Chino, CA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Green placard
- Inspected: occupancy permitted
- Yellow placard
- Restricted use
- Red placard
- Unsafe: do not enter
- Violation penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000/6 mo
Summary
Chino's building official posts color-coded safety assessment placards after inspecting damaged buildings: green for lawful occupancy, yellow for restricted use, and red barring entry until repairs are made.
This chapter approves the use of standard placards to indicate the condition of buildings and structures for continued occupancy...The term "safety assessment" shall mean a visual, non-destructive examination of a building or structure by the building official...for the purpose of determining its suitability for continued occupancy. INSPECTED—Lawful Occupancy Permitted. This placard is to be posted on any building or structure wherein no apparent structural hazard has been found.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
Chino Municipal Code Chapter 15.60 governs the placards the building official posts after a "safety assessment": a visual, non-destructive inspection of a building's suitability for continued occupancy, typically following an earthquake or other damaging event. A green INSPECTED placard permits lawful occupancy; a yellow RESTRICTED USE placard limits occupancy and must describe the restriction in general terms; a red UNSAFE placard bars entry entirely except for authorized safety personnel and is not itself a demolition order. Each placard also carries the city seal, the governing code section, and the responsible department's contact information. Adopted by Ord. 2022-015, § 1, 7-19-2022.
Violations & Fines
Occupying a building against its posted placard, or removing a posted placard, is a misdemeanor under § 15.60.060: up to a $1,000 fine and six months in county jail per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a red placard mean on a Chino building?
Can I be penalized for ignoring a posted placard in Chino?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino
California rules heatmap·Compare Chino to another location·View the California building safety overview
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