San Bernardino Municipal Code Ch. 15.12 Earthquake Hazard Reduction in Existing Buildings

[Reserved]

(Repealed by Ord. MC-1261, passed 12-4-2007 and Ord. MC-1262, passed 12-18-2007)

[Reserved]

(Repealed by Ord. MC-1053, passed 8-4-1999)

[Reserved]

(Repealed by Ord. MC-1053, passed 8-4-1999)

[Reserved]

(Repealed by Ord. MC-1053, passed 8-4-1999)

[Reserved]

(Repealed by Ord. MC-873, passed 5-26-1993)

[Reserved]

(Repealed by Ord. MC-873, passed 5-26-1993)

[Reserved]

(Repealed by Ord. MC-873, passed 5-26-1993)

[Reserved]

(Repealed by Ord. MC-873, passed 5-26-1993)

[Reserved]

(Repealed by Ord. MC-873, passed 5-26-1993)

[Reserved]

(Repealed by Ord. MC-1053, passed 8-4-1999)

[Reserved]

(Repealed by Ord. MC-1053, passed 8-4-1999)

[Reserved]

(Repealed by Ord. MC-1053, passed 8-4-1999)

[Reserved]

(Repealed by Ord. MC-1053, passed 8-4-1999)

[Reserved]

(Repealed by Ord. MC-1053, passed 8-4-1999)

(A) Any building owner who has received actual or constructive notice from the Building Official that a building located in the city is constructed of unreinforced masonry, shall post in a conspicuous place at the entrance of said building, on a sign not less than five inches by seven inches the following statement, pursuant to Cal. Gov’t Code § 8875.8, printed in not less than 30-point bold type:

This is an unreinforced masonry building. Unreinforced masonry buildings may be unsafe in the event of a major earthquake.

(B) Pursuant to Cal. Gov’t Code § 8875.9, this section shall not apply to unreinforced masonry construction if the walls are non-load bearing with steel or concrete frame.

(C) Section 15.74.010 shall not apply to any violation of this section.

(D) (1) If the owner of a building is not in compliance with the posting requirements of division (A) above on or after December 31, 2004, and the owner has received actual or constructive notice from the Building Official that their building is of unreinforced masonry construction and has not been retrofitted to the standards identified in § 15.12.010, the owner shall post and maintain in a conspicuous place at the entrance of the building, a sign not less than eight inches by ten inches with the following statement, with the first two words printed in 50-point bold type and the remaining words in at least 30-point type:

“Earthquake Warning. This is an unreinforced masonry building. You may not be safe inside or near unreinforced masonry buildings during an earthquake.” The posting shall be visible from the exterior entrance of the building.

(2) An owner who is subject to this section and who does not comply with the posting requirements shall be subject to an administrative citation pursuant to Chapter 9.92 and subject to an administrative fine of $250 no sooner than 15 days after notification by the Building Official that the owner is subject to the administrative fine.

(3) Thereafter, if the owner does not comply with and maintain compliance with the posting requirements, within 30 days of the first administrative fine, the owner shall be subject to an additional administrative citation and an additional administrative fine of $1,000.

(Ord. MC-1053, passed 8-4-1999; Ord. MC-1215, passed 2-22-2006; Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026)

(A) Any unreinforced masonry building that has been continuously vacant or abandoned for a period of one year or more shall be strengthened to comply with the standards identified in § 15.12.010 prior to re-occupancy. A vacancy, as determined by the Building Official, has occurred when there is no lawful occupancy or business activity within the structure for one year. The lack of business registration records, business receipts, utility and other records for a given period may be used to determine if a vacancy has occurred.

(B) Any unreinforced masonry building that has been continuously vacant or abandoned for a period of three years or more shall be considered a public nuisance and shall be subject to abatement as a public nuisance in accordance with Chapter 8.30. Once deemed to be a public nuisance the building shall be strengthened in accordance with the standards identified in § 15.12.010, or demolished, or the hazards associated with the building shall be otherwise mitigated to the satisfaction of the Building Official.

(Ord. MC-1215, passed 2-22-2006; Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026)