Burbank, CA homeowners, potential buyers, and sellers need to be aware of local ordinance No. 3296 enacted in 1992 which requires all Burbank, CA homes to be free of wood shake or shingle material by August 14, 2012. This rule applies to both exposed wood shake, and roofs with wood shake material as an underlayment. Also, physical condition or age is not a consideration. If the law is left unchanged, a mandate will place a restriction/encumbrance on the title of all homes that are out of compliance. The encumbrance would then need to be cleared in order to refinance, transfer, or sell one's property.
Due to the difficult economic times, and state of the current real estate market, the Burbank Board of REALTORS has been trying to have a review of the ordinance by City Council at the Tuesday February 21st, 2012 6:00PM meeting. We are told that the city may consider three options:
1. Leave the current law unchanged.
2. Provide a 5 year extension for composition over wood shake roofs and continue the mandate to replace all exposed wood shake roofs by August 2012
3. Provide a ten year extension for all wood shake roofs.
The Burbank Association of REALTORS is asking Burbank homeowners to voice their opinions by either contacting their local Burbank REALTOR, the Burbank Association of REALTORS (818-845-7643), or their local city council representative. Local council representatives can be reached by email at citycouncil@ci.burbank.ca.us
The current version of the ordinance will surely present some difficulties as buyers and sellers negotiate wood shake roof issues before the close of escrow. Be sure to investigate if the home you plan to purchase has exposed wood shake or shingle underlayment and how/if the seller intends to bring the home into compliance before making your offer. Feel free to contact me with questions or if you would like more information.
Best,
Philip Keppel
REALTOR®
DRE#01875431
Media West Realty
4105 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505
818.516.7387 Cell
