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MUNICIPAL CODE
FOREWORD
CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS AND ZONING
CHAPTER 1A CITY OF LOS ANGELES ZONING CODE
CHAPTER II* LICENSES, PERMITS, BUSINESS REGULATIONS
CHAPTER III PUBLIC HEALTH CODE
CHAPTER IV PUBLIC WELFARE
CHAPTER V PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROTECTION
CHAPTER VI PUBLIC WORKS AND PROPERTY
CHAPTER VII TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER VIII TRAFFIC
CHAPTER IX BUILDING REGULATIONS
ARTICLE 1 BUILDINGS [BUILDING CODE]
DIVISION 1 ADMINISTRATION
DIVISION 2 DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
DIVISION 3 USE OR OCCUPANCY
DIVISION 4 SPECIAL USE AND OCCUPANCY
DIVISION 5 GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
DIVISION 6 TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
DIVISION 7 FIRE-RESISTANT MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION
DIVISION 8 INTERIOR FINISHES
DIVISION 9 FIRE-PROTECTION SYSTEMS
DIVISION 10 MEANS OF EGRESS
DIVISION 11 ACCESSIBILITY
DIVISION 12 INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
DIVISION 13 ENERGY CONSERVATION
DIVISION 14 EXTERIOR WALL COVERINGS
DIVISION 15 ROOFS AND ROOF STRUCTURES
DIVISION 16 STRUCTURAL DESIGN
DIVISION 17 STRUCTURAL TESTS AND SPECIAL INSPECTIONS
DIVISION 18 SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
DIVISION 19 CONCRETE
DIVISION 20 ALUMINUM
DIVISION 21 MASONRY
DIVISION 22 STEEL
DIVISION 23 WOOD
DIVISION 24 GLASS AND GLAZING
DIVISION 25 GYPSUM BOARD AND PLASTER
DIVISION 26 PLASTIC
DIVISION 27 ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
DIVISION 28 MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
DIVISION 29 PLUMBING SYSTEMS
DIVISION 30 ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
DIVISION 31 SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
DIVISION 32 ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
DIVISION 33 SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
DIVISION 34 EXISTING STRUCTURES
DIVISION 35 REFERENCED STANDARDS
DIVISION 61 SPECIAL HAZARD AREAS
DIVISION 62 SIGNS
DIVISION 63 ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS FOR SPECIFIC USES
DIVISION 67 SECURITY PROVISIONS
DIVISION 70 GRADING, EXCAVATIONS AND FILLS
DIVISION 71 METHANE SEEPAGE REGULATIONS
DIVISION 72 FIRE DISTRICT REGULATIONS
DIVISION 81 EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
DIVISION 82 CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY, USE AND RATING CLASSIFICATION
DIVISION 83 RELOCATION PERMIT
DIVISION 85 ALTERNATIVE BUILDING STANDARDS FOR JOINT LIVING AND WORK QUARTERS
DIVISION 86 SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
DIVISION 88 EARTHQUAKE HAZARD REDUCTION IN EXISTING BUILDINGS
DIVISION 89 ABATEMENT OF BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES, PREMISES AND PORTIONS THEREOF WHICH CONSTITUTE A NUISANCE OR ARE HAZARDOUS, OR SUBSTANDARD
DIVISION 90 NUISANCE ABATEMENT AND DISCONTINUANCE OF LAND USE AND DISCRETIONARY ZONING APPROVALS; RELOCATION ASSISTANCE; ENFORCEMENT
DIVISION 91 EARTHQUAKE HAZARD REDUCTION IN EXISTING TILT-UP CONCRETE WALL BUILDINGS
DIVISION 92 VOLUNTARY - EARTHQUAKE HAZARD REDUCTION IN EXISTING WOOD FRAME RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS WITH WEAK CRIPPLE WALLS AND UNBOLTED SILL PLATES
DIVISION 93 MANDATORY EARTHQUAKE HAZARD REDUCTION IN EXISTING WOOD-FRAME BUILDINGS WITH SOFT, WEAK OR OPEN-FRONT WALLS
DIVISION 94 VOLUNTARY - EARTHQUAKE HAZARD REDUCTION IN EXISTING HILLSIDE BUILDINGS
DIVISION 95 MANDATORY EARTHQUAKE HAZARD REDUCTION IN EXISTING NON-DUCTILE CONCRETE BUILDINGS
DIVISION 96 VOLUNTARY - EARTHQUAKE HAZARD REDUCTION IN EXISTING REINFORCED CONCRETE AND REINFORCED MASONRY WALL BUILDINGS WITH FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGMS
DIVISION 97 EXISTING BUILDINGS ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENCY PROGRAM
ARTICLE 1.2 EXISTING BUILDING CODE
ARTICLE 1.5 LOS ANGELES RESIDENTIAL CODE
ARTICLE 2 ELEVATOR CODE
ARTICLE 3 ELECTRICAL CODE
ARTICLE 4 PLUMBING CODE
ARTICLE 5 MECHANICAL CODE
ARTICLE 6 MISCELLANEOUS
ARTICLE 7 BOILERS, UNFIRED PRESSURE VESSELS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT
ARTICLE 8 GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 9 GREEN BUILDING CODE
CHAPTER X BUSINESS REGULATIONS
CHAPTER XI NOISE REGULATION
CHAPTER XII THE WATER CONSERVATION PLAN OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
CHAPTER XIII THE EMERGENCY ENERGY CURTAILMENT PLAN OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
CHAPTER XV RENT STABILIZATION ORDINANCE
CHAPTER XVI HOUSING REGULATIONS
CHAPTER XVII RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE USE OF THE LOS ANGELES AIRPORTS
CHAPTER XVIII EMPLOYEE WAGES AND PROTECTIONS
CHAPTER XIX ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
CHAPTER XX COVID-19 PROTECTION AND RECOVERY*
TABLES
Los Angeles Planning and Zoning
Chapter 1A City of Los Angeles Zoning Code
Table of Amending Legislation for Chapter 1A
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DIVISION 81
EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
 
(Division 81 Amended by Ord. No. 171,175, Eff. 7/25/96.)
 
 
Section
91.8101   General Provisions.
91.8102   Enforcement.
91.8103   Existing Building Rights.
91.8104   Basic Maintenance and Repair of Existing Buildings and Premises.
91.8105   Illegal Buildings, Construction and Use.
91.8106   Fire District Requirements.
91.8108   Nuisances, Hazardous Buildings and Substandard Residential Buildings.
91.8109   Relocated Buildings.
91.8110   Unreinforced Masonry Bearing Wall Buildings.
91.8111   Residential Heating.
91.8112   Residential Plumbing.
91.8113   Rod Bracing Systems.
91.8114   Parapets and Appendages.
91.8115   Sandblasting.
91.8116   Special Provisions for Light-housekeeping Rooms.
91.8117   Fire Watch.
91.8118   Pool Water Clarity.
91.8119   Historical Buildings and Structures.
 
 
SEC. 91.8101. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
   (Amended by Ord. No. 182,850, Eff. 1/3/14.)
 
91.8101.1. Purpose. The purpose of this division is to establish minimum standards to regulate and encourage the proper maintenance and use of existing buildings, structures and premises in order to safeguard life, limb, health, property and public welfare.
 
91.8101.2. Scope. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all or portions of existing buildings, structures or premises.
 
   EXCEPTIONS:
 
   1.   Historical buildings may comply with LAMC Section 91.8119.
 
   2.   Existing commercial or industrial buildings, for which a building permit was issued prior to April 1, 1994, may be converted to "joint living and work quarters," provided the existing building complies with Division 85, Article 1, Chapter IX of the LAMC and any other applicable section of the LAMC.
 
 
SEC. 91.8102. ENFORCEMENT.
   (Added by Ord. No. 171,175, Eff. 7/25/96.)
 
91.8102.1. General. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, maintain, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish, equip, use or occupy any existing building, structure, premises or portion thereof in violation of the provisions of this division.
 
   Any person who violates or causes or permits another person to violate any provision or requirement of this division is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person includes an owner, lessor, sublessor, manager or person in control of a building subject to this division. The legal owner of a building is that person, firm, corporation, partnership or other entity whose name or title appears on record with the Los Angeles County Recorder’s Office.
 
91.8102.2. Occupant Responsibility. It shall be unlawful for any tenant or other individual occupying any dwelling unit, efficiency dwelling unit, guest room or suite in a building to fail to keep the dwelling unit, efficiency dwelling unit, guest room or suite free from an accumulation of debris, filth, rubbish and garbage.
 
91.8102.3. Penalties.  (Amended by Ord. No. 172,592, Eff. 6/28/99, Oper. 7/1/99.) Any person convicted of a misdemeanor due to violation of any provision or requirement of this division is subject to penalties as prescribed by Section 11.00(m) of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, which is quoted in part as follows:
 
   “Every violation of this Code is punishable as a misdemeanor unless provision is otherwise herein made, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
 
   Every violation of this Code which is provided for therein to be an infraction is punishable by a fine as set forth in this Code section, or as otherwise provided in this Code, not to exceed $50.00 for the first violation, $100.00 for a second violation of the same provision within one year, and $250.00 for each additional violation of the same provision within one year.
 
   Each person shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violations of any provision of this Code is committed, continued or permitted by such person and shall be punishable accordingly.”
 
   Nothing in this division or Code shall prohibit the payment of investigative costs by any person so convicted of any provision of this division, to the Department of Building and Safety to restitute said agency for all costs expended to investigate and/or enforce the provisions of this Code.
 
 
SEC. 91.8103. EXISTING BUILDING RIGHTS.
   (Added by Ord. No. 171,175, Eff. 7/25/96.)
 
91.8103.1. General. Every existing building or structure constructed under a valid permit and occupied in conformance with code regulations and Department approvals in effect at the time of such construction and occupancy shall be allowed to continue to exist under those regulations and approvals even though subsequently adopted regulations and approvals have changed the requirements, provided the building, structure or portion thereof does not become a nuisance, a hazardous building, or a substandard residential building, and provided further, that subsequently adopted regulation specifically applicable to existing buildings or structures are met.
 
91.8103.2. Repair, Rehabilitation, Alteration, and Addition. Repair, rehabilitation, alteration and addition shall comply with Article 1.2, Chapter IX of the LAMC. (Amended by Ord. No. 184,692, Eff. 12/30/16.)
 
91.8103.3. Group I Occupancy. Buildings classed in Group I Occupancy because of the use or character of the occupancy that are not more than 3 stories in height, that were established prior to March 4, 1972, and that have been continuously operated as that use or character since that time shall comply with Article 1.2, Chapter IX of the LAMC. (Amended by Ord. No. 184,692, Eff. 12/30/16.)
 
 
SEC. 91.8104. BASIC MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF EXISTING BUILDINGS AND PREMISES.
   (Added by Ord. No. 171,175, Eff. 7/25/96.)
 
   Every existing building, structure, premises or portion thereof shall be maintained in conformity with the code regulations and Department approvals in effect at the time of such construction and occupancy unless specifically exempt by written approval of the Department.
 
   Every existing building, structure, or portion thereof shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition and good repair. The premises of every building or structure shall be maintained in good repair and free from graffiti, debris, rubbish, garbage, trash, overgrown vegetation or other similar material.
 
91.8104.1. All physical elements of every existing building, structure or portion thereof shall be maintained by cleaning, painting, staining, refinishing or other restorative means, in a condition as close as reasonably feasible to their originally required and approved state.
 
91.8104.2. The interior of every existing building, structure and portion thereof and the exterior wall surfaces and premises thereof shall be maintained clean and free from accumulation of debris, rubbish, garbage, trash, overgrown vegetation and other similar material.
 
91.8104.3. The roof of every building or structure shall be kept waterproof and all devices which were provided to convey the roof water from the roof shall be maintained so as to be capable of fulfilling that purpose.
 
91.8104.4. The walls and ceilings of every room in every building, structure or portion thereof shall be finished, sealed, coated, painted, or covered in an approved manner so as to maintain them in a clean and sanitary condition. Loose wallpaper or other surfacing shall be removed or repaired so as to provide a smooth, tight-fitting, clean and sanitary surface.
 
91.8104.5.1. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) The doors, windows, cabinets, frames and similar finishes shall be finished, sealed, coated, painted or covered in an approved manner so as to maintain them in a clean and sanitary condition. Broken or cracked glass or plastics shall be replaced. Torn, worn or broken screens shall be repaired, replaced or removed, unless removal is otherwise prohibited by Code.
 
91.8104.5.2. Legally required insect screens shall not be removed for other than repair or replacement.
 
91.8104.6. The floor and floor covering of every room in every building, structure or portion thereof shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. The floor and covering shall be maintained free from defects, holes, loose, worn or missing portions which could present a safety hazard to occupants.
 
91.8104.7. The plumbing fixtures, shower enclosures, wastewater drain lines, water supply lines, counters, drainboards and adjoining wall and floor areas provided to protect against water damage in every building or structure shall be maintained in good repair and in a clean and sanitary condition.
 
   Leaking drain or supply lines shall be repaired or replaced. Cracked, chipped or damaged fixtures shall be repaired or replaced. All surfaces provided to protect against water damage shall be without cracks, defects or missing portions. All fixtures, enclosures, counters and surfaces shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition free from dirty or foreign materials.
 
91.8104.8.1. The electrical service, lines, switches, outlets, fixtures and fixture coverings and supports in every building or structure shall be maintained in good repair. Broken, loose, frayed, inoperative, defective or missing portions shall be repaired or replaced. The fixtures, fixture coverings, switches, and outlets shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from dirty or foreign materials.
 
91.8104.8.2. Unless specifically permitted in the National Electrical Code, flexible cords and cables shall not be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.
 
91.8104.8.3. Panelboards and fuseholders shall not be equipped with fuses which exceed the rated ampacity of the protected circuit.
 
91.8104.9. All plumbing and waste drain lines in every building or structure shall be maintained clear of blockages which would cause overflow at any fixture or which would cause any fixture to overflow under the condition of normal water supply to that fixture.
 
91.8104.10.1. All water supply lines to kitchen and bathroom fixtures shall be maintained so as to provide at least one gallon per minute rate of water flow, of at least 100o F. However, the maximum temperature at the water heater or storage tank need not exceed 140o F.
 
91.8104.10.2. Hot water shall continue to be provided to each residential kitchen and bathroom fixture at all times.
 
91.8104.10.3. No time clock or other devices shall be installed to prevent the supply of the required hot water to residential rental units at any time.
 
91.8104.11. The existing central heating or individual unit heating for each dwelling unit or guest room shall be maintained in good repair and operable.
 
91.8104.12. The exterior wall surfaces of every existing building or structure shall be maintained weathertight, in good repair and in a clean and sanitary condition.
 
91.8104.13. All fences shall be maintained in good repair and shall be kept straight, uniform and structurally sound. Wooden fences shall be either painted or stained or otherwise treated or sealed in an approved manner to prevent their becoming a nuisance from weathering or deterioration.
 
91.8104.14. All masonry units shall be maintained with head, bed and wall joints solidly filled with mortar.
 
91.8104.15. The exterior of all privately owned buildings and fences shall be free from graffiti when such graffiti is visible from a public street or alley.
 
91.8104.16. Properties must be free of dead vegetation, shrubs, and trees. In addition, any existing or new irrigation equipment must be maintained and in working order (local and state requirements may apply to watering frequency and consumption). (Added by Ord. No. 184,692, Eff. 12/30/16.)
 
 
SEC. 91.8105. ILLEGAL BUILDINGS, CONSTRUCTION AND USE.
   (Added by Ord. No. 171,175, Eff. 7/25/96.)
 
   Every existing building, structure or portion thereof constructed without a building permit shall be made to conform to the provisions of this Code or shall be demolished and removed. Any use or occupancy existing in a building without authorization of a building permit shall be discontinued and removed or shall be made to conform to the provisions of this Code.
 
 
SEC. 91.8106. FIRE DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS.
   (Amended by Ord. No. 181,758, Eff. 8/8/11.)
 
91.8106.1. Fire Sprinklers. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) In an existing building in Fire District No. 1, every story or basement which has a floor surface elevation more than 4 feet (1219.2 mm) lower than the highest elevation of the floor landing or tread of any required exit from that story shall be sprinklered.
 
   EXCEPTION: Building that is occupied only as a single-family dwelling.
 
 
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