Los Angeles Municipal Code § 91.6103 Shafts, Pits and Similar Excavation – Misdemeanor

(Amended by Ord. No. 188,797, Eff. 12/31/25.)

Section

• 91.6101 Impact Hazard Glazing in Existing Buildings.

• 91.6103 Shafts, Pits and Similar Excavation – Misdemeanor.

• 91.6104 Fire Districts.

• 91.6105 Separation from Oil Wells.

• 91.6109 Swimming Poolsand Other Bodies of Water – Protective Devices Required.

(Sec. 91.6110 Redesignated by Ord. No. 171,175, Eff. 7/25/96.)

Every person owning or having charge of land upon which is located any active or abandoned mining shaft, test hole, well, pit or similar excavation which exceeds six inches in any lateral dimension and three feet in depth shall cover, fence securely or provide some equivalent protection for the hazard and keep it so protected. Failure to do so shall cause such person to be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.)

Buildings located in a fire district shall comply with the provisions of Division 72, Article 1, Chapter IX of the LAMC in addition to the general requirements of this Code.

(Amended by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.)

No school, hospital, sanitarium or assembly occupancy shall be within 200 feet from the center of the oil well casing.

No public utility fuel manufacturing plant or public utility electrical generating, receiving or distribution plant shall be located within 200 feet from the center of the oil well casing.

No building more than 400 square feet (37 m 2 ) in area and taller than 36 feet in height shall be erected within 50 feet from the center of an oil well casing.

A distance separation between the exterior wall of the building and the center of an oil well casing shall be maintained with a horizontal distance equal to 1-1/2 times the building's height, provided however, that that distance need not exceed 200 feet. The building height for this provision shall be measured vertically from the adjacent lowest ground elevation to the ceiling of the top story.

EXCEPTIONS: The distance separation may be reduced to the following:

1. 35 feet separation if a solid 6 inches thick masonry wall and no shorter than 6 feet tall to be constructed within 50 feet from the building in between the oil well and all portions of the building.

2. 26 feet if any portion of the building exterior walls within 50 feet from the center of an oil well casing shall be constructed with no openings and one hour fire resistive construction with a 3 foot high fire rated parapet.

3. 15 feet if any portion of the building exterior walls within 50 feet from the center of an oil well casing shall be constructed with no openings and two-hour fire resistive construction with a 3 foot high fire rated parapet.

The provisions specified within this section shall not apply to oil wells that have been abandoned per LAMC Section 57.5706.3.16 and in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources of the State of California.

(Repealed by Ord. No. 171,175, Eff. 7/25/96.)

(Amended by Ord. No. 182,850, Eff. 1/3/14.)

(a) Fences. Every existing swimming pool, fish pond or other body of water, which contains water 18 inches (457.2 mm) or more in depth, shall be enclosed by a fence, the height of which, including gates, shall be not less than 4 1/2 feet (1371.6 mm) above the ground. Gates shall be self-latching with the latch located 4 1/2 feet (1371.6 mm) minimum above the ground. However, for new swimming pools, spas, fish ponds and other bodies of water, the height and construction of the fence and gate shall comply with the requirements of Division 31, Article 1, Chapter IX of the LAMC whichever is more restrictive and provides greater safety. (Amended by Ord. No. 184,692, Eff. 12/30/16.)

Where the ground surface on the side of the fence away from the body of water slopes upward, four and one-half feet clearance shall be maintained between the fence and the face of the slope.

EXCEPTION: The provisions of this section shall not apply to oceans, lakes, rivers, streams and similar bodies of water, which are publicly owned over which the State of California, the City, or County of Los Angeles has control and jurisdiction.

(b) Existing Body of Water. The provisions of this section shall also apply to all existing bodies of water.