Except as provided herein, the 2025 Edition of the State of California Building Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2) including Appendix F, Rodent proofing; Appendix H, Signs; Appendix I, Patio Covers and Appendix J, Grading, based in the 2025 International Building Code, is hereby adopted by reference as though fully set forth herein, and shall constitute and is hereby established as “the Building Code of the City of South Gate” (“Building Code” herein). Requests to review the 2025 Edition of the California Building Code are available through the City Clerk’s Office.
(Ord. 2137 § 3 (part), 4-8-2003; Ord. 2244 § 2 (part), 11-27-2007; Ord. 2245 § 2 (part), 1-8-2008; Ord. 2277 § 2 (part), 11-23-2010; Ord. 2311 § 2 (part), 11-26-2013; Ord. 2332 § 2 (part), 11-22-2016; Ord. 2020-02-CC § 2 (part), 5-26-2020; Ord. 2022-10-CC § 2, 11-29-2022; Ord. 2026-04-CC, 5/12/2026)
Any person violating any of the provisions of the California Building Code shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day, or portion thereof, during which any violation of any provision of the California Building Code is committed, continued, maintained, or permitted. Upon conviction, any such violation shall be punishable as provided for in Chapter 1.56 of this Code.
(Ord. 2137 § 3 (part), 4-8-2003; Ord. 2020-02-CC § 2 (part), 5-26-2020; Ord. 2022-10-CC § 2, 11-29-2022; Ord. 2026-04-CC, 5/12/2026)
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.02.010, the 2025 Edition of the California Building Code is hereby amended by:
A. 
Amending Subsection 103.1 (Creation of Enforcement Agency) of Section 103 in its entirety to read as follows:
Section 103.1 Creation of Enforcement Agency
The Building and Safety Division is designated as the agency for the implementation, administration, and enforcement of the Building Code, with the Building Official in charge thereof.
B. 
Adding Items 8 and 9 to Subsection [A]105.3 (Application for permit) of Section 105 (Permits) to read as follows:
[A] 105.3 Application for permit.
8. Where a license is required by the State of California in connection with the submittal of an application, no permit shall be issued unless the applicant has such a license that is active and in good standing.
9. A separate application shall be required for each building or structure.
C. 
Revising [A] 105.5 (Expiration) of Chapter 1 (Administration) of the California Building Code to read as follows:
Subsection 105.5 is hereby amended to read as follows:
105.5 Expiration.
Except as set forth in Subsection 105.5.1, every permit issued for property within the city shall expire by limitation and become null and void as follows:
1. If work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 365 days from the issuance date of such permit.
2. If work authorized by such permit is commenced within 365 days from the issuance date of such permit, the permit shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned. For purposes of this subsection, "suspended or abandoned" shall mean that the permittee has, for a period of 180 days or longer after commencing the work authorized by such permit, failed to make substantial progress toward completion of the work, as determined by the Building Official after inspection. The Building Official may, in his or her discretion, grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods of not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated. "Justifiable cause" shall mean or refer to a delay in performance of work or installations under an active permit that is due to war, insurrection, floods, earthquakes, fires, casualties, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, unusually severe weather, strikes causing inability to secure necessary labor, materials or tools, acts of the City, or any other delays that are beyond the control and without the fault of the permit holder.
3. In the event of a permit's expiration, before work previously authorized pursuant to the expired permit can be commenced or recommenced, a new permit shall first be obtained (hereafter, a "renewal permit"). To obtain a renewal permit, the applicant may be required to resubmit plans and specifications, if deemed necessary by the Building Official. The applicant must pay all applicable fees, including, but not limited to, a plan check fee and building permit fees, in the amount then established by resolution of the city council. If renewal permits are applied for, a mandatory site inspection shall be performed by the Building and Safety Division to determine compliance with existing conditions and materials with the Building Code. All work to be performed under a renewal permit must be performed in accordance with all applicable Technical Codes, regulations, laws, and ordinances in effect on the date of issuance of the renewal permit. Renewal permits are subject to expiration as set forth in paragraph 2 above, unless Subsection 105.5.1 applies.
4. In the event of a permit's expiration, any work performed under that permit is "unpermitted" as defined in Section 114.1 of this Building Code and is subject to the legalization provisions of Section 114.5 of this Building Code.
105.5.1 Expiration – Unpermitted Structures or Grading.
Notwithstanding any provision of Section 105.5, if a building permit was issued in order to bring an unpermitted structure or unpermitted grading (as defined in Section 114.1 of this Building Code) or other unlawful, substandard, or hazardous condition into compliance with any applicable law, ordinance, rule, or regulation, such permit shall expire by limitation and become null and void 60 days after the date on which the permit was issued. The Building Official may, in his or her sole discretion, extend the validity of the permit for a period not exceeding 180 days beyond the initial 60 day limit upon written request by the applicant filed with the Building Official prior to the expiration date of the original permit, if the Building Official determines that substantial progress has been made toward completing the work authorized by the permit.
D. 
Adding a new Subsection [A]105.8 (Permit Denial) to Section 105 (Permits) to read as follows:
[A]105.8 Permit Issuance – Additional Prerequisites
Proposed work and/or installations for which a permit is sought may trigger required approvals, clearances, or permits in connection with other provisions of the South Gate Municipal Code [including, without limitation, Titles 10 (Fire) and 11 (Zoning)], as well as pursuant to Los Angeles County Codes and state statutes. The Building Official shall not issue a permit pursuant to the Building Code unless he or she determines an applicant and a property owner have first complied with all regulations in Title 9, and with all other provisions of the South Gate Municipal Code, as well as with Los Angeles County Codes and state statutes that pertain to the work and/or installations for which a permit is sought.
E. 
Adding a new Subsection [A]105.9 (Permits Required) to Section 105 (Permits) to read as follows:
[A]105.9 Additional Requirements for Issued Permits.
A permit holder shall, before commencing work pursuant to a permit, tender a complete list to the Building and Safety Division of all subcontractors and material suppliers who will provide services or furnish materials. The list, which shall be dated and signed by the permit holder, shall include the name, address, phone number, and email address, and state license number for each subcontractor, and the name, address, phone number, and email address of each supplier. A permit holder shall tender a revised list to the Building and Safety Division within forty-eight (48) hours if there is a change in the disclosed subcontractors or suppliers. Failure to comply with this section, as evidenced by non-disclosed subcontractors and/or suppliers that are providing, or have provided, work or materials at a property, is cause for the Building Official to issue a Stop Work Order pursuant to Section 115.1, and/or to suspend or revoke the permit pursuant to Section 105.6.
F. 
Adding Subsection [A]107.6 (Plan Review Fees) of Section 107 (Submittal Documents) to read as follows:
[A]107.6 Plan Review Fees.
The plan review fees are separate fees from the permit fees specified in Section 107.2 and are in addition to the permit fees. The plan review fees shall be paid in accordance with the fee resolution of the South Gate Municipal Code.
G. 
Adding a new Subsection [A]109.7 (Double Fees) to Section 109 (Fees) to read as follows:
[A]109.7 Double Fees.
When any work for which a permit is required by any technical code set forth in this Title 9 is commenced prior to obtaining a required permit, the fees specified under the provisions of such technical code shall be doubled, but in no event shall they be less than one hundred and twelve dollars ($112.00). The payment of such double fees shall not release any person from complying with the requirements of any technical code set forth in this Title 9, nor from any penalties prescribed therein. The additional fees are imposed solely for the purpose of reimbursing the City for the additional work involved with the inspection, regulation and administration of the applicable provisions of the technical codes set forth in this Title 9.
H. 
Revising Subsection 110.3.12, and adding new Subsections [A]110.7 and [A]110.8 to Section 110 (Inspections) and to read as follows:
110.3.12 Final inspection.
The final inspection shall be made after all work required by the building permit is completed. All work and installations that are authorized by the building permit shall not become lawful until a permit holder has obtained a final inspection approval from the Building and Safety Division, which shall be in writing.
[A]110.7 Concealed and/or Inaccessible Construction.
Construction, work, or installations occurring in connection with a permit that do not remain visible and accessible for an inspection, as required by Section 110.1, are unlawful and subject to a correction notice from the Building and Safety Division. Failure of a permit holder to make the construction, work, or installations fully visible and accessible for an inspection in a period required by the Building Official, is cause for the Building Official to suspend or revoke the permit pursuant to Section 105.6.
[A]110.8 Corrections
All construction, work or installations occurring in connection with a permit that does not comply with any provision of Title 9 [Buildings] of the South Gate Municipal Code are subject to a correction notice that a building inspector issues to a permit holder following an inspection. The permit holder shall fully correct the non-compliant condition and pass a Building and Safety Division inspection within ten (10) days of an issued correction notice, or within such other period of time as a building inspector deems reasonable. A building inspector may require immediate corrective actions if he or she determines whether a hazard or potential hazard exists to a person or persons due to the non-compliant condition. Failure of a permit holder to fully correct a non-compliant condition in a timely manner is cause for the Building Official to suspend or revoke the permit pursuant to Section 105.6.
I. 
Adding a new Subsection [A]111.5 to Section 111 (Certificate of Occupancy for Existing Non-Residential Structures) to read as follows:
[A] 111.5 Certificate of Occupancy for Existing Non-Residential Structures.
Notwithstanding Section 111.1, persons who are required to obtain an initial business license pursuant to Section 2.08.040A. of the South Gate Municipal Code in connection with a non-residential building or structure (examples being a commercial or industrial building), shall undergo a city inspection to confirm: (i) the building or structure, or portion thereof, complies with Titles 9 [Buildings ] and 10 [Fire] of the South Gate Municipal Code; and (ii) the use(s) therein, whether actual and/or proposed, comply with Title 11 [Zoning] of the South Gate Municipal Code. The Building Official shall issue a certificate of occupancy to the business operator provided full compliance with Titles 9, 10, and 11 has been confirmed. No person shall use or occupy a non-residential building or structure, or portion thereof, without having obtained a certificate of occupancy from the Building Official.
J. 
Adding a new Subsection [A]112.4 to Section 112 (Service Utilities) to read as follows:
[A]112.4 Connections.
No utility shall, without prior written authorization from the Building Official, furnish or supply energy, fuel, or power for an improvement on private real property. "An improvement" means a new building, structure, or portion thereof, as well as a new installation for which one or more permits and inspection approvals from the Building and Safety Division are required pursuant to Title 9 [Buildings] of the South Gate Municipal Code.
K. 
Revising Section 114 (Violations) of Chapter 1 (Administration) of the California Building Code to read as follows:
Subsection 114.1 is hereby amended and Subsections 114.1.1 and 114.1.2 are hereby added to read as follows:
Subsection 114.1 Unlawful acts.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or company to erect, construct, alter, extend, repair, move, remove, demolish, occupy or maintain any building or structure (or portion thereof), equipment, installation or land regulated by the Technical Codes, or cause or permit the same to be done, in conflict with or in violation of any of the provisions of the Technical Codes.
114.1.1 Unpermitted structures. No person shall own, use, occupy, or maintain an unpermitted structure. For purposes of this subsection, "unpermitted structure" shall be defined as any building or structure, or portion thereof, that was erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, connected, converted, demolished, or equipped, at any point in time by any person, without the required permit(s) having first been obtained from the Building Official or with a valid permit as issued by the Building Official that subsequently expired and became null and void.
114.1.2 Unpermitted grading. No person, firm, corporation, or company shall own, use, occupy, or maintain unpermitted grading. For purposes of this subsection, "unpermitted grading" shall be defined as any land that has been excavated, cut, filled, graded, compacted, or terraced, at any point in time by any person, without the required permit(s) having first been obtained from the Building Official or with a valid permit as issued by the Building Official that subsequently expired and became null and void.
Subsection 114.4 is hereby amended to read as follows:
114.4 Violation Penalties.
Any person, corporation, company, or other entity who violates any provision of the Technical Codes, or fails to comply with any of the requirements thereof, or who erects, constructs, alters, repairs, or maintains a building, structure, installation, or equipment, or excavates, cuts, fills, grades, compacts, or maintains land in violation of approved construction documents or directive of the Building Official, or of a permit or certificate issued under the provisions of the Technical Codes, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be subject to the punishments set forth in Section 1.56.040A of the South Gate Municipal Code.
Each and every day, or portion thereof, during which any violation of the Technical Codes occurs or continues constitutes a separate and distinct offense.
Subsection 114.5 is hereby added to read as follows:
114.5 Procedure for legalizing unpermitted structures or grading. The procedures specified within subsections 114.5.1 through 114.5.6 of this code shall be followed whenever an attempt is made to legalize an unpermitted structure or unpermitted grading.
114.5.1 Permits. Any person who wishes to legalize an unpermitted structure or unpermitted grading, as defined in subsections 114.1.1 and 114.1.2 of this code, shall obtain all applicable permits. Unpermitted structures and grading shall comply with all current Technical Codes requirements and other required approvals pursuant to the South Gate Municipal Code in order to be legalized.
Permits obtained to legalize unpermitted structures or grading shall expire as set forth in Subsection 105.5.1 of this Building Code.
114.5.2 Plans. Prior to the issuance or granting of any permit to legalize an unpermitted building or structure, plans showing the plot plan, exterior elevations, existing structures, proposed structures, and proposed finish materials shall be submitted to the Building and Safety Division for review and approval.
114.5.2 Grading. Prior to the issuance or granting of any permit to legalize unpermitted grading, a grading and drainage plan showing the original grade and existing unpermitted grade on the land and the existing grade on adjoining properties, and a soils report shall be submitted to the Building and Safety Division for review and approval.
114.5.2 Inspections. Unpermitted structures or unpermitted grading for which a permit has subsequently been obtained shall be subject to inspection by the Building Official in accordance with, and in the manner prescribed in, the Technical Codes. The Building Official may require the removal of finished materials in order to expose framing elements, electrical components, plumbing fixtures, or mechanical systems, or may require the removal of fill, to verify that installation, construction, or grading was performed in conformance with the Technical Codes.
114.5.6 Unpermitted structures or grading which cannot be legalized.
114.5.6.1 If the Planning Division determines that the City's zoning regulations prohibit legalization of any unpermitted structure, it shall be demolished or, if previously permitted, restored to its original approved condition, with all requisite permits, inspections, and approvals.
114.5.6.2 If the Building Official determines that an unpermitted structure cannot be made to conform to the current applicable Technical Codes requirements, the structure shall be demolished or, if previously permitted, restored to its original approved condition, with all requisite permits, inspections, and approvals.
114.5.6.3 If the Building Official determines that unpermitted grading and/or lot drainage cannot be made to conform with current applicable Technical Codes requirements, the land shall be fully restored to the condition that preceded the unpermitted grading, with all requisite permits, inspections, and approvals.
L. 
Adding a new Subsection: Refunds.
(1) 
The Building Official may authorize the refunding of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected.
(2) 
The Building Official may authorize the refunding of not more than 80% of the permit fee paid when no work has been done under a permit issued in accordance with this title, as confirmed by the Building Official. The Building Official may authorize the refunding of not more than 80% of the plan review fee paid when an application is withdrawn or canceled before any plan reviewing has been started.
(3) 
The Building Official shall not authorize the refunding of any fee paid except upon written application filed by the original permittee not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.
(Ord. 2137 § 3 (part), 4-8-2003; Ord. 2244 § 2 (part), 11-27-2007; Ord. 2245 § 2 (part), 1-8-2008; Ord. 2277 § 2 (part), 11-23-2010; Ord. 2311 § 2 (part), 11-26-2013; Ord. 2332 § 2 (part), 11-22-2016; Ord. 2020-02-CC § 2 (part), 5-26-2020; Ord. 2022-10-CC § 2, 11-29-2022; Ord. 2026-04-CC, 5/12/2026)