Rancho Cordova Municipal Code Art. III Definitions

For the purposes of this code, the following words shall have the following specified meanings:

"Building code"

means the International Building Code as adopted and amended by Chapter 16.04 RCMC, as may be amended from time to time.

"Dangerous building"

means any building, structure or premises deemed to be dangerous under the provisions of RCMC § 16.22.301.

"Director"

means the director of the city's neighborhood services division, or his or her authorized representative.

"Housing code"

means Chapter 16.20 RCMC, as may be amended from time to time.

"Owner"

means all persons, firms, businesses, partnerships, and corporations who own a fee interest of public record in real property subject to this code.

"Party in interest"

means all persons, firms, businesses, partnerships, and corporations who have a lease, sublease, easement, mortgage, or other interest of public record, in real property, a building, structure, or premises subject to this code.

"Person"

means any natural person, firm, partnership or corporation.

"Premises"

means any real property, including any and all buildings, structures and improvements thereon, as the case may be.

(SCC 322 § 1 (part), 1978; SCC 1003 § 2, 1995; SCC 1075 § 7, 1997; SCC 1090 § 4, 1997; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 38-2007 § 1 (Exh. 1(J)))

For the purposes of this code, any building, structure or premises which has any of the conditions or defects hereinafter described shall be deemed to be a dangerous building; provided, that such condition or defect endangers or may endanger the life, health, property, safety or welfare of the occupants of such building, structure or premises, adjoining property owners or their occupants, or the public:

A. Whenever any door, aisle, passageway, stairway or other means of exit is not of sufficient width or size or is not so arranged as to provide safe and adequate means of exit in case of fire or other emergency.

B. Whenever the walking surface of any aisle, passageway, stairway or other means of exit is so warped, worn, loose, torn or otherwise unsafe as to not provide safe and adequate means of exit in case of fire or other emergency.

C. Whenever the stress in any materials, member or portion thereof, due to all dead and live loads, is more than one and one-half times the working stress or stresses allowed in the building code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location.

D. Whenever any portion thereof has been damaged by fire, earthquake, wind, flood or by any other cause, to such an extent that the structural strength or stability thereof is materially less than it was before such event and is less than the minimum requirements of the building code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location.

E. Whenever any portion, member or appurtenance thereof is likely to fail, or to become detached or dislodged, or to collapse and thereby injure persons or damage property.

F. Whenever any portion thereof, or any member, appurtenance or ornamentation on the exterior thereof is not of sufficient strength or stability, or is not so anchored, attached or fastened in place so as to be capable of resisting a wind pressure of one-half of that specified in the building code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location without exceeding the working stresses permitted in the building code for such buildings.

G. Whenever any portion thereof has racked, warped, buckled or settled to such an extent that walls or other structural portions have materially less resistance to winds or earthquakes than is required in the case of new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location.

H. Whenever the building or structure, or any portion thereof, because of (1) dilapidation, deterioration or decay; (2) faulty construction; (3) the removal, movement or instability of any portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building or structure; (4) the deterioration, decay or inadequacy of its foundation; or (5) any other cause, is likely to partially or completely collapse.

I. Whenever the exterior walls or other vertical structural members list, lean or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the center of gravity does not fall inside the middle one-third of the base.

J. Whenever the building or structure, exclusive of the foundation, shows 33 percent or more damage or deterioration of its supporting member or members, or 50 percent damage or deterioration of its nonsupporting members, enclosing or outside walls or coverings.

K. Whenever the building or structure has been so damaged by fire, wind, earthquake or flood, or by any other such cause, or has become so dilapidated or deteriorated as to become:

1. An attractive nuisance to children;

2. A harbor for vagrants; or

3. A harbor for persons to commit unlawful acts.

L. Whenever any building or structure has been constructed, exists or is maintained in violation of any specific requirement or prohibition applicable to such building or structure provided by the building regulations of this jurisdiction, as specified in the building code or housing code, or any other law of this state or jurisdiction relating to the condition, location or structure of buildings.

M. Whenever any building or structure which, whether or not erected in accordance with all applicable laws and ordinances, has in any nonsupporting part, member or portion less than 50 percent, or in any supporting part, member or portion less than 66 percent of the (1) strength, (2) fire-resisting qualities or characteristics, or (3) weather-resisting qualities or characteristics required by law in the case of a newly constructed building of like area, height and occupancy in the same location.

N. Whenever a building or structure, used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, decay, damage, faulty construction or arrangement, inadequate light, air or sanitation facilities, or otherwise, is determined by the director to be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation or in such condition that it is likely to cause sickness or disease.

O. Whenever any building or structure, because of obsolescence, dilapidated condition, deterioration, damage, inadequate exits, lack of sufficient fire-resistive construction, faulty electric wiring, gas connections or heating apparatus, or other cause, is determined by the fire marshal to be a fire hazard.

P. Whenever any portion of a building or structure remains on a site after the demolition or destruction of the building or structure or whenever any building or structure is abandoned for a period in excess of six months so as to constitute such building or portion thereof as a public nuisance or hazard to the public.

Q. Whenever any building or portion thereof is so deteriorated, damaged, in such need of repair or is left vacant and unsecured so as to present a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the community and constitutes a nuisance.

(SCC 322 § 1 (part), 1978; SCC 1003 § 2, 1995; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4)