Ord 2024-017 Article 16 (Earthquake Hazard Reduction in Existing Soft-Story Residential Buildings)

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ORDINANCE NO. 2024-017 4 EXHIBIT A San Leandro Municipal Code Title 7 “Maps, Buildings, and Subdivisions,” Chapter 7-5 “Building Code” is hereby amended to add Article 16 “Earthquake Retrofit Standards and Requirements for Soft-Story Residential Buildings,” as follows: ARTICLE 16 Earthquake Hazard Reduction in Existing Wood Frame Residential Structures with Soft-Story, Weak or Open Front Walls 7-5-1600 PURPOSE. The provisions of this Article are intended to promote public safety and welfare through a program of seismic evaluation and minimum standards of certain residential buildings vulnerable to earthquake damage and collapse. The program is intended to reduce the risk of death or injury that may result from the effects of earthquakes on existing wood frame multi-unit residential structures and commercial properties with soft-story, weak or open front walls. The minimum standards contained in this Article shall substantially improve the seismic performance of these residential and commercial buildings but will not necessarily prevent all earthquake damage. When fully followed, these standards will strengthen the portion of the structure that is most vulnerable to earthquake damage. This Article does not require alteration of existing electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or fire safety systems unless they constitute a hazard to life or property. 7-5-1605 SUBJECT BUILDINGS. The provisions of this Article shall apply to: (1) All existing wood frame multi-unit residential buildings, or portions thereof, that contain five (5) or more dwelling units that were permitted for construction prior to January 1, 1985, under the 1982 Uniform Building Code, where the ground floor portion of the wood frame structure contains parking or other similar open floor space that causes soft, weak, or open wall lines as defined in this Chapter, and having one or more levels above the ground floor; (2) All existing wood frame non-residential or commercial buildings, or portions thereof, that were permitted for construction prior to January 1, 1985, under the 1982 Uniform Building Code, where the ground floor portion of the wood frame structure contains parking or other similar open floor space that causes soft, weak, or open wall lines as defined in this Chapter, and having one or more levels above the ground floor; and (3) These buildings are hereinafter referred to as “soft-story” construction. The provisions of this Article shall apply to apartment buildings and condominiums. Buildings listed on national, state or local historical registers shall also comply with the provisions of this Article. At the Building Official's discretion, modifications to the code requirements contained in this Chapter Article may be permitted when such modifications are consistent with the provisions of the State Historical Building Code.