In that there is a need to establish a period of time an unsafe / problem structure may remain standing, the International Property Maintenance Code section dealing with unsafe structures and equipment is amended to add the following:
a. An unsafe / problem structure is defined as a building or other structure that poses a nuisance or danger to the public, police department or fire department and includes, but is not limited to the definition in the International Property Maintenance Code, as well as the following:
1. A building damaged by fire, wind, seismic or other causes so as to cause the building to become dangerous to life, limb or property of the occupants or to the public;
2. A building that has become or is so dilapidated, decayed, unsafe, unsanitary or which so utterly fails to provide the amenities essential to decent living that it is unfit for human habitation or is likely to cause sickness or disease or injury to health, safety or general welfare of those living therein;
3. A building having light, air and sanitation facilities that are inadequate to protect the health, safety or general welfare of human beings who live or may live therein;
4. A building having inadequate facilities for egress in case of fire or other events, or having insufficient stairways, fire escapes or other means of travel;
5. A building characterized by disconnected utilities, extensive broken glass, peeling or flaking paint on the exterior walls, loose or rotting materials on the roof or the exterior walls; or,
6. Any vacant building or structure not secured from entry or the elements.
b. When an unsafe / problem structure, not in danger of structural collapse, has been closed and secured from entry and the elements by the property owner and the structure continues to remain closed and secured from entry and the elements by approved methods, it may remain standing in a safe condition for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date of the condemnation, fire or damage from other means, or the date of the release of the property from a governmental, criminal, fire or explosives investigation, at which time an application must have been made for a building permit to repair or for a demolition permit. If a building permit is requested and approved, repair or renovation work to bring the property into compliance must be completed within sixty (60) days of the date of the issuance of the permit. If a demolition permit is requested and approved, demolition must be initiated within five (5) days and must be completed within thirty (30) days of the date of the issuance of the demolition permit.
c. Failure of the property owner to obtain the required permit(s) in the specified time and/or to keep the structure closed and secured from entry shall constitute permission to an official, employee or other authorized agent of the City to enter upon the property to remedy the situation by boarding or otherwise temporarily securing the structure(s) and to abate the nuisance by demolition and removal of the unsafe / problem structure.
(Ord. BG2003-61, 12/2/2003; Ord. BG2007-3, 3/20/2007; Ord. BG2014-12, 8/5/2014; Ord. BG2022-41, 9/6/2022)