(a) This article is adopted pursuant to Tex. Local Government Code Chapter 54 and Chapter 214. The purpose of this article is as follows:
(1) To establish the minimum standards for the continued use and occupancy of all types of buildings and structures within the City of Fort Worth, regardless of the date of their construction, in order to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare and to protect property;
(2) To provide for the authority to order and direct the method of the securing of property that is unoccupied by its owners, lessees or other invitees and is unsecured from unauthorized entry to the extent that such buildings and structures could be entered or used by vagrants or other uninvited persons as a place of harborage or could be entered or used by children; and
(3) To provide for the authority to address, and direct the method of addressing, buildings and structures, which although boarded up, fenced or otherwise secured in any manner, exhibit conditions that may constitute a danger to the public even though secured from entry or the means used to secure the building or structure may be inadequate to prevent unauthorized entry or use of the building or structure by vagrants or other uninvited persons as a place of harborage or could be entered or used by children.
(b) To accomplish the purpose of this article, the City of Fort Worth may require one or more of the following: the vacation, relocation of occupants, securing, repair, removal or demolition of such buildings or structures that may endanger the health and safety of the occupants of such buildings and structures and the general public.
(c) This article references several minimum standards that are established by other codes (building, fire, electrical, mechanical and plumbing). These standards shall be designated with a solid bar in the margin. The code compliance division possesses the authority to enforce such provisions as related to the purpose of this article. However, final interpretation, approval of alternate methods and materials, and appeals will be addressed as prescribed for in each of those codes.
(d) Any building or structure that is declared to be unsafe by any designated, authorized authority for the enforcement of the building, fire, electrical, mechanical and plumbing codes is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or removal in accordance with the procedures set forth in this article or as otherwise determined by the appropriate official.
(Ord. 13743, § 1, passed 3-23-1999)