The Uniform Housing Code, 1997 Edition, as copyrighted by the International Conference of Building Officials, is adopted by reference as the housing code of the city, setting forth the minimum requirements for the protection of life, limb, health, property, safety and welfare of the general public, and of the owners and occupants of residential buildings in the city. The regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of the Uniform Housing Code, 1997 Edition, are referred to, adopted, and made a part hereof as though fully set forth herein, excepting such portions as are hereinafter deleted, added, modified or amended by this chapter. One copy of the Uniform Housing Code is on file in the office of the city clerk.
(Ord. 4607 § 5, 1999)
Whenever the term "building official" is used in the Uniform Housing Code, it shall be construed to mean the official designated by the city manager.
(Ord. 4607 § 5, 1999)
Section 203 of the Uniform Housing Code is amended to read as follows:
"Section 203 -Appeals Board.
The General Construction Appeals Board shall consider all appeals in accordance with the procedure set forth in Chapter 15.72 of the El Cajon Municipal Code."
(Ord. 4607 § 5, 1999)
Section 302 of the Uniform Housing Code is amended to read as follows:
"Section 302. Buildings requiring construction permits shall conform to the requirements and the appropriate fee to be paid as required in the Building. Plumbing, Electrical and Mechanical Codes as adopted by the City of El Cajon."
(Ord. 4607 § 5, 1999)
Section 304, is added to the Uniform Housing Code to read as follows:
"Section 304, Permits.
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership or corporation, to own or operate a rental dwelling configuration, hotel, or motel without first obtaining a housing permit therefor.
(b) 
The annual housing permit fee shall be established by resolution of the city council. The current fee schedule shall be on file with the city clerk, and shall be in such amounts as the city council may set from time to time by resolution.
(c) 
The fee shall be due and payable to the city of El Cajon on the tenth day of May of each year, in advance. If said fee is not paid on or before the tenth day of June following the date when it became due, there shall be a penalty added in an amount equal to 25% of the fee. No permit shall be issued until such penalty has been paid.
(d) 
If any person, firm, partnership or corporation commences to own or operate a rental dwelling configuration, hotel or motel during the calendar year, the housing permit shall be prorated on a quarterly basis for the calendar year.
(e) 
A permit to operate and maintain a rental dwelling configuration, hotel or motel is not transferable.
(f) 
For the purpose of this section, a unit shall mean each apartment in an apartment house, each dwelling unit in a rental dwelling configuration, each sleeping room in a hotel, and each dwelling unit, apartment, motel and hotel sleeping room in a building containing dwelling unit, apartment, motel and hotel sleeping rooms.
(g) 
Separate rental dwelling unit buildings, separate apartment house buildings, and separate hotel buildings; or a combination thereof, located upon a single parcel of land or contiguous parcels of land, under the same ownership, shall be treated as one rental dwelling configuration, apartment house, motel, or hotel for the purpose of computing the fee prescribed by this section."
(Ord. 4607 § 5, 1999)
Section 305 is added to the Uniform Housing Code to read as follows:
Section 305. Caretaker or resident manager. A manager, janitor, housekeeper, or other responsible person shall reside upon the premises and shall have charge of every rental dwelling configuration in which there are 16 or more rental units, and of every hotel in which there are 12 or more guest rooms, in the event that the owner of any such property does not reside upon said premises.
If the owner does not reside upon the premises of any rental dwelling configuration in which there are more than two, but less than 16 rental units, a notice stating the owner's name and address, or the name and address of the person in charge of the rental units, shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises. The requirements for a caretaker shall apply to those units as defined in Section 401 under rental dwelling configuration.
(Ord. 4607 § 5, 1999)
Section 306 is added to the Uniform Housing Code to read as follows:
Section 306. The language used in this code is intended to convey the common and accepted meaning to the building industry. The building official or designee is hereby authorized to determine the intent and meaning of any provisions of this code.
(Ord. 4607 § 5, 1999)
Any person, firm, partnership or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and is subject to the provisions of the general penalty clause as set forth in Section 1.24.010 of this code or any other penalty adopted by the city council.
(Ord. 4607 § 5, 1999)
A violation of any provision of the Uniform Housing Code as adopted and amended by this chapter is deemed to be a public nuisance and may be abated in accordance with Chapter 1.16 of this code.
(Ord. 4607 § 5, 1999)