(A) Declaration. Any dwelling or dwelling unit which is damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe, infested or which lacks provision of illumination, ventilation or sanitary facilities to the extent that the defects create a hazard to the health, safety or general welfare of the occupants or to the public, may be declared unfit for human habitation. Whenever any dwelling or dwelling unit has been declared unfit for human habitation, the City Council shall order same vacated within a reasonable time and shall post a placard on same indicating that it is unfit for human habitation and any operating license previously issued for such dwelling or dwelling units shall be revoked.
(B) Vacated dwelling. It shall be unlawful for a vacant dwelling or dwelling unit, which has been declared unfit for human habitation as provided above, to be used for human habitation until the defective conditions have been corrected and written approval has been issued by the city. It shall be unlawful for any person to deface or remove the declaration placard from any such dwelling or dwelling units.
(C) Secure unfit and vacated dwellings. The owner of any dwelling or dwelling unit which has been declared unfit for human habitation, or which is otherwise vacant for a period of 60 days or more, shall make same safe and secure so that it is not hazardous to the health, safety or general welfare of the public and a public nuisance within the meaning of this chapter.
(D) Hazardous building declaration.
(1) In the event that a dwelling or dwelling unit has been declared unfit for human habitation and the owner has not remedied the defects within a prescribed reasonable time, then it may be declared a hazardous building and treated consistent with the provisions of Minnesota State Statutes.
(2) The City Clerk shall keep an itemized account of the expense incurred by this jurisdiction in the repair or demolition of any building.
(Ord. 236, passed 7-2-2007)