Guadalupe Municipal Code Ch. 15.06 Safety Assessment Placards

This chapter establishes standard placards to be used to indicate the condition of a structure for continued occupancy after any natural or manmade disaster. The chapter further authorizes the Building Official and authorized representatives to post the appropriate placard at each entry point to a building or structure upon completion of a safety assessment.

(Ord. 2015-434 §1)

The provisions of this chapter are applicable to all buildings and structures of all occupancies regulated by the City of Guadalupe following each natural or manmade disaster. The Council may extend the provisions as necessary.

(Ord. 2015-434 §1)

"Building official"

means the officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this chapter, or duly authorized representative.

"Safety assessment"

is a visual, non-destructive examination of a building or structure for the purpose of determining the condition for continued occupancy.

(Ord. 2015-434 §1)

A. The following are descriptions of the official jurisdiction placards to be used to designate the condition for continued occupancy of buildings or structures following a disaster. The placards may also be used after any other lawful inspection of a property regulated by the City of Guadalupe.

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 or 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.

4. Stop work is to be posted on structures that are found to be in violation of the California Building Code, Sections 103, 104.2.4, and the Guadalupe Municipal Code Chapter 15.04 in that WORK HAS BEEN DONE WITHOUT PROPER PERMITS.

B. The ordinance number of the ordinance codified in this chapter, the name of the City, its address, and phone number shall be permanently affixed to each placard.

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 is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to alter, remove, cover or deface a placard unless authorized pursuant to this section.

(Ord. 2015-434 §1)

Any violation of this chapter is an infraction and shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 1.08.

(Ord. 2015-434 §1)