HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - ORD BLDG PERMIT BLOCK WALLS (2)NEW BUSINESS
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
BACKGROUND
AGENDA REPORT
February 22, 1994
ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE BUILDING PERMITS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
BLOCK WALLS
Community Development
On February 8, 1994 the City Council directed staff to explore ways by which the City's building
codes can become more effective in protecting life -safety and property by addressing those areas
of concern and lessons learned from the January 17th earthquake.
An area of serious concern is the construction of masonry block walls which in many cases
exhibited poor structural performance during the quake. Many walls collapsed, or partially
collapsed, or were otherwise damaged beyond repair. Some posed a significant degree of hazard
from leaning or by showing other signs of weakness after the earthquake, that they needed to be
mitigated by demolition or other expensive means. Most of these cases can be attributed to
substandard construction practices and/or design as well as a lack of enforcement to ensure
adequate and safe construction.
The current provisions of the City's Building Code exempt block walls from building permit
requirements when their height does not exceed six feet. This provision has effectively eliminated
any type of inspection requirement for block walls which has led to poor construction practices and
illegal construction by unlicensed and unqualified contractors.
In order to ensure that these structures are constructed and inspected properly, building permits
must be required and enforced for block walls of a significant height, whereby their structural
Integrity can be improved, thus reducing the number of failures In future earthquakes.
Reconstruction of earthquake damaged block walls would be required to be done under permits to
assist homeowners in ensuring that these are rebuilt properly. Reconstruction of the damaged
walls Is exempt from permit fees as approved by the City Council for earthquake damaged
structures.
That the City Council approve Ordinance No. 94-2 for the requirement of building permits for
construction of masonry block walls exceeding 42" In height.
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A�opted:
Agenda Item- ) Cl
ORDINANCE NO. 94-2
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AMENDING TITLE 18, CHAPTER 18,02, SECTION 18.02.010
OF THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE CONSTRUCTION
OF MASONRY BLOCK WALLS AND FENCES; SAID ORDINANCE
TO BE ADOPTED AS AN URGENCY MEASURE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA DOES HEREBY
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The earthquake of January 17, 1994, caused a
significant amount of damage to masonry block walls and fences. As these
are rebuilt, there exists an urgent need to establish a construction
standard that will ensure that these structures are rebuilt to a level
of safety that is consistent with the City's Building Code in order to
reduce or prevent structural failures during future earthquakes. In
consideration of the accelerated rate at which these structures are being
rebuilt, such standards must be made effective immediately to ensure that
reconstruction is done correctly and in accordance with all of the
structural requirements of the Building Code.
SECTION 2. Title 18, Chapter 18.02, Section 18.02.010 is
hereby amended by adding thereto Paragraph K. to read as follows:
"K. Permits and Inspections
Section 301(b) Work Exempt from Permit. A building shall not
be required for the following:
2. Wire fences not over 12 feet in height and wood fences or
wrought iron fences not over 6 feet in height. (Masonry walls and fences
exceeding 42 inches in height are not exempt from the permit requirements
of this code.)"
SECTION 3. This ordinance is adopted as an urgency measure to
become effective immediately for all new masonry walls and fences
exceeding 42 inches in height. Any construction of said walls or fences
started prior to February 22, 1994, and not completed by February 27,
1994, shall be required to comply with all of the provisions of this
ordinance. The facts justifying the urgency adoption of this ordinance
are set forth in Section 1.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of
this Ordinance and cause the same to be published as required by law.
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1994.
ATTEST:
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this _ day of
CITY CLERK
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I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing ordinance was duly adopted
by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at a regular meeting
thereof, held on the — day of 1994, by the following
vote of the Council:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS
RMB: 11
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CITY CLERK