Enforcement Actions - I

San Bruno—The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $500 administrative fine to Kenneth F. Ibarra, Architect license number C-15478, doing business as Ibarra Associates Architecture & Planning, for alleged violations of Business and Professions Code sections 5536.22(a)(8), 5558, and 5584 and Title 16, California Code of Regulations sections 160(a)(2) and 160(b)(1).

On or about February 26, 2020, Ibarra entered into a written contract to provide architectural services related to the remodel and addition to an existing one-story single-family residence located in San Bruno, California for an estimated fee of $6,000. Ibarra agreed to complete the project in one week but took approximately ten months to present his first set of two schematic design drawings. His lack of communication with his clients and failure to timely complete the work constituted a violation of Business and Professions Code Section 5584 and California Code of Regulations sections 160(a)(2) (Incompetence) and 160(b)(1) (Negligence).

Board records revealed that Ibarra had not filed the proper and current name and address of the entity through which he provided architectural services, Ibarra Associates Architecture & Planning, a violation of Business and Professions Code section 5558. Ibarra also failed to include a statement in at least 12-point type that reads: “Architects are licensed and regulated by the California Architects Board located at 2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 105, Sacramento, CA 95834.” in his written contract for the above-referenced project, a violation of Business and Professions Code section 5536.22(a)(8). Ibarra paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on September 15, 2022.

San Francisco—The Board issued a two-count citation that included a $2,000 administrative fine to Arvind Sitaram Iyer, architect license number C-15353, for alleged violations of BPC sections 5536.22(a) (Written Contract) and 5584 (Negligence). The action alleged that Iyer failed to execute written contracts with his client prior to commencing professional services for two projects, including preparing elevations for a proposed winery and mixed-use building located in Livermore, California, and preparing computer-aided design drawings for structural repair work to the balcony of an existing multifamily residence located in Santa Clara, California. The action also alleged that Iyer failed to produce a design for the Livermore project that complied with the County of Alameda’s requirements and guidelines. Iyer paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on February 26, 2018.