(A) Purpose.
(1) In accordance with State Statutes G.S. Ch. 160D, Article 11 and including G.S. 160D-1101 through 160D-1201, it is the purpose of the provisions of this Code to provide a just, equitable and practical method, whereby non-residential and/or commercial buildings or structures which from any cause, endanger the life, limb, health, property, safety, or welfare of the general public or their occupants, diminish property values or detract excessively from the appropriate appearance of the commercial area, may be required to be repaired, vacated or demolished. It is the further purpose of this Code to preserve the character and integrity of the community and to promote the comfort, happiness and safety of community residents, and to minimize discordant, unsightly and offensive surroundings while preserving beauty as well as the usefulness of the environment. Additionally, the Albemarle City Council finds that the presence of properties exhibiting evidence of vacancy and neglect pose special risks to the health, safety, and welfare of the community and therefore require heightened regulatory attention. The provisions of this Code are cumulative with and in addition to any other remedy provided by law including the current editions of standard codes adopted by the City of Albemarle and Stanly County.
(2) Special emphasis shall be placed on Volume IX-Existing Buildings of the N.C. State Building Code (or any Code that may replace this volume) regarding repair standards and requirements for life-safety. The objective of the Existing Buildings Code is “…to promote the safe continued use and re-use of existing buildings.”
(B) Scope. Unless expressly stated otherwise in this chapter, the provisions of this code shall apply to all commercial buildings or other non-residential structures which are now in existence or which may be built or amended. Residential structures will fall under enforcement of the minimum housing standards for the City of Albemarle. For combination structures, both codes would apply.
(Ord. 20-01, passed 1-6-20; Am. Ord. 21-40, passed 9-7-21)