Sonora Municipal Code § 15.13 Post Disaster Assessment

This chapter establishes standard placards to be used to indicate the condition of a structure for continued occupancy after any natural or man-made disaster. It further authorizes the community development department, building inspection division, as well as authorized representatives, to post appropriate placards at each entry point to a building or structure upon completion of a safety assessment. The use of this chapter shall be at the discretion of the community development department, building inspection division, or their authorized representative to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the public following any natural or man-made disaster.

(Adopted by Ord. 853 on 5/20/2019)

The provisions of this chapter are applicable to all buildings and structures, of all occupancies, regulated by the city following any natural or man-made disaster.

(Adopted by Ord. 853 on 5/20/2019)

"Safety assessment" means a visual, nondestructive examination of a building and/or structure conducted by the community development department, building inspection division, or their authorized representative for the purpose of determining the condition for continued occupancy.

(Adopted by Ord. 853 on 5/20/2019)

Official placards issued pursuant to this chapter shall use three categories to designate the condition for continued occupancy of buildings and/or structures as follows:

A. Inspected-Lawful Occupancy Permitted. This category description is to be posted on any building and/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 and/or structure.

B. Restricted Use. This category description is to be posted on each building and/or structure that has been damaged wherein the damage has resulted in some form of restriction to the continued occupancy. The building official who posts this placard shall note the type of damage encountered and shall note the restrictions on continued occupancy.

C. Unsafe-Do Not Enter or Occupy. This category description is to be posted on each building and/or structure that has been damaged such that continued occupancy poses a threat to life safety. Buildings and/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. Safety assessment teams shall be authorized to enter these buildings and/or structures at any time. This placard is not to be used or considered as a demolition order. The building official who posts this placard shall note the type of damage encountered.

(Adopted by Ord. 853 on 5/20/2019)

Placards issued pursuant to this chapter should include all of the following information:

A. The category designated in Sonora Municipal Code Section 15.13.040 that the building's and/or structure's condition conforms to.

B. For "inspected" placards, the language: "Lawful Occupancy Permitted."

C. For "restricted use" placards, the language: "Caution: This building and/or structure has been inspected and found to be damaged as described:" and "Entry, occupancy and lawful use are restricted as indicated:"

D. For "unsafe" placards, the language: "Do not enter or occupy. This building and/or structure has been inspected, found to be seriously damaged and is unsafe to occupy, as described:" and "Do not enter, except as specifically authorized in writing by jurisdiction. Entry may result in injury or death." (This placard is not a demolition order).

E. The address of the building and/or structure inspected.

F. The advisement "Caution: Aftershocks since inspection may increase damage and risk."

G. The date and time of inspection.

H. The name, employing agency and, if applicable, the identification number of the inspector.

I. The advisement "Do not remove, alter or cover this placard until authorized by the building official."

J. Name of the building official.

K. Address, phone number, and contact information for building official.

(Adopted by Ord. 853 on 5/20/2019)

A placard issued and attached to a building and/or structure pursuant to this chapter may not to be removed, altered or covered, except by the building official or with permission from the building official. It shall be a misdemeanor enforced pursuant to Sonora Municipal Code Title 1 for any person or entity to alter, remove, cover or deface a placard unless authorized pursuant to this chapter.

(Adopted by Ord. 853 on 5/20/2019)

Once the building official has determined the structure is safe to occupy, the building official will remove or give permission for the removal of the placard. The owner or occupants of a building may request permission from the building official to remove a placard by contacting the building official. The building official's contact information shall be listed on the placard.

(Adopted by Ord. 853 on 5/20/2019)

If the building official, or his or her authorized representative, issued and attached a placard to a building or structure, unauthorized entry into the building and/or structure, in violation of the restrictions on the placard, shall be an infraction enforced pursuant to Sonora Municipal Code Title 1.

(Adopted by Ord. 853 on 5/20/2019)