(A) Any temporary boarding of the doors, windows or other openings of any building or structure or any means of securing such openings, other than by the conventional method used in the original construction and design of the building or structure, shall comply with the following minimum standards.
(1) Windows. Windows and similar openings shall be boarded with exterior grade plywood of a minimum thickness of three-fourths inch (to be consistent with door security standards) or its equivalent, and shall be cut to match the dimensions of the window opening. Vent holes may be required, as deemed necessary by the building official. The plywood shall be secured in place, at a minimum standard approved by the minimum housing code official. Bolts and nuts used to secure the cross members to the plywood must be tightened enough to slightly deflect the wood so that it does not give purchase for pliers or pry bars. The nuts are to be located on the interior side of the structure.
(2) Exterior doors. The main exterior (required) residential exit door(s) and all commercial exterior exit doors shall be boarded with exterior grade plywood of a minimum thickness of three-fourths inch or its equivalent, fitted to the entry door jamb with maximum one-eighth-inch clearance at each edge from the door jambs and threshold, cut to match the dimensions of the door opening. The existing door should be removed. The plywood shall be attached at a minimum standard, approved by the minimum housing code official. Fasteners used to attach the door hasp and hinges shall be the nonreversible type that do not give a purchase for pliers or pry bars. All other unsecured residential doors providing exterior access shall be removed and shall be secured in the same fashion as windows noted above.
(3) Painting of boarded openings. All boarded openings shall be painted with a minimum of one coat of oil-based exterior paint, in a color compatible with the exterior color of the building or structure.
(4) Garages. Overhead garage doors shall be secured. Nailing the door to the jamb or nailing pieces of two-by-four to the jamb are not acceptable. The overhead door shall be padlocked with the existing garage lock or a newly installed one. In an attached garage it is acceptable, as a minimum standard, to insert a piece of Grade No. 2 Douglas fir two-by-four lumber through the overhead mechanism on the inside of the door. The two-by-four shall be long enough to go through both sides of the mechanism or shall be nailed in place on the inside so that it cannot fall out. Secondary garage entrances to the outside of the garage shall be secured with strong-backed plywood as described for windows above. Access doors between the house and attached garage need not be boarded. Detached garages shall be secured as separate structures. Access shall be provided by padlock as described for doors above.
(B) Alternative methods of securing a building. Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, the minimum housing code official may approve alternative methods of securing doors, windows or other openings of any building or structure. In making the determination to approve any alternative method, the official shall consider its aesthetic and other impacts on the immediate neighborhood, and the extent to which it provides adequate security against the unauthorized entry to the property.
(C) During all times that persons are inside a boarded structure, all exits and entries shall be made accessible; provided, that the structure must be again secured when such persons are no longer inside.
(Ord. 19-20-03, passed 7-8-20)