For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
Building Official. The term “Building Official” shall mean the person or persons designated by the City Manager to enforce the provisions of this article.
Court or civil municipal court. The term “court” or “civil municipal court” shall mean, unless otherwise specified, the Civil Municipal Court of Record created under Chapter 28 of this code.
Dangerous building or structure. The term “dangerous building or structure” shall mean all buildings or structures which have any of the following defects or lack of facilities:
a. all buildings or structures that have become deteriorated through natural causes or by damage through exposure to the elements, especially wind, hail or rain, or damage through fire to the extent that the roof, windows or doors, or portions of the house, building or structure which protect the interior from the weather, would no longer reasonably protect from the weather.
b. all buildings or structures which are so structurally deteriorated that they are in danger of collapse, or which cannot be expected to withstand the forces of nature.
c. all buildings or structures not wired so as to provide in operating condition electrical circuits sufficient to safely carry a load imposed by normal use of appliances and fixtures.
d. all buildings or structures of which the floors, walls, ceilings, and all supporting members are not capable of bearing imposed loads safely.
e. all buildings or structures so deteriorated or constructed or permitted to be constructed as to constitute a menace to the health or safety, including all conditions conducive to the harboring of rats or mice or other disease-carrying animals or insects, reasonably calculated to spread disease, and including such conditions hazardous to safety as inadequate bracing or use of deteriorated materials.
f. all buildings or structures which constitute or in which are maintained fire hazards as that term is defined by the ordinances of the City of Longview, Texas.
g. all buildings or structures substantially in noncompliance with the requirements of the city’s building code, electrical code, plumbing code, fire code, property maintenance code, or other applicable codes of the City of Longview such that said buildings or structures constitute a menace or hazard to the public health or safety.
h. all buildings or structures so dilapidated or substandard as to be unfit for human habitation.
i. all buildings or structures which, because of activities involving the sale, use, or abuse on said premises of illicit drugs or alcohol or other similar activities as certified to by the Chief of Police, or the Fire Marshal, or the environmental health officer, or their designee, constitute a fire hazard or a menace to the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the City of Longview.
(Ord. No. 2893, § 2, 1-13-00; Ord. No. 3113, § 3, 3-21-02; Ord No. 3525, § 15, 6-14-07; Ord. No. 4045, § 3, 3-24-16)