SEC. 91.8902. DEFINITIONS.

Los Angeles Rent Rules (LAMC excerpts) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Los Angeles

(Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.)

For the purpose of this division, certain terms are defined as follows:

DEPARTMENT. Refer to Division 2, Article 1, Chapter IX of the LAMC.

HAZARDOUS BUILDING. Any building, structure or portion thereof which has any or all of the following described defects:

Whenever any door, aisle, passageway, stairway or other means of exit is not of sufficient width or size, or is not so arranged as to provide safe and adequate means of exit, in case of fire or panic, for all persons housed or assembled therein who would be required to, or might, use such door, aisle, passageway, stairway or other means of exit.
Whenever the stress in any materials, member or portion thereof, due to all dead and live loads, is more than 1 and 1/2 times the working stress or stresses allowed in Article 1, Chapter IX of the LAMC.
Whenever any portion of a building or structure has been damaged by earthquake, wind, flood, or by any other event, in such a manner that the structural strength or stability thereof is appreciably less than it was before such event and is less than the minimum requirements of this Code for a new building of similar structure, purpose or location.
Whenever any portion of any member or appurtenance thereof is likely to fall, or to become detached or dislodged, or to collapse and thereby injure persons or damage property.
Whenever any portion of a building or any member or appurtenance thereof or ornamentation on the exterior thereof is not of sufficient strength or stability or is not so anchored, attached or fastened in place so as to be capable of resisting one half the wind pressure that specified in this Code without exceeding the working stresses permitted in this Code.
Whenever any portion thereof has settled to such an extent that walls or other structural portions have materially less resistance to winds or earthquakes than is required in the case of new construction.
Whenever the building or structure, or any portion thereof, because of dilapidation, deterioration, decay, faulty construction, or because of the removal or movement of some portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building, or portion thereof, or some other cause, is likely to partially or completely collapse, or some portion of the foundation or underpinning is likely to fall or give way.
Whenever, for any reason whatsoever, the building or structure, or any portion thereof, is manifestly unsafe for the purpose for which it is used.
Whenever the exterior walls or other vertical structural members list, lean or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the center of gravity does not fall inside the middle third of the base.
Whenever the building or structure, exclusive of the foundation, shows 33% or more damage or deterioration to the member or members, or 50% damage or deterioration or a non-supporting enclosing or outside wall or covering.
Whenever the building or structure has been so damaged by fire, wind, earthquake or flood or has become so dilapidated or deteriorated as to become an attractive nuisance to children who might play therein to their danger, or as to afford a harbor for vagrants, criminals or immoral persons or as to enable persons to resort thereto for the purpose of committing nuisance or unlawful or immoral acts.
Any building or structure constructed, or which now exists or is maintained in violation of any specific requirements or prohibition of the building regulations of this City, as set forth in Article 1, Chapter IX of the LAMC or of any provisions of Article 7, Chapter V of the LAMC, or of Article 1, Chapter III of the LAMC, or of any law or ordinance of this state or City relating to the condition, location or structure of buildings.
Any building or structure which, whether or not erected in accordance with all applicable laws and ordinances, has in any non-supporting part, member or portion, less than 50%, or in any supporting member less than 66%, of the strength, fire-resisting qualities or characteristics or weather-resisting qualities or characteristics required by law or ordinance in the case of a newly constructed building of like area, height and occupancy in the same location.
Whenever a building or structure, used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of dilapidation, decay, damage or faulty construction or arrangement, or otherwise, is insanitary or unfit for human habitation or is in a condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease, when so determined by the health officer, or is likely to work injury to the health, safety or general welfare of those living within.
Whenever the building or structure, used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, has light, air and sanitation facilities inadequate to protect the health, safety or general welfare of persons living within.
Whenever any building or structure by reason of obsolescence, dilapidated condition, deterioration, damage, electric wiring, gas connections, heating apparatus or other cause, is in such condition as to be a fire hazard and is so situated as to endanger life or other buildings or property in the vicinity or provide a ready fuel supply to augment the spread and intensity of fire arising from any cause.
Whenever any fire-protective construction or safety device does not provide the degree of security to life and property required by the LAMC.
Whenever a building or structure is classified as a "Substandard Building".
Whenever a building or structure has become vacant and vandalized.
Whenever a building or structure has become a nuisance.

NUISANCE. Any premises, building, structure or portion thereof containing numerous code violations or one or more imminent life hazards.

SUBSTANDARD BUILDING. Any building, or portion thereof, including any dwelling unit, guest room or suite of rooms, or the premises on which the same is located, in which there exists any of the following listed conditions to an extent that endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety or welfare of the public or the occupants thereof:

91.8902.1. Inadequate Sanitation. Inadequate sanitation shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Lack of or improper water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower in a dwelling unit.
Lack of or improper water closets, lavatories and bathtubs or showers per number of guests in a hotel.
Lack of or improper kitchen sink.
Lack of hot and cold running water to plumbing fixtures in a hotel.
Lack of hot and cold running water to plumbing fixtures in a dwelling unit.
Lack of adequate heating.
Lack of or improper operation of required ventilating equipment.
Lack of minimum amounts of natural light and ventilation required by this Code.
Room and space dimensions less than required by this Code.
Lack of required electrical lighting.
Dampness of habitable rooms.
Infestation of insects, vermin or rodents as determined by the health officer.
General dilapidation or improper maintenance.
Lack of connection to required sewage disposal system.
Lack of adequate garbage and rubbish storage and removal facilities as determined by the health officer.

91.8902.2. Structural Hazards. Structural hazards shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Deteriorated or inadequate foundations.
Defective or deteriorated flooring or floor supports.
Flooring or floor supports of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
Members of walls, partitions or other vertical supports that split, lean, list or buckle due to defective material or deterioration.
Members of walls, partitions or other vertical supports that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports or other horizontal members which sag, split or buckle due to defective material or deterioration.
Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports, or other horizontal members that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
Fireplaces or chimneys which list, bulge or settle, due to defective material or deterioration.
Fireplaces or chimneys which are of insufficient size or strength to carry imposed loads with safety.

91.8902.3. Nuisance. Any nuisance as defined in this Code.

91.8902.4. Hazardous Wiring. All wiring except that which conformed with all applicable laws in effect at the time of installation and which has been maintained in good condition and is being used in a safe manner.

91.8902.5. Hazardous Plumbing. All plumbing except that which conformed with all applicable laws in effect at the time of installation and which has been maintained in good condition and which is free of cross-connections and siphonage between fixtures.

91.8902.6. Hazardous Mechanical Equipment. All mechanical equipment, including vents, except that which conformed with all applicable laws in effect at the time of installation and which has been maintained in good and safe condition.

91.8902.7. Faulty Weather Protection. Shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Deteriorated, crumbling or loose plaster.
Deteriorated or ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roof, foundations or floors, including broken windows or doors.
Defective or lack of weather protection for exterior wall coverings, including lack of paint, or weathering due to lack of paint or other approved protective covering.
Broken, rotted, split or buckled exterior wall coverings or roof coverings.

91.8902.8. Fire Hazard. Any building or portion thereof, device, apparatus, equipment, combustible waste or vegetation which, in the opinion of the Chief of the Fire Department or the Chief’s deputy, is in such a condition as to cause a fire or explosion or provide a ready fuel to augment the spread and intensity of fire or explosion arising from any cause.

91.8902.9. Faulty Materials of Construction. All materials of construction except those which are specifically allowed or approved by this Code and which have been adequately maintained in a good and safe condition.

91.8902.10. Hazardous or Unsanitary Premises. Those premises on which an accumulation of weeds, vegetation, junk, dead organic matter, debris, garbage, offal, rat harborages, stagnant water, combustible materials and similar materials or conditions constitute fire, health or safety hazards.

91.8902.11. Inadequate Maintenance. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/ 18.) Any building or portion thereof which is determined to be an unsafe building in accordance with the standards set forth in LAMC Section 91.8104.

91.8902.12. Inadequate Exits. All buildings or portions thereof not provided with adequate exit facilities as required by this Code except those buildings or portions thereof whose exit facilities conformed with all applicable laws at the time of their construction and which have been adequately maintained and increased in relation to any increase in occupant load, alteration or addition, or any change in occupancy.

When an unsafe condition exists through lack of, or improper location of, exit, additional exits may be required to be installed.

91.8902.13. Inadequate Fire-Protection or Fire-Fighting Equipment. All buildings or portions thereof which are not provided with the fire-resistive construction or fire-extinguishing systems or equipment required by this Code, except those buildings or portions thereof which conformed with all applicable laws at the time of their construction and whose fire-resistive integrity and fire-extinguishing systems or equipment have been adequately maintained and improved in relation to any increase in occupant load, alteration or addition, or any change in occupancy.

91.8902.14. Illegal Occupancy. All buildings or portions thereof occupied for living, sleeping, cooking or dining purposes which were not designed or intended to be used for such occupancies.

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