Canyon Lake Municipal Code Ch. 8.30 Safety Assessment Placards

This Chapter establishes standard placards to be used to indicate the condition for continued occupancy of a building or structure after a disaster or other type of damage. It also authorizes the Building Official to post the appropriate placard at each entry point to each building or structure upon completion of a safety assessment.

(Ord. 119, passed 6-3-2009)

As used in this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings set out here:

(a) “Building Official” shall mean the Building Official for the City of Canyon Lake and his/her designee.

(b) “Building” or “Structure” means any building or structure for any type of occupancy located in the City.

(c) “Safety assessment” means a visual, non-destructive examination of a building or structure to assess its condition for continued occupancy. A safety assessment may be performed by the Building Official when he/she has reasonable evidence that a structure may have suffered damage from natural or manmade causes.

(Ord. 119, passed 6-3-2009)

(a) The following language must be used to indicate the condition of a building or structure for continued occupancy.

(1) INSPECTED - Lawful Occupancy Permitted is to be posted on any building or structure when no apparent structural hazard has been found. This placard is not intended to mean that there is no damage to the building structures.

(2) RESTRICTED USE is to be posted on each building or structure that has been damaged when the damage has resulted in some form of restriction on continued occupancy. The Building Official will note in general terms the type of damage seen and clearly and concisely note the restrictions on continued occupancy.

(3) UNSAFE - Do Not Enter or Occupy is to be posted on each building or structure that has been damaged to the extent that continued occupancy poses a threat to life safety. Buildings or structures posted with this placard shall not be entered under any circumstance except as authorized in writing by the Building Official. Safety assessment teams shall be authorized to enter these buildings at any time. This placard is not to be used or considered as a demolition order. The individual who posts this placard will note in general terms the type of damage encountered.

(b) In addition to the language set out above, each placard shall have the following information:

• CANYON LAKE MUNICIPAL CODE

• CHAPTER 8

• 31516 Railroad Canyon Road,

• Canyon Lake, CA 92587

(951) 244-2955

Forms of the placards described above are on file in the Building and Safety Department and in the City Clerk's office.

(c) Once it has been attached to a building or structure, a placard is not to be removed, altered, or covered until done so by an authorized representative of the Building Official. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to alter, remove, cover, or deface a placard unless authorized pursuant to this Chapter.

(Ord. 119, passed 6-3-2009)

(a) It shall be a violation of this Code for any person, firm, or corporation to alter, remove, cover or deface a placard once affixed to a building or structure.

(b) It shall be a violation of this Code for any person, firm or corporation to refuse or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this Chapter.

(c) Each and every day during any portion of which any violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be deemed a separate offense.

(Ord. 119, passed 6-3-2009)

The City may enforce this Chapter through any legally available means, including but not limited to administrative citation.

(Ord. 119, passed 6-3-2009)