San Bernardino County Municipal Code Ch. 11 Disaster Reconstruction

This Chapter establishes regulations for adequate and expeditious repair and reconstruction of structures damaged as a result of a disaster for which a local emergency has been declared by the Board of Supervisors. The chapter does not allow exemptions from the Building, Fire or other codes.

(Ord. 3501, passed - -1992)

The provisions of this Chapter are applicable following each disaster for which a local emergency has been declared by the Board of Supervisors. The Board may extend the provisions as necessary.

(Ord. 3501, passed - -1992)

For the purposes of this Chapter the following definitions apply:

CURRENT CODE. The edition of the Uniform Building Code, published by the International Conference of Building Officials, as adopted by the County of San Bernardino in accordance with operation of law pursuant Health and Safety Code § 18941.5.

ESSENTIAL SERVICE FACILITIES. Those structures which are necessary for emergency operations subsequent to a disaster.

(Ord. 3501, passed - -1992)

Damaged structures of all occupancies regulated by the County of San Bernardino which have been damaged as a result of a disaster shall be repaired in accordance with the following criteria:

(a) When the estimated value of repair does not exceed ten percent of the replacement value of the structure, the damaged portion(s) shall be restored to their predisaster condition.

(b) When the estimated value of repair is greater than ten percent, but less than 50 percent, of the replacement value of the structure, the damaged elements, as well as all critical ties associated with those elements, shall be repaired and/or brought into conformance with the structural requirements of the current Code.

(c) When the estimated value of repair exceeds 50 percent of the replacement value of the structure, the entire structure shall be brought into conformance with the structural requirements of the current Code.

(d) Exception: The repair of damaged chimneys in Group R, Division 3 occupancies shall be excluded from the computation of percentage of replacement value and chimneys shall be repaired pursuant to § 63.1125.

(Ord. 3501, passed - -1992)

All damaged buildings or structures currently considered as historic places, or qualifying structures within established historic districts, shall be repaired in accordance with the standards in § 63.1115, above, with due consideration given to the historical ratings. Additional standards and criteria, as noted in the State of California Historic Building Code, shall apply. Where conflicts occur between these standards and the State of California Historic Building Code, the standards in § 63.1115 still govern.

(Ord. 3501, passed - -1992)

All damaged chimneys must be evaluated by a State of California registered civil or structural engineer or licensed architect prior to reconstruction and shall be constructed in accordance with Chapter 37 of the current Code. Unconventional masonry fireplace and chimney systems may be constructed pursuant to the alternate materials and methods of construction provisions of the current Code. Further, all new or reconstructed chimneys shall be anchored to the structure in accordance with the current Code. Where the portion or the chimney extending above the roof line exceeds two times the least dimension of the chimney, the portion extending above the roof line shall be braced to the roof structure.

(Ord. 3501, passed - -1992)

All damaged buildings determined to be constructed of unreinforced masonry shall be repaired and strengthened to comply with the currently adopted edition of the Uniform Code for Building Conservation, Appendix Chapter I.

(Ord. 3501, passed - -1992)

Damaged structures of all occupancies regulated by the County of San Bernardino which have been damaged as a result of a disaster which are Essential Service Facilities shall be repaired in accordance with the following criteria:

(a) When the estimated value of repair does not exceed 50 percent of the replacement value of the structure, the damaged elements, as well as all critical ties associated with those elements, shall be repaired and/or brought into conformance with the structural requirements of the current Code.

(b) When the estimated value of repair exceeds 50 percent of the replacement value of the structure, the entire structure shall be brought into conformance with the structural requirements of the current Code.

(Ord. 3501, passed - -1992)

In order to determine the suitability of alternate materials and methods of construction and to provide for reasonable interpretation of this Chapter, all technical decisions allowed by this Chapter may be appealed to the San Bernardino County Board of Appeal pursuant to San Bernardino County Code § 63.0103.

(Ord. 3501, passed - -1992)