Chapter 4E
BUILDING FACADE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE – RETROACTIVE PROVISIONS

SECTION 401E – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND SCOPE

   All façades of buildings of Construction Type I, II, III, or IV and which are five or more stories are required to be inspected periodically by a qualified professional who shall be a licensed architect or engineer retained by the property owner. The façades are required to be maintained in accordance with the criteria and procedures of this Chapter 4E. For buildings considered to be historic resources, the qualified professional shall have expertise in inspection and maintenance of historic resources. The requirements of this Chapter are retroactive and shall apply to and include buildings erected prior to the adoption of this Code. Qualifications of the qualified professional and inspection requirements are as detailed in the accompanying Administrative Bulletin.

(Amended by Ord. 65-19, File No. 190136, App. 4/12/2019, Eff. 5/13/2019)

SECTION 402E – DEFINITIONS

   In addition to the definitions in Chapter 2 of this Code, the following definition shall apply for purposes of this Chapter.

   Façade. All areas on the exterior of the building including all exterior walls and exterior wall covering, windows, balconies, cornices, parapets, architectural trim and embellishments, appurtenances, and all elements listed in Section 404E.3. The façade also includes walls supported at the roof level, such as penthouse walls and chimneys. A façade shall include walls and appurtenances in the interior of a building where such area has been converted from an exterior area by enclosing the area under a roof, skylight, or other covering.

   Historic resource. A building designated pursuant to Articles 10 or 11 of the Planning Code or any building listed on, or determined eligible for listing on, the California Register of Historic Resources or the National Register of Historic Places, or that is a “qualified historical building” as defined in the California Historical Building Code.

   Unsafe condition. A condition of a building that poses an imminent hazard to persons and/or property.

SECTION 403E – INSPECTION SCHEDULE

403E.1  Initial Inspection.  Each building within the scope of this Chapter 4E shall be subject to an initial façade inspection pursuant to Section 404E. Inspection reports are subject to the requirements of Section 405E.

   Exceptions:

      1.   Buildings for which a permit application for new construction was submitted after January 1, 1998 are exempt from requirement for an initial inspection. Buildings exempt from initial inspection pursuant to this exception shall begin periodic inspections 30 years from the issuance of the Certificate of Final Completion (CFC) for new construction.

      2.   Buildings for which comprehensive façade inspection and necessary maintenance, restoration, or replacement has been completed during the 10 (ten) years preceding the date of the required initial inspection report due date may apply to the Building Official for a waiver of the initial inspection.

 

Table 403E Initial Inspection Schedule
Compliance Tier	Building Construction Completion Date1	Inspection Report Due Date
1	Building was constructed prior to 1910	December 31, 2021
2	Building was constructed from 1910 through 1925	December 31, 2023
3	Building was constructed from 1926 through 1970	December 31, 2025
4	Building was constructed after 1970	December 31, 2027

 

1   Building construction date refers to the date the Department issued the Certificate of Completion for the original building or other Department documentation showing the date of completion of the original construction, regardless of the dates of any additions or alterations.

403E.2  Periodic Inspection.  Each building within the scope of this Chapter 4E shall be subject to a periodic inspection at a frequency of 10 years after the required submittal date of an initial inspection report as outlined in Table 403E. Periodic inspections need not include walls and appurtenances in the interior of a building where such area has been converted from an exterior area by enclos- ing the area under a roof skylight or other covering after an initial inspection and any subsequent necessary repair or stabilization.

403E.3  Inspection in Response to Damage or Failure.  Notwithstanding the Initial Inspection Schedule set forth in Table 403E or the Exceptions to the initial inspection requirements provided in Section 403E.1, the Department shall require an inspection of façades to be performed in the following circumstance: If façade elements required to be inspected under this Chapter 4E exhibit significant damage or failure as noted by Department staff or property owner or owner’s agent, either during the normal passage of time or due to an earthquake or other event, then the property owner is required to obtain an inspection of the areas of damaged or failed elements and related building elements within 60 days unless the façade poses an unsafe condition. If the Building Official determines that there is an unsafe condition, the provisions of Section 102A shall apply.

(Amended by Ord. 65-19, File No. 190136, App. 4/12/2019, Eff. 5/13/2019)