This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Minimum Security Building Standards."
(Ord. 1070 § 1; Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
For purposes of this article, the following terms, words, and phrases shall have the meaning given in this section:
Accessible
when used in the context of transoms and/or windows shall mean less than twelve feet above the ground.
Approved
means certified as meeting the requirements of this article by the enforcing authority or his or her authorized agent(s).
Bolt
means a metal bar which, when actuated, is projected (or "thrown") either horizontally or vertically into a retaining member, such as a strike plate, to prevent a door from moving or opening.
Cylinder
means the subassembly of a lock containing the cylinder core, tumbler mechanism and keyway. A double cylinder lock is one that has a key-actuated cylinder on both the exterior and interior of the door. The cylinder core is the central part of a cylinder containing the keyway, and a cylinder guard is a hardened metal ring or plate surrounding the exposed portion of the cylinder lock to resist cutting, prying, or wrenching with common tools.
Deadbolt
means a lock bolt which does not have a spring action as opposed to a latch bolt which does. The bolt must be actuated by a key or a key and knob or thumbturn and when projected becomes locked against return by end pressure.
Deadlatch
means a spring-actuated latch bolt having a beveled end and incorporating a plunger which when depressed, automatically locks the projected latch bolt against return by end pressure.
Door
includes a swinging, sliding, rolling overhead, or solid overhead door.
Dwelling
means any building or portion thereof designed or used exclusively as the residence or sleeping place of one or more persons, but does not include a tent, cabin, trailer, or mobile home that is not a manufactured home.
Enforcing authority
means the chief building official of the city or authorized representative.
Flushbolt
means a manual, key or turn operated metal bolt, normally used on an inactive door(s), that is attached to the top and bottom of the door and engages in the head and threshold of the frame.
Lock
means a keyed device (complete with cylinder, latch or deadbolt mechanism, and trim such as knobs, levers, thumb-turns, etc) for securing a door in a closed position against forced entry.
Multiple-family dwelling
means a building or portion thereof designed for or used by more than two families or housekeeping units including, but not limited to, hotels, motels, apartments, condominiums, duplexes, and townhouses.
Nonresidential building
is a building or industrial building, or portion thereof, used for a purpose other than a dwelling or auxiliary to dwelling.
Primary locking device
means the single locking system on a door or window unit whose primary function is to prevent unauthorized intrusion.
Single-cylinder deadbolt
means a deadbolt lock, which is activated from the exterior by a key and from the interior by a knob, thumb-turn, lever, or similar mechanism.
Single-family dwelling
means a building designed for, or used exclusively for, residential purposes by one family or housekeeping unit.
Solid core
means composed of solid wood or compressed wood equal in strength to solid wood construction.
(Ord. 1070 § 1; Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
The purpose of this article is to safeguard property and to promote public welfare and safety by providing minimum security standards to be used in the design, construction, alteration, and maintenance of buildings and facilities and the quality of materials used therein.
(Ord. 1070 § 1; Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
(a) 
The provisions of this article shall apply to new construction and to buildings or structures to which additions or alterations are made, except as specifically provided by this article.
(b) 
Additions or alterations made to any building or structure shall be made to conform to the security requirements for new buildings and structures.
(c) 
The entire site structure or building shall be made to conform to the security requirements for new buildings or structures when:
(1) 
Any existing nonresidential building is converted from a primary single-tenant building to a two or more tenant building, with walls separating tenant spaces; or
(2) 
Any commercial building is remodeled for new tenants.
(d) 
Existing multiple-family dwellings, when converted to privately owned single-family dwellings (condominiums, cooperatives, etc) shall comply with the provisions governing multiple-family dwellings.
(Ord. 1070 § 1; Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
The following provisions shall apply to all dwellings (single-family or multiple-family) except paragraph (c) of this section only applies to single-family dwellings:
(a) 
Doors.
(1) 
A dual locking mechanism, constructed so that both the deadbolt and latch can be retracted by a single action of the inside doorknob or lever, may be used and is highly recommended.
(2) 
Double cylinder deadbolts shall not be used.
(3) 
The inactive leaf of double doors shall be equipped with flushbolts having a minimum embedment of five-eighths inch into the head and threshold of the doorframe.
(4) 
Any swinging doors leading from a garage into a residence shall be of solid core construction with a minimum thickness of one and three-quarters inch or a twenty minute fire-rated door. The doors shall be equipped with a single cylinder deadbolt having a minimum projection of one inch and an embedment of at least three-fourths inch into the strike receiving bolt. The bolt shall be constructed so as to resist cutting tool attacks. The cylinder shall have a cylinder guard, a minimum of five pin tumblers, and shall be connected to the inner portion of the lock by connecting screws of at least one and one-quarter inch in length. The strike plate will be secured with a minimum of three-inch long screws. Double cylinder locks shall not be used.
(5) 
All street-facing exterior doors shall be equipped with a wide-angle (one hundred eighty degrees) door viewer, except where clear vision panels are installed.
(6) 
All exterior-swinging doors of the habitable areas and all doors other than overhead doors providing access to the garage shall be of solid core construction with a minimum thickness of one and three-quarters-inch or a twenty-minute fire-rated door. Any decorative additions shall not take away from the thickness of the door but may be added in addition to the door.
(7) 
Requests for use of leaded, faceted, or carved glass in door or window assemblies readily visible from the public way must be approved by the enforcing authority.
(b) 
Windows. In addition to the primary locking device, a permanent auxiliary or secondary locking device may be provided on all accessible windows in dwellings.
(c) 
Numbering. This subsection (c) shall only apply to single-family dwellings. All single-family dwellings shall display a street number in a prominent location on the street side of the dwelling in such a position so that it shall be easily visible to approaching emergency vehicles. The numerals shall be no less than four inches in height and one-half inch in width, shall have a color contrasting the background to which they are attached, and shall be maintained for the life of the dwelling. The numerals shall be illuminated at night so they may be read from the street. The porch light may provide the illumination. This subsection shall not prevent supplementary numbering, such as numbers on curbs or decorative numbering, but they shall be considered supplemental only and shall not satisfy the requirements of this section.
(Ord. 1070 § 1; Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
(a) 
Doors—Self-locking devices. Exterior doors and doors leading from garage areas into multiple-family dwellings, and doors leading into the stairwells of such dwellings, shall have self-locking (deadlatch) devices, allowing egress from the building or into the garage area, or stairwell, but requiring a key (keypad or keycard) to be used to gain access to the interior of the building from the outside or garage area or into hallways from the stairwell. This subsection (a) shall not apply to those doors that are deemed common entrances by the fire department.
(b) 
Identification.
(1) 
In multiple-family dwelling complexes, any building having a separate identifying factor other than the street number shall be clearly identified. The letters shall be no less than six inches in height and one-half inch in width. Each individual unit of a multifamily residence shall have unit identifying numbers, letters or a combination thereof displayed upon the door or next to the door. The numbers shall be at least four inches high and one-half inch wide and shall be illuminated at night. Numbering of apartment complexes must also follow Section 901.4.4 of the California Fire Code, 2001 Edition, and Section 8.14.120 of the Davis Municipal Code.
(2) 
This subsection shall not prevent supplementary numbering such as reflective numbers on street curbs or decorative numbering. This type of supplementary numbering shall be considered supplemental only, and shall not satisfy the requirements of subsection (b)(1) above.
(3) 
Maps of the multiple-family dwelling complex shall be furnished by the developer to the police department and fire department upon completion of construction. The map shall include building identification and unit identification.
(c) 
Garages. Multiple-family dwelling complexes providing individual enclosed garage spaces shall meet the same requirements for garages as single-family dwellings. Floor to roof or floor above demising walls shall separate individual garage areas having their own entrance.
(d) 
Common areas. If there are common use laundry rooms, the rooms shall be equipped with a window or sliding glass door to allow visibility into the interior of the room. If study rooms or training rooms are provided, they shall be kept locked. The lock to such study room or training room shall be keyed so that residents' unit keys can open the doors. Lights in these rooms shall remain on at all times or be equipped with a motion sensor light that stays on continually as long as the room is occupied.
(Ord. 1070 § 1; Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
(a) 
Doors.
(1) 
In multiple occupancy nonresidential buildings, all exterior building entrance doors to individual office suites shall meet the construction and locking requirements for exterior doors for dwellings as set forth in Section 8.14.050(a). These exterior doors shall be openable from the inside with one motion without use of a key unless otherwise allowed in the California Building Code.
(2) 
All exterior doors that are used to the side or rear of a nonresidential building shall be equipped with a wide-angle door viewer.
(3) 
When flushbolts are used on business property, both doors must remain open during business hours.
(b) 
Windows.
(1) 
Accessible exterior transoms or openable windows shall meet the same requirements as skylights set forth in subsection (c) of this section.
(2) 
Bars shall not interfere with the operation of opening windows if such windows are required to be openable by the California Building Code.
(c) 
Skylights. Any skylight forming a part of the enclosure of a nonresidential building shall be constructed and installed using rated burglar resistant glass, or by similar rated material or by glass covered with iron bars of at least one-half inch round or one inch by one-quarter inch flat steel materials, spaced not more than eight inches apart, secured on the inside of the glass. With a waiver from the police department, a commercial business may alarm the skylight or have motion sensors that would detect motion coming through the skylight.
(Ord. 1070 § 1; Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
Property owners, any designated agent, tenant, and the general contractor for the project in question shall be jointly and severally responsible for compliance with this article. Security items that will remain on the premises after a tenant moves out are the responsibility of the property owner. Systems that are removed upon vacation of the premises, such as an alarm system, are the responsibility of the tenant. The ultimate responsibility will be that of the property owner.
(Ord. 1070 § 1; Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
Upon occupancy by the owner or proprietor, each single unit in a tract or commercial development constructed by the same contractor shall have locks that are interchange free from builders' keys within such tract or commercial development.
(Ord. 1070 § 1; Ord. 1228 § 1; Ord. 1324 § 1; Ord. 1539 § 1; Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
Unless otherwise provided in this article, all sliding and overhead doors shall conform to the following:
(a) 
Horizontal sliding doors. Horizontal sliding doors that exceed nineteen feet in width shall have two lock-receiving points. Horizontal sliding doors between sixteen and nineteen feet in width, shall have either two lock-receiving points or a single bolt may be used if placed in the center of the door with the locking point located either in the floor or door frame header.
(b) 
Sliding doors.
(1) 
Shall be equipped with guide tracks which shall be designed so that the door cannot be removed from the track when in the closed and locked position.
(2) 
The sliding portion of sliding doors shall be on the inside track.
(3) 
In addition to the primary locking device, an auxiliary or secondary locking device may be provided on all sliding glass doors accessible from the outside. Homes approved for day care use must remove, and may not install, the additional locking devices.
(4) 
Double sliding patio doors shall be locked at the meeting rail and meet the locking requirements set forth in this article.
(c) 
Overhead doors. Overhead doors shall be provided with a locking device, automatic door opener or equipped with slide bolts that shall be capable of utilizing padlocks with a minimum nine-thirty-seconds inch shackle. Slide bolt assemblies shall have a frame with a minimum of 0.120 inch in thickness, a bolt diameter of a minimum of one-half inch and protrude at least one and one-half inch into the receiving guide. A bolt diameter of three-eighths inch may be used in a dwelling.
(Ord. 1070 § 1; Ord. 1228 § 2; Ord. 1324 §§ 2, 3; Ord. 1539 § 2; Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
Unless otherwise provided in this article, all windows shall comply with the following:
(a) 
Windows shall be constructed so that when they are locked they cannot be lifted from the frame, and the sliding portion of the window shall be on the inside track. The vertical play shall be taken up to prevent lifting of the movable section to defeat the locking mechanism.
(b) 
Louvered windows shall not be used.
(Ord. 1070 § 1; Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
(a) 
Numbering.
(1) 
The address number of every nonresidential building or multifamily dwelling shall be located and displayed so that the numbers shall be easily visible from the street or parking lot when emergency vehicles approach the building.
(2) 
All numbering of nonresidential buildings or multiple-family dwellings shall be approved by the fire department.
(3) 
For nonresidential buildings or multiple-family dwellings the street number shall be no less than six inches in height and one-half inch in width of a color contrasting to the background and illuminated at night.
(4) 
All warehouse buildings shall have numbers twelve inches in height in a contrasting color to the background of the building and shall be illuminated at night.
(5) 
Any business that affords vehicular traffic to the rear of the building(s) through any driveway, alleyway or parking lot, shall also display the same number on the back of the building in the same size, and contrasting color as the number on the front of the building. This requirement may be satisfied by placing the number next to the back door and illuminating it.
(b) 
Parking lots.
(1) 
Parking lots with ten or more parking spaces (including parking lots with carports), driveways, circulation areas, pathways, passageways, recesses, and grounds contiguous to buildings shall be provided with sufficient illumination to make clearly visible the presence of any person on or about the premises during the hours of darkness. The horizontal luminance shall have an average maintained one foot-candle with a minimum level of 0.25 foot-candle on the parking lot surface from dusk until termination of normal business hours.
(2) 
Large open parking lots serving multiple-tenant shopping centers shall be illuminated with a lighting system designed to provide an average maintained horizontal luminance of not less than 1.5 foot-candles and a minimum horizontal luminance of not less than 0.25 on a parking lot surface from dusk until termination of the normal business hours.
(3) 
Parking lots that are used as pedestrian walkways shall provide adequate illumination to make clearly visible the presence of any person on or about the premises during the hours of darkness and shall maintain a lighting level of 0.5 to one foot-candle.
(c) 
Lighting.
(1) 
In stairwells and enclosed parking areas with five or greater parking spaces, the lights shall remain on at all times. A lighting average level of 5.0 foot-candles shall be required. The lighting level may be attained by a combination of light fixtures and natural light during daytime hours.
(2) 
All walkways shall be illuminated with sufficient light to clearly see another person on the walkway or the premises. A minimum lighting level of 0.25 foot-candles shall be maintained on all walkways during hours of darkness.
(3) 
Low-pressure sodium lighting shall not be used.
(4) 
Light sources shall be so located as to minimize interference by structures, parked vehicles, landscaping, or other features.
(5) 
Excess light and glare shall be limited by the use of appropriate light fixtures, shielding devices, and directional lighting methods. The enforcing authority shall review all lighting plans to limit to a reasonable level the excess light and glare and to see that lighting levels are in accordance with Article 8.17, Outdoor Lighting Control.
(6) 
Prior to issuance of building permits, a photometric plan shall be submitted to the community development and sustainability department for review and approval. The photometric plan shall meet the requirements of this article.
(7) 
All entrance and exit doors to nonresidential buildings shall be illuminated with a lighting device that provides a minimum of one foot-candle of light on the surface during the hours of darkness.
(Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
(a) 
Safes.
(1) 
Commercial establishments having more than the cash to begin the next day's business on the premises after closing hours, or those businesses designated by the police department as being highly susceptible to theft because of items or materials they have on the premises, shall lock such money or items in a safe with a minimum rating of TL-15. The safe shall weigh at least seven hundred fifty pounds or shall be equipped with suitable anchors. Re-locking devices are required. Businesses required by Section 8.14.140(b) to have a silent intrusion alarm are considered businesses highly susceptible to theft and are required to have a TL-15 safe in compliance with this section.
(2) 
A business that would be subject to a high risk for robbery of classified materials or large amounts of cash shall have a TXTL safe. Businesses required by Section 8.14.140(a) to have a central station silent robbery alarm are considered businesses subject to a high risk of robbery and are required to have a TXTL safe.
(b) 
Automated teller machines (ATMs). In addition to any zoning or site plan and architectural review approvals that may be required by the city, the police department shall approve all ATMs and location placements. Because of the variety of ATMs and the unique characteristics of each installation and crime considerations near each respective ATM, there is no one formula for placement of the ATMs. Each planned placement shall be studied for safety features and environment around each machine. The police department may place hour restrictions depending on location and may require some modifications as to structure, location, and hours of servicing. Surveillance cameras or video transactions may be required by the police department. The police department may deny the location because of safety issues. ATMs placed within a business must be approved by the police department. When zoning or site plan and architectural review is required for an ATM, the police department's approval shall proceed concurrently with the zoning or site plan and architectural review.
(c) 
All approved ATMs shall adhere to the following requirements:
(1) 
ATMs shall comply with California Financial Code Sections 13000 through 13070.
(2) 
Both an ATM and its customers shall be visible from surrounding businesses, streets, and pedestrian traffic areas. Hours of ATM operation and availability may be restricted by the operating hours of businesses in the area.
(3) 
Regular maintenance checks shall be conducted and records maintained indicating that light bulbs have been replaced, locks are in working condition, telephone or communication devices are functioning, reflective materials or mirrors are present, landscaping is within security guidelines, and all equipment is in good condition.
(4) 
ATMs with restricted hours shall have signage showing the ATM is closed. This signage shall be able to be seen from a customer's car before exiting or when approaching on foot to use the ATM.
(Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
(a) 
The establishments listed in this subsection and those businesses reasonably similar in nature shall be protected by a central station silent robbery alarm:
(1) 
Banks, savings and loans, check cashing establishments;
(2) 
Liquor stores and distributors;
(3) 
Jewelry stores and manufacturers;
(4) 
Gun and ammunition stores; and
(5) 
Those businesses designated by the chief of police as subject to a high risk of robbery.
(b) 
Establishments listed in this subsection and those businesses reasonably similar in nature shall be protected by a silent intrusion alarm:
(1) 
Pharmacies, medical/dental offices, and immediate care facilities;
(2) 
Pawn shops;
(3) 
Coins and stamp shops;
(4) 
Restaurants and bars;
(5) 
Hotels and motels;
(6) 
Theaters;
(7) 
Food markets and convenience stores;
(8) 
Electronic and computer equipment stores, warehouses, and distributors;
(9) 
Auto and truck repair shops;
(10) 
Clothing (new) stores and dry cleaners;
(11) 
Industrial tool supply houses;
(12) 
Camera stores;
(13) 
Industrial, warehouse, and office buildings;
(14) 
Travel agencies;
(15) 
Video equipment and tape rental stores;
(16) 
All retail stores and gas stations open after 10:00 p.m.;
(17) 
Auto rental agencies;
(18) 
School facilities;
(19) 
Antique dealers;
(20) 
Art galleries; and
(21) 
Those businesses designated by the chief of police as being highly susceptible to intrusions and theft.
(c) 
All alarm systems shall have a permit obtained through the police department.
(d) 
When alarm systems or alarm systems wiring are installed at the time of new construction or remodel construction, it shall be the responsibility of the contractor to inform the home or business owner that an alarm permit is required.
(Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
In projects of a more complex nature than the typical residential, commercial or industrial development, additional security measures, which are more stringent and site specific than those stated elsewhere in this article, may be required by the community development and sustainability department, fire department, police department, planning commission, or city council as conditions of approval of a use permit, zoning, or other land use entitlement. Such additional security measures may be made based on the fact that the project is of a highly complicated nature or, by its location, may significantly and adversely affect the city's ability to respond to security and/or other emergency situations within the project.
(a) 
Such additional requirements shall be determined by considering the specific individual characteristics of a project and the needs dictated by such characteristics. Security measures required under this section may include, but shall not be limited to:
(1) 
Security guard systems;
(2) 
Video monitoring and recording systems;
(3) 
Card access systems;
(4) 
Site circulation, parking and lighting systems;
(5) 
Detailed documented integrated security plans;
(6) 
Consultant services, paid for by the developer, as needed for detailed plan review and systems testing; and
(7) 
Other state of the art security measures, including incorporation of "defensible space" techniques.
(b) 
Security measures required under this section as a condition to a project may be subject to further requirements or approvals at or prior to issuance of the building permit.
(c) 
Security measures required under this section shall be maintained for the life of a given project and may be enforced as a continuing obligation of the project.
(Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
Materials, methods of construction or structural design limitations provided for in this article are to be used unless an exception is granted. The use of any material or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this article may be allowed, provided any such alternate method or material has been approved by the enforcing authority prior to use. Further, other sound methods of structural design or analysis not specifically provided for in this article may be allowed provided such alternative has been approved by the enforcing authority prior to use. The enforcing authority may approve any such alternate provided that it finds the proposed design to be satisfactory and the material and method of work offered is for the purpose intended, at least equivalent to that prescribed in this article in quality, strength, effectiveness, crime resistance, durability and safety.
(Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
The enforcing authority may require tests as proof of compliance to be made at the expense of the owner or owner's agent by an approved agency or the enforcing authority when:
(a) 
There is evidence of insufficient compliance with the provisions of this article;
(b) 
There is evidence that any material or any construction does not conform to the requirements of this article; or
(c) 
It is necessary in order to substantiate claims for alternate materials or methods of construction.
(Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
No certificate of occupancy shall be issued unless the applicant for such certificate has complied with this article.
(Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
In order to determine the suitability of alternative materials and methods of construction and to provide for reasonable interpretations of the provisions of this article, the city manager shall hear all disputes. The city manager shall issue written findings and conclusions within ten days of the close of all evidence in a particular case. Thereafter, if the applicant is not satisfied with the decision of the city manager, he or she may appeal that decision, in writing, to the city council within ten calendar days of the decision of the city manager. If no appeal is filed with the city clerk within ten calendar days after the decision of the city manager, such decision is final.
(Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005; Ord. 2634 § 6, 2022)
If ambiguity arises concerning the content or application of this article, it shall be the duty of the enforcing authority to ascertain all pertinent facts and interpret the article. The interpretation may be appealed to the city manager.
(Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005; Ord. 2634 § 6, 2022)
Any building or structure set up, erected, constructed, altered, enlarged, converted, moved, or maintained contrary to the provisions of this article shall be and is hereby declared to be unlawful and a public nuisance. The provisions of Chapter 23, governing nuisance abatement, are fully applicable to this article.
(Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)
The city attorney, upon the order of the city council, shall immediately commence action or proceedings for the abatement and removal and enjoinment of violations of this article in the manner provided by law, and shall take such other steps and shall apply to such courts as may have jurisdiction to grant such relief as will abate and remove a building or structure violating this article, and restrain and enjoin any person from setting up, erecting, building, maintaining or using any building, structure or property contrary to the provisions of this article.
(Ord. 2149 § 1, 2005)