Earlier editions: 2026-09
Chapter 5 — City of Fairfield Building and Housing Code
Fairfield Municipal Code Art. I Chapter 5.1. Administration
Fairfield Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Fairfield
Cite as: Fairfield Municipal Code Article I · Text as of 2026-10-04
§ 5.1.1. Application.¶
This chapter is applicable within the city limits of the City of Fairfield. This chapter shall apply to all new construction, alterations, repairs, relocations, or reconstruction of any building or structure or any portion thereof, including any electrical, mechanical, gas, plumbing, or fire protection equipment installed on any property or used on or within any building; including Article III of this chapter, as may be applicable.
(Ord. No. 2025-10, § 1)
§ 5.1.2. Purpose and authority.¶
The purpose of this article is to adopt by reference the 2025 edition of the California Building Standards Code, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, subject to the definitions, clarifications, and amendments set forth in this chapter. The purpose of this chapter is also to provide minimum requirements and standards for the protection of the public safety, health, property, and welfare of the City of Fairfield. The ordinance codified in this chapter is adopted under the authority of the California Government Code section 50022.2 and the California Health and Safety Code section 18941.5.
(Ord. No. 2025-10, § 1)
§ 5.1.3. Administration chapter adopted.¶
Chapter 1, division I and division II of the California Building Code (CBC), volume 1, 2025 edition, is hereby adopted in its entirety, as amended below, as the administrative provisions of chapter 5 of the Fairfield Municipal Code. Chapter 1; division II, sections R105.2 through 105.2.2 and R106 of the California Residential Code (CRC), 2025 edition, are additionally hereby adopted, as amended below, as further administrative provisions of this chapter as applicable to projects subject to the California Residential Code, as defined in section 101.2 of the California Building Code.
(Ord. No. 2025-10, § 1)
§ 5.1.4. Administration chapter amended.¶
Chapter 1, division II of the California Building Code, 2025 edition, and Chapter 1, division II, sections R105.2 through 105.2.2 and R106.1.1 of the California Residential Code, 2025 edition, adopted in section 5.1.3, are hereby amended as set forth in sections 5.1.4.1 through 5.1.4.11.
(Ord. No. 2025-10, § 1)
§ 5.1.4.1. Title.¶
Section 101.1 – Title. Replace Section 101.1 of the CBC with the following:
Section 101.1 – Title.¶
These regulations of Chapter 5 of the City of Fairfield shall be known as the City of Fairfield Building and Housing Code, hereinafter referred to as "this code."
(Ord. No. 2025-10, § 1)
§ 5.1.4.2. Other laws.¶
Section 102.2 – Other laws. Add the following subsection to section 102.2 of the CBC:
Section 102.2.1 Conflicts with other laws or rules.
In the event of any conflict between this code and any law, rule, or regulation of the State of California, that requirement that establishes the higher standard of safety shall govern. Failure to comply with such a standard of safety shall be a violation of this code.
(Ord. No. 2025-10, § 1)
§ 5.1.4.3. Permits.¶
Section 105.1 – Required. Add the following subsection to section 105.1 of the CBC:
Section 105.1.3 Demolition.
| (A) | No wrecking or demolition of any building or structure shall be started until the person who will accomplish such wrecking, or demolition has obtained all necessary permits and has complied with all the provisions of this code. |
|---|---|
| (B) | Prior to the start of any demolition work on any building or structure, all utilities to such building or structure shall be properly disconnected. Utility disconnection shall be performed or supervised by the proper governmental agency or utility company affected. Sewer laterals shall be capped at the property line and its location marked for identification. |
| (C) | Prior to the issuance of a building permit or encroachment permit, and the start of any demolition or wrecking work on any building, structure, or property, the wrecker must obtain an Acknowledgment Letter from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. |
| (D) | The permittee shall take all necessary precautions to adequately protect adjacent properties, structures, and occupants. |
| (E) | The permittee shall fill all excavation levels with adjoining grades not later than ten (10) days after a building or structure is demolished. |
| (F) | The permittee shall provide all protection necessary to prevent damage to public property and shall be liable for the cost of repair or replacement of all damaged public property, including but not limited to, streets, sidewalks, alleys, streetlights, fire hydrants, and all other public utilities or structures located on public property. |
| (G) | All debris, building material, and rubbish must be removed from the property not later than ten (10) days after the building or structure is razed. |
| (H) | All dust resulting from wrecking or demolition operations shall be immediately settled by wetting the same with water of sufficient quantity to prevent the dust from leaving the site of the demolition or wrecking project. Demolition shall be stopped during periods of high winds that carry the dust from the site before it can be settled by wetting. The permittee shall be responsible for maintaining clean public streets during such operations. The permittee must obtain the necessary encroachment permits for any work done on public property. The permittee shall wash off public property to remove all silt and dust but must not enter the storm drain system. To prevent such material from entering the storm drain, the permittee shall properly pond the gutter to permit such material to settle, and it shall then be cleaned up and hauled away. This procedure shall be followed in accordance with the requirements and policies of the Public Works Department and the Clean Water Act. |
| (I) | The permittee shall submit evidence of having liability insurance prior to approval and or commencement of any work. |
Section 105.1 – Required. Add the following subsection to section 105.1 of the CBC:
Section 105.1.4 Moved buildings. No person shall move any building or structure into, from, or within the City, or cause same to be done, without first obtaining from the Building Official, a separate permit for each building or structure. Application for each permit shall be made to the Building Official in writing on a form furnished for such purpose. Each application shall contain the following:
| (A) | Name and address of the owner of the building. |
|---|---|
| (B) | The location from which such a building is to be moved. |
| (C) | Recent photographs showing at least three sides of each building. |
| (D) | The name and address of the person who will move the building. |
| (E) | The location to which such a building is to be moved. |
| (F) | A plot plan of the new location, indicating dimensions and locations of the existing and proposed building, yards, and setbacks. |
| (G) | An agreement by the applicant to perform the work necessary to make the building, when relocated, comply with, and conform to all applicable building laws of the State and of the city. |
| (H) | An agreement that the site from which the building or structure is moved will, within a time fixed, be cleared of all garbage, rubbish, and waste matter, and leveled or barricaded to eliminate any hazards to persons or property in a manner prescribed by the Building Official. |
| (I) | Approval from Community Development Department, Planning Division. |
| (J) | Approval from Public Works Department, Engineering Division. |
| (K) | Subsections F and G shall not apply when the building or structure is being moved outside the City. |
| (L) | A permit shall not be issued for the moving of any building or portions thereof into or upon any public property or right-of-way of the City unless the permittee has secured public liability insurance, submitted proof of such insurance, and has obtained approval from the Public Works Department. |
Section 105.2 – Work exempt from permit: Replace, Building: Item 1, in section 105.2 of the CBC with the following:
| Building 1. One-story detached accessory structures, used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided that the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (11.15 m2), the structure meets setback and height limitation requirements as outlined in chapter 25 of the Fairfield Municipal Code. |
|---|
Section 105.2 – Work exempt from permit: Replace, Building: Item 9 in section 105.2 of the CBC with the following:
| Building: 9. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 18 inches (457 mm) deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons, (18,925L), and are installed entirely above ground. |
|---|
Section 105.2 – Work exempt from permit: Add the following to section 105.2 of the CBC:
| Building: 14. Repairs to roof covering not exceeding a total of 100 square feet within any 12-month period. |
|---|
Section 105.2 – Work exempt from permit: Add the following to section 105.2 of the CBC:
| Building: 15. Where projects are subject to the CRC, as defined in section 101.2 of the CBC, the exemptions in sections R105.2 through R105.2.2 of the CRC may be applied. |
|---|
Section 105.3 – Application for permit. Add the following to section 105.3.1 of the CBC:
§ 5.1.4.4. Submittal documents.¶
Section R106 – Construction documents.
This section applies only where projects are subject to the California Residential Code, as defined in section 101.2 of the California Building Code.
Section R106 – Construction documents. Add the following to subsection R106.1.1 of the CRC:
| Where applicable, the construction documents shall provide the information specified in Section 1603 of the California Building Code. |
|---|
Section R106 – Construction documents. Add the following subsection to section R106.1.1 of the CRC:
| Section R106.1.1.1 – Residential standard plans. |
|---|
| Subsequent standard plans applied for off a previously approved master plan, require another application and master plan when the standard plan differs from the prior set of master plans that were submitted; including but not limited to: different subdivision, design review changes, different topography, different soil conditions, construction detail changes, and/ |
(Ord. No. 2025-10, § 1)
§ 5.1.4.5. Inspections.¶
Section 110 – Inspections. Add the following to section 110.1 of the CBC:
| Except where special inspection is specified in chapter 17 of the CBC, the chief building official may authorize alternative inspection procedures requiring declarations from duly licensed professionals. |
|---|
Section 110 – Inspections. Delete the exception from section 110.3.5 of the CBC.
(Ord. No. 2025-10, § 1)
§ 5.1.4.6. Certificate of occupancy.¶
Section 111.1 – Use and occupancy. Add the following to section 111.1 of the CBC:
| Certificates of occupancy will not be issued without approval of all applicable agencies, the city fire department, and or other city departments when such departments have conditions of approval made part of the permit. Such a certificate shall not be issued until compliance with all city requirements has been met. Occupying or using a structure without this approval shall constitute a violation of this code and will be deemed a safety hazard and or a public nuisance. |
|---|
Section 111.2 – Certificate issued. Add the following to section 111.2 of the CBC:
| The certificate of occupancy shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises and shall not be removed except by the chief building official. |
|---|
| Exception: The certificate of occupancy need not be posted in Group R-3 occupancies or their associated accessory structures. |
(Ord. No. 2025-10, § 1)
§ 5.1.4.7. Appeals.¶
Section 113 – Board of appeals. Replace the phrase "board of appeals" with "building appeals board."
Section 113.1 – General. Replace the phrase "board of appeals" with "building appeals…¶
Section 113.2 – Limitations on authority. Add the following to section 113.2 of the CBC:
| Appeals of decisions of the chief building official shall be submitted to the building division on forms provided by the division and shall be accompanied by a non-refundable fee as required by the building division fee schedule. All appeals shall be filed within ten calendar days of the date of the decision of the chief building official, except as otherwise noted herein. |
|---|
Add the following subsection to section 113 of the CBC:
| Section 113.4 – Members. Five building official members of the Napa-Solano Chapter of the International Code Council (NSICC), chosen on a case-by-case basis, shall serve as building appeals board members for the City of Fairfield. The NSICC, an organization of building officials, building inspectors, and construction industry personnel, was formed in 1978 to help maintain consistent and uniform code enforcement and code interpretation within the jurisdictions of Napa and Solano counties. Building Officials from jurisdictions within Napa and Solano counties and neighboring counties are members of the NSICC. Building Official members of the NSICC are well-versed in the technical and administrative provisions of construction codes. In appeals of decisions of disabled access, a minimum of two members shall be CASp certified or certified by the International Code Council in disabled access. The chief building official of the City of Fairfield or designee shall be ex-officio, non-voting member. |
|---|
(Ord. No. 2025-10, § 1)
§ 5.1.4.8. Violations.¶
Section 114.1 – Unlawful acts. Add the following to section 114.1 of the CBC:
| Any person, firm, or corporation violating any of the provisions of this code shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, although the first offense may be handled as an infraction pursuant to the City of Fairfield Municipal Code, chapter 1, article I, section 1.7 . Each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each violation and for every day or portion thereof during which any violation of any of the provisions of this code is committed, continued, or permitted. Upon proof of any such violations, the penalty shall be punished by either a fine not exceeding $2,000 per occurrence, or imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment (misdemeanor), or as an infraction, with a fine not to exceed $500 per day per violation. Any penalties under this or other codes do not waive any requirements for code compliance. |
|---|
Section 114.4 – Violation penalties. Add the following subsections to section 114.4 of the CBC:
| Section 114.4.1 – Investigation fees. |
|---|
| Whenever any work for which a permit is required under the provisions of this code is started or proceeded with, prior to obtaining a permit, a special investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued for such work. In addition to the permit fee, an investigation fee equal to the number of hours worked to obtain compliance, times the building division’s current adopted hourly fee schedule, shall be collected. The payment of the investigation fee shall not exempt any person from fully complying with the provisions and requirements of the code in the execution of the work nor from any other penalties prescribed by law and shall be in addition to the building permit and plan review fees. |
| Section 114.4.2 – Violation recordation. |
| When any building is constructed, altered, converted, or maintained in violation of the provisions of this article, the enforcement agency, after giving the owner written notice and a reasonable time to correct the violation, may petition the City Council for authorization to record a notice of the violation in the recorder’s office. |
| The petition shall be filed in triplicate with the City Clerk and shall set forth the facts giving rise to such violation. |
| Upon receipt of the petition, the City Clerk shall set a date for a hearing on the petition by the City Council and shall mail a copy of the petition and notice of the hearing to the owner responsible for the violation. |
| In passing upon such petition, the City Council shall determine the truth of the allegations of such petition and shall determine whether a notice of the violation shall be recorded by the City Clerk in the recorder’s office. |
(Ord. No. 2025-10, § 1)
§ 5.1.4.9. Expedited permit process for small residential rooftop solar systems.¶
Add the following section to the CBC:
Section 120 – Expedited permit process for small residential rooftop solar systems.
| A. | Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this section is to provide an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process that complies with the Solar Rights Act and AB 2188 (Chapter 521, Statutes 2014, California Government Code Section 65850.5 ) to achieve timely and cost-effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. This section encourages the use of solar systems by removing unreasonable barriers, minimizing costs to property owners and the City, and expanding the ability of property owners to install solar energy systems. This section allows the city to achieve these goals while protecting public health and safety. |
|---|---|
| B. | Definitions. As used in this section: |
| "Electronic submittal" means the utilization of electronic submittal via the internet. | |
| "Reasonable restrictions" on a solar energy system are those restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or significantly decrease its efficiency or specified performance, or that allow for an alternative system of comparable cost, efficiency, and energy conservation benefits. | |
| "Restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or decrease its efficiency or specified performance" means: | |
| 1. | For water heater systems or solar swimming pool heating systems: an amount exceeding 10% of the cost of the system, but in no case, more than $1,000, or decreasing the efficiency of the solar energy system by an amount exceeding 10%, as originally specified and proposed, provided said proposal meets code requirements. |
| 2. | For photovoltaic systems: an amount not to exceed $1,000 over the system cost as originally specified and proposed, or a decrease in system efficiency of an amount exceeding 10% as originally specified and proposed, provided said proposal meets code requirements. |
| "Small residential rooftop solar energy system" means all the following: | |
| 1. | A solar energy system that is no larger than 10 kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or 30 kilowatts thermal. |
| 2. | A solar energy system that conforms to all applicable State fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes as adopted or amended by the City and paragraph (iii) of subdivision (c) of Section 714 of the Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, re-numbered, or designated from time to time. |
| 3. | A solar energy system that is installed on a single-or duplex-family dwelling or residential accessory structure. |
| 4. | A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the authority having jurisdiction. |
| "Solar energy system" has the same meaning set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 801.5 of the Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or designated from time to time. | |
| "Specific adverse impact" means a significant, quantifiable, direct, unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified, and written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date the application was deemed complete. | |
| C. | Applicability. |
| 1. | This section applies to the permitting of all small residential rooftop solar energy systems under the jurisdiction of the city. |
| 2. | Small residential rooftop solar energy systems legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section are not subject to the requirements of this section unless physical modifications or alterations are undertaken that materially change the size, type, or components of a small rooftop energy system in such a way as to require new permitting. Routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements shall not require a permit. |
| D. | Solar Energy System Requirements. |
| 1. | All small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by the state and the City. |
| 2. | Solar energy systems for heating water in single-family residences shall be certified by an accredited listing agency as defined by the California Plumbing and Mechanical Code. |
| 3. | Solar energy systems for producing electricity shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by the California Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories and, where applicable, rules of the Public Utilities Commission regarding safety and reliability. |
| E. | Applications and Documents. |
| 1. | All documents required for the submission of an expedited solar energy system application shall be made available on the City website. |
| 2. | Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents by the Internet shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants. |
| 3. | The City’s building division shall adopt and post on the City’s website a standard plan and checklist of all requirements ("Expedited Application Requirements") with which small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply to be eligible for expedited review. Said plan and checklist shall substantially conform to recommendations for expedited permitting, including the checklist and standard plans contained in the most current version of the California Solar Permitting Guide-book adopted by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. |
| 4. | Prior to submitting an application, the applicant shall: |
| a. | Verify to the applicant’s reasonable satisfaction, through the use of standard engineering evaluation techniques, that the support structure for the small residential rooftop solar energy system is stable and adequate to transfer all wind, seismic, and dead and live loads associated with the system to the building foundation; and |
| b. | At the applicant’s cost, verify to the city’s reasonable satisfaction using standard electrical inspection techniques that the existing electrical system including existing line, load, ground, and bonding wiring as well as main panel and subpanel sizes are adequately sized, based on the existing electrical system’s current use, to carry all new photovoltaic electrical loads. |
| F. | Permit Review and Inspection Requirements. |
| 1. | An application that satisfies all the expedited application requirements, as determined by the chief building official or designee shall be deemed complete. |
| 2. | Once deemed complete, the building division shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is non-discretionary, on the same day for over-the-counter applications or within one to three business days for electronic applications. The issuance of said permit does not authorize an applicant to connect the small residential rooftop energy system to the local utility provider’s electricity grid until inspected and authorization to do so has been granted by the chief building official or designee. The applicant is further responsible for obtaining such approval or permission to connect from the local utility provider. |
| 3. | Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the building division for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review. The inspection shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated inspection by the building official and fire marshal (where applicable), and/ |
| 4. | If the building official determines an application is incomplete, the chief building official or designee shall issue a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information or documentation required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance. Said written correction notice shall be issued within five business days of the date of determination of an incomplete application. |
| 5. | The chief building official or designee may require an applicant to apply for a limited review permit if the official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact on public health and safety. Such a decision may be appealed by the applicant to the CDD director subject to the provisions of subsection G. |
| 6. | If a limited review permit is required, the chief building official may deny such application if it makes written findings based upon substantive evidence in the record that the proposed installation would have a specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety and there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid, as defined, the adverse impact. "A feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact” includes, but is not limited to, any cost-effective method, condition, or mitigation imposed by the city on another similarly situated application in a prior successful application for a permit. The city shall use its best efforts to ensure the selected method, condition, or mitigation meets the conditions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 714 of the Civil Code defining restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of the system or decrease its efficiency or specified performance. Such findings shall include the basis for the rejection of the potentially feasible alternative for preventing the adverse impact. Such a decision may be appealed by the applicant to the CDD director subject to the provisions of subsection G. |
| 7. | Any condition imposed on an application shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost. |
| G. | Appeals. |
| 1. | The applicant may appeal decisions rendered pursuant to subsection (F)(4) or (F)(5) upon payment of the appeal fee, submittal of an appeal application to the CDD front counter within ten (10) calendar days of the date of the decision. |
| 2. | The decision of the CDD director on an appeal is final. |
(Ord. No. 2025-10, § 1)
§ 5.1.4.10. Expedited permit process for electric vehicle charging stations.¶
Add the following section to the CBC:
Section 121 – Expedited permit process for electric vehicle charging stations.
| A. | Applicability. This section applies to applications for expedited building permits for electric vehicle charging stations consistent with California Government Code Section 65850.7 . |
|---|---|
| B. | Definitions. |
| 1. | Electric vehicle charging station or charging station means any level of electric vehicle supply equipment station that is designed and built in compliance with Article 625 of the California Electric Code and delivers electricity from a source outside of an electric vehicle into a plug-in electric vehicle. |
| 2. | Electronic submittal means the utilization of electronic submittal via the internet. |
| 3. | Specific, adverse impact means a significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact based on objective, identified, and written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date an application was deemed complete. |
| C. | Electric vehicle charging station permit application checklist. |
| 1. | The Building Official shall have a checklist of all application requirements for expedited building permits for electric vehicle charging stations. The checklist shall substantially conform to the most current version of the "Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Permitting Checklist" found in the Zero-Emission Vehicles in California: Community Readiness Guidebook published by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. |
| 2. | The checklist, application form, and any other documents required for the submission of an electric vehicle charging station application shall be made available on the publicly accessible City website. |
| 3. | Anyone seeking to install an electric vehicle charging station at any site within the city may apply to the building official for an expedited nondiscretionary building permit. |
| 4. | An application for an expedited building permit for an electric vehicle charging station, and all associated documentation, may be submitted to the building official in person, by mail, or by electronic submittal. Electronic signatures may be used in lieu of wet signatures. |
| D. | Permit application review. |
| 1. | An application that, in the opinion of the building official, satisfies the information requirements of the checklist shall be deemed complete. |
| 2. | If an application is deemed incomplete, the building official shall provide a written correction notice of the deficiencies and the additional information required to complete the application. |
| 3. | If the building official determines that an application for an expedited building permit is complete, the building official shall process the application. If the building official determines that the proposed charging station meets all applicable code requirements and would not have a specific, adverse impact on public health or safety, the application shall be approved, and a building permit shall be issued. |
| 4. | If the building official finds, based on substantial evidence, that a proposed charging station could have a specific, adverse impact on public health or safety, the building official shall require the applicant to resubmit for an "electric vehicle charging station use permit" to install the proposed charging station. |
| 5. | Upon resubmission, the electric vehicle charging station use permit shall be reviewed by the building official. If the building official issues the "electric vehicle charging station use permit", the permit may include conditions designed to mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact on public health and safety. The building official shall not deny such an application without making written findings, based upon substantial evidence in the record, that the proposed charging station would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety which could not feasibly be satisfactorily mitigated or avoided. The written findings required for the rejection of an electric vehicle charging station use permit application shall include the building official’s basis for rejecting any potentially feasible alternatives that could mitigate or prevent the alleged adverse impact. Pursuant to Government Code Section 65850.7 , the building official’s review shall be limited to health and safety issues. Aesthetic concerns or other items not related to public health or safety shall not be considered. |
| 6. | A decision of the building official made pursuant to paragraphs 3-5 of this subsection may be appealed to the Planning Commission within 10 calendar days from the original date of the decision. The Planning Commission’s review shall be subject to the same limitations as that of the building official, and only health and safety issues may be considered. |
| 7. | Any condition imposed on an application for an expedited building permit or electric vehicle charging station use permit shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost. |
(Ord. No. 2025-10, § 1)
§ 5.1.4.11. Safety Assessment Placards.¶
Add the following section to the CBC:
| Section 122 – Safety Assessment. |
|---|
| This Section establishes standard placards to be used to indicate the condition of a structure related to the safety of occupancy. This Section further authorizes the Building Official and his or her authorized representatives to post the appropriate placard at each entry point to a building or structure upon completion of a safety assessment. |
| The provisions of this Section are applicable to all buildings and structures of all occupancies regulated by the City of Fairfield. |
| "Safety assessment" means a visual, non-destructive examination of a building or structure for the purpose of determining the condition for safe continued occupancy. |
| The following are descriptions of the official jurisdiction placards to be used to designate the condition for continued safe occupancy of buildings or structures. |
| INSPECTED (green placard) – Occupancy is permitted. This placard will be posted on any building or structure wherein no apparent structural hazard has been found. This placard is not intended to mean that there is no damage to the building or structure. |
| RESTRICTED USE (yellow placard) – Occupancy is limited. This placard will be posted on each building or structure that has been damaged wherein the damage has resulted in some form of restriction to the continued occupancy. The individual who posts this placard will note in general terms, the type of damage encountered and will clearly and concisely note the restrictions on continued occupancy. |
| UNSAFE (red placard) – Do Not Enter or Occupy is to be posted on each building or structure that has been damaged such 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, or his or her authorized representative. 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. |
| The name of the jurisdiction, its address, phone number, and date of posting shall be noted on each placard. |
| 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 Section. |
(Ord. No. 2025-10, § 1)
Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.
Ask AI about this code