Grand Terrace Municipal Code Ch. 8.10 Post Disaster Safety Assessment Placards

This Chapter establishes standards to be used to indicate the condition of a structure for continued occupancy. The Chapter further authorizes the Building Official and his or her authorized representative(s) to post the appropriate placards at each entry point to a building or structure upon completion of a safety assessment.

(Ord. No. 233, § II, 12-11-2007)

The provisions of this Chapter are applicable to all buildings and structures of all occupancy regulated by the City.

(Ord. No. 233, § II, 12-11-2007)

"Safety assessment" is a visual non destructive examination of a building or structure for the purpose of determining the condition of continued occupancy.

(Ord. No. 233, § II, 12-11-2007)

A. The following are written descriptions of the official jurisdiction placards to be used to designate the condition for continued occupancy of buildings or structures:

1. "INSPECTED Lawful Occupancy Permitted" is to 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 structure.

2. "RESTRICTED USE" is to 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.

3. "UNSAFE 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 authorized representative. 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. This Chapter number, the name of the jurisdiction, its address, and phone number shall be permanently affixed to each placard. Copies of the placards described above are on file in the Building and Safety Department.

C. Once the placard 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 by this Chapter.

(Ord. No. 233, § II, 12-11-2007)

A. No person, firm, or corporation shall alter, remove or cover or deface a placard, or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this Chapter. Unless a different penalty is prescribed for a violation of specific provisions of this Chapter, every act prohibited or declared unlawful is punishable as a misdemeanor. Where the City Attorney determines that such action would be in the interest of justice, the City Attorney may specify in the accusatory pleading that the offence shall be an infraction. Each person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter.

B. All remedies herein are stated to be cumulative and non-exclusive.

(Ord. No. 233, § II, 12-11-2007)

Every misdemeanor offense is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding six months, or by a fine not exceeding $1,000.00, or by both: and every offense prosecuted as an infraction shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $100.00 for a first violation, a fine not exceeding $200.00 for a second violation of the same provision within one year. Any person who has previously been convicted two or more times during any 12-month period for any crime made punishable as an infraction shall be guilty of a misdemeanor upon the third violation.

(Ord. No. 233, § II, 12-11-2007)