Visalia Municipal Code Art. 2 Moving of Structures Upon City Streets

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to move any building, structure or portion of any building or structure on any street in the city without first filing a written application for a moving permit and securing a permit therefore from the city engineer in the manner provided by this article. The permit must be in the possession of the movers during the move and must be shown if requested by a police officer along the route. (Prior code § 7841(a))

A. Each moving permit application shall be accompanied by a deposit. The amount of the deposit shall be based upon the size of the project and the amount of cleanup involved.

B. A basic fee shall be charged for each permit for any structure to be moved.

C. In addition to the basic fee, the city engineer shall determine when the interests of the city require that moving of the structure requires inspection by the city and assess a fee for each hour for such inspection.

D. The chief of police of the city shall determine when public interest, in terms of traffic hazard abatement, require convoy by police of the structure being moved. The charge for such convoy shall be based on the hourly rate for the personnel and equipment used.

E. The schedule of fees shall be those amounts established by resolution of the council adopted prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter and shall remain in effect until July 1, 1991. Effective July 1, 1991, and each succeeding July 1st thereafter, said schedule of fees shall be adjusted in accordance with the formula used by the city council to establish the expenditure control budget. If, in the determination of the city engineer, the adjustment of the schedule of fees produced by the above procedure is not representative of the actual change in costs of issuing the building relocation permit, the city engineer may, in lieu of the procedures set forth in this section, compute a new schedule of fees for adoption by resolution of the council. In the event of the adoption of a new schedule of fees by resolution of the council, such new schedule of fees shall become effective on adoption thereof by the council. The adjustment of such new schedule of fees shall begin the July 1st next occurring after adoption of the new schedule.

F. The foregoing fees, including the basic fee, shall be deducted from the deposit, and the balance remaining, if any, after completion of the moving of the structure to the new site, shall be returned to the permittee. If the total of such fees is greater than the deposit, the permittee shall pay all such fees.

G. No deposit shall be returned until all debris and litter has been removed and all utilities and sewers disconnected and/or capped to the satisfaction of the city engineer and chief building official. If such removal, disconnection and/or capping is not performed to his/her satisfaction within fifteen (15) days, he/she shall proceed without notice to remove, disconnect or cap as required, deducting the cost of same from the deposit. (Prior code § 7841(b))

At least three days prior to the date of the actual move a completed application form shall be submitted to the city engineer on an approved application form. The following information shall be included on the application:

A. The kind of structure to be moved;

B. The street location or other identifying description of the site to which the structure is to be moved;

C. The route over, along, across, and upon which such structure is to be moved;

D. The time it is proposed to move the structure and within which removal will be completed;

E. Signatures from the following utility companies acknowledging that they have seen and approved the proposed route over which the structure is to be moved;

• 1. Southern California Edison,
• 2. Pacific Bell,
• 3. Continental Cablevision;

F. The loaded height;

G. The loaded length;

H. The loaded weight;

I. The type and number of wheels of the truck or dolly;

J. Other information as required by the city engineer to review the application. (Prior code § 7841(c))

A. Each application for a moving permit shall be accompanied by a faithful performance bond, in an amount specified by the city engineer not to exceed the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), guaranteeing completion of the moving work within the time specified in the moving permit. Said bond shall guarantee completion of the moving and the repair or costs of repair for damage to curbs, gutters, sidewalks, driveways, pavements, signs, trees, poles, signals and other facilities belonging to the city.

B. Faithful performance bond for moving shall not be required for residential garages. When both a relocation and moving faithful performance bond are required, they may be combined as one bond. A continuing faithful performance bond in the minimum amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for moving only may be maintained on file with the city engineer by persons engaged in the business of house moving. (Prior code § 7841(d))

A. Every person, firm, company, corporation, or organization applying for a permit shall file with the engineering department a policy, true copy thereof, or certificate of insurance, accompanied by an endorsement signed by the underwriter or an authorized representative, as evidence that the applicant has obtained and maintains the following insurance requirements:

1. Comprehensive general liability coverage with limits of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) combined single limit per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage;

2. Automobile liability coverage with limits of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) combined single limit for occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage;

3. Worker's compensation coverage with limits as required by the Labor Code of the state of California and employers liability coverage with limits of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per accident.

B. The city, its officers, agents and employees are to be named as additional insured with respect to the contractor's general liability. The contractor's insurance shall be considered primary with respect to any insurance or self-insurance programs maintained by the city. The contractor shall also agree to hold the city, its officers, agents and employees harmless from any and all causes of action, penalties, liabilities or loss resulting from claims or court actions arising out of any accidents, loss or damage to persons or property occurring as a result of any work performed by the contractor or his subcontractors. Franchised public utilities operating under the jurisdiction of the California Public Utilities Commission are exempt from the provisions of this article for work performed by their own forces. (Prior code § 7841(e))

House moving permits shall be conditional upon such requirements as may be established by the city engineer subject to the following regulations:

A. Any truck with metal tires used for moving buildings shall not exceed six hundred (600) pounds per inch of tire surface width while loaded.

B. If rollers are used to move a building, planks shall be placed under the rollers of such width and in such a manner as to protect the surface of the street.

C. Buildings shall be moved upon rollers or upon a truck or dolly having wheels equipped with pneumatic, solid rubber, or metal tires.

D. Buildings shall be allowed to remain stationary on a street only where they will not obstruct an intersection or obstruct access to any fire hydrant, standpipe or other fire fighting equipment, located upon or adjacent to such street.

E. Structures shall not be allowed to be moved on the public right-of-way between the hours of thirty (30) minutes after sunset to thirty (30) minutes before sunrise.

F. The fire, police, and engineering departments of the city shall be notified of the exact location of the building being moved twice each twenty-four (24) hours while the building is being moved. One time shall be between six p.m. and midnight of each twenty-four (24) hours.

G. Provision shall be made for the protection of any tree, shrub or plant located in, or on any street, park boulevard, alley or public place in the city.

H. Buildings shall not be moved upon any street at any other time, to any other destination or in any other manner than as stated in a valid permit.

I. The local utilities shall be notified of the time and place where the moving operations will be carried on.

J. Preparation work on the structure to be moved will not be allowed prior to the issuance of the moving permit.

K. The city engineer may require such additional regulations as he/she may deem necessary to protect the public health and safety. (Prior code § 7841(f))