<P> A color - tagged structure is a structure in the United States which has been classified by a color to represent the severity of damage or the overall condition of the building . The exact definition for each color may be different at local levels . </P> <P> A "red - tagged" structure has been severely damaged to the degree that the structure is too dangerous to inhabit . Similarly, a structure is "yellow - tagged" if it has been moderately damaged to the degree that its habitability is limited (only during the day, for example). A "green - tagged" structure may mean the building is either undamaged or has suffered slight damage, although differences exist at local levels when to use a green tag . </P> <P> Tagging is performed by government building officials, or, occasionally during disasters, by engineers deputized by the building official . Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and mudslides are among the most common causes of a building being red -, yellow - or green - tagged . Usually, after such incidents, the local government body responsible for enforcing the building safety code examines the affected structures and tags them as appropriate . </P>

What does it mean to red tag a house