The provisions of this Subchapter are intended to promote the public welfare and safety by reducing the risk of death or injury that may result from the effects of earthquakes on existing wood-framed multi-story buildings with soft, weak or open-front walls. Generally, this type of structure consists of partial tuck-under parking on the first-floor level with single or multi-family living space in the floors above. In past earthquakes many of these types of structures have performed poorly and collapsed, causing loss of life, personal injury, and substantial property damage. This Subchapter is considered an amendment to the California Building Code and creates minimum standards intended to reduce the risk of collapse and improve the performance of these buildings during earthquakes, but not necessarily prevent, the loss of life, injury and damage to property.
(Ord. 2021-013, § 1(part))