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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/06/2007, C2 - ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO CREATE OFFICIAL PLACARDS THAT ENABLE THE CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL TO LEG 1 counat Mm&4 Die j acenaa nepont CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO FROM: John Mandeville, Community Development Direct Prepared By: Tim Girvin, Chief Building Official SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO CREATE OFFICIAL PLACARDS THAT ENABLE THE CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL TO LEGALLY RESTRICT OCCUPANCY OF BUILDINGS AFTER A DISASTER OCCURS CAO RECOMMENDATION Adopt Ordinance No. 1502 (2007 Series) adding new Chapter 15.48 (Safety Assessment Placards) to Chapter 15 (Building and Construction) of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code. DISCUSSION Situation On January 9, 2007, the City Council voted 5 to 0 to introduce Ordinance No. 1502 (2007 Series), adding new Chapter 15.48 to the City's Municipal Code (Attached). Ordinance No. 1502 (2007 Series) is now ready for adoption. The amended text will become effective 30 days after its adoption. Purpose of Amendments Adoption of Ordinance 1502 is necessary so the City will have the legal right to restrict occupancy of structures after a major earthquake or other destructive event. ALTERNATIVES Take no action and continue to use the current placards that are available. This is not a recommended alternative because placement of the existing placards is merely a recommendation to building owners and tenants which may result in occupancy of buildings that are hazardous and could be pose a threat to life safety. ATTACHMENTS: Ordinance No. 1502 (2007 Series) G:\CD-BLDG\Tgirvin\Safety Assessment Placards Ord\CC 2nd reading staff report Ord 1502.DOC Ordinance No. 1502 (2007 Series) Page 1 ORDINANCE NO. 1502 (2007 Series) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ADDING NEW CHAPTER 15.48 (SAFETY ASSESSMENT PLACARDS)TO CHAPTER 15 (BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION) OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO PLACARDS USED TO DENOTE CONDITIONS RELATED TO CONTINUED OCCUPANCY OF BUILDINGS. WHEREAS, San Luis Obispo City is prone to earthquakes and other natural disasters, WHEREAS, building damage is likely to occur during these disaster events, WHEREAS, post-disaster building damage assessments will be necessary to evaluate buildings and other infrastructure within the City of San Luis Obispo, WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo desires to provide for certain levels of safety for building occupants and must be able to utilize placards to denote conditions of damaged buildings in order to prevent unsafe or improper occupancy of damaged structures, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1: New Chapter 15.48 (Safety Assessment Placards) is added to Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code to read as follows: SECTION 15.48.010. Intent. This chapter establishes standard placards to be used to indicate the condition of a structure, following an earthquake or other destructive event, for continued occupancy. The chapter further authorizes the Chief Building Official and his or her authorized representatives to post the appropriate placard at each entry to a building or structure upon completion of a safety assessment. SECTION 15.48.020. Application of,Provisions. The provisions of this chapter are applicable to all buildings and structures of all occupancies regulated by the City of San Luis Obispo. The Council may extend the provisions as necessary. SECTION 15.48.030. Definitions. Safety Assessment is a visual, non-destructive examination of a building or structure for G:\CD-BLDG\Tgirvin\Safety Assessment Placards Ord\Ordinance 1502.d6c Cz -z Ordinance No. 1502 (2007 Series) Page 2 the purpose of determining the condition for continued use. SECTION 15.48.040. Placards. (a) The following are verbal descriptions of the official jurisdiction placards to be used to designate the condition for occupancy of building 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 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 restriction 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 circumstances except as authorized in writing by the Chief Building Official or his or her 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) The placard must display the ordinance number, name, address and phone number of the jurisdiction. (c) Once it has been attached to a building or structure, a placard is not to be removed, altered or covered until done so by an authorized representative of the Chief Building Official. Pursuant to section 1.12 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to alter, remove, cover or deface a placard unless authorized pursuant to this section. SECTION 2. A summary of this ordinance, together with the names of Council members voting for and against, shall be published at least five (5) days prior to its final passage, in The Tribune, a newspaper published and circulated in this City. This ordinance shall go into effect at the expiration of thirty (30) days after its final passage. INTRODUCED on the 9th day of January 2007, AND FINALLY ADOPTED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo on the day of 2007, on the following roll call vote: G:\CD-BLDG\Tgirvin\Safety Assessment Placards Ord\Ordinance 1502.doc J Ordinance No. 1502 (2007 Series) Page 3 AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Mayor David F.Romero ATTEST: Audrey Hooper City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: on P. Lowell City Attorney G:\CD-BLDG\Tgirvin\Safety Assessment Placards Ord\Ordinance 1502.doc e7