Hughson Municipal Code Art. II Organization and Enforcement

A. The building official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all the provisions of this code. For such purposes, the building official shall have the powers of a law enforcement officer.

B. The building official shall have the power to render interpretations of this code and to adopt and enforce rules and supplemental administrative regulations to clarify the application of its provisions. Such interpretations, rules and regulations shall be in conformance with the intent and purpose of this code.

C. The city hereby delegates the enforcement of building standards relating to fire and panic safety and other regulations of the State Fire Marshal as they relate to Group R, Division 3 dwellings, as described in Section 310.1 of Part 2 of the California Building Standards Code, to the chief building official of the city, or his or her authorized representative.

D. In accordance with prescribed procedures and with the approval of the appointing authority, the building official may appoint such number of technical officers and inspectors and other employees as shall be authorized from time to time. The building official may deputize such inspectors or employees as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the code enforcement agency.

E. Whenever any work is being done contrary to the provisions of this code, or other pertinent laws or ordinances implemented through the enforcement of this code, the building official may order the work stopped by notice in writing served on any persons engaged in the doing or causing of such work to be done, and any such persons shall forthwith stop such work until authorized by the building official to proceed with the work.

F. The building official has the authority and powers necessary to determine whether a violation of the code exists and the authority to take appropriate action to gain compliance with the provisions of this code and applicable state codes. These powers include the power to issue administrative citations, notice and orders, correction notices, stop work orders and civil penalties and administrative fines authorized under Chapter 1.17 HMC.

(Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)

When it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this code, or when the building official has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in a building or upon a premises a condition that is contrary to or in violation of this code that makes the building or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the building official may enter the building or premises at reasonable times to inspect or to perform the duties imposed by this code; provided, that if such building or premises be occupied that credentials be presented to the occupant and entry requested. If such building or premises be unoccupied, the building official shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If entry is refused, the building official shall have recourse to the remedies provided by law to secure entry.

(Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)

Whenever any building or structure or equipment therein regulated by this code is being used contrary to the provisions of this code, the building official may order such use discontinued and the structure, or portion thereof, vacated by notice served on any person causing such use to be continued. Such person shall discontinue the use within the time prescribed by the building official after receipt of such notice to make the structure, or portion thereof, comply with the requirements of this code.

(Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)

This code shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility of any person owning, operating or controlling any building or structure for any damages to persons or property caused by defects, nor shall the code enforcement agency or its parent jurisdiction be held as assuming any such liability by reason of the inspections authorized by this code or any permits or certificates issued under this code.

(Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)

When there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of this code, the building official may grant modifications for individual cases. The building official shall first find that a special individual reason makes the strict letter of this code impractical, and that the modification is in conformance with the intent and purpose of this code and that such modification does not lessen any fire-protection requirements or any degree of structural integrity. The details of any action granting modifications shall be recorded and entered in the files of the code enforcement agency.

(Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)

The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the use of any material, alternate design or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this code, provided any alternate has been approved and its use authorized by the building official.

The building official may approve any such alternate, provided the building official finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the provisions of this code and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this code in suitability, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, safety and sanitation.

The building official shall require that sufficient evidence or proof be submitted to substantiate any claims that may be made regarding its use. The details of any action granting approval of an alternate shall be recorded and entered in the files of the code enforcement agency.

(Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)

Whenever there is insufficient evidence of compliance with any of the provisions of this code or evidence that any material or construction does not conform to the requirements of this code, the building official may require tests as proof of compliance to be made at no expense to this jurisdiction.

Test methods shall be as specified by this code or by other recognized test standards. If there are no recognized and accepted test methods for the proposed alternate, the building official shall determine test procedures.

All tests shall be made by an approved agency. Reports of such tests shall be retained by the building official for the period required for the retention of public records.

(Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)

The building official may request, and shall receive, the assistance and cooperation of other officials of this jurisdiction so far as is required in the discharge of the duties required by this code or other pertinent law or ordinance.

(Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)

Any person who violates a provision of this code or fails to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who erects, constructs, enlarges, alters, repairs, moves, improves, removes, converts, demolishes, equips, uses, occupies or maintains any building or structure in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the building official, or of a permit or certificate issued under the provisions of this code, shall be subject to penalties prescribed under Chapter 1.17 HMC which are in addition to all other legal remedies, civil or criminal, which may be pursued by the city.

(Ord. 07-08 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-03 § 1, 2011; Ord. 13-04(B) § 1, 2014; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 23-02 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-02, 1/12/2026)