County Conducts Initial Damage Assessments

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Permit Sonoma is conducting initial damage assessments on an estimated 59 buildings damaged by the Kincade Fire. Rapid Evaluation Safety Assessment, also known as RESA, allows people to inhabit and use safe homes and businesses, and ensures that people are prohibited from entering unsafe structures. 

RESA inspections occur before home and business owners are allowed to re-enter damaged structures. Damage levels are color-coded, as follows:

• Green (Inspected) - Buildings may be damaged yet remain safe, and can be inhabited.
• Yellow (Restricted Use) - There is some risk from damage in all or part of the building but the full extent of damage may be uncertain or cannot be ascertained within the time and resources available to a Rapid Evaluation team.  Buildings with yellow tags have limited use, with case-by-case restrictions. For example, certain portions of a home may not be inhabitable until a permit has been issued and repairs are made. 
• Red (Unsafe) - Buildings are damaged and pose an imminent threat to life or safety, and may not be inhabited.

It’s important to note that even buildings that are tagged “inspected” or “restricted use” may have areas in or around them that are unsafe. 

RESA Inspectors are experienced building construction and engineering professionals who have been certified through the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). The inspectors will be clearly identifiable and able to present agency credentials upon request.

Property owners whose homes or buildings have been damaged or destroyed in the fire are encouraged to visit the Local Assistance Center (LAC) to ask questions, obtain resources, and apply for assistance programs. For more information about the LAC, please visit https://socoemergency.org/local-assistance-center/. 

In addition, assistance is available at Permit Sonoma, 2550 Ventura Avenue, Santa Rosa. The permit center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except Wednesdays, when it is open from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM. More information available at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Permit-Sonoma/.

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