Lakewood Municipal Code Part 4 Building Code (CA)

§ 8100. Adoption of the Building Code.¶

[Added by Ord. 294; amended by Ord. 358; Ord. 379; Ord. 480; Ord. 72-10; Ord. 75-15; Ord. 78-4; Ord. 81-13; Ord. 85-4; Ord. 91-6; Ord. 93-9; Ord. 96-2; Ord. 2000-1; Ord. 2003-5; Ord. 2008-2; Ord. 2011-1; Ord. 2014-9; Ord. 2015-7; Ord. 2017-2; 11-11-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-2]

Except as hereinafter provided, that certain building code known and designated as the "California Building Code, 2025 Edition," shall be and become the building code of the City of Lakewood, regulating the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, conversion, occupancy, use, height, area, maintenance of all structures and certain equipment therein specifically regulated and grading within the City of Lakewood, and providing for the issuance of permits and the collection of fees therefor, and providing penalties for violation of such code. One copy of the California Building Code has been deposited in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Lakewood and shall be at all times maintained by the Clerk for use and examination by the public.

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§ 8101. Same. Definitions.¶

[Added by Ord. 294; amended by Ord. 379; Ord. 480; Ord. 78-4; Ord. 91-6; 11-11-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-2]

Whenever any of the following names or terms are used in the Building Code, such names or terms shall be deemed and construed to have the meaning ascribed to it in this Section, as follows:

BOARD OF APPEALS

Shall mean the Board of Building Rehabilitation Board established by the City of Lakewood.

BUILDING DEPARTMENT

Shall mean the Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department of the City of Lakewood.

BUILDING OFFICIAL

Shall mean the Director of Community Development of the City of Lakewood.

CITY

Shall mean the City of Lakewood;

COUNTY, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, or UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY, or UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES,

Shall mean the City of Lakewood, with the exception that no provision of this Ordinance shall apply to territory outside the boundaries of the City of Lakewood;

COUNTY ENGINEER

Shall mean the City Engineer of the City of Lakewood;

COUNTY ORDINANCE

Or any reference to any County Ordinance, other than the County Ordinance adopting the Uniform Building Code or any amendment thereto, incorporated herein by reference, shall mean any City Ordinance or other provision of the Lakewood Municipal Code on the same subject matter as the County Ordinance referred to in the Building Code. If there is no City Ordinance or Lakewood Municipal Code Section on said subject matter, no County Ordinance shall be incorporated herein other than the County Building Code, Plumbing Code and Electrical Code, with amendments adopted by reference by the provisions of this Article;

GENERAL FUND

Shall mean the City Treasury of the City of Lakewood;

HEALTH CODE or COUNTY HEALTH CODE

Shall mean the Health Code of the City of Lakewood;

HEALTH OFFICER

Shall mean the Health Officer of the City of Lakewood;

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE CODE or FIRE CODE or FIRE PREVENTION CODE OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

Shall mean the Fire Code of the City of Lakewood;

ORDINANCE NO. 7583 and ORDINANCE ADOPTING A HEALTH CODE

Shall mean the City of Lakewood Health Code;

SPECIAL INSPECTOR

Shall mean a person holding a valid certificate of registration issued by the County of Los Angeles as set forth in Section 306(c) of the Building Code.

SUPERVISORS or BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Shall mean the City Council of the City of Lakewood.

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§ 8102. Amendments to Building Code.¶

[Added by Ord. 294]

The amendments to said Building Code herein adopted by reference are set forth in the following sections of this Chapter.

§ 8102.a. Board of Appeals.

[Added by Ord. 81-13; amended by Ord. 93-9]

Notwithstanding any provision in the Building Code of the County of Los Angeles, the Building Rehabilitation Board shall constitute a board of appeals to conduct all hearings provided for in this Chapter, and to determine the suitability of alternate materials and type of construction, and to provide for reasonable interpretations of the provisions of this Code. The provisions of §8109 adding §9906 to Chapter 99 of the Building Code shall be applicable to the Board of Appeals.

The Board of Appeals shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine all appeals from the decision of the Chief Building Official and, in addition, may grant variances from the regulations and requirements of this Chapter under the terms and provisions therein prescribed. The Board of Appeals shall have jurisdiction to determine the suitability of alternate materials and types of construction, and to provide reasonable interpretation of the provisions of the Building Code.

§ 8102.b. Work Exempted/Fences and Walls.

[Added by Ord. 81-4; amended by Ord. 91-6; Ord. 2008-2; 11-11-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-2]

Section 105.2, Item 2, of the 2025 California Building Code, pertaining to work exempted from the Building Code, is hereby amended by replacing subsection 2 thereof to read:

Section 105.2 Work exempt from permit.

2.	Wire fences not over 12 feet in height, and other fences not over six feet in height, provided that all masonry walls of a height of over 42 inches are subject to this Code.

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§ 8103. Unsafe Buildings Defined; Jurisdiction of Board of Appeals.¶

[Added by Ord. 405; amended by Ord. 480; Ord. 81-13; Ord. 2008-2; 11-11-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-2]

Chapter 2 of the Building Code are amended by adding the following definition:

UNSAFE BUILDING. Unsafe building, as used in this Code, shall include the following and are hereby declared to be a public nuisance:

1.	Any building which has been partially destroyed by fire, wind, earthquake, flood or from any other cause in such a manner that the continual use or occupancy of the building would be dangerous to the life, safety, morals or the general health and welfare of the occupants of the City of Lakewood.
2.	Any building which, because of the structural design or condition, or because of damage or deterioration may no longer be used safely for the purposes for which it is constructed.
3.	Any building or structure wherein a door, aisle, passageway, stairway or other means of exit is not of sufficient width or size, or is not so arranged as to provide safe and adequate means of exit, in case of fire or panic, for all persons housed or assembled therein who would be required to, or might, use such door, aisle, passageway, stairway or other means of exit.
4.	Any building where a portion of a member or appurtenance thereof is likely to fail, or to become detached or dislodged or to collapse and thereby injure persons or damage property.
5.	Any building or any portion thereof which by reason of dilapidation, deterioration, decay, faulty construction or because of the removal or movement of some portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building or portion thereof, or other case, is likely to partially or completely collapse, or some portion of the foundation or underpinning is likely to fall or give away. Any building that has been so damaged by fire, wind, earthquake or flood, or has become so dilapidated or deteriorated a to become an attractive nuisance to children who might play therein to their danger, or as to afford a harbor for vagrants, criminals or immoral persons, or as to enable persons to resort thereto for the purpose of committing nuisance or unlawful or immoral acts.
6.	Any building intended to be used for dwelling purposes which, because of dilapidation, deterioration, damage decay or faulty construction or maintenance or otherwise, is unsanitary or unfit for human habitation or is in a condition that is likely to endanger the life of the occupants of the building.
7.	Any building or portion thereof constructed in violation of the provisions of the Building Code, Plumbing Code, Electrical Code, Fire Code, Mechanical Code, or Existing Building Code of this City.
8.	Any building unfit for human habitation or occupancy as defined in Chapter 99 of the LA County Building Code.
9.	All buildings or structures which are structurally unsafe or not provided with adequate egress or which constitute a fire hazard, or which are otherwise dangerous to human life, or which in relation to existing use constitute a hazard to safety or health or public welfare by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, or abandonment.

All unsafe buildings as herein defined are hereby declared to be a public nuisance and shall be repaired, vacated or demolished as herein provided. The following standards shall be applied in respect to repair, vacation or demolition of unsafe buildings:

1.	If the "unsafe building" can be reasonably repaired so that it will no longer exist in violation of the terms and provisions of Chapter 99 of the LA County Building Code, it shall be ordered repaired.
2.	If the "unsafe building" is in such condition as to make it dangerous to the health, morals, safety or general welfare of its occupants, it shall be ordered vacated.
3.	In any case where an "unsafe building" is 50% damaged or destroyed or deteriorated from its original value or structure, it shall be demolished, and in all cases where a building cannot be repaired so that it will no longer exist as an "unsafe building" it shall be demolished.

As used in this Code, "party concerned" means the person, if any, in real or apparent charge and control of the premises involved, any tenant occupying the same, the record owner, the holder of any mortgage, trust deed or other lien or encumbrance of record, the owner or holder of any lease of record, the record holder of any other estate or interest in or to the building or structure or the land upon which it is located.

Section 116 of the Building Code is amended by adding the following:

116.6 Cost. The cost of the work and the expense of the abatement of the nuisance shall be a lien against the property on which it is maintained and a personal obligation against the property owner. Cost, as used herein, shall mean the cost after deducting there from any consideration or price received, if any, for materials removed from the structure constituting a nuisance. In the event the cost is not paid within five days after the decision confirming the statement, such shall constitute a lien upon the real property upon which the nuisance was abated or removed, which lien shall continue until the amount thereof and interest, at the rate of 6% per annum computed from the date of confirmation of the statement until paid, has been paid, or until it is discharged or record. Such a lien shall, for all purposes, be upon a parity with the lien of State, County and Municipal taxes. In the event of nonpayment, the Chief Building Official shall at any time within sixty days after the confirmation of the statement cause to be filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Recorder a certificate substantially in the following form, to-wit:

NOTICE OF LIEN
Pursuant to the authority vested in the undersigned by the Building Code of the City of Lakewood and Sections 38660 , 38773 and 38773.5 of the Government Code of the State of California, the undersigned did on the _____ day of , 2, cause a nuisance to be abated on the real property hereinafter described and the undesigned did on the _____ day of , 2, by action duly recorded in its official minutes as of the date assess the cost of the abatement, less the amount received from the sale of any building materials, upon the real property hereinafter described, and the same has not been paid nor any part thereof and the undersigned does hereby claim a lien on the real property for the net expenses for the doing of the work in the sum of $_____ and the same shall be a lien upon the property until the same sum, with interest at the rate of 6% per annum, from the _____ day of , 2, (insert date of confirmation of statement), has been paid in full and discharged of record, as well as the personal obligation against (insert name of property owner).
When, as authorized by the Building Code, being an Ordinance establishing a procedure for the abatement of nuisances and making the cost of abatement of a nuisance a special assessment against real property, this notice of lien has been delivered to the County Assessor or Tax Collector for collection on the tax bill, the same shall be collected in the manner as ordinary municipal taxes are collected.
The real property hereinbefore mentioned, upon which a lien is claimed, is that certain piece or parcel of land lying and being in the City of Lakewood, County of Los Angeles, State of California, and more particularly described as follows:
(insert legal description)
Dated this _____ day of , 2
City of Lakewood
By:
________________________________ Chief Building Official

In the event the amount received from the sale of materials from the building in the abatement of the nuisance exceeds the expense of the abatement, such excess shall be deposited with the City Director of Finance to the credit of the owner of the property or to such other person legally entitled thereto and such excess shall be payable to the owner or other person on demand and upon producing evidence of ownership satisfactory to the City Treasurer.

The cost of abatement shall also constitute a special assessment against that parcel pursuant to Section 38773.5 of the Government Code of the State of California. Confirmation of the statement or report shall be confirmation of the assessment and shall be a lien on the property or parcel where the abatement was performed. Failure to record the Notice of Lien shall not bar collection hereunder or otherwise.

After confirmation of the statement, a certified copy of the Notice of Lien may be filed with the County Auditor or Tax Collector before August 10. The description of the parcel or parcels shall be those used for the parcels in the County Assessor's Map Book for the current year. The County Auditor or Tax Collector shall enter each assessment on the County Tax Roll opposite the parcel of land. The amount of the assessment shall be collected at the time and in the manner of ordinary municipal taxes. If delinquent, the amount is subject to the same penalties and procedure of foreclosure and sale provided for ordinary municipal taxes. All laws applicable to the levy, collection and enforcement of municipal taxes shall be applicable to such assessments.

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§ 8104. Reinspections.¶

[Added by Ord. 88-9; amended by Ord. 2011-1; Ord. 2011-6]

A reinspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or reinspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when corrections called for are not made.

This subsection is not to be interpreted as requiring reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of this code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection or reinspection.

Reinspection fees may be assessed when the permit card is not properly posted on the work site, the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector, for failure to provide access on the date for which inspection is requested, or for deviating from plans requiring the approval of the building official.

To obtain a reinspection, the applicant shall file an application therefor in writing upon a form furnished for that purpose and pay a reinspection fee based on Los Angeles County charges for such services.

In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid.

§ 8104.b. Building Code Fees and Charges.

[Added by Ord. 91-6; amended by Ord. 95-4; Ord. 2008-2; Ord. 2011-1]

The Building Code pertaining to fees is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 107.1. BUILDING PERMIT FEES. A fee for each building permit shall be paid to the Building Official as set forth in Resolution of the City Council.
The determination of value or valuation under any of the provisions of this Code shall be made by the Building Official. The valuation to be used in computing the permit and plan check fees shall be the total value of all construction work for which the permit is issued, as well as all finish work, painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, elevators, fire-extinguishing systems and any other permanent work or permanent equipment.
Section 107.2. PLAN CHECKING FEES FOR BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES. When a plan is required to be submitted by the submitting plans and specifications for checking.
Section 107.5. GRADING PERMIT FEES. A fee for each grading permit shall be paid to the Building Official as set forth in Resolution of the City Council.
Section 107.6. PLAN CHECKING FEES FOR GRADING. When the amount of grading exceeds 50 cubic yards, a plan checking fee for grading equal to the fees set forth in Resolution of the City Council.
Section 107.9. OTHER FEES as established by Resolution of the City Council shall be paid before any permit is issued, inspection made, occupancy allowed or device operated.

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§ 8105. (Reserved)¶

§ 8106. Permits for Buildings in Areas Subject to Flood Hazard.¶

[Added by Ord. 74-4; amended by Ord. 2008-2; Ord. 2011-1; 11-11-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-2]

Section 105.1.3 of the Building Code is amended by adding the following:

Section 105.1.3 FLOOD HAZARD. Buildings are not permitted in an area determined by the City Engineer or City Building Official to be subject to flood hazard by reason of inundation, overflow, or erosion. This prohibition shall not apply when provision is made to eliminate such hazards to the satisfaction of the City Engineer or City Building Official by providing adequate drainage facilities, by protective walls, by suitable fill, by raising the floor level of the building, by a combination of these methods or by other means.

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§ 8107. (Reserved)¶

§ 8108. Rebound Tumbling Equipment and Centers.¶

[Added by Ord. 294; amended 11-11-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-2]

Chapter 2 of the Building Code is amended by adding the following definitions:

REBOUND TUMBLING EQUIPMENT. Rebound tumbling equipment is that equipment defined in Article VI of the Municipal Code.
REBOUND TUMBLING CENTER. Rebound tumbling center is that place defined in Article VI of the Municipal Code.

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§ 8109. Building Rehabilitation Board.¶

[Added by Ord. 405; amended 11-11-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-2]

Chapter 2 of the Building Code is amended by adding the following definition:

BUILDING REHABILITATION BOARD. Reference herein to the Building Rehabilitation Appeals Board in Chapter 99 of the County of Los Angeles Building Code shall mean the Building Rehabilitation Board. The City Planning and Environment Commission of the City of Lakewood is hereby constituted and appointed to serve as the Building Rehabilitation Board (“BRB”) for the City of Lakewood which shall the authority to hear all matters set forth in Chapter 99 of the County of Los Angeles Building Code, including, but not limited to, appeals arising under other chapters of said Code. The Chief Building Official shall be an ex officio member of the Board and shall serve as Secretary thereof. The rules and regulations of the City Planning and Environment Commission shall govern the proceedings of the BRB unless and until the City Planning and Environment Commission should, as a BRB, adopt separate or different rules and regulations.
The decision and findings of the BRB shall be in writing and shall be delivered as provided herein for notice of hearing to all persons entitled to such notice of hearing, as well as to the Chief Building Official and to each member of the City Council, within five days of the submission of any matter to the BRB . The decision of the BRB shall be final unless appealed by any person to notice hereunder or by any member of the City Council to the City Council by filing written notice thereof with the Chief Building Official within five days from the delivery of the BRB decision. Any hearing on appeal to the City Council shall be a public hearing on notice to the appellant or other person entitled to notice hereunder and shall be a hearing de novo.

BUILDING REHABILITATION BOARD. Reference herein to the Building Rehabilitation Appeals Board in Chapter 99 of the County of Los Angeles Building Code shall mean the Building Rehabilitation Board. The City Planning and Environment Commission of the City of Lakewood is hereby constituted and appointed to serve as the Building Rehabilitation Board (“BRB”) for the City of Lakewood which shall the authority to hear all matters set forth in Chapter 99 of the County of Los Angeles Building Code, including, but not limited to, appeals arising under other chapters of said Code. The Chief Building Official shall be an ex officio member of the Board and shall serve as Secretary thereof. The rules and regulations of the City Planning and Environment Commission shall govern the proceedings of the BRB unless and until the City Planning and Environment Commission should, as a BRB, adopt separate or different rules and regulations.

The decision and findings of the BRB shall be in writing and shall be delivered as provided herein for notice of hearing to all persons entitled to such notice of hearing, as well as to the Chief Building Official and to each member of the City Council, within five days of the submission of any matter to the BRB . The decision of the BRB shall be final unless appealed by any person to notice hereunder or by any member of the City Council to the City Council by filing written notice thereof with the Chief Building Official within five days from the delivery of the BRB decision. Any hearing on appeal to the City Council shall be a public hearing on notice to the appellant or other person entitled to notice hereunder and shall be a hearing de novo.

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§ 8110. Foundation Construction.¶

[Added by Ord. 91-6; amended by Ord. 2008-2; 11-11-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-2]

Chapter 18 of the Building Code is hereby amended by adding the following:

1803.1.2 SOILS CONTAINING SULFATES. In soils containing sulfates, the Building Official may require that special provisions be made in the foundation design and construction to safeguard against damage due to salt weathering. He may require a special investigation and report to provide this design and construction criteria.
1803.1.2.1 CONCRETE FLOOR SLABS. Concrete floor slabs shall be cast on a moisture barrier membrane. Sheet plastic material used for this purpose shall not be less than 10 mils (0.010 inches) in thickness. The slabs shall be at least four 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 5/100 square inch per foot each way. Reinforcing bars shall have a diameter of not less than 3/8 inch and be spaced at intervals not exceeding 24 inches each way.
1803.1.2.2 FOUNDATIONS ON SOILS CONTAINING SULFATES. Foundation systems on soils containing sulfates shall be constructed in such a manner that will minimize damage to the structure from salt weathering. Slab-on-grade footings for buildings located on soils containing sulfates may be designed in accordance with engineering design based on geotechnical recommendations as approved by the Building Official. For residential-type buildings, where an approved method of construction is not provided, foundations and floor slabs shall be of Type V cement. Under slab pipes, conduit, and duets shall be non-metallic.

1803.1.2 SOILS CONTAINING SULFATES. In soils containing sulfates, the Building Official may require that special provisions be made in the foundation design and construction to safeguard against damage due to salt weathering. He may require a special investigation and report to provide this design and construction criteria.

1803.1.2.1 CONCRETE FLOOR SLABS. Concrete floor slabs shall be cast on a moisture barrier membrane. Sheet plastic material used for this purpose shall not be less than 10 mils (0.010 inches) in thickness. The slabs shall be at least four 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 5/100 square inch per foot each way. Reinforcing bars shall have a diameter of not less than 3/8 inch and be spaced at intervals not exceeding 24 inches each way.

1803.1.2.2 FOUNDATIONS ON SOILS CONTAINING SULFATES. Foundation systems on soils containing sulfates shall be constructed in such a manner that will minimize damage to the structure from salt weathering. Slab-on-grade footings for buildings located on soils containing sulfates may be designed in accordance with engineering design based on geotechnical recommendations as approved by the Building Official. For residential-type buildings, where an approved method of construction is not provided, foundations and floor slabs shall be of Type V cement. Under slab pipes, conduit, and duets shall be non-metallic.

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§ 8182. Sidewalks, Curbs and Gutters.¶

[Amended by Ord. 227; Ord. 317]

Chapter 81 is hereby added to the Building Code to read as follows:

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