Chapter 15.24 — MOVING BUILDINGS

Sections:

• 15.24.010 Definitions.
• 15.24.020 Permit--Required.
• 15.24.030 Permit--Fee.
• 15.24.040 Permit--Application and examination.
• 15.24.050 Permit--Application contents.
• 15.24.060 Permit--Grounds for denial--Issuance terms.
• 15.24.070 Certification of approval by adjacent property owners.
• 15.24.080 Permit application--Examination and investigation--Posting notices.
• 15.24.090 Hearing on permit issuance--Effective term.
• 15.24.100 Bond--Required--Amount.
• 15.24.110 Bond--Conditions.
• 15.24.120 Bond--Defaults.
• 15.24.130 Bond--Term.
• 15.24.140 Right of access to premises.
• 15.24.150 Leaving building in one position for more than twenty-four hours.
• 15.24.160 Appeals.
• 15.24.170 Penalty for violations.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings: A. "Building" means any house, building, or shed; provided, however, that the word "building" shall not include any oil or water tank and shall not include a small sentry booth used on an oil lease and which is commonly known as a doghouse. B. "One position" means a portion of a street one hundred feet long measured in any direction or from any portion of a building being moved. C. "Street" means any street, avenue, place, court, way, alley, or public highway or thoroughfare. (Prior code § 14.24.010 (Ord. 387 § 1, 1954))

It is unlawful for any person to move a building, structure, or garage over, upon, or along any street or from a location on one lot to a location on another lot within the corporate limits of the city or to perform any part of such moving work unless the building or the garage has first been examined and posted in the manner required in this chapter and a permit in writing so to do for each and every separate moving operation has been applied for and obtained from the building inspector. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed applicable to the moving of a structure from one location on a lot to another location on the same lot. (Prior code § 14.24.020 (part) (Ord. 387 § 2 (part), 1954))

Every applicant desiring a permit for the removal of a building shall, with his application, pay to the city the sum of fifteen dollars as an inspection fee, and shall also pay to the city the sum of twenty-five dollars a day for each day or fraction thereof that the structure being moved remains upon any street of the city.

(Prior code § 14.24.070 (part) (Ord. 387 § 7 (part), 1954))

Before a housemoving permit is issued, the persons proposing to do such work shall pay to the city fees as required in this chapter and shall complete an application form furnished by the building inspector and shall set forth such information thereon as the building inspector may reasonably require, in order to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The building inspector shall then cause to be made an examination of the building or structure proposed to be moved, and the location to which it is proposed to move the same, if such location is within the city. (Prior code § 14.24.020 (part) (Ord. 387 § 2 (part), 1954))

A. Attached to the building permit shall be a sketch of the building as it will look when finally placed upon the location to which it is proposed to be moved, showing the landscaping that will be done and, if the building is in need of painting, the permit shall prescribe the number of coats to be applied of first-class paint. The permit shall also state the required redecorating to be done on the inside; the type, kind, and quality of plumbing to be installed; the remodeling, if any, to be done on the inside; and, if the roof requires replacing, the type and kind of roofing material that will be required to be made; and in addition to the foundation, the permit shall state the type and kind of driveway to be installed to the garage, if any, and the walkway to the house; the type and kind of steps or porch to be built both in front and back; electric wiring, and such other requirements as the building inspector may require in order to bring the house up to the standards of a first-class building, both in structure and appearance. If there is a garage in connection with the house, the permit shall also specify the same general requirements as set forth for the house. The improvements outlined in this section shall be completed within ninety days after the date of the issuance of the housemoving permit. B. The applicant for a moving permit shall, at the time of making the application, file with the building inspector a full and complete certified copy of the building permit issued for the erection of the building at the time of the original construction. No permit shall be issued if the building is over ten years of age unless approved by the city council. (Ord. 72-7-688 § 1: prior code § 14.24.020(a) (Ord. 387 § 2(a), 1954))

A. No permit shall be issued to move and relocate any building or structure within the city which is so constructed or in such condition as to be dangerous; or which is infested with pests or is unsanitary; or which, if it is a dwelling or habitation, is unfit for human habitation; or which is so dilapidated, defective, unsightly or is in such a condition of deterioration or disrepair that its location at the proposed site would cause appreciable harm to or be materially detrimental to the property or improvements on both sides of the street within three hundred feet of the proposed location; or if the proposed use is prohibited by the zoning laws of the city; or if the structure is of a type otherwise prohibited at the proposed location by any other law or ordinance; or if the proposed moving or relocation would violate any other law or code or violate or disturb the public safety, welfare or peace. B. If the condition of the building or structure, in the reasonable judgment of the building inspector, admits of practical and effective repair and its proposed moving or relocation does not violate any law or ordinance, the inspector may issue a permit for such moving and relocation upon condition as provided in this chapter and complying with other provisions of this chapter. The building inspector shall, in granting any permit, impose thereon such terms and conditions as he may deem reasonable and proper, including, but not limited to, the requirements of changes, alterations, additions, or repairs to be made to or upon the building or structures, set forth in Section 15.24.040 to the end that the moving or relocation thereof will not be materially detrimental or injurious to public safety or to public welfare or to the property and improvements, or either, in the area, as limited in this section, to which it is to be moved. C. The terms and conditions upon which any permit may be granted shall be written upon the permit or attached in writing thereto. (Prior code § 14.24.020(b) (Ord. 387 § 2 (b), 1954))

A. Any person desiring such a permit shall make a written application therefor to the building inspector. The application shall include the information that must be stated in the permit as more fully set forth in Section 15.24.040. B. Any person desiring a permit shall present a written instrument signed by fifty-one percent of the property owners on both sides of the street within three hundred feet of the proposed location to which it is proposed to move the house, which instrument shall substantially state as follows: "We, the undersigned property owners in the City of Signal Hill, do hereby certify that has notified each of us that it is his intention to make application to the City of Signal Hill for a permit to move the house and garage, if any, now located at number on Street or Avenue, in the City of , California, to number on Street or Avenue, in the City of Signal Hill, which said location is within 300 feet of our respective properties."

The written statement shall be verified by the person circulating the instrument as follows: "STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) ) ss. "COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) "I, , a citizen of , California, do hereby certify that I circulated the above instrument and personally saw subscribed thereto all the names which appear thereon and know that each of them subscribed their names thereto voluntarily and without any coercion on my part, and that I fully informed them of the fact that it was my intention to move the building as stated therein. "SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this day of , 19 . Notary Public in and for the County of Los Angeles, State of California" C. The signed statement outlined in subsection B of this section shall be presented to the building inspector at the time of making application for moving permit. (Prior code § 14.24.030 (Ord. 387 § 3, 1954))

A. Upon receiving an application for a permit to move a building, the building inspector shall make an examination of the building described in the application and shall examine the proposed location. B. If it is found that no ordinance or law will be violated and that the public welfare, safety, or peace will not be endangered, he shall cause a notice to be posted on the front and rear of the lot or land to which it is proposed to move the building and shall cause a similar notice to be posted on the front of the building which is desired to be moved. Such notices shall bear a title in letters not less than three inches in height consisting of the words "Moving Notice." Said notices shall also state the location of the house by street and number, and the location of the lot or land to which it is proposed to move said building, together with the name of the applicant. Each of said notices shall be so placed that the bottom thereof shall be not less than four feet above the ground. All notices shall be placed not more than ten feet from the front and rear lines of the lot or land to which the building is to be moved. All signs shall face outward from the lot or property. Should the building which is proposed to be moved be located more than ten feet back from the property line, the notice shall be posted not more than ten feet back from the property line as well as upon the building proposed to be moved. C. If upon the examination of the building, it is found by the building inspector to be constructed or in such condition to be dangerous; or is infested with pests or is unsanitary; or which is so dilapidated, defective, unsightly or in such condition of deterioration or disrepair that its location at the proposed site would cause appreciable harm to or be materially detrimental to the property and improvement in the neighborhood, the application for a moving permit shall be denied by the building inspector. (Prior code § 14.24.040 (Ord. 387 § 4, 1954))

A. The building inspector shall set a time for a public hearing before the city council at a date not earlier than three days, nor later than the next regular meeting of the city council, and shall cause a notice to be printed in the Signal Hill Tribune advising the general public of the date and place of the hearing. B. The public works committee of the city council shall, prior to the time set for the public hearing, examine the building, its proposed route and proposed new location and, after public hearing, the city council shall either order the application denied, or order the permit granted. Such decision shall be final. C. Permits issued under the authority of this section are effective for sixty days after issuance, and void thereafter. (Prior code § 14.24.050 (Ord. 387 § 5, 1954))

A. Anything in this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, no housemoving permit shall be issued unless the applicant therefor shall first post with the building inspector a bond executed by the owner of the premises where the building or structure is to be located, as principal, and by a surety company authorized to do business in this state, as surety. Such bond shall be subject to the approval of the city attorney as to form and, in the event of such approval, shall be filed with the building inspector. B. The bond, which shall be in form joint and several, shall name the city as obligee, and shall be in an amount equal to

twice the cost of the work required to be done in order to comply with all of the conditions of the housemoving permit, as estimated by the building inspector, and not less than two thousand five hundred dollars. C. In lieu of a surety bond, the applicant may post a bond executed by the owner, as principal, which is secured by a deposit of cash in the amount named in subsection B of this section and conditioned as required in the case of a surety bond. Such a bond as so executed is called a "cash bond" for the purpose of this section. (Prior code § 14.24.060(A) (Ord. 387 § 6(a), 1954))

A. Every bond posted pursuant to this chapter shall be conditioned as follows:

1. That each and all of the terms and conditions of the housemoving permit shall be complied with to the satisfaction of the building inspector;
2. That all of the work required to be done pursuant to the terms and conditions of the housemoving permit shall be fully performed and completed within ninety days after the date of the issuance by the building inspector of the housemoving permit. The time limit specified in this section or the time limit specified in any permit, may be extended for good and sufficient cause by the building inspector. B. No such extension of time shall be valid unless written and no such extension shall release any surety upon any bond. (Prior code § 14.24.060(B) (Ord. 387 § 6(b), 1954))

A. Whenever the building inspector finds that a default has occurred in the performance of any term or condition of any permit, written notice thereof shall be given to the principal and to the surety on the bond. Such notice shall state the work to be done, the estimated cost thereof and the period of time deemed by the building inspector to be reasonably necessary for the completion of such work. B. After receipt of such notice the surety must, within the time therein specified, either cause the required work to be performed or, failing therein, must pay over to the building inspector twice the estimated cost of doing the work, as set forth in the notice. Upon the receipt of such money, the city shall proceed, by such mode as it deems convenient to cause the required work to be performed and completed, but no liability shall be incurred therein other than for the expenditure of the sum of money in hand therefor. C. If a cash bond has been posted, notice of default as provided in subsection A of this section shall be given to the principal and, if compliance is not had within the time specified, the city shall proceed without delay and without further notice of proceedings whatever, to use the cash deposit, or any portion of such deposit, to cause the required work to be done, by contract or otherwise, in the discretion of the city. The balance, if any, of such cash deposit shall, upon the completion of the work, be returned to the depositor or to his successors or assigns after deducting the cost of the work, plus twenty-five percent to cover cost of supervision and direction of work of completion. D. When any default has occurred on the part of the principal under the preceding provisions of this section, the surety shall have the option, in lieu of completing the work required, to demolish the building or structure, and to clear, clean and restore the site within ninety days of the default. If the surety defaults, the city shall have the same option. (Prior code § 14.24.060(C), (D) (Ord. 387 § 6(c), (d), 1954))

The term of each bond posted pursuant to this chapter shall begin upon the date of the posting thereof and shall end upon the completion, to the satisfaction of the building inspector, of the performance of all the terms and conditions of the housemoving permit. Such completion shall be evidenced by a statement thereof, signed by the building inspector, a copy of which will be sent to any surety or principal upon request. When a cash bond has been posted, the cash shall be returned to the depositor, or to his successors or assigns, upon the termination of the bond, except any portion thereof that may have been used or deducted as provided in this chapter. (Prior code § 14.24.060(E) (Ord. 387 § 6(e), 1954))

A. The building inspector, any member of the city council, the surety, and the duly authorized representatives of either, shall have access to the premises described in the housemoving permit for the purpose of inspecting the progress of the work. B. In the event of any default in the performance of any term or condition of the housemoving permit with reference to the relocation of a structure, the surety or any person employed or engaged on its behalf, or the building inspector or any person employed or engaged on his behalf, or any member of the city council shall have the right to go upon the premises to complete the required work or to remove or demolish the building or structure.

C. It is unlawful for the owner or his representatives, successors, or assigns, or any other person, to interfere with or obstruct the ingress to or egress from any such premises of any authorized representative or agent of any surety or of the city engaged in the work of completing, demolishing, or removing any building or structure for which a housemoving permit has been issued, after a default has occurred in the performance of the terms or conditions thereof. (Prior code § 14.24.060(F) (Ord. 387 § 6(f), 1954))

No person shall permit any building to remain in one position on any street longer than twenty-four hours, unless prevented by an act of God, a public enemy, strike of employees, or other unavoidable cause beyond the control of such party. Immediately upon ascertaining that it will be necessary for the building to remain in one position for longer than twenty-four hours, the mover shall immediately notify the police department, and shall advise the police department of the facts which prevent him from continuing to move the building to its proper location. (Prior code § 14.24.070 (part) (Ord. 387 § 7 (part), 1954))

An applicant or any person who may feel aggrieved by any ruling or action of the building inspector may appeal to the city council within ten days for a hearing thereon, whereupon the city council shall hear the same and make its final determination of the matter in accordance with the information presented. (Prior code § 19.24.080 (Ord. 387 § 8, 1954))

The penalty for the violation of any provision of this chapter shall be as prescribed in Chapter 1.16. (Ord. 586 § D (part), 1966: prior code § 14.24.090 (Ord. 387 § 10, 1954))