When a structure or equipment is found by the Code Official or his or her designee to be unsafe, or when a structure is found unfit for human occupancy, or is found unlawful, such structure shall be condemned pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(A) Unsafe structures. An unsafe structure is one that is found to be dangerous to the life, health, property or safety of the public or the occupants of the structure by not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, or because such structure contains unsafe equipment or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation, that partial or complete collapse is possible.
(B) Unsafe equipment. Unsafe equipment includes any boiler, heating equipment, elevator, moving stairway, electrical wiring or device, hot water heater, kitchen appliance, flammable liquid containers or other equipment on the premises or within the structure which is in such disrepair or condition that such equipment is a hazard to life, health, property or safety of the public or occupants of the premises or structure.
(C) Structure unfit for human occupancy. A structure is unfit for human occupancy whenever the Code Official or his or her designee finds that such structure is unsafe, unlawful or, because of the degree to which the structure is in disrepair or lacks maintenance, is unsanitary, vermin or rat infested, contains filth and contamination, or lacks ventilation, illumination, sanitary or heating facilities or other essential equipment required by this chapter, or because the location of the structure constitutes a hazard to the occupants of the structure or to the public.
(D) Unlawful structure. An unlawful structure is one found in whole or in part to be occupied by more persons than permitted under this chapter, or was erected, altered or occupied contrary to law.
(E) Dangerous structure or premises. For the purpose of this chapter, any structure or premises that have any or all of the conditions or defects described below shall be considered dangerous:
(1) Any door, aisle, passageway, stairway, exit or other means of egress that does not conform to the approved Building or Fire Code of the city as related to the requirements for existing buildings;
(2) The walking surface of any aisle, sidewalk, passageway, stairway, exit or other means of egress is so warped, worn loose, torn or otherwise unsafe as to not provide safe and adequate means of egress;
(3) Any portion of a building, structure or appurtenance that has been damaged by fire, earthquake, wind, flood, deterioration, neglect, abandonment, vandalism or by any other cause to such an extent that it is likely to partially or completely collapse, or to become detached or dislodged;
(4) Any portion of a building, or any member, appurtenance or ornamentation on the exterior thereof that is not of sufficient strength or stability, or is not so anchored, attached or fastened in place so as to be capable of resisting natural or artificial loads of one and one-half the original designed value;
(5) The building or structure, or part of the building or structure, because of dilapidation, deterioration, decay, faulty construction, the removal or movement of some portion of the ground necessary for the support, or for any other reason, is likely to partially or completely collapse, or some portion of the foundation or underpinning of the building or structure is likely to fail or give way;
(6) The building or structure, or any portion thereof, is clearly unsafe for its use and occupancy;
(7) The building or structure is neglected, damaged, dilapidated, unsecured or abandoned so as to become an attractive nuisance to children who might play in the building or structure to their danger, becomes a harbor for vagrants, criminals or immoral persons, or enables persons to resort to the building or structure for committing a nuisance or an unlawful act;
(8) Any building or structure that has been constructed, exists or is maintained in violation of any specific requirement or prohibition applicable to such building or structure provided by the approved Building or Fire Code of the city, or of any law or ordinance to such an extent as to present either a substantial risk of fire, building collapse or any other threat to life and safety;
(9) Any building or structure, used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, decay, damage, faulty construction or arrangement, inadequate light, ventilation, mechanical or plumbing system, or otherwise, is determined by the Code Official or his or her designee to be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation or in such a condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease;
(10) Any building or structure, because of a lack of sufficient or proper fire-resistance-rated construction, fire protection systems, electrical system, fuel connections, mechanical system, plumbing system or other cause, is determined by the Code Official or his or her designee to be a threat to life or health; and
(11) Any portion of a building that remains on a site after the demolition or destruction of the building or structure or whenever any building or structure is abandoned so as to constitute such building or portion thereof as an attractive nuisance or hazard to the public.
(Ord. 04-2017, passed 5-15-2017)