Subject to subsections (a) through (e) below, the Uniform Housing Code, 1997 Edition, as published by the International Conference of Building Officials, is hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part of this Article with the same effect as if fully set forth herein. The procedures and proceedings provided in said Uniform Housing Code may, in the discretion of the Building Official, be used in place of procedures and proceedings that may be provided elsewhere in this Code. The provisions of said Uniform Housing Code, as adopted and incorporated by this section, shall apply to all of the unincorporated territory of the County of Tulare.
(a) 
Section 203 (Housing Advisory and Appeals Board) and Chapter 12 (Appeal) of the Uniform Housing Code are not adopted. The administrative enforcement of this Article is subject to the right of appeal as provided by section 7-15-1050 of this Code.
(b) 
Section 201 of the Uniform Housing Code is amended by adding thereto a new Section 201.4, to read as follows:
Section 201.4 Authorized Representatives. In accordance with prescribed procedures and with the approval of the appointing authority, the Building Official may appoint such number of technical officers and inspectors and other employees as shall be authorized from time to time. The Building Official may appoint such inspectors or employees as may be necessary to carry out the provision of the Uniform Housing Code.
(c) 
Additional Requirement – Caretaker – Notice. In addition to the requirements of the Uniform Housing Code, the following shall be required:
1. 
Caretaker. A janitor, housekeeper, or other responsible person shall reside upon the premises and shall have charge of every apartment house in which there are sixteen or more apartments and of every hotel in which there are twelve or more guest rooms, in the event that the owner of any such apartment house or hotel does not reside upon the premises.
2. 
Notice. If the owner does not reside upon the premises of any apartment house in which there are four or more but less than sixteen apartments, a notice stating the owner’s name and address or telephone number, or the name and address or telephone number of the owner’s agent in charge of the apartment house, shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises.
(d) 
Section 202 of the Uniform Housing Code is amended to read as follows:
Buildings or portions thereof that are determined to be substandard as defined in the State Housing Law or as otherwise determined to be substandard pursuant to the Tulare County Ordinance Code are hereby declared to be public nuisances and may be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or removal in accordance with the procedure specified in Chapter 11 of the Uniform Housing Code, or such other procedure specified in the Tulare County Ordinance Code.
(e) 
All references to the Building Code in the Uniform Housing Code shall be interpreted to refer to the California Building Code, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission.
(Added by Ord. No. 3457, effective 4-17-14; amended by Ord. No. 3499, effective 1-5-17; amended by Ord. No. 3564, effective 7-4-19. Formerly 7-15-2940)
Maintaining a substandard building in violation of the Uniform Housing Code, as adopted herein, is a misdemeanor, and is punishable as provided in Section 125 (Violations) of this Code.
(Added by Ord. No. 3564, effective 7-4-19)