§ 8-507 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR; DWELLINGS.

   Every dwelling and every part thereof shall be maintained in good repair by the owner or agent and be fit for human habitation. The roof shall be maintained so as not to leak and all rainwater shall be drained therefrom so as not to cause dampness in the walls or ceilings. All floors, stairways, doors, porches, windows, skylights, chimneys, toilets, sinks, walls and ceilings shall be kept in good repair and usable condition.

§ 8-508 DESIGNATION OF UNFIT DWELLINGS.

   The designation of dwellings or dwelling units as unfit for human habitation and placarding of such unfit dwellings or dwelling units shall be carried out in compliance with the following requirements.

   (a)   Existence of conditions. The public officer may determine, or five citizens may petition in writing, that any dwelling unit is unfit for human use or habitation if he, she or they find that conditions exist in such structure that are dangerous or injurious to the health, safety or morals of the occupants of such buildings or other residents of the neighborhood, or which shall have a blighting influence on properties in the area.

   (b)   Conditions generally. Such conditions may include the following without limitation:

      (1)   Defects therein increasing the hazards of fire, accident or other calamities.

      (2)   Lack of:

         (A)   Adequate ventilation;

         (B)   Light;

         (C)   Cleanliness; and

         (D)   Sanitary facilities.

      (3)   Dilapidation;

      (4)   Disrepair;

      (5)   Structural defects;

      (6)   Overcrowding;

      (7)   Inadequate ingress and egress;

      (8)   Unsightly appearance that constitute a blight to the adjoining property, the neighborhood or the city; and

      (9)   Air pollution.

   (c)   Placarding; order to vacate. Any dwelling or dwelling unit condemned as unfit for human habitation, and so designated and placarded by the public officer, shall be vacated within a reasonable time as so ordered.

   (d)   Notice of violation. Procedures as outlined in § 8-512 are applicable hereto.

   (e)   Compliance required before re-occupancy. No dwelling or dwelling unit that has been condemned and placarded as unfit for human habitation shall again be used for human habitation until written approval is secured from, and such placard is removed by the public officer.

      (1)   The public officer shall remove such placard whenever the defect or defects upon which the condemnation and placarding action were based have been eliminated.

      (2)   It shall be unlawful for anyone to let, lease, occupy or permit the occupancy, whether for a consideration or not, of any dwelling so posted and any violation of this provision shall constitute a public offense within the meaning of this code.

      (3)   It shall be unlawful for any person to deface or remove the placard from any dwelling or dwelling unit that has been condemned as unfit for human habitation and placarded as such, except the public officer as herein provided, and any violation of this provision shall constitute a public offense within the meaning of this code.

§ 8-509 DESIGNATION OF BLIGHTED PREMISES (RESIDENTIAL AND NONRESIDENTIAL).

   The designation of unsightly and blighted premises and elimination thereof shall be carried out in compliance with the following requirements.

   (a)   Public officer determinations. The public officer may determine, or five citizens may petition in writing, that if the appearance of a premises is not commensurate with the character of the properties in the neighborhood or otherwise constitutes a blight to the adjoining property or the neighborhood or the city for such reasons as, but not limited to:

      (1)   Dead trees or other unsightly natural growth;

      (2)   Unsightly stored or parked material, equipment, supplies, machinery, trucks or automobiles or parts thereof; vermin infestation, inadequate drainage; and

      (3)   Violation of any other law or regulations relating to the use of land and the use and occupancy of the buildings and improvements.

   (b)   Notice of violation. Procedures as outlined in § 8-512 are applicable hereto.

§ 8-510 DESIGNATION OF BLIGHTED BUILDINGS AND PREMISES (NONRESIDENTIAL).

   (a)   Certain blighted conditions. Certain blighted conditions covered in §§ 8-508 and 8-509 concerning buildings and premises that are on the tax roll of the city are applicable to all nonresidential buildings and premises.

   (b)   Notice of violation. Procedures of notification shall follow those prescribed in § 8-512.

§ 8-511 INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES AND PREMISES.

   (a)   For the purpose of determining compliance with the provisions of this code, the public officer or his or her authorized representative is hereby authorized to make inspections to determine the condition, use and occupancy of dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units and the premises upon which the same are located. This requirement is applicable to existing dwellings or buildings.

   (b)   The public officer is not limited by the conditions in division (a) above where new construction or vacant premises are involved and may make such inspections at any appropriate time.

   (c)   The owner, operator and occupant of every dwelling, dwelling unit and rooming unit shall give the public officer, or his or her authorized representative, during reasonable hours, free access to such dwelling, dwelling unit and rooming unit, and its premises, for the purpose of such inspection, examination and survey after identification by proper credentials.

   (d)   Every occupant of a dwelling shall give the owner thereof, or his or her authorized agent or employee, access to any part of such dwelling, or its premises, at all reasonable times, for the purpose of making such repairs or alterations as are necessary to effect compliance with the provisions of this code or with any rule or regulation adopted and promulgated, or any order issued pursuant to the provisions of this code.