A.    Application of Building Codes. Any repairs or alterations to a rental dwelling structure or use, or part thereof, or changes in the use therein, shall be done in accordance with the procedures and provisions of the building codes of the city; including the city building permit code (Chapter 15.04), the city building code (Chapter 15.08), the city electrical code (Chapter 15.32), the city housing code (Chapter 15.36), and the city plumbing code (Chapter 15.40), (the "building codes"), which are incorporated herein by reference and by reference made part of this code.

    B.    Rehabilitation. Rental buildings and structures existing prior to the adoption of this code, or any code incorporated by reference in this code, in which there is work involving repairs, including any alterations therewith, shall be made to conform to the building codes of the city.

    Repairs to an existing structure which are nonstructural, and do not adversely affect any structural member or any part of the structure having a required fire resistance rating, may be made with the same materials of which the structure is constructed; provided such repairs shall not be made as to cause an existing structure to become unsafe or adversely affect the performance of the structure.

    Repairs to an existing building which are structural or adversely affect any structural member or any part of the structure having a required fire resistance rating shall be made with materials required for a new structure.

    C.    Ordinary Repair. Except as otherwise required by other codes or ordinances of the city, application or notice to the building inspector is not required under this code for ordinary repairs to structures, but such repairs:

    1.    Shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or beaming support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement or parts of a structure affecting its exit requirements;

    2.    Nor include addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping;

    3.    Nor include electrical wiring work or mechanical work;

    4.    Nor include repair of fire damages.

    D.    Maintenance. All rental buildings and structures and all parts thereof, both existing and new, shall be maintained in safe and sanitary condition. All service equipment, means of egress, devices and safeguards which are required by the building codes in a building or structure, or which were required in a previous code or ordinance in a building or structure, when erected, altered or repaired, shall be maintained in good working order.

    E.    Owner Responsibilities. The owner or the owner’ s designated agent shall be responsible for the safety and sanitary maintenance of a rental building or structure and its means of egress facilities at all times.

    F.    Workmanship. All repairs, maintenance work, alterations or installations which are caused directly or indirectly by the enforcement of this code shall be executed in a good and workmanlike manner.

    G.    Building Permit. Notwithstanding anything contained in this code to the contrary, all construction work shall be subject to the requirement of a building permit as required and provided by the building permit code of the city (Chapter 15.04) and the payment of any fees thereby required. (Ord. 1686 § 1 (part), 1998)