Woodland Municipal Code Ch. 10 Substandard Buildings (CA)

SUBSTANDARD BUILDINGS

Section 1001 Definitions.

1001.1 General. Any building or portion thereof that is determined to be an unsafe building in accordance with Section 1.1.2 of the California Building Code, or any building or portion thereof, including any dwelling unit, guest room or suite of rooms, or the premises on which the same is located, in which there exists any of the conditions referenced in this section and the definition of "substandard building" as set forth in California Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3, as amended, to an extent that endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety or welfare of the public or the occupants thereof, shall be deemed and hereby are declared to be substandard a building.

1001.2 Inadequate Sanitation shall, include but not limited to, the following:

1.	Lack of, or improper water closet, lavatory, or bathtub or shower in a dwelling unit.
2.	Lack of, or improper water closets, lavatories, and bathtubs or showers per number of guests in a hotel.
3.	Lack of, or improper kitchen sink.
4.	Lack of hot and cold running water to plumbing fixtures in a hotel.
5.	Lack of hot and cold running water to plumbing fixtures in a dwelling unit.
6.	Lack of adequate heating.
7.	Lack of, or improper operation of required ventilating equipment.
8.	Lack of minimum amounts of natural light and ventilation required by this code.
9.	Room and space dimensions less than required by this code.
10.	Lack of required electrical lighting.
11.	Dampness of habitable rooms.
12.	Infestation of insects, vermin or rodents as determined by the code enforcement officer.
13.	Visible mold growth, as determined by a code enforcement officer, excluding the presence of mold that is minor and found on surfaces that can accumulate moisture as part of their properly functioning and intended use.
14.	General dilapidation or improper maintenance.
15.	Lack of connection to a functional sewage disposal system.
16.	Lack of adequate garbage and rubbish storage and removal facilities as determined by the code enforcement officer.
17.	Lack of an adequate and safe water supply.

1001.3 Structural Hazards shall include, but not limited to, the following:

1.	Deteriorated or inadequate foundations.
2.	Defective or deteriorated flooring or floor supports.
3.	Flooring or floor supports of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
4.	Members of walls, partitions, or other vertical supports that split, lean, list, or buckle due to defective material or deterioration.
5.	Members of walls, partitions, or other vertical supports that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
6.	Members of ceilings, roofs, ceilings and roof supports, or other horizontal members which sag, split, or buckle due to defective material or deterioration.
7.	Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports, or other horizontal members that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
8.	Fireplaces or chimneys which list, bulge or have settled, due to defective materials or deterioration.
9.	Fireplaces or chimneys which are of insufficient size or strength to carry imposed loads with safety.
10.	Cesspools and septic tanks which are structurally unsound.

1001.4 Any nuisance. Any condition constituting a nuisance in Chapter 9.04 of the Woodland Municipal Code.

1001.5 Hazardous Electrical wiring. Electrical wiring that was installed in violation of code requirements in effect at the time of installation or electrical wiring not installed in accordance with generally accepted construction practices in areas where no codes were in effect or that has not been maintained in good condition or that is not being used in a safe manner.

1001.6 Hazardous Plumbing. Plumbing that was installed in violation of code requirements in effect at the time of installation or plumbing not installed in accordance with generally accepted construction practices in areas where no codes were in effect or that has not been maintained in good condition or that is not free of cross-connections or siphonage between fixtures or that is not being used in a safe manner.

1001.7 Hazardous Mechanical Equipment. Mechanical equipment, including vents, that was installed in violation of code requirements in effect at the time of installation or mechanical equipment not installed in accordance with generally accepted construction practices in areas where no codes were in effect or that has not been maintained in good and safe condition.

1001.8 Faulty Weather Protection shall include, but not limited to, the following:

1.	Deteriorated, crumbling, or loose plaster.
2.	Deteriorated or ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roof, foundations, or floors, including broken window or doors.
3.	Defective or lack of weather protection for exterior wall coverings, including lack of paint or weathering due to lack of paint or other approved protective covering.
4.	Broken, rotted, split, or buckled exterior wall coverings or roof coverings.

1001.9 Fire Hazard. Any building or portion thereof, device, apparatus, equipment, combustible waste, or vegetation that, in the opinion of the chief of the fire department or his deputy, is in such a condition as to cause a fire or explosion or provide a ready fuel to augment the spread and intensity of fire or explosion arising from any cause.

1001.10 Faulty Materials of Construction. All materials of construction, except those which are specifically allowed or approved by this code and the Building Code, and which have been adequately maintained in good and safe condition.

1001.11 Hazardous or Unsanitary Premises. Those premises on which an accumulation of weeds, vegetation, junk, dead organic matter, debris, garbage, offal, rodent harborages, stagnant water, combustible materials, and similar materials or conditions constitute fire, health, or safety hazards.

1001.12 Inadequate Maintenance. Any building or portion thereof that is determined to be an unsafe building due to inadequate maintenance in accordance with the attest edition of the Building Code.

1001.13 Inadequate Exits. All buildings or portions thereof not provided with adequate exit facilities as required by this code, except those buildings or portions thereof whose exit facilities conformed with all applicable laws at the time of their construction and that have been adequately maintained and increased in relation to any increase in occupant load, alteration or addition, or any change in occupancy. When an unsafe condition exists through lack of, or improper location of, exits, additional exits may be required to be installed.

1001.14 Inadequate Fire-protection or Firefighting Equipment. All buildings or portions thereof not provided with the fire-resistive construction or fire-extinguishing systems or equipment required by this code, except those buildings or portions thereof that conformed with all applicable laws at the time of their construction and whose fire-resistive integrity and fire extinguishing systems or equipment have been adequately maintained and improved in relation to any increase in occupant load, alteration or addition, or any change in occupancy.

1001.15 Improper Occupancy. All buildings or portions thereof occupied for living, sleeping, cooking, or dining purposes that were not designed or intended to be used for those occupancies.

1001.16 Inadequate Structural Resistance. Any building or portion thereof that is determined to be an unsafe building due to inadequate structural resistance to horizontal forces in accordance with the Building Code.

(Prior code § 6-1-7; Ord. 1651 § 4, 2019; Ord. 1655 § 4, 2019; Ord. 1701 § 4, 2023; Ord. 1746, 11/18/2025)

§ 15.04.090. Amendments to Uniform Security Code.¶

The provisions of this Section shall constitute local amendments to the 1997 Edition of the Uniform Security Code.

A. Section 1020 is hereby added to read as follows:

Section 1020 Residential Buildings.

A. Street numbers and other identifying data shall be displayed as follows:

(1) All residential dwellings shall display a lighted street number in a prominent location on the street side of the residence entrance in such a position that the number is easily visible to approaching emergency vehicles. The numerals shall be no less than four inches in height. If the house number is located on the garage wall it shall be on the wall closest to the front entrance.

(2) There shall be positioned at each entrance of a multiple-family dwelling complex an illuminated diagrammatic representation of the complex which shows the location of the viewer and the unit designations within the complex. In addition, each individual unit within the complex shall display a prominent identification number, not less than four inches in height and illuminated which is easily visible to approaching vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic.

(3) The above two sections may be modified by the Fire Marshal.

B. Lighting in multiple-family dwellings shall be as follows:

(1) Aisles, passageways, and recesses related to and within the building complex shall be illuminated with an intensity of at least twenty-five one hundredth foot-candles at the ground level during the hours of darkness. Lighting devices shall be protected by weather and vandalism resistant covers.

(2) Open parking lots and carports shall be provided with a maintained minimum of one foot-candle of light on the parking surface during the hours of darkness. Lighting devices shall be protected by weather and vandalism resistant covers.

B. Section 1021 is hereby added to read as follows:

Section 1021 Commercial Buildings.

(a) Windows shall be deemed accessible if less than twelve feet above ground. Accessible windows having a pane exceeding ninety-six square inches in an area with the smallest dimension exceeding six inches and not visible from a public or private thoroughfare shall be protected in the following manner:

(1) Fully tempered glass or burglary resistant glazing (Fire Department approval required); or

(2) The following window barriers may be used but shall be secured with nonremovable bolts:

(i)

(b) Inside or outside iron bars of at least one-half-inch round or one by one-quarter- inch flat steel material spaced not more than five inches apart and securely fastened; or

(c) Inside or outside iron or steel grills of at least one-eighth inch material with not more than a two-inch mesh and securely fastened.

(1) If a side or rear window is of the type that can be opened, it shall, where applicable, be secured on the inside with either a slide bar, bolt, crossbar, auxiliary locking device, and/or padlock with hardened steel shackle, a minimum four pin tumbler operation.

(2) The protective bars or grills shall not interfere with the operation of opening windows if such windows are required to be openable by the Building Code or by the Fire Code for required access openings for firefighting purposes. (Fire Department approval required).

(i)

(d) All exterior transoms exceeding ninety-six square inches on the side and rear of any building or premises used for business purposes shall be protected by one of the following:

(1) Fully tempered glass or rated burglary resistant glazing (Fire Department approval may be required); or

(2) The following barriers may be used but shall be secured with non-removable bolts:

(i) Outside iron bars of at least one-half inch round or one by one-quarter- inch flat steel material, spaced no more than five inches apart and securely fastened; or

(ii) Outside iron or steel grills of at least one-eighth inch with not more than a two-inch mesh and securely fastened;

(iii) The protective bars or grills shall not interfere with the operation of opening the transoms if such transoms are required to be openable by the Building Code.

(e) Roof openings shall be equipped as follows:

(1) All skylights on the roof of any building or premises used for business purposes shall be provided with:

(i) Rated burglary resistant glazing; or

(ii) Iron bars of at least one-half-inch round or one by one-fourth-inch flat steel material under the skylight and securely fastened.

(iii) Steel grill of at least one-eighth-inch material with a maximum two-inch mesh under the skylight and securely fastened.

(2) All hatchway openings on the roof of any building or premises used for business purposes shall be secured as follows:

(i) If the hatchway is of wooden material, it shall be covered on the inside with at least sixteen U.S. gauge sheet metal, or its equivalent, attached with screws.

(ii) The hatchway shall be secured from the inside with a slide bar or slide bolts. (Fire Department approval required.)

(iii) Outside hinges on all hatchway openings shall be provided with nonremovable pins when using pin-type hinges.

(3) All air duct or air vent openings exceeding ninety-six square inches on the roof or exterior walls of any building or premises used for business purposes shall be secured by covering the same with either of the following:

(i) Iron bars on at least one-half inch round or one by one-fourth inch flat steel material spaced no more than five inches apart and securely fastened; or

(ii) Iron or steel grills of at least one-eighth-inch material with a maximum two-inch mesh and securely fastened.

(4) If the barrier is on the outside, it shall be secured with bolts which are nonremovable from the exterior.

(5) The above (3) and (4) must not interfere with venting requirements creating a potentially hazardous condition to health and safety or conflict with the provisions of the Building Code or Mechanical Code.

(i)

(f) Permanently affixed ladders leading to roofs shall be fully enclosed with sheet metal to a height of eight feet. This covering shall be locked against the ladder with a case hardened hasp, secured with non-removable screws or bolts. Hinges on the cover shall be provided with non-removable pins when using pin-type hinges. If a padlock is used, it shall have a hardened steel shackle, locking at both heel and toe, and a minimum five pin tumbler operation with non-removable key when in an unlocked position.

(g) A building located within eight feet of utility poles or similar structures which can be used to gain access to the building's roof, windows, or other openings shall have such access area barricaded or fenced with materials to deter human climbing.

(h) The following standards shall apply to lighting, address identification and parking areas:

(1) The address number of every commercial building shall be internally illuminated during the hours of darkness so that it shall be easily visible from the street. The numerals in these numbers shall be no less than six inches in height. This standard may be modified by the Fire Marshal.

(2) All exterior commercial doors, during the hours of darkness, shall be illuminated with a minimum of one foot-candle of light. All exterior bulbs shall be protected by weather and vandalism resistant cover(s).

(3) Open parking lots, and access thereto, providing more than ten parking spaces and for use by the general public, shall be provided with a maintained minimum of one foot-candle of light on the parking surface from dusk until the termination of business every operating day.

(Prior code § 6-1-8; Ord. 1651 § 4, 2019; Ord. 1655 § 4, 2019; Ord. 1701 § 4, 2023; Ord. 1746, 11/18/2025)

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§ 15.04.100. Amendments to California Residential Code.¶

The provisions of this Section 15.04.100 shall constitute local amendments to the cross-referenced provisions of the 2025 Edition of the California Residential Code, and shall be deemed to replace the cross-referenced section in said Code with the respective provisions set forth in this Section 15.04.100.

A. Section R105.3 is amended by adding Item 8 at the end of the text of that section to read as follows:

Include a list of the subcontractors whose services are required and will be part of the prime contract. The permittee, who shall be the owner of the improvements for which the permit is to be issued or the general contractor who has assumed the prime contract, shall be responsible for the fees for all permits required for the completion of improvements for which the building permit applied for is to be issued. None of the forgoing shall be construed to prevent subcontractors from applying for and receiving permits upon payment of fees in accordance with other applicable ordinances.

B. Section R108.2 is amended to read as follows:

R108.2 Schedule of permit fees. On buildings, structures, electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing systems or alterations requiring a permit, the fee for each permit shall be as set forth in the "The City of Woodland Comprehensive Fee Schedule," except for permits issued covering work performed on buildings or structures owned, leased, or operated by any City, County, State, Federal government agency, or any public agency or district.

C. Section R108.6 is amended to read as follows:

R108.6 Work commencing before permit issuance. Any person who commences work requiring a permit on a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing shall be subject to a fee equal to three times the calculated permit fee for the first offense and five times the calculated permit fee for each subsequent offense.

D. Section R113 is amended to read as follows:

Section R113 Violations.

R113.1 Unlawful acts. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, alter, extend, repair, move, remove, demolish or occupy any building, structure or equipment regulated by this code, or cause same to be done, in conflict with or in violation of any of the provisions of this code.

R113.2 Notice of violation. The building official is authorized to serve a notice of violation or order on the person responsible for the erection, construction, alteration, extension, repair, moving, removal, demolition or occupancy of a building or structure in violation of the provisions of this code, or in violation of a detail statement or a plan approved thereunder, or in violation of a permit or certificate issued under the provisions of this code. Such order shall direct the discontinuance of the illegal action or condition and the abatement of the violation.

R113.3 Prosecution of violation. If the notice of violation is not complied with in the time prescribed by such notice, the building official is authorized to request the legal counsel of the jurisdiction to institute the appropriate proceeding at law or in equity to restrain, correct or abate such violation, or to require the removal or termination of the unlawful occupancy of the building or structure in violation of the provisions of this code or of the order or direction made pursuant thereto.

R113.4 Violation penalties. Any person who violates a provision of this code or fails to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who erects, constructs, alters or, repairs a building or structure in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the building official, or of a permit or certificate issued under the provisions of this code, shall be subject to penalties as prescribed in Section 15.04.020 of the Woodland Municipal Code.

E. Section R403.1.8 is amended by deleting the "Exception" and replacing with:

Note: Refer to Section R506 for alterations, additions, and accessory buildings.

F. Section R506 is amended by adding after the section heading:

Note: This section is limited to alterations, additions, and accessory buildings.

G. Section R506.1 is amended to read as follows:

R506.1 General. Concrete slab-on-ground floors shall be a minimum 4 inches (101.6 mm) thick (for expansive soils, see Section R403.1.8). The specified compressive strength of concrete shall be as set forth in Section R402.2.

H. Section R506.3.4 of the California Residential Code is deleted and replaced with the following:

R506.3.4 Reinforcement support. Where provided in slabs on ground, reinforcement shall be supported to remain in place from the center to upper one third of the slab for the duration of the concrete placement. Reinforcement shall be a minimum of #4-bar at 18 inches on center in both directions.

(Prior code § 6-1-9; Ord. 1651 § 4, 2019; Ord. 1655 § 4, 2019; Ord. 1701 § 4, 2023; Ord. 1746, 11/18/2025)

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§ 15.04.110. (Reserved)¶

Note: Former § 15.04.110, Amendments to California Green Building Standards Code, derived from Prior code § 6-1-10; Ord. 1651; Ord. 1655; and Ord. 1701, was repealed by Ord. 1746, 11/18/2025.

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§ 15.04.120. (Reserved)¶

Note: Former § 15.04.120, Amendments to California Existing Building Standards Code, derived from Ord. 1651; Ord. 1655; and Ord. 1701, was repealed by Ord. 1746, 11/18/2025.

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 15.04.130. (Reserved)¶

Note: Former § 15.04.130, Amendments to International Property Maintenance Code, derived from Ord. 1701, was repealed by Ord. 1746, 11/18/2025.

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 15.04.140. Amendments to California Energy Code.¶

The provisions of this Section 15.04.140 shall constitute local amendments to the cross-referenced provisions of the 2025 Edition of the California Energy Code, and shall be deemed to replace the cross-referenced section in said Code with the respective provisions set forth in this Section 15.04.140.

Section 150.0(c)(14)(iv) is amended by adding the following:

iv. Pigeon proofing shall be required on roof mount solar in new residential development.

(Ord. 1701 § 4, 2023; Ord. 1746, 11/18/2025)

Exceptions & meaning →