La Mirada Municipal Code Ch. 17.04 Building Code

There is hereby adopted by reference, except as provided in this Chapter, that certain Building Code known and designated as the Los Angeles County Building Code, Title 26 of the Los Angeles County Code, including all appendices, as adopted by the County of Los Angeles and in effect on January 1, 2023, incorporating the 2022 California Building Code, including all changes made by the County of Los Angeles; and such Code shall be and become the Building Code of the City of La Mirada, regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, grading, use, occupancy, location and maintenance of all buildings or structures and prescribing conditions under which such work may be carried on within the City and providing for the issuance of permits and the collection of fees therefor.

(Ord. 727-U, § 3 (part), 2022; Ord. 713-U, § 3 (part), 2020)

One copy of the Los Angeles County Building Code, referred to in Section 17.04.010 of this Chapter, shall be deposited in the Office of the City Clerk of the City of La Mirada and shall be at all times maintained by said Clerk for use and examination by the public.

(Ord. 727-U, § 3 (part), 2022; Ord. 713-U, § 3 (part), 2020)

Whenever any of the following names or terms are used in the Los Angeles County Building Code, each such name or term shall be deemed and construed to have the meaning ascribed to it in this section as follows:

(1) "Board of Appeals" means the Board of Appeals established by Section 105 of the Los Angeles County Building Code.

(2) "Board of Supervisors" means the City Council.

(3) "Building Code" means Chapter 17.04 of this municipal code.

(4) "Building Department" means the "Building and Safety Division" of the Department of County Engineer, acting for the City.

(5) "Building official" means the County Engineer.

(6) "City" means the City of La Mirada, except in Section 101.3 of the Building Code.

(7) "County," "County of Los Angeles" or "unincorporated territory of the County of Los Angeles" means the City.

(8) "County Engineer" means the County Engineer of the County of Los Angeles.

(9) "Electrical Code" means Chapter 17.08 of this Municipal Code.

(10) "Existing Building Code" means Chapter 17.19 of this municipal code.

(11) "Fire Code" or "Los Angeles County Fire Code" means the Fire Code of the City of La Mirada.

(12) "Fire zone" means the fire zone adopted by an ordinance creating and establishing fire zones or where no such fire zones have been adopted, the City shall be considered to be in Fire Zone No. 3, or any designated Fire Zone.

(13) "General fund" means the City Treasury.

(14) "Green Building Standards Code" means Chapter 17.18 of this municipal code.

(15) "Health Code" or "Los Angeles County Health Code" means Chapter 6.04 of this Municipal Code.

(16) "Health Officer" means the Health Officer of the City.

(17) "Mechanical Code" means Chapter 17.16 of this Municipal Code.

(18) "Plumbing Code" means Chapter 17.12 of this municipal code.

(19) "Residential Code" means Chapter 17.06 of this municipal code.

(20) "Zoning Ordinance" means the Zoning Ordinance of the City.

(Ord. 727-U, § 3 (part), 2022; Ord. 713-U, § 3 (part), 2020)

The fees referenced in Section 17.04.010 shall be as adopted by separate resolution of the City Council of the City of La Mirada.

(Ord. 727-U, § 3 (part), 2022; Ord. 713-U, § 3 (part), 2020)

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in the Los Angeles County Building Code, as adopted herein or hereinafter, a lock box for use by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department may be required to be installed at each vehicular entrance to each residential tract, and commercial development or industrial facility, where entry is restricted by means of a gate, moveable barricade or similar device. The lock box shall be located in an accessible location, near the entrance and clearly marked as a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department lock box and shall contain a key, key card or other device necessary to allow access by the Sheriff's Department in an emergency situation. The form and design of the lock box shall be as prescribed by the Community Development Director or designee. The existence of a lock box for use by the Los Angeles County Fire Department shall not satisfy the requirements of this section.

Upon written request to the Community Development Director or designee, a determination will be made as to the applicability of this section to any tract, development or premises within the city. No civil or criminal action related to noncompliance with this section shall be taken unless the owner of affected property has first been given no less than thirty days prior written notice by first class mail, at the address of record as shown on the latest tax rolls of the County of Los Angeles, of the applicability of this section to such property.

(Ord. 727-U, § 3 (part), 2022; Ord. 713-U, § 3 (part), 2020)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 17.04.010 of this Chapter, subsection '2' of Section 106.3 (Work Exempted) of Chapter 1 of the Los Angeles County Building Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

2. Fences which are not used as a barrier to private swimming pools, spas or hot tubs, and ground signs, provided that:

• 2.1 Masonry or concrete fences do not exceed 36 inches (914.4 mm) in height.

• 2.2 Fences constructed of other materials do not exceed 36 inches (914.4 mm) in height.

• 2.3 Ground signs do not exceed 36 inches (914.4 mm) in height.

(Ord. 727-U, § 3 (part), 2022; Ord. 713-U, § 3 (part), 2020)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 17.04.010 of this Chapter, Section 106.5.4 (Expiration) of Chapter 1 of the Los Angeles County Building Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

106.5.4 Expiration.

Every permit issued by the Building Official under the provisions of this Code shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 12 months from the date such permit is issued, or the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days, or the permittee fails to obtain inspection as required by the provisions of Section 108 of this Code for a period of 180 days.

Exception: Permits issued to abate violation(s) in conjunction with a code enforcement action shall expire and become null and void at a date not to exceed 12 months from the issuance date or at a date determined by the City Code Enforcement Division.

The Building Official may grant one or more extensions of the time for action by the permittee for a period not exceeding 180 days from the date of expiration upon written request from the permittee and payment of a fee in an amount equal to 25 percent of the permit fee. No permit shall be extended more than twice.

(Ord. 727-U, § 3 (part), 2022; Ord. 713-U, § 3 (part), 2020)

(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 17.04.010 of this Chapter, Section 9404 of Chapter 94 of the Los Angeles County Building Code is hereby deleted, and Section 9401 thereof is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION 9401-PURPOSE. This chapter provides systematic procedures and standards for the voluntary identification and possible retrofitting of welded steel moment frame buildings. This chapter sets forth minimum standards for structural seismic resistance to reduce risk of loss of life and injury by the inspection and repair of lateral load resisting welded steel moment frame connections. Compliance with these standards will not necessarily prevent loss of life, or injury, or prevent earthquake damage to repaired buildings.

Notwithstanding any other provision herein, compliance with this chapter is voluntary. However, owners and occupiers of buildings or structures that otherwise fall within the scope of this chapter are encouraged to upgrade and retrofit such buildings and structures to the standards set forth in this chapter and Chapters 95 and 96 of Title 26 of the Los Angeles County Code, as in effect on January 1, 2023.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 17.04.010 of this Chapter, Section 9502 of Chapter 95 of Title 26 of the Los Angeles County Code, as in effect on January 1, 2023, is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION 9502-SCOPE. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to buildings and structures existing, or for which building plans have been approved by the City of La Mirada, as of the effective date of the City of La Mirada ordinance adopting this chapter by reference. This exception shall apply unless and until:

(a) Any application for a conditional use permit, site plan review, variance, building permit or other approval that would have the effect of enlarging the floor area or increasing the height of such building or structure, is received by the City or on the City's behalf; or

(b) The occurrence of any event that would trigger or be grounds for the loss of legal, non-conforming status of such building or structure.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 17.04.010 of this Chapter, Section 9602 of Chapter 96 of Title 26 of the Los Angeles County Code, as in effect on January 1, 2023, is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION 9602-SCOPE. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to (i) dwellings and lodging houses defined as Group R, Division 3 Occupancies or accessory buildings defined as Group U, Division 1 Occupancies; or to (ii) buildings and structures existing, or for which building plans have been approved by the City of La Mirada, as of the effective date of the City of La Mirada ordinance adopting this chapter by reference. This exception set forth in subsection (ii) above shall apply unless and until:

(a) Any application for a conditional use permit, certificate of compatibility, site plan review, variance, building permit or other approval that would have the effect of enlarging the floor area or increasing the height of such building or structure, is received by the City or on the City's behalf; or

(b) The occurrence of any event that would trigger or be grounds for the loss of legal, non-conforming status of such building or structure.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to buildings which, prior to March 20, 1933, had been issued a building permit, or were constructed or were under construction, and which have un-reinforced masonry bearing walls as defined herein.

(4) Owners and occupiers of un-reinforced buildings or structures exempt from this Chapter 17.04 are highly encouraged to upgrade and retrofit such buildings and structures to the standards set forth in Chapters 95 and 96 of Title 26 of the Los Angeles County Code, as in effect on January 1, 2023.

(Ord. 727-U, § 3 (part), 2022; Ord. 713-U, § 3 (part), 2020)

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, or corporation to violate any provision or to fail to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter or the code adopted hereby. Unless a violation is specifically designated as an infraction, any person, firm, partnership, or corporation violating any provision of this chapter or the code adopted hereby or failing to comply with any of the requirements shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or by imprisonment. Each such person, firm, partnership, or corporation shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or any portion thereof during which any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or the code adopted hereby is committed, continued or permitted by such person, firm, partnership, or corporation, and shall be deemed punishable therefor as provided in this chapter.

(b) Civil Remedies Available. A violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or the code adopted hereby shall constitute a nuisance and may be abated by the city through civil process by means of restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or in any other manner provided by law for the abatement of such nuisance.

(Ord. 727-U, § 3 (part), 2022; Ord. 713-U, § 3 (part), 2020)