In order to maintain parking garages in a safe condition, the following requirements shall apply:
(a) Inspection Requirements. The owner of a parking garage shall conduct a critical inspection of the condition of parking garage and appurtenances at least once every five (5) years.
(1) Such inspection shall be conducted and witnessed by a qualified inspector, by or on behalf of the owner of the building. Such inspection shall be for the purpose of determining whether the parking structure and all parts thereof are either safe, unsafe, or safe with repairs and/or engineering monitoring and whether, in the judgment of a qualified parking structure inspector, remedial work is required. Any areas found to be deficient in the general inspection shall require a detailed inspection.
(2) Such inspection shall be conducted using the most current ASCE 11 standard (Guideline for Structural Assessment of Existing Buildings). Qualified personnel shall perform a preliminary assessment as defined in the standard and provide a determination as to whether a detailed assessment is required. When in the opinion of the qualified inspector a detailed assessment is required, such an inspection shall be performed according to the standard and a detailed report be produced.
(3) The owner shall complete such inspection and file a report within the following time:
A. All new inspections and reports shall be completed and filed within one (1) year of the effective date of this section, and successive inspections and reports shall be completed every five (5) years from the date of the original inspection report filed in accordance with division (c).
B. If a structure has already been inspected prior to the adoption of this chapter, the owner must file a report of that inspection within one (1) year of the effective date of this section, and successive inspections and reports shall be completed every five (5) years from the date of the original inspection report filed in accordance with division (c).
(b) Registration. The owner of a parking garage shall register with the Director of Building and Housing by submitting a registration of the conditions identified in the report on a form determined by the Director of Building and Housing.
(c) Inspection Report. The owner of a parking garage shall register with the Director of Building and Housing by submitting a written report, prepared by a qualified inspector who conducted or supervised the inspection, as follows:
(1) Such report shall clearly document the condition of the walls, floors, ceilings, and ramps, and appurtenances as either safe, unsafe, or safe with a repair and maintenance program. The report shall document all significant deterioration, unsafe conditions, in sufficient detail so that a comparison of successive reports will indicate any change of condition. Such report must be signed by and bear the professional seal of the qualified inspector.
(2) Such report shall be filed with the Director of Building and Housing together with a fee, in an amount to be determined by the Board of Control, within the time specified in division (a)(3).
(3) Such report shall be maintained for review by the Department of Building and Housing at any time requested.
(4) Such report shall include the following:
A. The location of the parking garage by address and permanent parcel number;
B. The year the parking garage was built;
C. The date the building was inspected;
D. The name, address, and title of the person or firm who conducted the inspection;
E. Complete description of inspections conducted to determine whether the parking structure and all parts thereof are either safe, unsafe, or safe with repairs and/or engineering monitoring and whether, in the judgment of a qualified parking structure inspector, remedial work is required, based on the current version of ASCE 11 standard (Guideline for Structural Assessment of Existing Buildings), including the locations of and descriptions the general inspection areas and any of detailed inspection areas.
(5) Such inspection report shall be filed with Director of Building and Housing every five (5) years from the date of the original report. The owner shall keep and maintain the complete and full inspection documentation on-site or produce said documentation within forty-eight (48) hours of any request by the Director of Building and Housing or the Chief of Fire, or their designees.
(d) Notice of Unsafe Condition. Upon the discovery of an unsafe condition relating to the exterior walls or appurtenances, the owner shall notify the Director of Building and Housing immediately in writing of such condition, and immediately begin repair, reinforcement or precautionary measures, with the required permits, to abate the unsafe condition to ensure public safety.
(Ord. No. 1039-2023. Passed 2-5-24, eff. 2-6-24)