National City Municipal Code Ch. 15.34 Historical Buildings

There is adopted by the city council, for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing the enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, demolition, converging, occupancy, use and maintenance of all historical buildings and/or structures, that certain code known as the State Historical Building Code, Title 24, Building Standards Part 8 of the California Administrative Code, of which code not less than three copies have been and are now on file in the office of the city clerk; and the same are adopted and incorporated as if fully set out at length in this chapter, and from the date on which the ordinance codified in this chapter takes effect the provisions thereof shall be controlling within the limits of the city.

(Ord. 1915 § 2 (part), 1987)

It is the purpose of this chapter to provide alternative building regulations for the rehabilitation, preservation, restoration (including related reconstruction) or relocation of buildings or structures designated as historic buildings. Such alternative building regulations are intended to facilitate the restoration or change of occupancy so as to preserve their original or restored architectural elements and features, to encourage energy conservation and cost-effective approach to preservation, and to provide for the safety of the building occupants.

(Ord. 1915 § 2 (part), 1987)

The provisions of this code may be applied for the rehabilitation and relocation of qualified historical buildings as defined in Chapter 8-3 of the State Historical Building Code. Said code may apply when repairs, alterations, reconstruction and additions necessary for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, relocation or continued use of a building or structure are made.

(Ord. 1915 § 2 (part), 1987)

A. It is the intent of these regulations to provide means for the preservation of the historical value of designated buildings and, concurrently, to provide reasonable safety from fire, seismic and wind forces, or other hazards, for occupants of such buildings. It is not the intent to protect the property and by so doing adversely affect the historical integrity of the structure.

B. It is not the intent of these regulations to allow nonhistorical expansion or addition to a historical building beyond the original construction of such structure unless such expansion or addition conforms to all prevailing applicable regulations.

(Ord. 1915 § 2 (part), 1987)

All qualified historical buildings or structures, which includes any structure, collection of structures and their associated sites deemed of importance to the history, architecture or culture of an area by an appropriate local or state governmental jurisdiction. This shall include structures on existing or future national, state or local historical registers or official inventories, such as the National Register of Historic Places, State Historical Landmarks, State Points of Historical Interest, and city or county registers or inventories of historical or architecturally significant sites, places, historic districts or landmarks.

(Ord. 1915 § 2 (part), 1987)

Local authorities enforcing where they have jurisdiction, and state enforcing authorities, where they have jurisdiction.

(Ord. 1915 § 2 (part), 1987)

Where permitted, repairs, alterations and reconstruction may be made without adhering to other regulations that deal with full compliance requirements where a change of use (occupancy) takes place, or where the scope of the work exceeds any percentage of the present building value.

(Ord. 1915 § 2 (part), 1987)

Repairs to any portion of a historical building or structure may be made with original materials and the use of original methods of construction, subject to conditions of this code.

(Ord. 1915 § 2 (part), 1987)

A. The provisions of the State Historical Building Code are not intended to prevent the use of any proposed alternative design, material or method of construction not specifically prescribed or allowed by State Historical Building Code, provided any such alternative will facilitate the preservation of historical buildings or structures and has been approved. The enforcing agency may approve any such alternative provided the proposed design material or method of construction is satisfactory and that the proposed design, material or method of construction or work offered is, for the purpose intended, reasonably equivalent to that prescribed or allowed in this code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, and safety.

B. The enforcing agency may request that sufficient evidence or proof be submitted to substantiate any claims that may be made regarding such alternatives.

(Ord. 1915 § 2 (part), 1987)

Any qualified building that does not comply with the minimum conditions of this code may be considered substandard and must be corrected as a condition of the use of this code.

(Ord. 1915 § 2 (part), 1987)