Building Owners Get Repair Notices : Construction: City can demolish the most severely damaged ‘red-tagged’ sites if work isn’t done in 30 days. Most are in Valley.

The owners of buildings severely damaged in the Northridge quake have been sent notices that repairs must be completed in 30 days or the city of Los Angeles may demolish the building, officials said Tuesday.

The city’s Building and Safety Department has issued 361 “emergency abatement” notices since March 7, requiring the owners of the most severely damaged “red-tagged” buildings to obtain repair permits within 10 days and complete repairs within 30 days.

A city official said about 60% of those red-tagged buildings are located in the San Fernando Valley.

Although the city has the authority to demolish a building that is deemed a public hazard, Phil Kaainoa, assistant bureau chief for community safety, said that property owners will be given an opportunity to request an extension on the deadlines.

In fact, hearings are automatically scheduled before building and safety officials 15 days after the notices are mailed to give property owners a chance to discuss any problems they have in meeting the deadlines, he said.

The length of these extensions are decided on a case-by-case basis, Kaainoa said.

If the city demolishes a building, the cost will either be paid by the property owner’s insurance or the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Dan Faller, president of the Apartment Owners Assn. of Southern California, said the deadline seemed too short, but so far he has heard no complaints from landlords.

David Fleming, a member of the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn., said he has heard some grumbling from business owners about the 30-day deadline but expects that the complaints will grow louder as the deadline approaches.

The city is in the process of sending out repair notices to owners of other “red-tagged” buildings that do not pose an immediate threat to public safety. Those buildings must have repair permits within 30 days and repairs completed within 90 days.

On Monday, a team of about 50 building inspectors began to re-evaluate those damaged buildings that were “yellow-tagged” or restricted to limited entry. Kaainoa said it is likely that some “yellow-tagged” buildings will be declared unsafe and issued a “red tag” after the reinspection, but others may be declared safe and issued a “green tag.”