A.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote public safety and welfare by reducing the risk of death or injury that may result from the effects of earthquakes on unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings constructed before 1946. Such buildings have been widely recognized as sustaining life-hazardous damage as a result of partial or complete collapse during past moderate to strong earthquakes.
B.
The provisions of this chapter are minimum standards for structural seismic resistance established primarily to reduce the risk of life loss or injury and will not necessarily prevent loss of life or injury or prevent earthquake damage to an existing building which complies with these standards. This chapter shall not require existing electrical, plumbing, mechanical or fire safety systems to be altered, unless they constitute a hazard to life or property.
C.
This chapter provides procedures and standards for identification and classification of unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings based on their present use. Priorities, time periods and standards are also established under which these buildings are required to be structurally analyzed and anchored. Where the analysis determines deficiencies, this chapter requires the building to be strengthened or demolished.
D.
However, the provisions of this chapter do not preclude the preservation of historic buildings. In fact, preservation of historic buildings is encouraged through the permissive use of applicable portions of the State Historical Building Code (SHBC), established under Part 8, Title 24 of the California Administrative Code. In addition, the city will pursue incentives to assist property owners in obtaining aid offered by federal, state and local agencies. These incentives are further elaborated on in section 15.42.070.F.
(Code 1980, § 15.42.010; Ord. No. 417 § 4, 1990)