Monterey County Municipal Code Ch. 18.01 Scope and Administration

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 5442, § 3, adopted Dec. 9, 2025, repealed Ch. 18.01, §§ 18.01.010—18.01.090, and enacted a new Ch. 18.01 to read as set out herein. Former Ch. 18.01 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 5286, § 4, adopted April 18, 2017; Ord. No. 5337, §§ 2, 4, adopted July 28, 2020; and Ord. No. 5389, § 2, adopted Dec. 6, 2022.

A. The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to the administration of building standards of the California Building Standards Code as adopted and amended by the County of Monterey, which code shall hereafter be known as the "Building Standards Code for the County of Monterey." Division II of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, as modified by this Chapter, shall govern the scope and administration of the Building Standards Code for the County of Monterey. References in this Chapter to sections of the "California Building Code" are to sections in Division II of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.

B. Purpose. The purpose of this Chapter is to establish uniform and coordinated administrative regulations among the various referenced codes that are part of this Chapter. In the event of any differences between these administrative regulations and those found in the referenced codes, the text of these regulations shall govern.

C. Section 101.1 of the California Building Code shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Building Standards Code for the County of Monterey, hereinafter referred to as "this code."

D. Section 102.4 of the California Building Code is amended to add the following referenced codes and standards:

1. California Building Code.

2. California Residential Code.

3. California Electrical Code.

4. California Mechanical Code.

5. California Plumbing Code.

6. California Energy Code.

7. California Historical Building Code.

8. California Fire Code.

9. California Existing Building Code.

10. California Green Building Standards Code.

11. California Referenced Standards Code.

12. Codes and standards referenced within each of the above referenced codes.

13. Any local amendments to the referenced codes and standards as adopted and approved by the Board of Supervisors and incorporated into the Monterey County Code.

14. Chapters 16.08, 16.12, 18.14, 18.15, and 18.16 of the Monterey County Code.

(Ord. No. 5442, § 3, 12-9-2025)

Section 102 of the California Building Code is amended to add Section 102.6 to read as follows:

Alterations and repairs. All new work performed in alterations and/or repairs to existing structures shall comply with the current provisions of this Title. When alterations and/or repairs result in the removal, alteration, modification, replacement and/or repair of fifty (50) percent or more of the external walls of a building, and/or result in the removal, modification, replacement and/or repair of fifty (50) percent or more of the existing internal structural and/or non-structural framework, plumbing, mechanical and/or electrical installations, independently or in combination thereof, the entire building shall be made to conform to the current provisions of this Title. The determination under this Section of the requirement for upgrading any existing structure to full conformance with current provisions of this Title shall be at the sole discretion of the Building Official.

(Ord. No. 5442, § 3, 12-9-2025)

Section 103.1 of the California Building Code shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

103.1 Creation of enforcement agency. The Building Services Unit of the Land Use and Community Development Division of the County Resource Management Agency is hereby designated as the enforcement agency for the administration of this Chapter, and the official in charge thereof shall be known as the Building Official.

(Ord. No. 5442, § 3, 12-9-2025)

A. Section 104.7 of the California Building Code shall be amended to add Section 104.7.1 to read as follows:

104.7.1 Department records. The Building Official shall maintain sufficient records to show the approved use, occupancy, and type of construction for all structures requiring permits and the Code standards applicable to any existing building as required by state law. Such records shall include any special administrative approvals including alternate materials, methods of design and construction, modifications and tests. The Building Official shall also maintain an official copy of the plans of every building issued a building permit during the life of the building except for any building containing a bank, other financial institution, or public utility. This exception shall not apply to a community apartment project, condominium project, planned development, or a stock cooperative as defined in Section 1351 of the Civil Code.

B. Section 104 of the California Building Code shall be amended to add Sections 104.12 and 104.13 to read as follows:

104.12 License qualified trade persons, special inspectors and approved fabricators. The Building Official is authorized to review and approve license applications for qualified trade persons for annual permits, special inspectors and approved fabricators. A reasonable fee may be charged for this review and approval as prescribed by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

104.13 Violations of substandard and unsafe buildings.

1. Refusal to issue permits, licenses or approvals. Except for maintenance or emergency repairs, the Building Official may withhold the issuance of any permit, license or other approval under this Chapter when the Building Official determines that reasonable cause exists that a violation of the Monterey County Code exists on the property upon which there is a pending application for such permit, license or approval. The Building Official may withhold the issuance of a permit, license or approval until the applicant provides sufficient evidence to establish that the proposed work or action to be taken will comply will all applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Building Official shall withhold the issuance of any permit, license or approval where there is an outstanding violation of this Title and/or other provisions of the Monterey County Code involving the property upon which there is a pending application for such permit, license or other entitlement except those necessary to abate the violation of this Title or other applicable provision of the Monterey County Code, if such are obtainable.

2. Investigate violations and issue notices and orders. The Building Official shall investigate violations and issue all necessary notices or orders to ensure compliance with this Chapter and may record any such notice or order with the County Recorder as provided for in Monterey County Code Section 1.22.035.

3. Evacuation. The Building Official shall be authorized to order the immediate evacuation of any occupied building or property deemed unsafe when such building or property has hazardous conditions that present imminent danger to its occupants. Persons so notified shall immediately leave the structure or premises and shall not enter or re-enter until authorized to do so by the Building Official.

4. Demolition. The Building Official shall order the owner of any premises upon which is located any structure, which in the Building Official's judgment after review is so deteriorated or dilapidated or has become so out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise unfit for human habitation or occupancy, and such that it is unreasonable to repair the structure, to demolish and remove such structure. If the owner of such premises fails to comply with a demolition order within the time prescribed, the Building Official shall cause the structure to be demolished and removed, either through an available public agency or by contract or arrangement with private persons. All costs including necessary administrative and overhead costs for such removal shall be borne by the owner. Failure to pay such costs may result in the County placing a lien or other encumbrance on the property title.

5. Closing of vacant structures. If the structure is vacant and unfit for occupancy but not in danger of structural collapse or unsafe for emergency response personnel, the Building Official is authorized to post a placard of condemnation on the premises and order the structure and premises to be boarded and secured against entry so as not to be an attractive nuisance. Upon failure of the owner to comply with such order within the time specified, the Building Official shall cause the structure and premises to be boarded and secured against entry through any available public agency or by contract or arrangement by private persons. Boarding the building for future repair shall not extend beyond one year, unless approved by the Building Official. All costs including necessary administrative and overhead costs for such boarding shall be borne by the owner. Failure to pay such costs may result in the County placing a lien or other encumbrance on the property title.

6. Authority to disconnect service utilities. The Building Official shall have the authority to authorize disconnection of utility service to the building, structure or system regulated by this Chapter and the referenced codes and standards set forth in this Chapter in case of emergency where necessary to eliminate an immediate hazard to life or property or when such utility connection has been made without approval. The Building Official shall notify the serving utility and, whenever possible, the owner and occupant of the building, structure or service system of the decision to disconnect prior to taking such action. If not notified prior to disconnection, the owner or occupant of the building structure or service system shall be notified in writing as soon as practical thereafter.

7. Authority to condemn equipment. When any equipment, or portion thereof, regulated by this Chapter has become hazardous to life, health, or property, or when such equipment has been installed without required approvals, the Building Official is authorized to order that the equipment either be removed or restored to a safe or sanitary condition, as appropriate. When equipment or an installation is to be disconnected, the Building Official shall give written notice of the disconnection and causes therefor as soon as practical to the serving utility, owner, and occupant of the building, structure, or premises.

8. Notice. Whenever the Building Official has condemned a structure or equipment under the provisions of this section, a notice to that effect shall be posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure affected by such notice. If the notice pertains to equipment, it shall also be placed on the condemned equipment. The notice shall contain a statement of the penalties provided for occupying the premises, operating the equipment or removing the placard. The Building Official shall remove the condemnation notice whenever the defect or defects have been eliminated. Notice shall also be served on the owner of the structure or equipment by personal service or certified or first-class mail addressed to the last known address. If such mailed notice is returned showing that the letter was not delivered, a copy thereof shall be posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure affected by such notice. Removal of the notice by anyone other than the Building Official is a misdemeanor.

9. Record. The Building Official shall cause a report to be filed on an unsafe condition in the Building Services Unit's records for the property where the unsafe condition exists. The report shall state the occupancy of the structure and the nature of the unsafe condition.

10. Weed abatement. Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to cut and destroy weeds after service of a notice of violation, the Building Official shall be authorized to enter upon the property in violation and cut and destroy the weeds growing thereon, and the costs of such removal shall be paid by the owner. Failure to pay such costs may result in the County placing a lien or other encumbrance on the property title.

11. Summary abatement. Where conditions exist that are deemed hazardous to life and property, the Building Official is authorized to abate summarily such hazardous conditions that are in violation of this Chapter.

12. Collection of costs. Whenever the County of Monterey or its authorized agent has abated any violation of this Chapter, the Building Official may recover the costs of such enforcement by all available legal means from the owner including but not limited to a lien, encumbrance, or special assessment upon such real estate. When any structure has been ordered demolished and removed, the Building Official shall have the right to sell the salvage and valuable materials at the highest price obtainable. The net proceeds of such sale, after deducting the expenses of such demolition and removal, shall be promptly remitted with a report of such sale or transaction, including the items of expense and the amounts deducted to the owner of the premises. If such a surplus does not remain to be turned over, the report shall so state.

C. Section 111.4 of the California Building Code shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

111.4 Suspension and revocation of permit and Certificate of Occupancy. The Building Official may, in writing, suspend or revoke a permit or Certificate of Occupancy issued under the provisions of this Chapter whenever the permit or Certificate of Occupancy has been issued in error, on the basis of incorrect information supplied, without the payment of the required fees, fines or penalties or in violation of any Federal, State or local ordinances or entitlements whenever any work is being done contrary to the provisions of this Chapter. Such local ordinances and entitlements include but shall not be limited to:

1. Any provision of the approved plans, referenced codes, or any other provision of the Monterey County Code, which are applicable to the work.

2. Any conditions of approval required by other departments or agencies within Monterey County, including but not limited to other County departments, fire protection districts, water districts or agencies, which are applicable to the work.

3. Preservation standards for archeological, biological, environmental or historic or other similarly protected resources.

4. Safety and noise standards for onsite use or occupancy, adjacent properties or the public way, as determined by the Building Official.

5. Any administrative citations and compliance orders including the payment of any fines or penalties.

6. Any air or water quality standards, including but not limited to asbestos, lead paint or other hazardous material contamination.

7. Any required license, security or insurance related to the work.

(Ord. No. 5442, § 3, 12-9-2025)

A. Section 105.2, Paragraph 1 of the California Building Code shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

105.2 Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from building permit requirements of this Code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this Code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Although building permits will not be required as exempted in this section, other agencies or County departments may need to review for compliance with other provisions of the County Code and County regulations. Permits shall not be required for the following:

B. Section 105.2 of the California Building Code shall be amended to add the following exemptions:

Building

14. One-story detached structures used as arbors, pergolas, trellis structures, tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed two hundred forty (240) square feet and the structure does not contain any electrical, plumbing or mechanical work and is not used to store hazardous materials or vehicles. Such structures shall be in substantial conformance with all provisions of this Title and all referenced codes.

15. Decks not exceeding two hundred (200) square feet in area, that are not more than thirty (30) inches above grade at any point, are not attached to a structure and do not serve as a component of any required exit or accessible route.

16. One agricultural building or structure on a lot of record that is 2.5 acres or more in size that is one story in height, provided the floor area does not exceed five hundred (500) square feet and the structure does not contain any electrical, plumbing or mechanical work and is not used to store hazardous materials or vehicles. Such structures shall be in substantial conformance with all provisions of this Title and all referenced codes.

Electrical

Low Voltage Electrical. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating at less than twenty-five (25) volts and not capable of supplying more than fifty (50) watts of energy.

Miscellaneous

1. Any other work similar in nature to exempt categories as determined in writing by the Building Official.

C. Section 105.3.2 of the California Building Code shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

105.3.2 Time limitation of application. An application for a permit for any proposed work shall expire one year after the date of filing unless a permit has been issued or the Building Official has granted an extension of time. The permit applicant shall request any desired application extension in writing prior to expiration and provide justifiable cause for any delays in taking action. The Building Official may grant an extension of time up to one additional year to obtain a permit only if the proposed work will comply with all laws in effect at the time of the granting of such extension. A reasonable fee may be charged for any extension as prescribed by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

D. Section 105.5 of the California Building Code shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

105.5 Expiration. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within one year after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of one year after the time work is commenced. Work shall be considered to be suspended and/or abandoned if one or more required County department inspections have not been performed and documented in County records consistent with this Code within the requisite one-year time period. The Building Official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods up to but not more than one year each. The extension shall be requested in writing prior to expiration, and justifiable cause shall be demonstrated. The Building Official may grant such extension of time to complete the construction only if the proposed work will comply with all laws in effect at the time of granting such extension. A reasonable fee may be charged for any extension as prescribed by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

(Ord. No. 5442, § 3, 12-9-2025)

A. Section 107.2.2 of the California Building Code shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

107.2.2 Fire protection system shop drawings. Shop drawings for the fire protection system(s) shall be submitted to indicate conformance to this code and the construction documents and shall be approved prior to the start of system installation. Fire sprinkler systems must be submitted by a California licensed C-16 contractor and approved prior to installation. This requirement is not intended to delay issuance of a building permit. A rough sprinkler inspection must be scheduled by the installing contractor and completed prior to requesting a framing inspection. Plans and specifications for the household fire warning system shall be submitted by a California licensed C-10 contractor and approved prior to installation. Household fire warning systems installed in lieu of single-station smoke alarms required by the California Residential Code shall meet the requirements of the California Residential Code. Shop drawings shall contain all information as required by the referenced installation standards in Chapter 9.

B. Section 107.3.3 of the California Building Code shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

107.3.3 Phased approval. The Building Official is authorized to issue a permit for the construction of foundations or any other part of a building or structure before the construction documents for the whole building or structure have been approved, provided that adequate information and detailed documentation have been filed, reviewed and approved demonstrating substantial compliance with applicable provisions of this Chapter and/or referenced codes. The holder of such permit for the foundation or other parts of a building or structure shall proceed at the holder's own risk with the building operation and without assurance that a permit for the entire structure will be granted. Reasonable additional fees as prescribed by resolution of the Board of Supervisors may be assessed for any building or structure submitted for phased approval and/or field inspection.

C. Compliance with other regulations. No permit shall be issued or approved for any proposed work that does not comply with other applicable provisions of the Monterey County Code as determined by the Building Official.

(Ord. No. 5442, § 3, 12-9-2025)

Section 109 of the California Building Code shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

Section 109 Fees.

A. Payment of fees. A permit shall not be valid until the fees prescribed by resolution of the Board of Supervisors have been paid, nor shall an amendment to a permit be released until the additional fee, if any, has been paid.

B. Schedule of permit fees. On all construction work requiring a permit under this Chapter, a fee for each permit shall be paid as required, in accordance with the fee schedule as approved by the Board of Supervisors in effect at the time of issuance or revision of such permit. Fees for services shall be based on the estimated reasonable cost of providing the services. Costs shall include both direct and indirect costs of providing services according to generally accepted accounting principles.

C. Building permit valuation. The applicant for a permit shall provide an estimated permit value at time of application. Permit valuation shall include the total value of work, including materials and labor, for which the permit is being issued, such as electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing equipment and permanent systems. If, in the opinion of the Building Official, the valuation is underestimated on the application, the Building Official may determine a minimum building permit valuation by calculation using the most current issue of Building Valuation Data offered by the International Code Council. Final permit valuation consistent with one of these methods shall be set by the Building Official.

D. Work commencing before permit issuance. Any person who commences any work requiring a permit under this Chapter before obtaining the necessary permit shall be subject to additional fees as established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

E. Related fees. The payment of the fee for the construction, alteration, removal or demolition for work done in connection to or concurrently with the work authorized by a permit under this Chapter shall not relieve the applicant or holder of the permit from the payment of other fees that are prescribed by law.

F. Refunds. Refunds for fees on construction work requiring a permit under this Chapter shall be in accordance with the fee refund policy as approved by the Board of Supervisors in effect at the time of request for such refund. Amount of refunds shall be based on the balance of monies remaining from the payment of fees after accounting for the estimated reasonable cost of services provided prior to the voluntary cessation of work and/or the expiration of an un-renewed permit. Application for refunds shall be made in writing within one year from original payment of fees or the date of voluntary cessation of work or permit expiration.

(Ord. No. 5442, § 3, 12-9-2025)

Section 113 of the California Building Code shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

Section 113 Board of Appeals (Building Standards Appeals Board)

A. General. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the Building Official relative to the application and interpretation of this Chapter, there shall be and is hereby created a Building Standards Appeals Board. At the request of the fire chief of a local fire protection district, this board may also hear appeals of the orders, decisions or determinations made by the fire chief relative to the application and interpretation of the California Fire Code as adopted and amended by the County of Monterey.

B. Scope of appeals. An application for appeal shall be based on a claim that the true intent of this Chapter or the rules legally adopted there under have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of the Chapter do not fully apply, or an equally good or better form of construction is proposed.

C. Limitation on authority. The board shall have no authority to waive or reduce requirements of this Chapter. The board shall have no authority or jurisdiction over any matter that is appealable under the Monterey County Code to any other board, commission or the County Hearing Officer. The board shall not consider the subject matter of any appeal until the appellant provides sufficient evidence to establish that the appeal was filed and applicable fees were paid within the applicable time limits for filing of appeals pursuant to this Chapter.

D. Who may appeal. Any owner whose interests are adversely affected by any order, decision or determination made by the Building Official pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter and within the limits of authority specified herein, may file an appeal to the Building Standards Appeals Board. For purposes of this section, owner means any individual, corporation, partnership, firm or any other group acting as a unit having a legal or equitable interest in the property as recorded in the official records of the Recorder for the County of Monterey, including the guardian or trustee of the estate of any such person, and the executor or administrator of the estate of such person if ordered to take possession of real property by a court.

E. Terms of appointment. Standing members of the board shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve a term of five years unless removed for cause. Initial appointments for standing members shall consist as follows: one for five years, one for four years, one for three years, one for two years, and one for one year. Thereafter, each new member shall serve for five years. Members may serve following expiration of a term until a successor has been appointed. Alternate members of the board shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Initial appointment of alternate members shall be one for five years and one for three years. Thereafter, each alternate member shall serve for five years. Adjunct members of the board shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Initial appointment of adjunct members shall be one for four years and one for two years for the physically disabled members and one public member for three years. Thereafter, each adjunct member shall serve for five years.

F. Standing members. The board shall consist of five standing members who are qualified by experience and training and specifically knowledgeable in the California Building Standards Codes and applicable local ordinances to pass on matters pertaining to building standards other than those related to accessibility and who are not employees of the County of Monterey. The standard members shall be composed of the following:

1. One State of California licensed architect.

2. One State of California registered civil or structural engineer.

3. One State of California registered mechanical engineer or licensed plumbing (C-36) or warm-air heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (C-20) contractor.

4. One State of California registered electrical engineer or licensed electrical contractor (C-10).

5. One State of California registered fire protection engineer or licensed fire protection contractor (C-16).

G. Alternate members. The board shall also include two alternate members who shall be called by the board chairperson to hear appeals during the absence or disqualification of a member. Alternate members shall be one State of California licensed architect and one State of California registered civil or structural engineer.

H. Accessibility appeal members. When the board considers appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the Building Official relative to the application and interpretation of building standards for accessibility, the board shall consist of two standing or alternate members and three adjunct members. Adjunct members shall include two physically handicapped members and one public member. The two standing or alternate members to hear such appeal shall be chosen by the chairperson prior to commencement of the appeal hearing.

I. Conflict of interest. Any standing, alternate or adjunct member shall not hear an appeal in which that member has a personal, professional or financial interest.

J. Filing of appeals. All appeals shall be in writing and shall be specific and in sufficient detail to provide a clear basis for issuing the requested decision. Only those matters or issues specifically raised by the appellant shall be considered in the hearing of the appeal. All appeals shall be filed with the Building Official within thirty (30) days after written notice of the decision from which the appeal is being taken has been mailed to the applicant. A fee for such appeals shall be established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors and payable at the time of filing. No appeal shall be accepted without the payment of such fee. No part of such fee shall be refundable unless the appeal is timely withdrawn as determined by the Building Official. Refunds shall be made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

K. Finality of decisions. The decisions of this board shall be conclusive and final and an exhaustion of administrative remedies.

L. Rules and procedures. The board is authorized to establish policies and procedures necessary to carry out its duties, which shall at a minimum include the following:

1. Chairperson. The board shall annually select one of its members to serve as chairperson.

2. Disqualification of member. A member shall not hear an appeal in which that member has a personal, professional or financial interest.

3. Secretary. The Building Official shall designate a qualified clerk to serve as secretary to the board. The secretary shall file a detailed record of all proceedings in the office of the Building Official.

4. Compensation of members. Members shall serve without compensation but shall receive their actual and necessary travel expenses in the performance of their duties.

5. Quorum and voting. Attendance by three or more members, including alternate and adjunct members as applicable, shall constitute a quorum for all business and decisions. Decisions of the board shall require a majority vote of the quorum.

6. The board shall meet on an as needed basis upon notice from the chairperson of the filing of an appeal.

7. Open hearing. All hearings before the board shall be open to the public. The appellant, the appellant's representative, the Building Official and any person whose interests are affected shall be given an opportunity to be heard.

8. Conduct of hearings. Hearings shall be conducted in a manner that affords the appellant and the Building Official with notice of the hearing, an opportunity to present testimony and witnesses, and to cross examine witnesses. The hearings need not be conducted according to strict rules of evidence, but only relevant information shall be considered. The Board may continue the hearing, including to request additional evidence from the parties. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the Board may take the matter under submission and deliberate in private.

9. Requests for continued and delayed hearings. The board shall adopt rules on the justifying nature and time limits for requests for continued and delayed hearings by the Building Official or appellant.

10. Board decision. The decision of the board shall be by resolution. Certified copies shall be furnished to the appellant and to the Building Official.

M. Liability. Members of the board while acting for the County of Monterey in good faith and without malice in the discharge of the duties required by this Chapter or other pertinent law or ordinance, shall not thereby be rendered liable personally and are hereby relieved from personal liability for any damage accruing to persons or property as a result of any act or by reason of an act or omission in the discharge of official duties. Any suit instituted against a member of the board because of an act performed by that member of the board in the lawful discharge of duties and under the provisions of this Chapter shall be defended by legal representatives of the County of Monterey until the final termination of the proceedings. The member of the board shall not be liable for cost in any action, suit or proceeding that is instituted in pursuance of the provisions of this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 5442, § 3, 12-9-2025)

Section 114 of the California Building Code shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

Section 114 Violations

A. Compliance with building standards. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, alter, extend, repair, move, remove, demolish or occupy any building, structure or equipment or perform any grading work regulated by this Chapter, or cause same to be done, in conflict with or in violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter.

B. Compliance with permit requirements. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, alter, extend, repair, move, remove, demolish or occupy any building, structure or equipment or perform any grading work regulated by this Chapter, or cause same to be done without first obtaining a permit from the Building Official.

C. Expired permits. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to fail to obtain final inspection approval from the Building Official on any permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter prior to its expiration. Expired permits shall be renewed upon subsequent application and shall complete the proposed work in compliance with the current provisions of this Chapter or shall restore the property and building to their former use and configuration.

D. Unreasonable state of partial construction. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to permit any building or structure to remain in an unreasonable state of partial construction. An unreasonable state of partial construction exists if any of the following occurs:

1. Proposed work has not been diligently pursued on a consistent basis and the appearance of the structure or the construction site substantially detracts from the appearance of the neighborhood.

2. Condition of the structure or the construction site is detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare.

3. Structure or construction site has become an attractive nuisance.

E. Duty to maintain properties and structures. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to fail to maintain any building, structure, equipment, premises or grading work regulated by this Chapter with the provisions of the building standards that lawfully existed at the time of construction or with subsequent minimum maintenance standards established by state or local law or this Chapter for existing buildings and property.

F. Prohibited conditions. It shall be unlawful for any owner to create, maintain or permit the continued existence of any dangerous structure or premises, unsafe condition, unsafe equipment, unsafe structure, any structure that is unfit for human occupancy, any substandard building or premises or any unlawful structure or any other hazards as defined in this Chapter. Such violations are public nuisances and the owner shall abate or cause to be abated or corrected such conditions either by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or other approved corrective action without delay.

G. Prohibition for substandard buildings. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to create, maintain or permit the continued existence of a substandard building as defined in this Chapter.

H. Prohibited occupancy. It shall be unlawful for any owner to occupy or permit a person, firm or corporation to occupy any structure or premises condemned and placarded by the Building Official. It shall be unlawful for any person to enter such structure or premises except for the purpose of securing the structure, making the required repairs, removing the hazardous condition or of demolishing the same.

I. Compliance with notices and orders. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to fail to comply with any order of the Building Official for the evacuation of any occupied building or property, disconnection of service utilities or equipment, stop work order or the suspension and revocation of permits or certificate of occupancies.

J. Removal of posted notices and orders. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to remove or deface any notices or orders posted by the Building Official on any structure or any property until the Building Official gives written approval for such removal.

K. Interference with ordered corrective actions. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to obstruct, impede or interfere or attempt to obstruct, impede or interfere with any person engaged in the lawful work of vacating, repairing or demolishing any building, structure, equipment, premises or performing any grading work or performing any necessary act preliminary to or incidental to such work when that action is being taken to correct violations of this Chapter as ordered by the Building Official.

(Ord. No. 5442, § 3, 12-9-2025)