(A) Generally. When a structure or equipment is found by the Code Official to be unsafe, or when a structure is found unfit for human occupancy, or is found unlawful, such structure shall be condemned pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(1) Unsafe structure. An unsafe structure is one that is found to be dangerous to the life, health, property or safety of the public or the occupants of the structure by not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, or because such structure contains unsafe equipment or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe, or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation, that partial or complete collapse is likely.
(2) Unsafe equipment. Unsafe equipment includes any boiler, heating equipment, elevator, moving stairway, electrical wiring or device, flammable liquid containers or other equipment on the premises or within the structure which is in such disrepair or condition that such equipment is a hazard to life, health, property or safety of the public or occupants of the premises or structure.
(3) Structure unfit for human occupancy. A structure is unfit for human occupancy whenever the Code Official finds that such structure is unsafe or unlawful or, because of the degree to which the structure is in disrepair or lacks maintenance, it is unsanitary, vermin or rat infested, contains filth and contamination, or lacks ventilation, illumination, sanitary or heating facilities or other essential equipment required by this chapter, or because the location of the structure constitutes a hazard to the occupants of the structure or the public.
(4) Unlawful structure. An unlawful structure is one found in whole or in part to be occupied by more persons than permitted under this chapter, or was erected, altered or occupied contrary to any law.
(B) Closing of vacant structures. If the structure is vacant and unfit for human habitation and occupancy, and is not in danger of structural collapse, the Code Official is authorized to post a placard of condemnation on the premises and order the structure to be maintained, closed or secured so as not to be an attractive nuisance or pose any threat to the health, safety or welfare of the public or adjacent premises. Upon failure of the owner to close or secure the premises within the time specified in the order, the Code Official shall cause the premises to be maintained or closed through any available public agency or by contract or arrangement by private persons and the cost of closure shall be charged against the real estate upon which the structure is located and shall be a lien upon such real estate.
(C) Notice. Whenever the Code Official has condemned a structure or equipment under the provisions of this section, notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure affected by such notice and served on the owner or the person or persons responsible for the structure or equipment in accordance with this section. The notice shall be in the form prescribed in § 156.29 of this chapter.
(D) Placarding. Upon the failure of any owner or person responsible to comply with the notice provisions within the time given, the Code Official shall post on the premises or on defective equipment, a placard bearing the term "Condemned" and a statement of the penalties provided for occupying the premises, operating the equipment or removing the placard.
(E) Prohibited occupancy. Any person who shall occupy a placarded premises or shall operate placarded equipment, and any other or any person responsible for the premises who shall let anyone occupy a placarded premises or operate placarded equipment shall be liable for the penalties provided by this chapter.
(F) Removal of placard. The Code Official shall 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 Code Official shall be subject to the penalties provided by this chapter.
(Ord. 2002-15, passed 10-14-02)