City of Pasadena Announces Fire Damaged Building Inspections

PASADENA, Calif.- As evacuation area restrictions are lifted and residents return to their homes, if the building is located in the immediate fire zone, they may find a colored building inspection placard placed at their property indicating that it has been inspected by Pasadena Building and Safety Inspectors. These placards are being placed on damaged properties including abutting sites and are used by Building Inspectors to identify the level of damage of each building.

A Red Placard (Unsafe) means that the building is unsafe to enter or use; severe injury or death could result. The building is a collapse hazard, may be crushed by an adjacent building, or contains one or more hazardous conditions. Permission to enter can only be obtained from the Building Official. The building may or may not be repairable; consult with a licensed engineer or architect to determine the next steps.

‍A Yellow Placard (Restricted Use) means that the building can be used per the restrictions noted on the placard. Parts of the building may be usable, or the building can be entered briefly to obtain important possessions. However, parts of the building might be hazardous, and use of these sections may not be allowed.

A Green Placard (Inspected) means that the building has had a visual assessment by a building professional, and no apparent structural hazard has been found as of the date and time of the assessment. The inspection may not reveal other latent property hazards, and owners are encouraged to hire a certified or licensed professional to ensure the property is structurally sound.

For questions, please contact Building and Safety by phone (626) 744-4200 or email [email protected].

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