Sacramento Municipal Code Art. III Definitions

For the purpose of this chapter, certain phrases and terms and their derivatives shall be construed as specified in this article. Words, phrases, and terms used in this chapter, but not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings stated therefor in Titles 8 and 15 of this code. Where not defined in this code, such words, phrases, and terms shall have the meanings stated therefor in Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged, Second Edition. (Prior code § 50.03.301)

For purposes of this chapter, the "chief building official" may be referred to as the "building official" and includes his or her assistants as described in Section 15.04.100 of the Sacramento City Code, except as specifically provided otherwise. (Ord. 2016-0027 § 2)

For the purpose of this chapter, any building or structure which has any or all of the conditions or defects hereinafter described shall be deemed to be a dangerous building, provided that such conditions or defects exist to the extent that the life, health, property, or safety of the public or its occupants are endangered:

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 panic.

B. 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 Sacramento city building code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location.

C. 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 catastrophe and is less than the minimum requirements of the Sacramento city building code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location.

D. Whenever any portion or member of a building or appurtenance thereof is likely to fall, or to become detached or dislodged, or to collapse and thereby injure persons or damage property.

E. Whenever any portion of a building 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 Sacramento city building code, for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location without exceeding the working stresses permitted in the Sacramento city building code, for such buildings.

F. Whenever any portion thereof has wracked, warped, buckled or settled to such an extent that walls or other structure portions have materially less resistance to winds or earthquakes than is required in the case of similar new construction.

G. 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; (4) the deterioration, decay or inadequacy of its foundation; or (5) any other cause, is likely to partially or completely collapse.

H. Whenever, for any reason, the building or structure, or any portion thereof, is manifestly unsafe for the purpose for which it is being used.

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 thirty-three (33) percent or more damage or deterioration of its supporting member or members, or fifty (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 has become so dilapidated or deteriorated as to become: (1) an attractive nuisance to children; (2) a harbor for vagrants, criminals or immoral persons; or as to (3) enable persons to resort thereto for the purpose of committing unlawful or immoral 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 regulations specified in Titles 8 and 15 of this code or of any law or ordinance of this state or city 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 fifty (50) percent, or in any supporting part, member, or portion less than sixty-six (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, insects, rodents, pests or other vectors, or otherwise, is determined by the county building official or health officer to be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation or in such a condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease.

O. Whenever the fire marshal has determined that a building, structure, or the premises thereof constitute a fire hazard for any of the following reasons:

1. Dangerous or unlawful amounts of combustible or explosive or otherwise hazardous materials;

2. Hazardous conditions arising from defective or improperly installed equipment for handling or using combustible or explosive or otherwise hazardous materials;

3. Dangerous accumulations of rubbish, waste paper, boxes, shavings or other highly flammable materials;

4. Accumulations of dust or waste material in air conditioning or ventilating systems or of grease in kitchen or other exhaust ducts;

5. Obstructions to or on fire escapes, stairs, passageways, doors or windows, liable to interfere with the operations of the fire department or egress of occupants in case of fire;

6. Other conditions including, but not limited to, want of repairs, lack of adequate exit facilities, automatic or other fire alarm apparatus or fire extinguishing equipment, which create a hazardous condition.

P. Whenever any building or structure, because of faulty electrical wiring, or other cause, is determined by the building official to be an electrical or fire hazard to life, health or property.

Q. Whenever any building or structure, because of faulty gas connections, heating apparatus or water and sewer systems, or other cause, is determined by the building official to be a hazard to life, health or property.

R. Whenever any building or structure is in such condition as to constitute a public nuisance known to the common law or in equity jurisprudence.

S. 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 vacant, unoccupied, or abandoned for a period in excess of six months such that the building or portion thereof is an attractive nuisance or hazard to the health, safety and welfare of the public.

T. Whenever any well, septic tank or other excavation appurtenant to any existing or demolished structure has been abandoned. (Prior code § 50.03.302)

For the purpose of this chapter, an immediately dangerous building or structure shall be defined as any building or structure which has been so damaged by fire, infestation, seismic disturbance, or by any other cause to the extent that its structural integrity is irreparably damaged or destroyed and is in imminent danger of collapsing or where the condition of the structure poses an immediate and present threat to life, health or safety of the public. (Prior code § 50.03.303)