Chapter 13.32

VOLUNTARY SEISMIC STRENGTHENING PROVISIONS FOR CRIPPLE WALLS AND SILL PLATE ANCHORAGE IN EXISTING WOOD-FRAME BUILDINGS

The provisions of this chapter are intended to promote public safety and welfare by reducing the risk of earthquake-induced damage to existing wood-frame buildings with unbraced cripple walls and/or sill plates unanchored to the foundation. The requirements contained in this chapter are intended to improve the seismic performance of wood-framed buildings; however, will not necessarily prevent earthquake damage.

(Ord. 17-1004 § 2, 2017)

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all existing buildings of light-frame wood construction containing one or more of the structural weaknesses specified below:

• a. Sill plates or floor framing that are supported directly on the ground without an approved foundation system.

• b. Perimeter foundation system that is constructed only of wood posts supported on isolated pad footings.

• c. Perimeter foundation system that is not continuous at locations other than existing singlestory exterior walls not exceeding ten feet in length forming an extension of floor area beyond the line of an existing continuous perimeter foundation or at porches, storage rooms and similar spaces not containing fuel-burning appliances.

• d. Perimeter foundation system that is constructed of unreinforced masonry.

• e. Sill plates that are not connected to the foundation or sill plate that are connected with less than what is required by the Building Code.

• f. Cripple walls that are not braced in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and or cripple walls not braced with diagonal sheathing or wood structural panels in accordance with the Building Code.

• g. Cripple walls or sill plates that are not connected to the floor diaphragm above or are connected with less than what is required by the Building Code.

Notwithstanding any provision of the Building Code, compliance with this chapter shall not require existing electrical, plumbing, mechanical or fire-safety systems to be altered to comply with the current Building Code unless they constitute a hazard to life or property as determined by the Building Official.

(Ord. 17-1004 § 2, 2017)

Notwithstanding the applicable definitions, symbols and notations in the Building Code, the following definitions shall apply for the purposes of this chapter:

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/WE5031 on 2026-07-07

City of West Hollywood, CA

BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION

§ 13.32.030

§ 13.32.050

"Building Code" is the current Building Code of the City of West Hollywood.

"Cripple Wall" is a wood-framed stud wall extending from the top of the foundation wall to the underside of the lowest floor framing.

"Historical Building" is any building designated as a "qualified historical building" as defined in Part 8, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.

"Owner or Building Owner" is the individual(s), agent, firm, corporation, or entity having legal possession, equitable interest in the property, or rights to sanction evaluation or retrofit of a building.

"Perimeter Foundation" is a foundation system that is located under the exterior walls of a building.

"Retrofit" is an improvement of the lateral force resisting system by alteration of existing structural elements or addition of new structural elements.

"Story" is as defined in the code, but includes any basement or underfloor space of a building with cripple walls exceeding four feet in height.

(Ord. 17-1004 § 2, 2017)

Historical buildings shall also comply with the provisions of this chapter. At the Building Official's discretion, modifications to the standards set forth in this chapter may be permitted when such modifications are consistent with the provisions of the California Historical Building Code.

(Ord. 17-1004 § 2, 2017)

• a. Scope of Analysis. The analysis and retrofit of this chapter shall be as established in Chapter A3 of the California Existing Building Code.

Exception: The provisions of this chapter do not apply to the buildings, or elements thereof, listed below. These buildings or elements require analysis by a California registered engineer or architect in accordance with subsection (b) to determine the appropriate strengthening:

1. Group R-1, R-2 or R-4 occupancies with more than four dwelling units.

2. Buildings with a lateral force resisting system using poles or columns embedded in the ground.

3. Cripple walls that exceed four feet in height.

4. Buildings exceeding three stories in height and any three-story building with cripple wall studs exceeding fourteen inches in height.

5. Buildings where the Building Official determines that conditions exist that are beyond the scope of the prescriptive requirements of this chapter.

6. Buildings or portions thereof constructed on concrete slabs on grade.

• b. Analysis by Engineer or Architect. When analysis by an engineer or architect is required in

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/WE5031 on 2026-07-07

City of West Hollywood, CA § 13.32.050

WEST HOLLYWOOD CODE

§ 13.32.070

accordance with subsection (a), such analysis shall be in accordance with the Building Code, except that the base shear may be taken as seventy-five percent of the horizontal forces specified in the Building Code.

• c. Alternate Analysis and Design Parameters. The Building Official may approve alternate design methodologies that meet the same performance intent as those prescribed by this chapter and that achieve the objectives established by this chapter. A design criteria shall be provided to the city for review and approval prior to submission of plans. Alternative details and methods may be used where designed by a registered architect or engineer licensed in the State of California and approved by the Building Official.

• (Ord. 17-1004 § 2, 2017)

The plans and specifications required by the Building Official shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the nature, design methodology, and extent of the proposed work and to show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this chapter and the Building Code. (Ord. 17-1004 § 2, 2017)

• a. Notification to Tenants and Occupants . The owner shall advise all current and prospective residential and nonresidential tenants, subtenants, lessees, sublessees, or any other person(s) entitled to the use and/or occupancy of the building of a proposed project submitted pursuant to this chapter. The notice shall include the information for the project, as determined by the city, including the scope of work, expected duration, and contact information for a representative of the contractor.

• b. Tenant Protection During Construction. No work shall commence until the property owner has complied with the requirements of Chapter 17.30 of Title 17 of this code.

• (Ord. 18-1047 § 3, 2018)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/WE5031 on 2026-07-07

City of West Hollywood, CA

BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION

§ 13.36.010

§ 13.36.030