Rancho Mirage Municipal Code Ch. 15.74 Safety Assessment Placards

This chapter establishes standard placards to be used to indicate the condition of a structure for continued occupancy. The chapter further authorizes the building official and authorized representative(s) to post the appropriate placard at each entry point to a building or structure upon completion of a safety assessment.

(Ord. 1100 § 1, 2015)

The provisions of this chapter are applicable to all buildings and structures of all occupancies regulated by the city of Rancho Mirage. The city council may extend the provisions as necessary by amendment of this chapter.

(Ord. 1100 § 1, 2015)

As used in this chapter:

"Safety assessment"

means a visual, nondestructive examination of a building or structure for the purpose of determining the condition of continued occupancy.

"Safety assessment placard"

means a written notice placed at each entry point to a building or structure denoting permitted, restricted or prohibited occupancy.

(Ord. 1100 § 1, 2015)

A. The following placards shall be used by the city's building official, or designees 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 buildings or structures.

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, and the address and phone number of the Rancho Mirage building department shall be permanently affixed to each placard.

(Ord. 1100 § 1, 2015)

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 as follows:

1. A person may enter a building or structure, or portion thereof, with the prior written authorization of the building official, or designees. 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 building official or designee, to remove, alter, deface or cover a placard that has been posted on a building or structure.

(Ord. 1100 § 1, 2015)

A. The city is authorized to enforce the restrictions identified on a placard in any manner authorized by law, including, but not limited to, the nuisance abatement provisions, subject to Title 14 of the Rancho Mirage Municipal Code, to cause the premises to be vacated and secured to ensure conformance with the placard restrictions.

B. Unless otherwise specified by ordinance, the violation of any provision of this chapter, or failure to comply with any of the mandatory requirements of this chapter, shall constitute a misdemeanor, except that notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any such violation constituting a misdemeanor under this chapter, at the discretion of the authorized enforcement officer may be charged and prosecuted as an infraction. In addition, civil fines may be assessed pursuant to Title 14 of the Rancho Mirage Municipal Code. 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 remain.

C. All remedies identified in this chapter for the handling of violations or enforcement of the provisions of this chapter shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any other applicable provisions of city, county, state, or federal law. When a person is found guilty and convicted of a misdemeanor for the violation of any provision of this chapter, the conviction shall not prevent the city from pursuing any other available remedies to correct the violation(s).

(Ord. 1100 § 1, 2015)