Ventura Municipal Code Ch. 12.05 EXISTING BUILDING STANDARDS 2 Revised

2 Editor’s note(s): Ord. No. 2019-016, adopted October 7, 2019, amended Chapter 12.05 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Chapter 12.05 pertained to the same subject matter, and derived from Ord. No. 2016-014, adopted October 17, 2016.

Pursuant to California Government Code Sections 50022.1 to 50022.8, inclusive, Part 10 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, known as the California Existing Building Code, 2025 Edition (“CEBC”), including all standard printed chapters and sections (whether adopted by the state matrix or not), is adopted by reference, subject to the amendments, additions, and deletions set forth in this chapter. The California Existing Building Code will apply to existing occupancies identified by this code. One true copy of the California Existing Building Code is on file in the Office of the Building Official and is available for public inspection as required by law. (Ord. No. 2019-016, § 2, 10-7-19; Ord. No. 2022-018, § 2, 11-28-22; Ord. No. 2025-014, § 2, 11-18-25)

A. The city council finds that certain local climatic, geological, and/or topographical conditions exist as follows:

1. Climatic. The city experiences periods of high temperatures accompanied by low humidity and high winds each year. These conditions could create an environment in which the fire department may have great difficulty in controlling fires occurring in hillside brush areas as well as structures not having built-in fire protection. The city also experiences periods of intense rainfall, which create the need for special drainage precautions.

2. Geological. The city is located in an area with expansive soils and includes hillsides that are subject to mudflows and unstable conditions. Special foundation considerations and soils analyses requirements must be in place to provide a reasonable degree of structural integrity for buildings constructed in these areas. Several earthquake faults run through the city that, when active, will impose unique lateral loads on structures in the city. Special lateral structural design criteria are needed to resist these lateral loads imposed by active earthquake faults in the city.

3. Topographical. The city has hillside and flat land developments that require special drainage precautions, as well as a system of roadways and highways that generate traffic noise. Structures would be subject to water damage without special requirements addressing site drainage.

4. After due consideration, the city council finds and determines that these local climatic, geologic, and topographical conditions make modifications and changes to the 2025 Edition of the California Existing Building Code reasonably necessary to provide sufficient and effective protection of life, health and property. A summary of the applicable findings as they relate to each local amendment is attached to the ordinance codified in this section as Exhibit “1,” incorporated herein by this reference.

B. The California Existing Building Code is therefore modified, amended, added to, and changed as set forth below:

1. Chapter 1, Division II is replaced in its entirety with the following:

Division II Administration.

Section 103. Administration and Enforcement. Refer to Chapter 1, Division II Part 2, of the 2025 California Building Code, as adopted by the City of San Buenaventura, for all administrative requirements and regulations.

2. Section 506.7 is added to read as follows:

Section 506. 7 Unreinforced Masonry Buildings. When an existing unreinforced masonry structure is being reclassified to a different occupancy classification, or increasing the occupant load, the unreinforced masonry building shall be evaluated by a registered civil or structural engineer licensed in the State of California, experienced with unreinforced masonry buildings. The evaluation shall be based on the life and safety or immediate occupancy performance level, in accordance with current ASCE 41.

This evaluation shall establish whether the existing unreinforced masonry building is structurally damaged or in need of structural repair. This report must be submitted to the Building Official for review and further recommendations prior to the submittal for the change of occupancy classification.

3. Chapter 14 is modified in its entirety:

1401 Relocation of Existing Buildings. No person, firm or corporation shall move or relocate any building or structure into the City, or from one lot to another lot within the City, or from one portion of a lot to another location on the same lot without first obtaining a building permit; provided, however, nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to apply to factory-built housing, commercial modulars, manufactured homes, mobile homes, multi-unit manufactured housing, and special purpose commercial modulars approved as such under the jurisdiction of the State or Federal Government. To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file an application therefor in writing on a form furnished for that purpose. Any building relocation shall be subject to the following provisions:

Exception: Minor structures which do not require a building permit per Section 105 of this code.

1401.1 The following information shall be filed for review and subject to the approval of the Building Official prior to the issuance of the building relocation permit:

1. The location and address of the current site and new site shown on a plot plan. This shall include the showing of adjacent lots on all sides of the property and an indication of all structures and improvements on such lot;

2. A letter of structural integrity from a State licensed structural engineer stating the age of the structure, its structural capacity for lifting and relocating, and the specific location of supports to safely transport the building;

3. Plans and specifications for the proposed improvements at the new location, including utilities, emergency vehicle access, drainage, etc.;

4. A valid transportation permit issued by the City Engineer for the specific structure proposed for relocation;

5. A termite inspection report prepared by a legally qualified person;

6. The plan and details for abandonment of sewage disposal systems and/or sewer laterals as set forth in the California Plumbing Code;

7. A current photograph showing the front of each building to be relocated; and

8. Such additional information as shall be deemed reasonably necessary by the Building Official to carry out the intent and purpose of this Chapter.

1401.2 Inspection.

1401.2.1 Application investigation. Before any application for a permit is accepted, an investigation of the condition of the building to be moved and inspection of the proposed new location must be completed by the City Building Official or designee. Fees for this investigation and inspection shall be based on the City Council approved hourly rate for Building & Safety multiplied by the estimated total travel, inspection and the post-inspection documentation time needed.

1401.2.2 Outside City limits. If the building or structure is located outside the City limits, a mileage charge equivalent to the current mileage rate paid by the City may be charged for each mile traveled outside the City limits in the course of the investigation.

1401.2.3 Regulatory compliance. Before the Building Official may grant a building relocation permit, there shall be evidence of full compliance with all pertinent ordinances, rules, regulations and other laws of the City and State.

1401.2.4 Findings. The Building Official shall find prior to granting a building relocation permit:

That there is evidence of full compliance with the City Zoning Ordinance;

That all new or repair work in the moved building shall comply or be altered to comply with current State Title 24 requirements as adopted by the City; and

Before a building permit may be granted, there shall be required of the applicant the posting of a bond in such an amount as is determined by the Building Official to cover costs of any provisions stated in this chapter but not less than $100,000. The bond shall also cover the costs involved in cleaning up the vacated site and restoring it to a safe and healthy condition. The bonding time is a minimum of ninety (90) days and may be extended for good cause by the Building Official if final inspection of the moved building is not obtained within the ninety (90) days.

(Ord. No. 2019-016, § 2, 10-7-19; Ord. No. 2022-018, § 2, 11-28-22; Ord. No. 2025-014, § 2, 11-18-25. Formerly 12.05.020)