Chapter 15.56

REPAIR AND CONSTRUCTION OF DAMAGED STRUCTURES

This chapter establishes standards and regulations for the expeditious repair and reconstruction of structures damaged as a result of an "uncontrollable event" for which a local emergency has been declared by the City Council.

(Prior code § 24.71)

The provisions of this chapter are applicable following each "uncontrollable event" when a local emergency has been declared by the City Council to all buildings and structures of all occupancies regulated by the City of Vernon. (Prior code § 24.72)

When approved by the Building Official, the requirements of this chapter may be waived in favor of repair recommendations included in an engineering evaluation as deemed in Section 15.56.080.

(Prior code § 24.73)

A violation of any provision or any section of this chapter or any code adopted by reference therein shall be in accordance with Chapter 1.08 of the Vernon City Code. (Prior code § 24.74)

Every violation of this chapter is hereby declared to be a public nuisance. (Prior code § 24.75)

The 2024 Edition of the International Existing Building Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., subject however, to the amendments, additions and deletions set forth in this chapter, is hereby adopted by reference as the repair criteria of the City of Vernon relating to disaster repair and reconstruction.

(Prior code § 24.76; Ord. 1290 § 4, 2022; Ord. 1310, 3/17/2026)

The 2018 International Existing Building Code is amended as follows:

• A. International Existing Building Code Section 202 is hereby amended to add the following definitions in alphabetical order:

International Building Code – means the California Building Code as amended by the City of Vernon.

Uncontrollable Event – means an act of god including a seismic event, flood, fire, tsunami or other natural disaster beyond the control of the property owner.

• B. International Existing Building Code Appendix A Chapter A1 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Seismic Strengthening Provisions for Unreinforced Masonry Bearing Wall Buildings.

Section A 102.1 General – All damaged unreinforced masonry buildings and structures shall be repaired and strengthened in accordance with the California Existing Building Code adopted in Section 24.60.

(Prior code § 24.77)

• A. Buildings or structures which are included on a National, State, or local register of historic places or which are qualifying structures within a recognized historic district, which have been damaged as a result of an "uncontrollable event," shall have an engineering evaluation performed.

• B. The minimum criteria for repair shall be included in Section 15.56.060, with due consideration given to the historical rating and nature of the structures. Additional standards and criteria, as noted in Part 8, Title 24, California Code of Regulations, the State of California Historic Building Code, shall apply.

• C. Where conflicts exist between the standards contained herein and the State of California Historic Building Code, the Historic Building Code shall govern.

• (Prior code § 24.78)