Notwithstanding the applicable definitions, symbols and notations in the Building Code, the following definitions shall apply for the purposes of this Subchapter:
BUILDING CODE. The Building Code of the City of Culver City in effect at the time of submittal retrofit plan for plan review.
CRIPPLE WALL. A wood-framed stud wall extending from the top of the foundation wall to the underside of the lowest floor framing.
DESIGN CRITERIA. A document that outlines the design professional's alternative analysis or retrofit approach and methodology to satisfy the design intent and performance objective of this Subchapter. This document is intended to be used when the code and seismic ordinance language does not address the proposed analysis or retrofit approach or methodology.
GROUND FLOOR. Any floor within the wood-frame portion of a building whose elevation is immediately accessible from an adjacent grade by vehicles or pedestrians. The ground floor portion of the structure does not include any floor that is completely below adjacent grades.
HISTORICAL BUILDING. Any building designated as a "qualified historical building" as defined in Part 8, Title 24 of the Cal. Code of Regulations.
OPEN-FRONT WALL LINE. An exterior wall line, without vertical elements of the lateral force-resisting system, which requires tributary seismic forces to be resisted by diaphragm rotation or contains an excessive cantilever beyond parallel lines of shear walls. Diaphragms that cantilever more than twenty-five (25%) of the distance between tines of lateral force resisting elements from which the diaphragm cantilevers shall be considered excessive. Diaphragm cantilevers or exterior balconies of six (6) feet or less in width shall not be considered excessive cantilevers.
OWNER or BUILDING OWNER. The individual(s), agent, firm, corporation, or entity having legal possession, equitable interest in the property, or rights to sanction evaluation or retrofit of a building.
RETROFIT. An improvement of the lateral force resisting system by alteration of existing structural elements or addition of new structural elements.
SEISMIC DESIGN GUIDELINES. Framework guidelines developed by the Building Official which are intended to calibrate, delineate and detail technical requirements to be used for the retrofitting of buildings subject to this Subchapter.
SOFT WALL LINE. A deficiency in a wall line in which the lateral stiffness is less than what is required by story drift limitations and deformation compatibility requirements of this Subchapter. In lieu of the engineering analysis required by this Subchapter to determine whether a wall line's lateral stiffness is less than the aforementioned story drift limitations and deformation compatibility requirements, a SOFT WALL LINE deficiency may be defined as a wall line in a story where the wall stiffness is less than seventy percent (70%) of the stiffness of the exterior wall above for the direction under consideration.
STORY. As defined in the Building Code, but includes any basement or under-floor space of a building with cripple walls exceeding four (4) feet in height.
STORY STRENGTH. The total strength of all seismic-resisting elements sharing the same story shear in the direction under consideration.
WALL LINE. Any length of a wall along a principal axis of the building used to provide resistance to lateral loads.
WEAK WALL LINE. A deficiency of a wall line at the ground floor in which the wall strength is less than eighty percent (80%) of the strength of the wall above in the direction under consideration or is an exterior wall where the majority of the ground floor or basement portion of the structure contains an open floor space and the ground floor story strength is less than eighty percent (80%) of the story strength above.
(Ord. 2021-013, § 1(part))