Los Angeles Municipal Code § 91.8812 Violations

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

Section

• 91.8801 Purpose.

• 91.8802 Scope.

• 91.8803 Definitions.

• 91.8804 Rating Classifications.

• 91.8805 General Requirements.

• 91.8806 Administration.

• 91.8807 Historical Buildings.

• 91.8808 Analysis and Design.

• 91.8809 Materials of Construction.

• 91.8810 Information Required on Plans.

91.8811 Design Check – Compatibility of Roof Diaphragm Stiffness to Unreinforced Masonry Wall Out-of-plane Stability.

91.8812 Violations.

91.8813 Special Requirements for Vacant Buildings.

(Amended by Ord. No. 171,939, Eff. 4/15/98.)

The purpose of this division is to promote public safety and welfare by reducing the risk of death or injury that may result from the effects of earthquakes on unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings constructed before 1934. Such buildings have been widely recognized for their sustaining of life hazardous damage as a result of partial or complete collapse during past moderate to strong earthquakes.

The provisions of this division are minimum standards for structural seismic resistance established primarily to reduce the risk of loss of life or injury and will not necessarily prevent loss of life or injury or prevent earthquake damage to an existing building which complies with these standards. This division shall not require existing electrical, plumbing, mechanical or fire-safety systems to be altered unless they constitute a hazard to life or property.

This division provides systematic procedures and standards for identification and classification of unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings based on their current use. Priorities, time periods and standards are also established under which these buildings are required to be structurally analyzed and anchored. Where the analysis determines deficiencies, this division requires the building to be strengthened or demolished.

The provisions of this division shall apply to all buildings constructed or under construction prior to October 6, 1933, or for which a building permit was issued prior to October 6, 1933, which on the effective date of this ordinance have unreinforced masonry bearing walls as defined herein.

EXCEPTION: This division shall not apply to detached one- or two-family dwellings and detached apartment houses containing less than 5 dwelling units and used solely for residential purposes.

(Amended by Ord. No. 179,324, Eff. 12/10/07, Oper. 1/1/08.)

For purposes of this division, the applicable definitions in CBC Sections 1602 and 1613 and the following shall apply:

ESSENTIAL BUILDING is any building housing a hospital or other medical facility having surgery or emergency treatment areas, fire or police stations, municipal government disaster operation and communication centers.

HIGH-RISK BUILDING is any building not classified as an essential building having an occupant load, as determined by CBC Section 1004.1, of 100 occupants or more.

EXCEPTION: A high-risk building shall not include the following:

1. Any building having exterior walls braced with masonry cross walls or wood-frame cross walls spaced less than 40 feet (12 192 mm) apart in each story. Cross walls shall be full-story height with a minimum length of 1 1/2 times the story height.

2. Any building used for its intended purpose, as determined by the Department, for less than 20 hours per week.

HISTORICAL BUILDING is any building designated as an historical building by an appropriate federal, state or City jurisdiction.

LOW-RISK BUILDING is any building not classified as an essential building having an occupant load as determined by CBC Section 1004.1 of less than 20 occupants.

MEDIUM-RISK BUILDING is any building not classified as a high-risk building or an essential building having an occupant load as determined by CBC Section 1004.1 of 20 occupants or more.

UNREINFORCED MASONRY BEARING WALL is a masonry wall having all the following characteristics:

1. Provides the vertical support for a floor or roof.

2. The total superimposed load is over 100 pounds per linear foot (1.5 kN/m).

3. The area of reinforcing steel is less than 50 percent of that required by CBC Section 2106.1.

(Amended by Ord. No. 179,324, Eff. 12/10/07, Oper. 1/1/08.)

The rating classifications as exhibited in Table No. 88-A are hereby established and each building within the scope of this division shall be placed in one rating classification by the Department. The total occupant load of the entire building as determined by CBC Section 1004.1 shall be used to determine the rating classification.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. For the purpose of this division, portions of buildings constructed to act independently when resisting seismic forces may be placed in separate rating classifications.

2. For the purpose of this division, to establish the rating classification of a building containing one or more artist in residence spaces, as defined in Section 91.8501 of this Code, the occupant load of each artist in residence space shall be one for each space less than 2,000 square feet (186 m2) in area and two for each space 2,000 square feet (186 m2) or more in area.

(Amended by Ord. No. 171,939, Eff. 4/15/98.)

The owner of each building within the scope of this division shall cause a structural analysis to be made of the building by a civil or structural engineer or architect licensed by the state of California, and if the building does not meet the minimum earthquake standards specified in this division, the owner shall cause it to be structurally altered to conform to such standards or cause the building to be demolished.

The owner of a building within the scope of this division shall comply with the requirements set forth above by submitting to the Department for review within the stated time limits:

1. Within 270 days after the service of the order, a structural analysis. Such analysis, which is subject to approval by the Department, shall demonstrate that the building meets the minimum requirements of this division, or

2. Within 270 days after the service of the order, the structural analysis and plans for the proposed structural alterations of the building necessary to comply with the minimum requirements of this division, or

3. Within 120 days after service of the order, plans for the installation of wall anchors in accordance with the requirements specified in Section 91.8808.3, or

4. Within 270 days after the service of the order, plans for the demolition of the building.

After plans are submitted and approved by the Department, the owner shall obtain a building permit, and commence and complete the required construction or demolition within the time limits set forth in Table No. 88-B. These time limits shall begin to run from the date the order is served in accordance with Sections 91.8806.1 and 91.8806.2.

Owners electing to comply with Item 3 are also required to comply with Items 2 and 4, provided, however, that the 270 day period provided for in Items 2 and 4 and the time limits for obtaining a building permit, commencing construction and completing construction for complete structural alterations or building demolition set forth in Table No. 88-B shall be extended in accordance with Table No. 88-C. Each such extended time limit, except the time limit for commencing construction, shall begin to run from the date the order is served in accordance with Section 91.8806.2. The time limit for commencing construction shall commence to run from the date the building permit is issued.

(Amended by Ord. No. 180,619, Eff. 5/12/09.)

Qualified historical buildings shall comply with the requirements of the California Historical Building Code established under Part 8, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.

(Amended by Ord. No. 171,939, Eff. 4/15/98.)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code to the contrary, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to maintain, use, or occupy any building within the scope of this division which does not meet the minimum earthquake standards specified in this division.

Any person who violates, causes or permits another person to violate this provision is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person includes an owner, lessor, sublessor, manager or person in control of a building subject to this division. This term shall not include any person who is merely a tenant or other individual occupying any dwelling unit, efficiency dwelling unit, guest room or suite in a building. The legal owner of a building is that person, firm, corporation, partnership or other entity whose name or title appears on the record with the Office of the County Recorder, as well as all successors or assignees of these persons.

EXCEPTION: This section shall not apply to any building on which work is proceeding in compliance with the time limits set forth in this division, and/or in compliance with any extensions of time granted by the Department or the Board; or any action, order or determination made by the Department or the Board in the implementation of this division.