Chapter 15.15
REPORT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDING RECORDS
Sections:
15.15.010 Authorization and Findings.
15.15.030 Obtaining a Report of Residential Building Records.
15.15.070 Refunds/Cancellation Fees.
15.15.010 Authorization and Findings.
The City Council is authorized to require a report of residential building records pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the State of California, the City Charter, and Government Code Section 38780 et seq. While requiring these reports can help reduce and prevent violations of the Code, imposing this requirement can disrupt the sale of residential property. Based thereon, the City Council finds that making a voluntary program available to people purchasing residential real property is warranted. (Ord. 2023-22 § 710, 2023; Ord. 96-35 § 1 (part), 1996)
15.15.020 Definitions.
“Agreement of sale” means any agreement or written instrument which provides for transfer of ownership of real property including but not limited to land sale contracts, exchange agreements, or lease purchase agreements.
“Owner” means any person, partnership, association, corporation or fiduciary having legal or equitable title in any residential building and the authorized agent thereof.
“Report of residential building records” or “report” means a report issued by the City describing the zoning of the residential building, the number of dwelling units permitted pursuant to the zoning classification, and other information relevant to the use, occupancy and construction of the residential building.
“Residential building” means any structure which contains a dwelling unit as that term is defined in Title 20 of this Code, and shall include the buildings or structures accessory to the structure which contains the dwelling unit and the real property on which the residential building is located. (Ord. 2013-11 § 97, 2013; Ord. 96-35 § 1 (part), 1996)
15.15.030 Obtaining a Report of Residential Building Records.
The owner of any residential building may obtain from the City a report of the residential building records upon entering into an agreement of sale. Any owner seeking a report shall file an application for such a report on forms provided by the City. (Ord. 2023-22 § 711, 2023; Ord. 96-35 § 1 (part), 1996)
15.15.040 Application.
The report of residential building records shall be issued by the City within thirty (30) days after the owner submits a completed application on the form provided by the City and pays the fee established by resolution of the City Council. The owner shall indicate on the application whether the owner wants an inspection of the residential building. If the owner does not want an inspection of the residential building, the report shall indicate that the residential building was not inspected by the City. (Ord. 2023-22 § 712, 2023; Ord. 2002-20 § 7 (part), 2002: Ord. 96-35 § 1 (part), 1996)
15.15.045 Inspection.
If the owner requests an inspection of the residential building, the City shall cause a physical inspection of the residential building after research of the City records is completed. The report of residential building records shall include evidence of building permit or zoning code violations observed during the inspection, and correction of those violations as determined by any reinspections of the property. (Ord. 2023-22 § 713, 2023)
15.15.060 Delivery of Report.
The completed report of residential building records shall be delivered by the owner or the owner’s representative. (Ord. 2023-22 § 714, 2023)
15.15.070 Refunds/Cancellation Fees.
A. City shall refund the fee accompanying an application for a report of residential building records if a written request for refund is made prior to staff review of City records necessary to prepare the report. An administrative charge of twenty (20) percent of the application fee shall be withheld from any refund granted pursuant to this section. No refunds will be made for a residential building report after the staff review or physical inspection of the property pursuant to Section 20.03.045;
B. Owner shall pay an inspection or reinspection cancellation fee in the amount established by resolution of the City Council. This fee shall be charged when an inspection or reinspection appointment is made with the owner and the owner fails to appear at the time of the inspection or cancels the appointment. (Ord. 2023-22 § 715, 2023)