§94.04 Basements or Cellars — San Diego Zoning Code

(a) The exterior walls of basements or cellars shall be constructed of cement or masonry impervious to rats at their junction with the ceiling or floor above, and all actual or potential openings in such walls through which rats may gain entrance from the exterior or pass from one building to another, as from one building to another, as those caused by defects in the wall construction, those around drains, pipes, wires, or other installations, and those of any other nature not used for passage, light, or ventilation, shall be closed with cement mortar, masonry, 26–gauge or heavier metal, or other suitable material approved or directed by the Health Officer.

Ch. Art. Div. 9 4 0 1

San Diego Municipal Code

Chapter 9: Building, Housing and Sign Regulations

(6-2000)

(b) All open pipes or drains in basements or cellars through which rats may pass shall be capped with a perforated metal cover securely fastened in place, preferably with a hinge, the perforations not being greater than one–half (1/2) inch in diameter.
(c) All breaks, cracks, or other openings in concrete floors or walls of basements through which rats may pass shall be closed with cement mortar.
(d) Basements and cellars shall be kept free of all rubbish and debris at all times, and all merchandise or other materials stored therein shall be so kept or piled that they will not provide a place of harborage for rats.
(e) When floors in existing basements and cellars are constructed partly or entirely of wood, and such wooden floor causes or contributes to a condition of rat–harborage, or rat–infestation, the Health Officer may require that such wood floors shall be completely removed and that they shall be replaced with a concrete floor three (3) inches or more in thickness, or if there is no basement floor the Health Officer may require that a suitable concrete floor shall be installed.
(“Basements or Cellars” incorp. 1–22–1952 by O–5046 N.S.)