(A) Any structure shall be deemed unfit for human occupancy if it is found to be in one or more of the following conditions:
(1) So damaged, decayed, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin-infested that it creates a serious hazard to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public;
(2) So deficient in illumination, sanitation or ventilation facilities that it jeopardizes the health or safety of the occupants or of the public;
(3) So located as to be dangerous to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public;
(4) The structure being inhabited has not had working city water service or a working water well for at least one week;
(5) The structure being inhabited has not had working electric service for at least one week; or
(6) The structure has been declared dilapidated by the City Council under the provisions of § 91.12 of this chapter.
(B) (1) Whenever the city inspector determines that there has been a violation of any provision of division (A) of this section, he or she shall give notice of such violation to the person or persons residing in the unfit structure.
(2) Such notice shall be in writing, shall notify the residents of the remedial action which will cause the structure to become fit for occupancy, and specify a reasonable time for performance.
(3) The notice may be mailed to the address of the structure by certified mail or posted in a conspicuous place on the premises.
(C) Upon reinspection at the end of the time specified for compliance, if it is found that the violation or violations continue to exist, the Council may declare the structure unfit for human occupancy and order the structure vacated by the following procedure.
(1) The building shall be vacated within a reasonable time which shall not exceed 60 days from the City Council meeting in which the structure is declared unfit.
(2) Vacated buildings shall have all outer doors firmly locked or boarded and all cellar or first-story windows shall be barred or boarded.
(3) If the building is not vacated within the time specified in the order the city may seek an order in a court of competent jurisdiction to require compliance with the order.
(4) Vacated buildings shall not be occupied again by any human until the violations have been corrected and an occupancy permit has been issued by the city inspector. Any person found to be occupying the building in contradiction to the Council’s order shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a municipal fine of $100 per day.
(Prior Code, § 4-4-14) (Ord. 859, passed 3-25-2018)