The City of Santa Barbara hereby establishes a building safety
assessment placard system for the purpose of notifying the public
of the condition of inspected buildings and structures and to inform
the public of any conditions or limitations placed on the entry into
or continued occupancy of inspected buildings or structures. The Chief
Building Official shall administer the building safety assessment
placard system. The provisions of this chapter are applicable to all
buildings and structures regulated by the City of Santa Barbara.
(Ord. 5495, 2009)
For purposes of this chapter, the following terms and phrases
are defined as follows:
Chief Building Official.
The Chief Building Official of the City of Santa Barbara
or his or her authorized representative.
Placard.
A form established by the Chief Building Official that announces
the condition of a building or structure and informs persons of any
applicable conditions or limitations on the entry into or continued
occupancy of the building or structure.
Safety Assessment.
A visual, non-destructive examination of a building or structure
for the purpose of determining the condition of the building or structure
and establishing appropriate conditions or limitations on the entry
into or continued occupancy of the building or structure.
(Ord. 5495, 2009)
The Chief Building Official shall develop and maintain building
safety assessment placard forms. Each placard form shall include a
reference to this chapter, the City Seal, and the address and phone
number of the Building and Safety Division.
(Ord. 5495, 2009)
Subject to the discretion of the Chief Building Official to
respond to individual circumstances, the building safety assessment
placards should fall within the following general categories and should
be used in the following circumstances:
A. Inspected
- lawful occupancy permitted. This placard is posted on a building
or structure when the Chief Building Official has determined, following
a safety assessment, the building or structure has no apparent structural
hazards. This placard does not necessarily mean that there is no damage
to the building or structure.
B. Restricted
use. This placard is posted on a building or structure when the Chief
Building Official has determined, following a safety assessment, the
building or structure is damaged and entry into or continued occupancy
of the building or structure must be conditioned or limited in order
to protect the safety of the public and the occupants. The placard
will note in general terms the type of damage observed during the
safety assessment and will specify the conditions or limitations on
entry into or continued occupancy of the building or structure.
C. Unsafe
- do not enter or occupy. This placard is posted on a building or
structure when the Chief Building Official has determined, following
a safety assessment, the building or structure has been damaged to
such a degree that entry into or continued occupancy of the building
or structure poses a threat to life and 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. Safety
assessment teams working under the authority of the Chief Building
Official are authorized to enter these buildings or structures at
any time. The placard will note in general terms the type of damage
observed during the safety assessment. This placard is a not demolition
order. If the Chief Building Official determines a building or structure
must be demolished in order to protect public safety, a separate demolition
order shall be issued.
(Ord. 5495, 2009)
It is unlawful for any person to alter, remove, cover, or deface
a placard except as authorized by the Chief Building Official.
(Ord. 5495, 2009)