Long Beach Municipal Code Ch. 18.60 Moving Buildings

The following terms, as used in this chapter, shall have the signification attached to them in this section unless otherwise clearly apparent from the context:

"Building or structure" means and includes a structure or edifice which is more than ten (10) feet in width or more than twelve (12) feet in length, or which contains more than one hundred twenty (120) square feet of floor area.

"Building and structure mover" is a person who undertakes or offers to undertake, or purports to have the capacity, to move a building or structure, or to do building or structure moving work.

"Building or structure moving work" means and includes the moving of a "building or structure", as defined in Subsection 18.60.010.A, in any horizontal direction, and includes the shoring, raising, or lowering of a building or structure preparatory to the actual moving of the building or structure.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

No person shall move a building or structure over, upon or along any street, or from a location on one lot to a location on another lot, or perform any part of such moving work unless the building or structure has first been examined and posted in the manner required in this chapter, and a permit in writing to do so for each and every separate moving operation has been applied for and obtained from the Building Official. However, any person fully complying with the provisions of this chapter may obtain a permit to move a building or structure to a location outside the City, or to a building or structure mover's yard for storage, or for the severance of a building or structure from real property pursuant to local, State or federal government requirements. In each such instance, no examination, posting or completion bond shall be required, such requirements being waived. However, all such requirements shall be fully complied with prior to the removal of each such building or structure from such storage yard or severance location to a location within the City limits. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed applicable to the moving of a building or structure from one location on a lot to another location on the same lot. See Chapters 18.04 and 18.07.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

No moving permit shall be issued to any person unless the applicant therefore holds a valid unrevoked state house and building moving, wrecking contractor's license, and has filed with the City a bond or a liability or indemnity policy of insurance as required by the City for a building or structure mover's license. The provisions of this section shall not, however, be deemed to prohibit any general contractor or owner of any building or structure from obtaining a permit to move such building or structure from one location on a lot or parcel to a different location on the same lot or parcel.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

No permit shall be issued to relocate any building or structure which is so constructed or in such condition as to be dangerous; or which is infested with pests or unsanitary; or which is unfit for human habitation, if it is to be so utilized; or which is so dilapidated, defective, unsightly or in such a condition of deterioration or disrepair that its relocation at the proposed site would cause appreciable harm to or be materially detrimental to the property or improvements in the district within a radius of five hundred (500) feet from the proposed site; or if it is determined that it is detrimental to the future development of the area; or if the proposed use is prohibited by the Zoning Regulations of this City; or if the building or structure is of a type prohibited at the proposed location by any other law or ordinance; provided, however, that if the condition of the building or structure, in the judgment of the Building Official, admits of practicable and effective repair, the permit may be issued upon condition as provided in this chapter.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

A. Before a moving permit is issued, the person or persons proposing to do such work shall pay to the City the fees as required in Section 18.60.200 and shall complete an application form furnished by the Building Official and shall set forth such information thereon as the Building Official may reasonably require in order to carry out the purposes of this chapter. Said official shall then cause to be made an examination of the building or structure proposed to be moved, and the location to which it is proposed to move the same, if such location is within the City and if such examination is required by this chapter. The Building Official shall post the building in the manner specified in Section 18.60.070 and the date of this posting shall commence the seven-day period for the filing of a protest by the property owners within a radius of three hundred (300) feet of the relocation site as specified in this chapter.

B. A separate application upon a form furnished by the Building Official must be filed and a separate permit obtained for the moving of each separate building or structure, or portion of a building or structure, except that neither posting, examination fee, nor separate permit will be required when a garage is moved with and under the same permit obtained for the moving of a single-family dwelling, provided the moving of the dwelling and garage is completed in one moving operation and such garage and dwelling are to be located on one parcel.

C. The Building Official shall, in granting any moving permit, impose thereon such terms and conditions as it may deem reasonable and proper in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

D. The terms and conditions upon which each permit is granted shall be written upon the permit, or appended, in writing, thereto.

E. In addition to the posting of the notice, the Building Official shall mail a copy of the notice to each person indicated upon the records of the County Assessor as being the owner of any property within a radius of three hundred (300) feet of the location to which the building or structure is to be moved.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

A. Every applicant for a moving permit shall, at the time of application therefore, pay to the City the required permit fees as set forth in Section 18.60.200, and shall complete a permit application upon a form furnished by the Building Official, and shall set forth upon the form the size of building or structure, by street and number, and by legal description of both locations, together with the specific route to be traversed by the building or structure in the process of being moved from one location to another. Upon the same form the applicant shall make an affidavit that, in placing the building or structure in its new location, it shall not be in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, the zoning regulations, or other law or ordinance applicable to such building or structure.

B. No moving permit shall authorize the moving of more than one building or structure or more than one section or portion of any building or structure, or when such building or structure to be moved is cut into two or more sections or portions; except that one moving permit only shall be required for the moving of a single-family dwelling and garage; provided, however, that neither the garage nor dwelling is cut into sections for the purpose of moving; and further provided, that the moving of the dwelling and garage is completed in one moving operation.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

A. The moving notices shall be posted by the Building Official and shall be placed conspicuously upon the front and upon the rear of the location to which it is proposed to move a building or structure, and upon the front of the building or structure proposed to be moved. Such notices shall be not less in size than eight (8) inches by ten (10) inches and shall bear, in letters not less than one and one-half (1.5) inches in height, the words "MOVING NOTICE". In addition, such notice shall contain the following information:

1. Name and owner of the building or structure after its relocation;

2. A brief description of the building or structure;

3. Address of the building or structure at its present location;

4. The street and number to which the building or structure is proposed to be moved;

5. The date upon which the building or structure was posted with the notices;

6. The name of the building and structure mover or person who proposes to do the moving work;

7. The name of the Building Official who inspects the building or structure and relocation site.

B. Upon the notice there shall also appear the following:

"Any property owner within a radius of three hundred (300) feet of the relocation site may file a written protest with the Building Official within seven (7) days of the date of the signing and dating of this notice by the Building Official. In the event of such protest, the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation will set a date at which time they will hold a hearing and either approve the moving of the building or structure, or sustain the protest."

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

If, after making the examination, the Building Official determines, in accordance with the standards set forth in this chapter, that the application for permit should be denied or should be granted under certain specified conditions, he or she shall notify the applicant of his or her decision by letter, postage prepaid, addressed as shown on the application for permit. If such application is to be granted under certain conditions, such conditions shall specifically be set forth in such notice. The decision of the Building Official shall be final and conclusive, and such notice shall so state, unless within seven (7) days after the mailing of such notice, the applicant has filed with the Building Official a written appeal from that official's decision, specifying the grounds of such appeal. Any such appeal shall be heard by the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation as provided hereinafter.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Any property owner within a radius of three hundred (300) feet of the relocation site may file a written protest with the Building Official within seven (7) days of the date of the posting of the moving notice. In the event of such protest, the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation will set a date at which time they will hold a hearing and either approve the moving of the building or structure, or sustain the protest.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

If any written protests against the proposed building or structure moving work are filed with the Building Official, and such protests are postmarked on or before the expiration of the seven (7) day posting period, or if the applicant has theretofore filed an appeal from the decision of the Building Official as hereinabove provided, the Building Official shall, within three (3) days following the expiration of the above seven (7) day posting period, present the protest or appeal by the applicant to the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation at its next regular meeting. The Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation shall set a time for public hearing on such protest, or on such appeal, which time of hearing shall be not less than ten (10) nor more than thirty (30) days from the time the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation received the protest or appeal. When the time for public hearing has been so set, the Building Official shall mail a notice thereof, postage prepaid, to each person having filed a written protest, at the address, if any, specified thereon. The Building Official shall, in all cases, also send a notice of such hearing by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the applicant, whether or not he has appealed from the decision of the Building Official. Such notice shall also be sent to the applicant's representative if one has been specified. Such notices of public hearing shall be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the date of such hearing.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

At the time set for public hearing, the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation shall hear and pass upon the protests filed and the applicant's appeal, if any, from the decision of the Building Official. Based upon the evidence adduced at such hearing, or as obtained from an examination made by the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation of the building or structure, proposed route to be traversed and proposed new location, the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation may direct the Building Official to deny the application or may direct that such permit be granted by the Building Official on the same terms and conditions previously specified by that official or in accordance with such terms and conditions as the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation may deem proper in the premises; provided, however, that the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation shall, in arriving at its determination, be governed by the same standards, limitations and norms as are set forth in Section 18.60.040. The Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation shall not, in any event, order the Building Official to grant such permit under any conditions if the same will result in the moving or relocation of any structure which would be a violation of any City, County or State law, or would clearly inconvenience any considerable number of persons, or would violate or disturb the public welfare, safety or peace.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

After the moving notices have been in place seven (7) days, and if the Building Official has written a letter of intent to grant, and if no written protest has been filed with the Building Official against the proposed moving, and if the applicant has not appealed from the decision of the Building Official, a moving permit shall be granted in accordance with the conditions specified by the Building Official, upon the filing of the required bond.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no moving permit shall be issued unless the applicant first posts with the Building Official a bond or insurance as prescribed in regulations issued by the City Manager pursuant to Section 2.84.040.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Every bond posted pursuant to this section shall be conditioned as follows:

A. Each and all of the terms and conditions of the moving permit shall be complied with to the satisfaction of the Building Official;

B. All of the work required to be done pursuant to the terms and conditions of the moving permit shall be fully performed and completed within the time limit specified in Section 18.60.190. The time limit may be extended for good and sufficient cause by the Building Official pursuant to Section 18.03.050. No such extension of time shall be valid unless written, and no such extension shall release any surety upon any bond.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

A. Whenever the Building Official finds that a default has occurred in the performance of any term or condition of any permit, written notice thereof shall be given to the principal and to the surety on the bond. Such notice shall state the work to be done, the estimated cost thereof, and the period of time deemed by the Building Official to be reasonably necessary for the completion of such work. After receipt of such notice, the surety must, within the time therein specified, either cause the required work to be performed or, failing therein, must pay over to the Building Official the estimated cost of doing the work, as set forth in the notice, plus an additional sum equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the estimated cost. Upon the receipt of such money, the City shall proceed, by such mode as it deems convenient, to cause the required work to be performed and completed, but no liability shall be incurred therein other than for the expenditure of the sum of money in hand therefore.

B. If a cash bond has been posted, notice of default, as provided above, shall be given to the principal, and if compliance is not had within the time specified, the City shall proceed without delay and without further notice of proceedings whatever to use the cash deposit, or any portion of such deposit, to cause the required work to be done, by contract or otherwise, in the discretion of the City. The balance, if any, of such cash deposit shall, upon the completion of the work, be returned to the depositor, or to his or her successors or assigns, after deducting the cost of the work, plus twenty-five percent (25%) thereof.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

When any default has occurred on the part of the principal under the provisions of Section 18.60.150, the surety shall have the option, in lieu of completing the work required, to demolish the building or structure, and to clear, clean and restore the site. If the surety defaults, the City shall have the same option.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

The term of each bond furnished pursuant to Sections 18.60.130 through 18.60.180 shall commence upon the date of the posting thereof and shall terminate upon the completion, to the satisfaction of the Building Official, of the performance of all of the terms and conditions of the moving permit. Such completion shall be evidenced by a statement thereof, signed by the Building Official, a copy of which will be sent to any surety or principal upon request. When a cash bond has been posted, the cash shall be returned to the depositor, or to his or her successors or assigns, upon the termination of the bond, except any portion thereof that may have been used or deducted as provided elsewhere in Sections 18.60.130 through 18.60.180.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

The Building Official, the surety, and the duly authorized representative of either, shall have access to the premises described in the moving permit for the purpose of inspecting the progress of the work. In the event of any default in the performance of any term or condition of the moving permit with reference to the relocation of a structure, the surety, or any person employed or engaged on its behalf, or the Building Official, or any person employed or engaged on his or her behalf, shall have the right to go upon the premises to complete the required work or to remove or demolish the building or structure. It is unlawful for the owner, or his or her representatives, successors or assigns, or any other person, to interfere with or obstruct the ingress to or egress from any such premises of any authorized representative or agent of any surety or of the City engaged in the work of completing, demolishing or removing any building or structure for which a moving permit has been issued, after a default has occurred in the performance of the terms or conditions thereof.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Every application for a moving permit issued by the Building Official under the provisions of this chapter shall expire and become null and void at the expiration of a period of ninety (90) days from the date of such application, and every moving permit issued by the Building Official under the provisions of this chapter shall expire and become null and void if the moving work authorized by such permit is not commenced and completed within sixty (60) days from the date of issuance; provided, however, that the Building Official may extend these periods when the moving of any building or structure is impossible or delayed by reason of inclemency of weather, strikes or other causes not within the control of the mover. If for any reason a moving permit or application therefore is rendered null and void under the provisions of this chapter, and the moving work is desired to be done thereafter, a new application shall be made and a permit obtained from the Building Official, and new fees shall be paid.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

In addition to any other fee or fees required, a moving permit fee and, when required, an examination and posting fee, shall be paid to the Building Official as set forth in the schedule of fees and charges established by City Council resolution. Examinations and posting fees shall be paid prior to any examination or investigation by the Building Official.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

A. Wherever any building or structure is to be moved over or upon a public street or highway within the City, the application therefore shall be submitted to the Police Chief, who shall endorse the approval of the Police Department thereon as to the routes to be traveled and the hours during which moving operations are to be conducted under the proposed permit. If the routes or hours do not meet with the approval of the Police Department, it shall be the duty of the applicant to alter his or her application to include such routes and hours as will meet the approval of the Police Department.

B. Such application shall also be submitted to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine and the designated route to be traveled subject to its approval. Applications may also be submitted to the Department of Public Works when in the discretion of the Building Official wheel loads for any given route may be deemed excessive. In those instances, the Department of Public Works may require the applicant to submit wheel size, load, spacing and any other pertinent information. The Department of Public Works may require modification of the loading or shoring of specific structures or such other precautions as it deems necessary to adequately protect the street and those buildings or structures over which the building or structure will pass.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the relocation of buildings or structures to be used by a governmental agency for a governmental purpose.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)