expansive soil shall be constructed in a manner that will minimize damage to the structure from movement of the soil. Slab-on-grade and mat-type footings for buildings located on expansive soils may be designed in accordance with the provisions of Building Code Chapter 18, Section 1805 or such other engineering design based upon geotechnical recommendation as approved by the building official. For residential-type building, where such an approved method of construction is not provided, foundations and floor slabs shall comply with the following requirements:

1. Depth of foundations below the natural and finish grades shall be not less than 24 inches for exterior and 18 inches for interior foundations.

2. Exterior walls and interior bearing walls shall be supported on continuous foundations.

3. Foundations shall be reinforced with at least two continuous one-half-inch diameter deformed reinforcing bars. One bar shall be placed within four inches of the bottom of the foundation and one within four inches of the top of the foundation.

4. Concrete floor slabs on grade shall be cast on a four-inch fill of coarse aggregate or on a moisture barrier membrane. The slabs shall be at least three and one-half inches thick and shall be reinforced with welded wire mesh or deformed reinforcing bars. Welded wire mesh shall have a cross-sectional area of not less than five-hundredths square inch per foot each way. Reinforcing bars shall have a diameter of not less than three-eighths inch and be spaced at intervals not exceeding 24 inches each way.

5. The soil below an interior concrete slab shall be saturated with moisture to a depth of 18 inches prior to casting the concrete.

(Ord. No. 361, § 2, 12-12-16; Ord. No. 372, § 2, 11-18-19; Ord. No. 383, § 2, 11-14-22; Ord. No. 403, § 2, 11-1025)

• A. Section 202 of Chapter 2 ("Definitions") and Section 3109.2 of Chapter 31 ("Special Construction") of the Building Code of the City are hereby amended to add the following definition of "Barrier", and amend the definition of "Swimming Pool" and "pool" to read as follows:

"Barrier. Barrier is a fence, wall, building wall, or any combination of these that completely surrounds the swimming pool and obstructs access to the swimming pool."

"Swimming Pools. Any body of water created by artificial means which is designed, intended for use, or used for swimming or immersion purposes, which has a water depth exceeding 18 inches. The term, "pool," includes swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, above- and below-ground, and vinyl-lined pools; pool does not include plumbing fixtures such as bathtubs nor does it apply to man-made lakes, reservoirs, farm ponds, or ponds used primarily for public park purposes, water conservation purposes, irrigation purposes or for the watering of livestock."

• B. Section 3109.1 of Chapter 31 ("Special Construction") of the Building Code of the City is hereby amended to read as follows:

3109.1 General. The design and construction of swimming pools, spas and hot tubs shall comply with this code.

• C. Section 3109.3 through Section 3109.3.3 are hereby added to Chapter 31 ("Special Construction") of the Building Code of the City to read as follows:

3109.3 Residential swimming pools. Residential swimming pools shall be completely enclosed by a barrier complying with Sections 3109.3.1 through 3109.3.3.

3109.3.1 Barrier Height and Clearances. The top of the barrier must be at least 60 inches above grade measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier must be two inches measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool. Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, the barrier is authorized to be at ground level or mounted on top of the pool structure, and the maximum vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier must be four inches.

3109.3.1.1 Openings. Openings in the barrier must not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere.

3109.3.1.2 Solid barrier surfaces. Solid barrier surfaces which do not have openings shall not contain indentations or protrusions except for normal construction tolerances and tooled masonry joints.

3109.3.1.3 Closely spaced horizontal members. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is less than 45 inches, the horizontal members shall be located on the swimming pool side of the fence. Spacing between vertical members shall not be greater than 1¾ inches in width. Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing with the cutouts shall not be greater than 1¾ inches in width.

ntal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is less than 45 inches, the horizontal members shall be located on the swimming pool side of the fence. Spacing between vertical members shall not be greater than 1¾ inches in width. Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing with the cutouts shall not be greater than 1¾ inches in width.

3109.3.1.4 Widely spaced horizontal members. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is 45 inches or more, spacing between vertical members must not be greater than 4 inches. Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing must not be greater than 1¾ inches in width.

3109.3.1.5 Chain link dimensions. Mesh size for chain link fences must not be greater than 1¾ inches in width, unless the fence is provided with slats fastened at the top or bottom that reduce the openings to not more than 1¾ in width.

3109.3.1.6 Diagonal members. Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members shall not be greater than 1¾ inches.

3109.3.1.7 Gates. Access gates must comply with the requirements of Sections 3109.3.1 through 3109.3.1.6 and must be equipped to accommodate a locking device. Pedestrian access gates must open outward away from the pool and must be self-closing and have a self-latching device. Doors or gates other than pedestrian access gates must have a self-latching device and must be equipped with lockable hardware or padlocks and must always remain locked when not in use. Release mechanisms must comply with Sections 1010.1.9 and 1109.13. Where release mechanisms of the self-latching device are located less than 60 inches above grade measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool, the release mechanism must be located on the pool side of the gate at least three inches below the top of the gate and the gate barrier may have no opening greater than one-half inch within 18 inches of the release mechanism.

3109.3.1.8 Dwelling wall as a barrier. Where a wall of a dwelling serves as part of the barrier, two safety devices must be provided in accordance with Section 115922 of the California Health and Safety Code.

3109.3.1.9 Pool structure as barrier. Where an above-ground pool structure, and the means of access is a ladder or steps, then the ladder or steps either shall be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access, or the ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier that meets the requirements of Sections 3109.3.1.1 through 3109.3.1.8. Where the ladder or steps are secured, locked or removed, any opening shall not allow the passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere.

3109.3.2 Indoor swimming pools. Wall surrounding indoor swimming pools shall not be required to comply with Sections 3109.3.1.8. through 3109.3.3.

3109.3.3 Prohibited Locations. Barriers shall be located as to prohibit permanent structures, equipment

or similar objects from being used to climb the barriers. There shall be a clear zone of not less than 36" between the exterior of the enclosure and any permanent structures or equipment such as pumps, filters and heaters that can be used to climb the enclosure.

(Ord. No. 361, § 2, 12-12-16; Ord. No. 372, § 2, 11-18-19; Ord. No. 383, § 2, 11-14-22; Ord. No. 403, § 2, 11-1025)

• A. Section J103 of Appendix J ("Grading") of the Building Code of the City is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION J103 PERMITS REQUIRED

J103.1 Permits Required. Except as specified in Section J103.2 of this code, no person may do any grading without first having obtained a grading permit from the building official.

J103.2 Exempt Work. A grading permit is not required for the following:

1. When approved by the building official, grading in an isolated, self-contained area if there is no danger to private or public property.

2. An excavation below finished grade for basements and footings of a building, retaining wall or other structure authorized by a valid building permit. This does not exempt any fill made with the material from such excavation or exempt any excavation having an unsupported height greater than 5 feet (1524 mm) after the completion of such structure.

3. Cemetery graves.

4. Refuse disposal sites controlled by other regulations.

5. Excavations for wells or tunnels or utilities.

6. Mining, quarrying, excavating, processing or stockpiling of rock, sand, gravel, aggregate or clay where established and provided for by law, provided such operations do not affect the lateral support or increase the stresses in or pressure upon any adjacent or contiguous property.

7. Exploratory excavations under the direction of soil engineers or engineering geologists.

8. An excavation that (1) is less than two feet (610 mm) in depth or (2) does not create a cut slope greater than five feet (1524 mm) in height and steeper than one unit vertical in 1.5 units horizontal (66.7% slope).

9. A fill less than one foot (305 mm) in depth and placed on natural terrain with a slope flatter than one unit vertical in five units horizontal (20% slope), or less than three feet (914 mm) in depth, not intended to support structures, that does not exceed 50 cubic yards (38.3 m3) on any one lot and does not obstruct a drainage course.

Exemption from the permit requirements of this chapter must not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this chapter or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.

• B. Section J104.5 of Appendix J ("Grading") of the Building Code of the City is hereby amended to read as follows:

J104.5 Grading Bonds. No grading bond is required if less than 1,000 cubic yards will be graded. For amounts over 1,000 cubic yards, a grading bonding the amount $3.00 for each cubic yard must be posted.

• C. Section J109 of Appendix J ("Grading") of the Building Code of the City is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION J109 DRAINAGE AND TERRACING

J109.1 General. The drainage structures and devices required by this chapter shall conform to the provisions of this Section as well as recognized principles of hydraulics.

J109.2 Disposal. Drainage facilities shall be designed to carry surface waters to an approved disposal area.

J109.3 Site Drainage. Grading building sites (building pads) shall have a minimum slope of two percent toward a public street or drainage structure approved to receive storm waters. A lesser slope may be approved by the Building Official for sites graded in relatively flat terrain, or where special drainage provisions are made, when he or she finds such modification will not result in unfavorable drainage conditions.

The grading shall provide for drainage around proposed buildings and their appurtenances.

J109.4 Drainage Terraces Required. The requirements for drainage terraces shall apply to all cut or fill slopes steeper than three horizontals to one vertical. For slopes not steeper than three horizontals to one vertical, the Building Official may require a drainage and terrace design to be submitted. Suitable access to permit proper cleaning and maintenance shall be provided for all drainage terraces. Cut or fill slopes more than 30 feet in height shall be provided with terraces at vertical intervals not exceeding 25 feet except that where only one terrace is required, it shall be at midheight. Such terraces shall be not less than 8 feet in width (measured horizontally from the outside edge). When the total slope height exceeds 100 feet, one terrace near midheight shall be not less than 20 feet in width (measured horizontally from the outside edge). In lieu of the above, for cut and fill slopes greater than 120 feet in height, the applicant may submit a drainage and terrace design by a civil engineer to be approved by the Building Official.

J109.5 Drainage Terraces Construction. Drainage terraces shall have a longitudinal grade of not less than five percent nor more than twelve percent and a minimum depth of one foot at the flow line. There shall be no reduction in grade along the direction of flow unless the velocity of flow is such that slope debris will remain in suspension on the reduced grade. Such terraces shall be paved with concrete not less than 3

inches thick reinforced with 6-inch by 6-inch No. 10 by No. 10 welded wire fabric or equivalent reinforcing centered in the concrete slab. Drainage terraces exceeding 8 feet in width need only be paved for a width of 8 feet provided such pavement provides a paved channel at least 1 foot in depth. Down drains or drainage outlets shall be provided at approximately 300-foot intervals along the drainage terrace or at equivalent locations. Down drains and drainage outlets shall be of approved materials and of adequate capacity to convey the intercepted waters to the point of disposal.

J109.6 Overflow Protection. Berms, swales or other devices shall be provided at the top of cut or fill slopes to prevent surface waters from overflowing onto and damaging the face of the slope. Gutters or other special drainage controls shall be provided where the proximity of runoff from buildings or other structures is such as to pose a potential hazard to slope integrity.

Swales used for slope protection shall conform with Section J109.2. Berms used for slope protection shall be not less than 12 inches above the level of the pad and shall slope back at least 4 feet from the top of the slope.

J109.7 Subsurface Drainage. Cut and fill slopes shall be provided with subsurface drainage as necessary for stability.

J109.8 Interceptor Drains. Paved interceptor drains shall be installed along the top of all cut slopes where the height of the cut is greater than 5 feet measured vertically. Interceptor drains shall be paved with a minimum of 3 inches of concrete or Gunite and reinforced as required for drainage terraces. They shall have a minimum depth of 12 inches and a minimum paved width of 30 inches measured horizontally across the drain. The slope of the drain shall be approved by the Building Official.

• D. Section J110 of Appendix J ("Grading") of the Building Code of the City is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION J110 EROSION CONTROL

J110.1 Slopes. The faces of cut and fill slopes shall be prepared and maintained to control erosion. This control must consist of effective planting as described elsewhere in this Section, or other devices satisfactory to the Building Official.

J110.2 Planting. The surface of all cut slopes more than 5 feet in height and fill slopes more than 3 feet in height shall be protected against damage by erosion by planting with grass or ground cover plants. Slopes exceeding 15 feet in vertical height shall also be planted with shrubs, spaced at not to exceed 10 feet on centers; or trees, spaced at not to exceed 20 feet on centers; or a combination of shrubs and trees at equivalent spacings, in addition to the grass or groundcover plants. The plants selected and planting methods used shall be suitable for the soil and climate conditions of the site and in accordance with standard specifications on file in the office of the City Engineer.

Planting need not be provided for cut slopes rocky in character and not subject to damage by erosion or any slopes protected against erosion damage by other methods when such methods have been specifically recommended by a soil engineer, engineering geologist, or equivalent authority and found to offer erosion protection equal to that provided by the planting specified in this section.

Plant material shall be selected which will produce a coverage of permanent planting effectively controlling erosion. Consideration shall be given to deep rooted plant material needing limited watering, to low maintenance during the lifetime of the project, to high root to shoot ratio (weight of above ground parts versus root system), wind susceptibility and fire-retardant characteristics.

J110.3 Irrigation. Slopes required to be planted by Sections J110.1 and J110.2 shall be provided with an approved system of irrigation, designed to cover all portions of the slope and plans therefore shall be submitted and approved prior to installation. A functional test of the system may be required.

For slopes less than 20 (6096 mm) feet in vertical height, hose bibs to permit hand watering will be acceptable if such hose bibs are installed at conveniently accessible locations where a hose no longer than 50 feet (15240 mm) is necessary for irrigation.

The requirements for permanent irrigation systems may be modified upon specific recommendation of a landscape architect or equivalent authority that because of the type of plants selected, the planting methods used, and the soil and climatic conditions at the site, an irrigation system will not be necessary for the maintenance of the slope planting.

J110.4 Plans and Specifications. Planting and irrigation plans shall be submitted for slopes required to be planted and irrigated by Sections J110.1 and J110.2. Except as waived by the Building Official for minor grading, the plans for slopes 20 (6096 mm) feet or more in vertical height shall be prepared and signed by a civil engineer or landscape architect.

J110.5 Rodent Control. Fill slopes steeper than two horizontal to one vertical within a grading project located adjacent to undeveloped and unoccupied land determined by the Agricultural Commissioner to be infested by burrowing rodents shall be protected from potential slope damage by an effective program of rodent control.

J110.6 Condition on Release of Security. The planting and irrigation systems required by this Section shall be installed as soon as practical after rough grading. Prior to final approval of grading and before the release of the grading security, the planting shall be well established and growing on the slopes and, where required by Section J110.5, there shall be evidence of an effective rodent control program.

J110.7 Other Devices. Where necessary, check dams, cribbing, riprap or other devices or methods shall be employed to control erosion.

• E. Sections J112 and J113 are hereby added to Appendix J ("Grading") of the Building Code of the City to read as follows:

SECTION J112 PROHIBITED USES OF BUILDING SITES

J112.1 Flood Hazard.

1. Buildings are not permitted in an area determined by the City Engineer to be subject to flood hazard by reason of inundation, overflow or erosion, or where the placement of a building or other structures (including walls and fences) on the building site is such that water or mud flow will be a hazard to buildings on adjacent property. Subject to the conditions of paragraph b of this section, this prohibition shall not apply when provision is made to eliminate such hazard to the satisfaction of the Building Official by providing adequate drainage facilities by protective walls, suitable fill raising the floor level of the building, a combination of these methods, or by other means. The Building Official, in the application of this section, shall enforce, as a minimum, the current Federal Flood Plain Management Regulations defined in Title 44, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 60.3.

f the Building Official by providing adequate drainage facilities by protective walls, suitable fill raising the floor level of the building, a combination of these methods, or by other means. The Building Official, in the application of this section, shall enforce, as a minimum, the current Federal Flood Plain Management Regulations defined in Title 44, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 60.3.

2. A person shall not perform work for which a building or grading permit is required within the boundaries of an established floodway, as determined by the City Engineer, if such work increases the flood hazard to adjacent properties by either increasing the capital flood water surface elevation, deflecting flows or increasing bank erosion. Such work may be performed within an established floodway, and a building or grading permit therefore may be issued, where provisions are made to the satisfaction of the City Engineer to avoid such an increase in the flood hazard.

3. The Los Angeles County Flood Control District shall act as a consultant to the City Engineer in permit matters relating to flood control and flood hazard identification, avoidance and mitigation in all areas defined on maps furnished to the Engineer. The District shall provide the City Engineer with maps delineating areas subject to flood, mud and debris hazards. The maps shall be prepared by the District, shall be based on the best currently available information, and shall be updated at least annually. The City Engineer shall consult with the District with respect to work requiring a building or grading permit in the hazard areas delineated on the maps. The District shall prepare written reports of its examination of each building or grading permit application for work in the hazard areas as delineated on the maps. The reports shall be considered by the City Engineer in acting upon the application. The action upon the application shall be supported in writing. The District shall also act as a consultant whenever the City Engineer proposes to establish by ordinance floodways and water surface elevations regulating the locations of such proposed work.

J112.2 Geologic Hazard.

1. No building or grading permit shall be issued under the provisions of this Code when the Building Official finds that property outside the site of the proposed work could be damaged by activation or acceleration of a geologically hazardous condition and such activation or

acceleration could be attributed to the proposed work on, or change in use of, the site for which the permit is requested. For the purpose of this section, geologically hazardous conditions do not include the hazard of surface displacement due to earthquake faults.

2. Work requiring a building or grading permit by this Code is not permitted in an area determined by the City Engineer to be subject to hazards from landslides, settlement or slippage. These hazards include those from loose debris, slope washing and the potential for mud flows from natural slopes or graded slopes. For the purpose of this section, landslides, settlement or slippage does not include surface displacement due to earthquake faults.

this Code is not permitted in an area determined by the City Engineer to be subject to hazards from landslides, settlement or slippage. These hazards include those from loose debris, slope washing and the potential for mud flows from natural slopes or graded slopes. For the purpose of this section, landslides, settlement or slippage does not include surface displacement due to earthquake faults.

3. Notwithstanding paragraph a of this section, permits may be issued in the following cases:

• 3.1. When the applicant has submitted a geological and/or engineering report or reports complying with the provisions of Section J104.3 which show that the hazard will be eliminated prior to the use or occupancy of the land or structures by modification of topography, reduction of subsurface water, buttressing, a combination of these methods, or by other means;

• 3.2. When the applicant has submitted a geological and/or engineering report or reports complying with the provisions of Section J104.3 which contain sufficient data to show that the intended use of the site appears to pose no danger;

• 3.3. When the applicant has submitted a geological report complying with the provisions of Section J104.3 which indicates that the site appears to be geologically safe for the proposed use but is located in an area subject to a hazard of a geological nature. Before a permit is issued the owner first shall record in the Department of Registrar-Recorder the findings of such reports or reports, together with an agreement relieving the City and all officers and employees thereof of any liability resulting from the issuance of such permit. This agreement shall provide that it is binding on all successors in interest of the owner and shall continue in effect until the City Engineer records in the Department of Registrar-Recorder a statement that he finds such hazard no longer exists;

• 3.4. When the work involves the alteration or minor repair of existing structures and the cost of such alteration or repair does not exceed 25 percent of the value of the existing structure, such value to be based on assumed continuation of the established legal use. "Repair" shall consist of restoring the original construction. Provision may be made for adjustment of the floor in anticipation of future settlement. For the purposes of this subsection, "alteration" does not include an addition or additions;

• 3.5. When the work involves an addition or additions to an existing structure but is not a change in use or occupancy and such work does not increase the area of the structure more than 25 percent of the area of the structure existing on July 6, 1968;

• 3.6.

When the work involves a one-story, light-frame accessory structure not intended or used for human occupancy and not exceeding 400 square feet in area nor 12 feet in height; or

• 3.7. When the work involves the repair of single-family residences and accessory buildings where the cost of such repair exceeds 25 percent of the value of the existing building or involves the replacement of such structures where the loss to be replaced was due to causes other than landslide, settlement or slippage. Before a permit is issued the owner shall:

  • a. Record in the office of the Department of Registrar-Recorder (1) a statement that he or she is the owner and that he or she is aware that the records of the City Engineer indicated that the property is subject to a physical hazard of a geological nature and (2) an agreement relieving the City and all officers and employees thereof of any liability for any damage or loss which may result from issuance of such a permit. This agreement shall provide that it is binding on all successors in interest of the owner and shall continue in effect until the City Engineer records in the office of the Department of Registrar-Recorder a statement that he or she finds such hazard no longer exists; and

  • b. Submit calculations and plans for the proposed reconstruction prepared by a registered civil engineer and designed to minimize damage while accommodating the amount of vertical and horizontal displacements which he or she determines are probable or which have occurred since the original structure was built, whichever is the greater.

4. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, the City Engineer may, at his discretion, deny a permit for any building, structure, or grading subject to a hazard of a geological nature which cannot be mitigated and may endanger the health or safety of the occupant, adjoining property or the public.

J112.3 Fills Containing Decomposable Material. Permits shall not be issued for buildings or structures regulated by this Code within 1,000 feet of fills containing rubbish or other decomposable material unless the fill is isolated by approved natural or man-made protective devices or unless the buildings or structures are designed according to the recommendation contained in a report prepared by a licensed engineer. Such report shall contain a description of the investigation, study and recommendation to minimize the possible intrusion and to prevent the accumulation of explosive concentrations of decomposition gases within or under enclosed portions of such buildings or structures. At the time of the final inspection, the civil engineer shall furnish a signed statement attesting that the buildings or structures have been constructed in accordance with his or her recommendations as to decomposition gases. Buildings or structures regulated by this Code shall not be constructed on fills containing rubbish or other decomposable material unless provision is made to prevent damage to structure, floors, underground piping and utilities due to uneven settlement of the fill. One-story light-frame accessory structures not exceeding 400 square feet in area nor 12 feet in height may be constructed without special provision for foundation stability.

Code shall not be constructed on fills containing rubbish or other decomposable material unless provision is made to prevent damage to structure, floors, underground piping and utilities due to uneven settlement of the fill. One-story light-frame accessory structures not exceeding 400 square feet in area nor 12 feet in height may be constructed without special provision for foundation stability.

J112.4 Conditional Use. Work required by this Section as a condition for the use of the site shall be performed prior to the connection of utilities or occupancy of the building.

SECTION J113 GEOLOGY AND ENGINEERING REPORT

J113.1 Reports. The Building Official may require an engineering geology or geotechnical engineering report, or both, where in his or her opinion such reports are essential for the evaluation of the safety of the site. The engineering geology or geotechnical engineering report, or both, shall contain a finding regarding the safety of the building site for the proposed structure against hazard from landslide, settlement or slippage and a finding regarding the effect that the proposed building or grading construction will have on the geologic stability of property outside of the building site. Any engineering geology report shall be prepared by a certified engineering geologist licensed by the State of California. Any geotechnical engineering report shall be prepared by a civil engineer qualified to perform this work, such as a geotechnical engineer experienced in soil mechanics. When both engineering geology and geotechnical engineering report are required for the evaluation of the safety of a building site, the two reports shall be coordinated before submission to the Building Official.

(Ord. No. 361, § 2, 12-12-16; Ord. No. 372, § 2, 11-18-19; Ord. No. 383, § 2, 11-14-22; Ord. No. 403, § 2, 11-1025)

For purposes of this Section 5-5B-7, a "public works" shall include a public street, public drive approach, public utility lines and services, public road, and appurtenant facilities.

The Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction of the Southern California Chapter American Public Works Association and Southern California District Associated General Contractors of California, Joint Cooperative Committee 2021 Edition, are hereby adopted by reference as the standard specification for the construction of public works in the City.

The modification, rehabilitation, reconstruction or construction of any public works in the City is prohibited unless a permit is first obtained from the Building Official, therefore. Public works shall be constructed in accordance with the standard specifications described in Paragraph B of this Section 5-5B-7 and City standards. The Building Official shall inspect the work for conformance with the requirements of this Section 5-5B-7.

The use of public works to store construction materials, construction equipment, debris, junk, trash, trash containers, dirt construction office, Gunite equipment, concrete and plaster mixers and other materials and equipment associated with construction, repairs, remodel maintenance and other similar uses in the City are prohibited unless a public works permit is first obtained from the Building Official therefore.

An applicant for a public works permits pursuant to this Section 5-5B-7, shall pay fees to the City upon submittal of the application and in the amount established by resolution of the City Council.

(Ord. No. 361, § 2, 12-12-16; Ord. No. 372, § 2, 11-18-19; Ord. No. 383, § 2, 11-14-22; Ord. No. 403, § 2, 11-1025)

The owner of property where a right-of-way improvement, including but not limited to a paved roadway, drain, dirt parkway, equestrian trail or hiking trail, is located, or where a public works, as that term is defined in Section 5-5B-7(A) of this Code, is located shall maintain the improvement or works in a clean condition, free of hazard to the safety of persons and property, in accordance with all conditions of the permit (if any) and approved plans (if any), and in accordance with the standard specifications described in Section 5-5B7(B) of this Code and City standards.

(Ord. No. 361, § 2, 12-12-16; Ord. No. 372, § 2, 11-18-19; Ord. No. 383, § 2, 11-14-22; Ord. No. 403, § 2, 11-1025)