Any building or structure that is to be moved from any location, within or without the city, to a fixed location within the City of Costa Mesa shall comply with the following requirements whether or not said building or structure is moved over any city streets. These provisions apply even where a building or structure is relocated upon the same parcel of property.
The permit provisions of this article shall not apply to newly fabricated modular housing units as defined in the California Factory-Built Housing Law, Division 13, Part 6, commencing with section 19960 of California Health and Safety Code. Notwithstanding said exemption, all other codes and ordinances shall apply to said units to the extent applicable.
(Ord. No. 75-45, § 2, 9-16-75)
Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall relocate any building, structure or portion thereof upon any premises, or upon the same premises, within the city without having first secured a relocation permit from the planning commission.
Exceptions:
(a) 
If the building or structure is to be moved to a place located outside the limits of the city.
(b) 
If the building or structure is to be moved to a location for use as a temporary structure required during the course of construction work.
(c) 
If any accessory building or structure not exceeding 600 square feet in area is being relocated, the director of planning, after investigation, first finds in writing that such relocation will not be likely to cause detrimental effects upon adjacent properties. A copy of such written findings shall be filed with the director of building safety.
(d) 
No relocation permit shall be required for the placement of a structure temporarily on the premises of a legitimate housemoving business where temporary placement is for the purpose of resale of such structure. Temporary replacement is defined to mean placement for a period not to exceed 90 days. No such temporary placement shall exceed 90 days unless an extension of time is granted by the planning commission for good and sufficient cause.
The foregoing exceptions apply only to a relocation permit. All relocations, whether within one or more of the above exceptions or not, shall be required to have a building, electrical, plumbing or other applicable permit for such a building or structure.
(Ord. No. 75-45, § 2, 9-16-75)
A written application shall be made to the Costa Mesa Planning Commission upon forms furnished for same and shall set forth such information as may reasonably be required to carry out the purpose of this chapter. Every building or structure to be relocated shall require a separate application unless the director of planning finds that one application is sufficient to comply with the intent herein as to each legally approved building site.
Each application shall be submitted with the following:
(a) 
An eight-inch by ten-inch photograph of all sides of the buildings or structures.
(b) 
An eight-and-one-half-inch by eleven-inch acetate transparency of plot plan.
(c) 
Ten plot plans, two elevations and two floor plans setting forth the following:
(1) 
Existing and proposed buildings;
(2) 
Streets and names;
(3) 
Distances between centerlines of streets and structures, between property lines and structures on right and left side and rear;
(4) 
Distances between structures;
(5) 
Off-street parking spaces (numbered);
(6) 
Traffic access and driveways;
(7) 
Landscaping;
(8) 
Type of fencing, if any;
(9) 
Enclosed trash areas.
(d) 
Three elevations of all signs and one colored rendering of all signs.
(e) 
Draft environmental impact report, negative declaration of exemption declaration as required by the City of Costa Mesa environmental evaluator or planning director.
(f) 
The sum of money necessary to cover applicable fees and deposits.
(g) 
Completed work sheet.
(h) 
Said application shall be signed by the owner(s) of the building site involved or their legal representative and the developer or contractor, if any, other than said owners applying for said permit.
(Ord. No. 75-45, § 2, 9-16-75)
Before the city may act upon any application for a relocation permit the applicant shall submit the following fees and deposit:
(a) 
Application fees: For each main building or structure $250. For each accessory building with a gross floor area in excess of 600 square feet, $250.
For each accessory building with less than 600 square feet floor area, $100.
(b) 
Deposit for mileage and inspection fees: Each application shall be accompanied by a deposit of money sufficient to cover the following fees, as determined by the city staff:
(1) 
Inspection fees charged at the rate of $10 per hour per inspector, minimum of $25 per application, including travel time.
(2) 
Mileage fees to inspect a building or structure to be moved into the city but which is presently located outside the City of Costa Mesa shall be charged at the rate of twenty cents ($0.20) per mile.
(c) 
Definitions: For purposes of this section the terms "main building or structure" and "accessory building" shall have the meanings ascribed to them by the zoning ordinance of the City of Costa Mesa.
(d) 
Identification, liability of participants: The owner(s) of the real property where relocated, the owner(s) of the building or structure being relocated or the persons doing the actual moving shall be sufficiently identified and are liable, jointly and severally, for the payment of all fees due herein.
(Ord. No. 75-45, § 2, 9-16-75)
Upon the filing of the application for a relocation permit, the secretary of the planning commission shall set the matter for public hearing for the planning commission not less than 20 days from the date of the receipt of the application. A copy of the application shall be referred to the director of development services for investigation by the director of development services shall report the result of his investigation, in writing, at the hearing. At least five days before the hearing, the secretary of the planning commission shall cause notice thereof to be posted in a conspicuous place on the property to which it is proposed to move such buildings. Such notice shall state the time and place of the public hearing on the application for the relocation permit required in section 5-106. It shall also contain a brief description of the building or structure to be moved. He shall also cause notice of the hearing to be mailed to the owners of all contiguous or adjoining real property, including such real property on the opposite side of any public alley, in all real property situated along either side of the street, upon which the property involved abuts and within 1,000 feet therefrom, and shall also cause notice of the hearing to be given by one publication in the official newspaper of the city at least five days prior to the hearing.
(Ord. No. 75-45, § 2, 9-16-75; Ord. No. 98-19, § 4, 7-6-98)
Before the planning commission may approve an application for a relocation permit the planning commission shall make the following determinations:
(a) 
That the building is in reasonable conformity with the architectural style and meets or exceeds the quality of existing buildings within the area in which it is proposed to be moved;
(b) 
That the proposed building shall not be less in value when moved and remodeled than the fair market value of the highest one-third of the buildings within the immediate area. The immediate area shall be determined by the planning commission, but in no instance shall be less than 500 feet from the exterior boundary of the proposed site on which a building is to be moved;
(c) 
That the proposed relocation will in no way be detrimental to surrounding property or the living environment;
(d) 
That the proposed location will comply with lot area, required yard setbacks, and all other provisions of the zoning ordinance of the city, including fire zones;
(e) 
That all dedication and improvements required for streets and alleys including sidewalks, curbs, gutters, street trees, streetlights, emergency call boxes, and off-site water supply necessary for the property upon which the structure is to be located are provided in conformity with the standards of the city;
(f) 
Compliance with requirements set forth in section 5-107 and 5-107.1;
(g) 
Compliance with bond or insurance requirements as herein set forth.
In order to determine any of the matters presented by the application for relocation permit, the planning commission may cause to be made any investigation it deems necessary.
(Ord. No. 75-45, § 2, 9-16-75)
No relocation permit shall be used to relocate any building or structure upon a building site within the city which does not comply with the following:
(a) 
The building or structure is structurally sound and conforms to applicable provisions of the Uniform Building Code as adopted and amended.
(b) 
The building/structure is free of pests.
(c) 
The building/structure substantially conforms to like improvements within a radius of 1,000 feet from the proposed building site.
(d) 
The building/structure complies with the zoning laws applicable to the area of the proposed building site.
(e) 
The anticipated use of said building structure complies with the land use regulations applicable to the area of the proposed building site.
If said building/structure is in a state of disrepair where presently located, the director of development services or his designee shall make a determination if same can be practicably and effectively repaired to comply with the requirements herein, then a permit to relocate may be granted upon such terms and conditions as he, or the planning commission, may require.
No relocation permit shall be issued by the planning commission until the owner causes an inspection of the building or structure to be made by a licensed structural pest control contractor and until the findings of such inspection are submitted to the director of development services. If the report requires extermination or structural repairs, the planning department shall not issue a relocation permit until the structural repairs or extermination necessitated by the findings of the inspection are made and a statement from the licensed pest control contractor attesting to such extermination or structural repairs is submitted to the director of development services.
(Ord. No. 75-45, § 2, 9-16-75; Ord. No. 98-19, § 5, 7-6-98)
The planning commission may, in granting any relocation permit, impose thereon such terms and conditions as it may deem reasonable and proper, pursuant to the intent and purposes herein, including but not limited to, the requirement of changes, alterations, additions or repairs to be made to or upon the building or structure or offsite improvements to the end that relocation thereof will not be materially detrimental or injurious to the neighboring property or improvements when relocated and assure compliance with other applicable ordinance or Code provisions.
(Ord. No. 75-45, § 2, 9-16-75)
Prior to occupancy, any building moved pursuant to this chapter shall be brought up to the standards of the building code of the city and other applicable ordinances for a new building and shall be painted, refurbished and maintained at that standard.
(Ord. No. 75-45, § 2, 9-16-75)
Prior to issuance of any relocation permit the applicant shall post a bond, by a surety company authorized to do business in this state and acceptable to the city, or a cash deposit for the purpose of assuring the following:
(a) 
A completion bond for building construction determined necessary to comply with the provisions herein.
(b) 
A time limitation for completion of said relocation within 90 days after issuance of a housemover's permit, unless otherwise extended for good and sufficient cause by the planning commission.
(c) 
Said bond or deposit shall consist of a sum or sums sufficient to cover the costs of completing the relocation of the subject building or structure, the on-site and off-site improvements and all conditions imposed as determined by the planning director, plus reasonable administrative costs not to exceed 15% of the total or $1,000 minimum, whichever is greater. In no event shall the principal sum of said bond or deposit be less than $1,000.
(d) 
The surety on said bond or cash deposit shall not be released until said relocation has been completed in full to the satisfaction of the development services director or his designee and planning expressed in writing.
(e) 
Such other terms and conditions as shall be required by the development services director or his designee to effectuate the intent and purpose herein.
(Ord. No. 75-45, § 2, 9-16-75)
(a) 
When the project has been completed as herein set forth the city shall exonerate the surety thereon or refund the excess of cash deposit received, less any sums determined to be due to the city hereunder, including administrative costs. In the event that said sums are insufficient to cover said costs the amount due shall be a debt to the city and collectible as provided by law.
(b) 
Whenever it is determined by the city that a default has occurred in the performance of any term or condition required in this chapter, written notice shall be given to the permittee, principal on the bond and surety of same with request to comply within a time certain or have the city complete or cause to have completed the work undone. If the permittee, surety or other responsible persons fail to act within said time the city shall complete, or cause to have said work completed, or abate the condition as a nuisance at city's option. All costs incurred by the city in so acting, including said administrative costs, shall be and are hereby declared to be a lien on the real property upon which said building or structure has been relocated and enforceable and collectible as provided by law.
(Ord. No. 75-45, § 2, 9-16-75)