Braude Softens Stand on Sliding Door Ordinance

An ordinance that would have required owners of residential property within Los Angeles city limits to eventually replace sliding doors containing untempered glass is being revised by its author, Councilman Marvin Braude.

The revision will clarify language in the previous ordinance, which was supposed to become effective Oct. 21, according to Glenn Barr, a Braude aide.

The revised measure, which Barr said should come up for a vote by the full council in the first week of October, would specify that only untempered sliding glass doors leading to the outside of the house must be replaced when the home is resold.

A homeowner who makes more than $10,000 in improvements to the property will also have to comply with the new law, Barr said.

Interior Sliding Doors

Realtors had complained that the wording of the previous ordinance would force owners to replace not only their patio doors, but their shower doors and even sliding wood doors that simply had a pane of untempered glass in them.

In addition, the new ordinance will allow owners to avoid replacing the untempered glass if they apply a sheet of thick, Mylar-like film to it. The realtors had said the film is safer than tempered glass because Mylar-backed glass doesn’t fall out of its frame when it is shattered.

Realtors also noted that it would cost about $40 to treat a sliding glass door with the film, compared to an average $400 to replace the glass.

Need City Approval

Property owners who choose to use the film must use a brand that is approved by the city’s Building and Safety Department, Barr said.

The revised measure will also require apartment owners to replace a rental unit’s untempered sliding glass door or treat it with the film if they sell their building or spend more than $3,000 to repair or remodel a unit.

Barr said it is “extremely likely” that the City Council will approve the revised measure, and that it probably will be effective by the first week of November.