A. Intent. This section establishes standard placards to be used to indicate the condition of a structure for continued occupancy after any natural or man-made disaster. The chapter further authorizes the Planning and Building Services Department, as well as authorized representatives or designees of that department, to post the appropriate placard at each entry point to a building or structure upon completion of a safety assessment.
B. Application of Provisions. The provisions of this section are applicable, following each natural or man-made disaster, to all buildings and structures of all occupancies regulated by the City of San Bernardino. The Mayor and Common Council may extend the provisions as necessary.
C. Definitions.
1. Safety Assessment - A visual, non-destructive examination of a building or structure for the purpose of determining the condition for continued occupancy following a natural or man-made disaster.
D. Placards
1. The following are verbal descriptions of the official jurisdiction placards to be used to designate the condition for continued occupancy of buildings or structures.
(a) 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.
(b) 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 evaluator 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.
(c) 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 department that posted the building. Safety assessment teams shall be authorized to enter these buildings at any time. This placard will note in general terms the type of damage encountered.
2. Each placard shall include the ordinance number, the name of the department, its address and phone number, and a statement regarding the manner in which an appeal may be filed.
3. Once it has been attached to a building or structure, a placard shall not be removed, altered, or covered until done so by an authorized representative of the department or upon written notification from the department.
4. Any person removing such placard without the express written consent of the City of San Bernardino Building Official is guilty of a misdemeanor which upon conviction thereof is punishable in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.12.010 of the San Bernardino Municipal Code.
E. Notification. The Building Official shall, as soon as practicable but no later than 30 days from the date of posting, mail a notice to the owner of each building posted as Restricted Use or Unsafe. Such notice shall be mailed to the owner(s) of record of the property as ascertained from the latest assessment roll of the County Assessor. The notice shall include the following information:
1. A statement indicating that the structure has suffered disaster related damage which constitutes a hazard to its occupants, the public, or adjacent property,
2. that the building has been posted with placards in accordance with this section,
3. the restrictions placed on the use or occupancy of the building,
4. a brief description of the damage, (5) that the damage must be repaired and the hazards eliminated prior to re-occupancy, and (6) that an appeal may be filed in accordance with the procedures contained in Chapter 15.28 of this code.
F. Abatements. If a damaged structure becomes a public nuisance due to abandonment or the failure to repair damage which poses a hazard to the occupants, the public, or adjacent property, the building official may initiate abatement proceedings in accordance with Chapters 8.30 and 15.28 of this code.
(Ord. MC-1018, 2-04-98)