ORD 310ORDINANCE NO. 310
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA,
ADDING TITLE 2, CHAPTER 2.20.160
TO THE LA QUINTA CHARTER AND MUNICIPAL CODE
WHEREAS, Chapter 2.20 of the La Quinta Municipal Code (the "Code") sets
forth general purposes for disaster relief within the City; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to protect all citizens from the damage caused
by disasters and subsequent structural instability or failure; and
WHEREAS, the City Building Official is charged with ensuring the safety of
all structures located within the City; and
WHEREAS, the City believes that these changes are in the best interests of
the citizens of the City of La Quinta.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of La Quinta does ordain as
follows:
Section 1. Amend the La Quinta Charter and Municipal Code as follows:
ADDITION OF CHAPTER 2.20.160 OF THE CODE AS FOLLOWS:
2.20.160 Post -Disaster safety assessment placards.
A. Intent. 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. The Chapter further authorizes the Building Official, and his or her
authorized representatives, 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 Chapter are applicable to
all buildings and structures of all occupancies regulated by the City of La Quinta
following each natural or man made disaster. The City Council may extend the
provisions as necessary.
C. Definitions. Safety assessment is 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. The following are verbal descriptions of the official placards to
be used to designate the condition for continued occupancy of buildings or
structures.
(1) INSPECTED - (Green) NO RESTRICTION ON USE OR
OCCUPANCY, 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) LIMITED ENTRY- (Yellow) OFF LIMITS TO UNAUTHORIZED
PERSONNEL, 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 restrictions on continued occupancy.
(3) UNSAFE- (Red) 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
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.
E. Once 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
Building Official.
F. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person, firm, or corporation to alter,
remove, cover, or deface a placard unless authorized pursuant to this
Chapter.
Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect
thirty (30) days after its adoption.
Section 3. POSTING: The City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be posted
in at least three public places designated by resolution of the City Council, shall
certify to the adoption and posting of this Ordinance, and shall cause this ordinance
and its certification, together with proof of posting, to be entered into the Book of
Ordinances of the City of La Quinta.
r _ �
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED, this 2nd day of December, 1997 by
the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Adolph, Henderson, Perkins, Sniff
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Mayor Pena
o",L-
JOHN J. ENA, yor
City of La Quinta, California
6AAUNDRA L. JUHOLA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DAWN C. HONEYWELL, City Attorney
City of La Quinta, California
STATE OF CALIFORNIA 1
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF LA QUINTA )
I, SAUNDRA L. JUHOLA, City Clerk of the City of La Quinta, California, do hereby
certify the foregoing to be a full, true and correct copy of Ordinance No. 310 which
was introduced on the 18th day of November, 1997 and was adopted at a regular
meeting held on the 2"d day of December, 1997 not being less than 5 days after date
of introduction thereof.
I fu her certify that the foregoing ordinance was posted in three (3) places within the
Cit of La Quinta as specified in a resolution of the City Council.
AUNDRA L. JUHOLA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California
17��IA1�3�L�1i•I�1�Z���YIi; C�
I, SAUNDRA L. JUHOLA, City Clerk of the City of La Quinta, California, do hereby
cert'f that the foregoing ordinance was posted on December 3, 1997 pursuant to City
Co cil Resoluti n.
AUNDRA L. JUHOLA, City Clerk
City of La Quinta, California