Redwood City Municipal Code Art. III Moving Buildings

For the purposes of this Article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this Section:

BUILDING: Includes every building or structure for which a building permit would be necessary if it were being constructed within the City.

BUILDING PERMIT: Shall mean building permits issued pursuant to the Building Code.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

The provisions of this Article shall not apply to factory-built housing constructed under the provisions of the California Factory-Built Housing Law.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

No person shall move any building or structure within the City from one (1) lot or parcel of property to another lot or parcel of property in the City or outside the City, or from any place outside the City to a site within the City, without first securing a permit from the Building Official.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

Applications for building moving permits shall be filed in triplicate with the Building Official on forms approved by the Building Official. Every application shall contain the following information:

A. A description of the type of building to be moved.

B. The current and proposed location of the building.

C. The route over which the building is to be moved.

D. The method to be used in moving the building.

Every application shall be accompanied by the following:

A. A digital copy of the plot plan of the proposed site. The plan shall be drawn to scale, with lot, building and yard dimensions indicated. The plan shall show existing and proposed structures, driveways, sewer laterals and easements.

B. A nonrefundable application fee as established by resolution of the City Council.

C. An inspection fee as established by resolution of the City Council.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

The applicant for the permit pursuant to this Article shall, within three (3) days subsequent to the filing of an application, shall post a notice in a conspicuous place upon the building to be moved and at the site to which it is to be moved. The notice shall be in the form approved by the Building Official and shall contain the following information:

A. The name, address, and telephone number of the applicant.

B. A description of the type of building to be moved.

C. The present location of the building.

D. The proposed location.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

No permit shall be granted unless the Building Official finds that the granting of such permit as provided by this Article will not under the circumstances of the particular case be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to property or improvements. The Building Official may impose such conditions on the permit required by this Article as they deem necessary to protect the public health, safety and general welfare.

In addition to any other appropriate conditions, the Building Official may impose conditions relating to the following matters:

A. The route over which the building may be moved.

B. The dates and times during which the building may be moved.

C. The supervision and safety precautions to be employed while the building is being moved, including the requiring of the deposit of fees for electricians, police escort or other personnel necessary to facilitate the movement.

D. The condition of the site from which the building is proposed to be moved, if within the City.

E. The number of days for which the permit will be valid. In no event shall a permit be valid for more than six (6) months.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

Upon filing of an application pursuant to Section 9.24, the Building Official shall inspect the building and shall determine on its structural condition and whether it appears sufficiently sound to be moved without endangering persons or property.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

No building moving permit granted by the Building Official shall be effective until the applicant submits a bond in an amount established by Council resolution and conditioned upon the applicant's compliance with all the terms of this Article and with the terms and conditions of the permit granted.

The bond shall be executed by a surety company authorized to transact business in the State and shall be on forms supplied by the Building Official. The Council may increase the amount of the bond required if it determines that such increase is necessary to protect public property.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

No building shall be moved to any site within the City until the owner of the lot or parcel to which the building is to be moved, or their agent, secures a building permit pursuant to the provisions of the Building Code of the City, adopted in Section 9.40 hereof.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

The applicant for a permit under this Article shall, within ten (10) days after moving any building, clear the site from which the building was moved of all structural portions of the building, including foundations, and all debris. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any parcel of property from which a building has been moved or for the applicant to whom a permit was issued to permit any well, basement, sump or other excavation to remain on the site unless completely filled with compacted earthen material or entirely fenced.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

No building moved to any site within the City shall be occupied until it is repaired, reconstructed or otherwise rehabilitated to comply with all applicable provisions of this Code and other ordinances of the City and the provisions of Section 9.31 of this Article have been complied with. No such building shall be occupied until the Building Official has given the building a final inspection and has inspected and approved the site from which the building was moved if within the City.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

No person shall move any building or structure from one (1) place to another on the same lot or parcel without first securing a building permit from the Building Official.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

The provisions of this Section shall govern the movement of a building or structure from a site within the City to a site outside of the City and no person shall so move a building or structure unless they comply with the provisions of this Section. Such person shall make application to the Building Official for a building moving permit. The application shall comply with the provisions of Section 9.25 of this Article. The application shall be accompanied by a bond in the amount of established by Council resolution, furnished as specified in Section 9.29 of this Article, to ensure compliance with the provisions of Section 9.31 of this Article and the terms of the permit granted.

The Building Official shall issue or deny the permit within ten (10) days of its filing. The permit may include such conditions relating to the matters specified in Section 9.27 of this Article as the Building Official finds appropriate.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)

It shall be the duty of the Building Official and their authorized representatives to administer the provisions of this Article. It shall be the duty of all other departments to furnish the Building Official with any necessary assistance.

(Ord. No. 2551, § 1(Exh. A), 9-29-25)