Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions shall govern the construction of this chapter:

(a) “Potentially hazardous building” means any building constructed prior to the adoption of local building codes requiring earthquake resistant design of buildings and constructed of unreinforced masonry wall construction. “Potentially hazardous building” includes all buildings of this type, including, but not limited to, public and private schools, theaters, places of public assembly, apartment buildings, hotels, motels, fire stations, police stations, and buildings housing emergency services, equipment, or supplies, such as government buildings, disaster relief centers, communications facilities, hospitals, blood banks, pharmaceutical supply warehouses, plants, and retail outlets. “Potentially hazardous building” does not include warehouses or similar structures not used for human habitation, except for warehouses or structures housing emergency services equipment or supplies. “Potentially hazardous building” does not include any building having five living units or less. “Potentially hazardous building” does not include, for purposes of subdivision (a) of Section 8877, any building which qualifies as “historical property” as determined by an appropriate governmental agency under § 37602 of the Health and Safety Code.

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(b) “Local building department” means a department or agency of a city or county charged with the responsibility for the enforcement of local building codes.

(Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 250, Sec. 2.)