(A) Definition; nuisance.
(1) For the purpose of this section, the following definition applies unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
UNSAFE BUILDINGS. All buildings or structures which are structurally unsafe or not provided with adequate egress, or which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human life or which, in relation to existing use, constitute a hazard to health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, or obsolescence.
(2) All such unsafe buildings are declared to be public nuisances and shall be abated by repair and rehabilitation or by demolition in accordance with the procedure of this section.
(B) Notice to owner. The Building Inspector or Village Administrator shall examine or cause to be examined every building or structure or portion thereof reported as or believed to be an unsafe building as defined in division (A) of this section. He or she shall give written notice to the owner or to the persons occupying said building if they are not the owners thereof. The written notice shall specifically state that the work shall commence within 30 days and continue work, either to complete the specified repairs or improvements, or to demolish and remove the building or structure, or portion thereof, leaving the premises in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition, such condition being subject to the approval of the Building Inspector or Village Administrator; excepting that, in cases of emergency making immediate repairs necessary, the Building Inspector or Village Administrator may order the changes or also require the building or portion thereof to be vacated forthwith by the occupants thereof.
(C) Service of notice. Proper service of such notice shall be by personal service, residence service, or by registered mail; provided, however, that such notices shall be deemed to be properly served if a copy thereof is sent by registered mail to the last known address. If any of the parties cannot be located, nor can his or her address be ascertained, this notice shall be deemed to be properly served if a copy thereof is placed in a conspicuous place in or about the building or structure affected by this notice. If such notice is by registered mail, the 30-day period within which such owner is required to comply with the order of the Building Inspector or Village Administrator shall begin as of the date he or she received such notice.
(D) Posting of signs. The Building Inspector or Village Administrator shall cause to be posted at each entrance to such building a notice to read:
“DO NOT ENTER.
UNSAFE TO OCCUPY BY ORDER OF BUILDING INSPECTOR/VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR, VILLAGE OF NORTH LEWISBURG, OHIO.”
Such notice shall remain posted until the required repairs are made or demolition is completed. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove such notice without permission of the Building Inspector or Village Administrator, or for any person to enter the building, except for the purpose of making the required repairs or of demolishing same.
(E) Permits. In all cases of construction or repair pursuant to order of the Building Inspector, permits covering such work shall be obtained as required by sections of the Building Code.
(F) Right to demolish. In case the owner of record, or the purchaser under a land contract if that be the case, shall fail, neglect, or refuse to comply with the notice to repair, rehabilitate, or demolish and remove such building or structure or portion thereof, such party, either the owner of record or the purchaser under a land contract, shall be subject to the penal provisions of the Building Code or ordinance and the Building Inspector shall proceed to have the building or structure or portion thereof demolished and removed from the premises, leaving the premises in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition and the cost of such work shall be paid by village. If the village is not immediately reimbursed for such costs, the amount thereof shall be certified to the County Treasurer and levied as a special assessment against said property on which the building or structure is located and shall be collected in the manner provided for special assessments.
(G) Unsafe conditions; reports. Any owner, manager, lessee, or occupant of a building who discovers or who has reason to believe that there exists on the premises a condition which may endanger other property or the life or limb of any person, and such condition cannot be immediately remedied so as to remove any danger therefrom, shall, within 24 hours after such discovery, report the existence of such dangerous condition to the Building Inspector or Village Administrator, who shall forthwith take such steps as may be necessary to protect the public safety and welfare. No person who is an owner, manager, lessee, or occupant of a building on which premises such a dangerous condition exists and who knows or should know of such dangerous condition shall fail to make such report to either the Building Inspector or Village Administrator within 24 hours after such knowledge is obtained or should have been obtained.
(Ord. 134, passed 12-5-1978) Penalty, see § 10.99