(A) General. When a structure is determined by the city to be unsafe or is determined unlawful, such structures may be condemned pursuant to the provisions of this code.
(B) Unsafe structures. An unsafe structure is one that is determined to be dangerous to life, health, property or safety of the public or the occupants of the structure because such structure is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation, that partial or complete collapse is possible.
(C) Closing of vacant structures. If a structure is vacant and determined unfit for human habitation or occupancy, and is not in danger of structural collapse, the city is authorized to post a placard of condemnation on the premises and order the structure closed up so as not to be an attractive nuisance. Upon failure of the owner to close up the premises within the time specified in the order, the city may cause the premises to be closed and secured through any available public agency or by contract or arrangement by private persons and the cost thereof shall be charged against the real estate upon which the structure is located and shall be a lien upon such real estate and may be collected by any other legal source.
(D) Notice. Whenever the city has condemned a structure under the provisions of this section, notice may be posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure affected by such notice and served on the owner/parties of interest responsible for the structure in accordance with § 95.007(A)(2). The notice shall be in the form prescribed in § 95.007(A)(1).
(E) Placarding. Upon failure of the owner/parties of interest responsible to comply with the notice provisions within the time given, the city may post on the premises a placard bearing the word “condemned” and a statement of the penalties provided for occupying the premises or removing the placard.
(F) Placard removal. The city may remove the condemnation placard whenever the defect or defects upon which the condemnation and placarding action were based have been eliminated. Any person who defaces or removes a condemnation placard without the approval of the city shall be subject to the penalties provided by this code.
(G) Prohibited occupancy. Any occupied structure, condemned and placarded by the city shall be vacated as ordered by the city. Any person who shall occupy a placarded premise and any owner/parties of interest responsible for the premises who shall let anyone occupy a placarded premise shall be liable for the penalties provided by this code.
(Ord. 17-016, passed
7-11-2017)