Chino Municipal Code Ch. 15.60 Safety Assessment Placards

This chapter approves the use of standard placards to indicate the condition of buildings and structures for continued occupancy and authorizes the building official, or his or her authorized representative, to post such placards at each entry point to a building or a structure upon completion of a safety assessment.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the occupancy of all buildings and structures subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the City of Chino.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

The term "safety assessment" shall mean a visual, non-destructive examination of a building or structure by the building official or his or her authorized representative for the purpose of determining its suitability for continued occupancy.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

The following are descriptions of the official placards to be used to designate the condition for continued occupancy of buildings or structures, copies of which are depicted in the addendum to Section 15.60.050:

1. INSPECTED—Lawful Occupancy Permitted. This placard is to be posted on any building or structure wherein no apparent structural hazard has been found. However, it is not intended to mean that there is no damage to the building or structure. This placard shall be printed with a green background or on green paper, for easy recognition.

2. RESTRICTED USE. This placard is to be posted on any building or structure that has been damaged wherein the damage has resulted in some form of restriction to the continued occupancy. The person who posts this placard shall note in general terms the type of damage encountered and clearly and concisely describe the restrictions on continued occupancy. This placard shall be printed with a yellow background or on yellow paper, for easy recognition.

3. UNSAFE—Do Not Enter or Occupy. This placard is to be posted on any building or structure that has been damaged so severely that continued occupancy poses a threat to life or safety. Buildings or structures posted with this placard shall not be entered under any circumstance, unless authorized in writing by the building official or his or her authorized representative. However, city safety assessment personnel and teams shall be authorized to enter these buildings or structures at any time. This placard is not to be used as or considered to be a demolition order. The person who posts this placard shall note in general terms the type of damage encountered. This placard shall be printed with a red background or on red paper, for easy recognition.

4. JURISDICTIONAL SEAL, CODE REFERENCE AND RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT. Each such placard shall contain the Seal of the city of Chino, a reference to the provisions of the city code pursuant to which such placard was authorized, and the responsible department name, address and phone number.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

The placards authorized by the preceding Section 15.60.040 are depicted in the following tables:

Table 15.60.050.a [Figure: Table 15.60.050.a]

Table 15.60.050.b [Figure: Table 15.60.050.b]

Table 15.60.050.c [Figure: Table 15.60.050.c]

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)

(a) It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to occupy any building or structure in violation of the placard posted thereon pursuant to this chapter. A person shall be guilty of a separate and distinct offense for each and every day that he or she fails to comply with such posted placard.

(b) It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to remove a placard posted on any building or structure pursuant to this chapter.

(c) Every person found guilty of a misdemeanor shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(Ord. No. 2025-007, § 2, 2025.)