Mountain View Municipal Code Div. 1 Safety Assessment and Placards

This Division establishes standard placards to be used to indicate the condition of a structure for continued occupancy. The chief building official, or their designee, is authorized to post the appropriate placard at each entry point to a building or structure upon completion of a safety assessment.

(Ord. No. 9.2025, § 6(Exh. B), 9/9/25.)

The provisions of this Division are applicable to all buildings and structures of all occupancies regulated by the city of mountain view. The city council, or a declaration of an emergency, may extend these provisions as necessary.

(Ord. No. 9.2025, § 6(Exh. B), 9/9/25.)

For the purpose of this Division, the following definitions shall have the meaning set forth herein:

"Authorized safety evaluator" means an authorized city representative who is a certified post-disaster safety assessment program (SAP) evaluator by the State of California.

"Chief building official" means the chief building official of the city of mountain view and/or their authorized designee.

"City" means the city of mountain view.

"Person" means and includes any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association or other organization or entity.

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

(Ord. No. 9.2025, § 6(Exh. B), 9/9/25.)

The chief building official and/or an authorized safety evaluator are hereby authorized to enter any building or structure within the city at reasonable times to conduct a safety assessment pursuant to this Division and Chapter. If such building or structure is occupied, the chief building official and/or authorized safety evaluator shall present their credentials to the occupant and request entry. If such building or structure is unoccupied, the chief building official and/or authorized safety evaluator shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of the building or structure and request entry. If entry is not authorized, the chief building official and/or authorized safety evaluator shall have recourse to the remedies provided by law to secure entry.

(Ord. No. 9.2025, § 6(Exh. B), 9/9/25.)

a. After conduction a safety assessment of a building or structure, the chief building official and/or authorized safety evaluator shall make a determination as to whether the building or structure is safe for occupancy, safe for restricted use, or unsafe for occupancy. Once the chief building official and/or authorized safety evaluator makes such determination, they shall place, or cause to be placed, at each entry point of the building or structure a placard indicating its conditions for continued occupancy.

b. Based upon the chief building official's and/or authorized safety evaluator's determination, one (1) of three (3) placards shall be placed at each entry point of a building or structure. The following are descriptions of the three (3) types of placards to be used to designate the condition and permissible continued occupancy of buildings or structures as follows:

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 chief building official, or their designee, and/or authorized safety evaluator. 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.

c. The city code number, and the address, phone number, and email of the city's building division shall be permanently affixed to each placard.

(Ord. No. 9.2025, § 6(Exh. B), 9/9/25.)

City building inspectors, code enforcement officers, and the city's police department are authorized to enforce the restrictions identified on a placard in any manner authorized by law, including, but not limited to, the authorities allotted in Chapter 2, Article X of the city code and the abatement provisions set forth in Article XIII of this Chapter, to cause the premises to be vacated and secured to ensure conformance with the placard restrictions.

(Ord. No. 9.2025, § 6(Exh. B), 9/9/25.)

a. It is unlawful for any person to enter, occupy or use a building or structure, or portion thereof, at a time or in a manner that does not conform to the restrictions identified on a placard, except a person may enter a building or structure, or portion thereof, with the prior written authorization of the chief building official and/or authorized safety evaluator. Such entry must be in full conformance with the restrictions set forth in the written authorization.

b. It is unlawful for any person, other than the chief building official and/or authorized safety evaluator, to remove, alter, deface or cover a placard that has been posted on a building or structure.

c. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this code shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day, or portion thereof, during which any violation of any of the provisions of this code is committed, continued or permitted, and upon conviction of any such violation such person shall be punishable as set forth in the city charter and the city code.

(Ord. No. 9.2025, § 6(Exh. B), 9/9/25.)