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Home My WebLink About1849 ORDINANCE NO. 1849 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE UNIFORM BUILDING CODE AND ADDING AiT6~ TO CHAPTER 7 OF ARTICLE VIII OF THE AR DI MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING SECURITY B MET AL GRATES AND SIMILAR SECURITY C IN RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INO STR ZONES ' WHEREAS, the City of Arcadia is co unsightly, and at times hazardous '. on residential, commercial and in u r similar security devices dings throughout the City and in view of the negative aesthetic f t nd the detrimental impact of such devices may pose; and ntown Revitalization Plan of the City of no exteri or use of securi ty devi ces in order to appearance and economic vitality of the City of S, ere have been several deaths, within the Los Angeles County, due in art to persons within residential dwellings not being able to exit throu building openings which have been secured by the referred to WHEREAS, the placement of the referred to devices can be done, in mmercial and industrial buildings, in a manner consistent with public safety and the health, safety and welfare of the community; and 1 1849 . WHEREAS, the placement of bars and similar security devices over windows and other building openings of residential structures is not consistent with the City's efforts at maintaining the Quality, appearance and character of the City's residential neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, there are alarm systems and other alternative methods to protect property which do not present the potential life endangering characteristics of security bars and similar security devices; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, DOES HEREBV ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That Section 8130.2.5 is hereby added to the Arcadia Municipal Code to read as follows: "8130.2.5. AMENOMENT Subsection (a) of Section 301 of Chapter 3 of said Uniform Building Code is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 301. (a) Permits Required. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, install security bars or similar devices, convert or demolish any building or structure regulated by this code, except as specified in Subsection (b) of this section, or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a separate permit for each building or structure from the building officia1." SECTION 2. That Section 8130.8.5. is hereby added to the Arcadia Municipal Code to read as follows: "8130.8.5. AODITION Subdi vi si on 3. is hereby addeded to Section 1204 of Chapter 12 of said Uniform Building Code to read as follows: 2 1849 3. The use of exterior or interior security bars, sliding metal grates, or other similar security devices within any residential zone shall be prohibited. Except ion: a. This Section shall not apply to fences or walls which are located along property lines, or which are located more than five (5) feet from a building opening (window or door) and which do not exceed six (6) feet in height. b. This Section Shall not apply to windows which have a minimum net opening of less than 5.7 square feet or a minimum net clear opening height dimension of less than 24 inches or a minimum net clear width dimension of less than 20 inches, or a finished sill height of more than 44 inches above the floor. SECT I ON 3. That Section 8130.18.5. is hereby added to the Arcadi a Municipal Code to read as follows: "8130. J 8.5. AMMEMDMENT Section 3802 of Chapter 38 of said Uniform Building Code is hereby amended to read as follows: "Subdivision (b) 1 of said Section 3802 is amended as follows: 1. In every story or basement of all buildings when the floor area exceeds 1500 square feet and where there is not provi ded at I east 20 square feet of opening entirely above the adjoining ground level in each 50 lineal feet or fraction thereof of exterior wall in the story or basement on at least one side of the building. Openings shall have a minimum dimension of not I ess than 30 inches. Such openi ngs shall be accessi b I e to the fi re department from the exterior and shall not be obstructed in a manner that fire fighting or rescue cannot be accomplished from the exterior. 3 1849 When openings in a story are provided on only one side and the opposite wall of such story is more than 75 feet from such openings, the story shall be provided with an approved automatic sprinkler system, or openings as specified above shall be provided on at least two sides of an exterior wall of the story. If any portion of a basement is located more than 75 feet from openings required in this section, the basement shall be provided with an approved automatic sprinkler system. The use of security bars, sliding metal grates, or other similar security devices is prohibited on either the interior or exterior of any building openings of all structures in commercial or industrial zones of the City. Exception: Security bars, sliding metal grates, or other similar security devices may be installed, in compliance with applicable Building Code requirements, on the interior of a commercial or industrial structure provided that the entire building is eQuiped with an automatic sprinkler system, which has been installed under a permit from the Building Oepartment and inspected pursuant thereto for compliance with the approved plans. Plans for such security devices must meet the satisfaction of the Fire Chief:' SECTION 4. That a Part 6 to Chapter 7 is hereby added to Article VIII of the Arcadia Municipal Code to read as follows: 'PART 6 SECURITY BARS 8760. RESIDENTIAL COMPLIANCE. The owners of residential dwelling units which have exterior or interior security bars, sliding metal grates or other 4 1849 similar security devices, which have been installed in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Building Code, on the effective date of this Ordinance, but which are not in compliance with the requirements of this Ordinance shall have one (1) year from the effective date of this Ordinance to bring said use into compliance with the requirements of this Ordinance. 8761. COMMERC I AL COMPLI ANCE. The owners of commerci a J bui I di ngs or industrial buildings which currently have exterior or interior security bars, sliding metal grates or other similar security devices which have been installed in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Building Code, on the eff ecti ve date of thi s Ordi nance, but whi ch are not in compliance with the requirements of this Ordinance, shall have one (1) year from the effective date of this Ordinance to bring said use into compliance with the requirements of this Ordinance: 8762. VARIANCES. Building Code variances to the requirements of Sections 8130.8.5., 8130.18.5., 8760. or 8761 may be applied for pursuant to Section 8040 of the Arcadia Municipal Code. There shall be no fee charged for a variance application for the consideration of an installation which was existing at the time of the effective date of this Ordinance: 5 1849 SECTION 6. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause a copy of the same to be published in the official newspaper of said City within fifteen (15) days after its adoption. Passed, approved and adopted this day of ,1987. Mayor of the City of Arcadia ATTEST: City Clerk of the City of Arcadia ST ATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNT V OF LOS ANGELES ) SS CITY OF ARCADIA ) I, CHRISTINE VAN MAANEN, City Clerk of the City of Arcadia, hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Arcadia, signed by the Mayor and attested to by the City Clerk at a regular meeting of said Council held on the day of 1987, and that said Ordinance was adopted by the following vote, to-wit: AVES: NOES: ABSENT: City Clerk of the City of Arcadia 6 1849