Chapter 15.28 — EXISTING BUILDING CODE

The City of Vernon adopts by reference the 2025 California Existing Building Code, as published by the California Building Standards Commission, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 10, including the tables, indices, appendices, addenda and footnotes contained therein as the seismic strengthening provisions for unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings for the City of Vernon. Except as otherwise provided herein, or as later amended, said California Existing Building Code is hereby referred to and by such reference is incorporated herein as if fully set forth.

(Ord. 1290 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1310, 3/17/2026)

Within three months of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, every owner of an unreinforced masonry bearing wall building located in the City shall post in a conspicuous place at the entrance of the building, on a sign not less than five inches by seven inches, the following statement, 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." (Ord. 1290 § 2, 2022)

• A. The owner of any unreinforced masonry bearing wall building shall comply with the provisions of the California Existing Building Code whenever the building undergoes a major addition, alteration or repair. For purposes of this section, "major addition, alteration or repair" means all additions, alterations or repairs within a three-year period where the cumulative cost thereof exceeds 25% of the assessed value of the building as shown on the last equalized assessment roll, as determined by the Building Official.

• B. The owner of an unreinforced masonry bearing wall building shall comply with the provisions of the California Existing Building Code when repairs or renovation of an existing roof or roof covering within a three-year period involves more than 25% of the total roof area, as determined by the Building Official.

• C. The owner of an unreinforced masonry bearing wall building shall comply with the provisions of the California Existing Building Code whenever there is change in occupancy classification from a less hazardous to a more hazardous category according to Table 1604.5 of the Building Code.

• D. Any building owner dissatisfied with the determination of the Building Official pursuant to this section may appeal to the City Council.

• (Ord. 1290 § 2, 2022)

Chapter A2 of the 2024 International Existing Building Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., is hereby adopted as the minimum standard for seismic strengthening of tilt-up concrete wall buildings. This standard is established as a minimum guideline for those property owners voluntarily selecting to retrofit their structures and shall not be construed as the City of Vernon mandated program. Except as otherwise provided herein, or as later amended, said 2024 International Existing Building Code is hereby referred to and by such reference is incorporated herein as if fully set forth.

(Ord. 1290 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1310, 3/17/2026)