(A) Whenever the Permits and Inspections Department shall determine that a dwelling or dwelling unit is unfit for human habitation, he shall placard the dwelling or dwelling unit as unfit for human habitation and notify the owner of his findings as provided in section 15-23. Any dwelling or dwelling unit which the Permits and Inspections Department shall find to have any of the following defects shall be placarded as unfit for human habitation:
(1) One which is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, difficult to heat, unsafe or vermin infested that it creates a hazard to the health or welfare of the occupants or of the public;
(2) One which lacks illumination, ventilation or sanitary facilities adequate to protect the health or welfare of the occupants or of the public; or
(3) One which, because of its general condition or location is unsanitary or otherwise dangerous to the health or welfare of the occupants or of the public.
(B) Any dwelling or dwelling unit may be placarded as unfit for human habitation by the Permits and Inspections Department if the owner or occupant fails to comply with any order based on the provisions of this chapter or any rules or regulations adopted pursuant thereto; provided, that such dwelling or dwelling unit is, in the opinion of the Permits and Inspections Department, unfit for human habitation by reason of such failure to comply.
(1964 Code, § 12A-10)