(a) In General. The designation of buildings as being unfit for habitation or use and the procedure for the condemnation and placarding of such buildings shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(b) Designation of Buildings as Unfit for Habitation or Use. Any building or dwelling unit which is found to have any of the following defects shall be condemned as unfit for human habitation or use and shall be so designated and placarded by the Property Maintenance Inspector:
(1) One which is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin-infested that it is hazardous to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public;
(2) One which lacks illumination, ventilation or sanitation facilities adequate to protect the health or safety of the occupants or of the public;
(3) One which, because of its general condition, is unsanitary or otherwise hazardous to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public.
(c) Vacating of Premises. No owner or other person shall continue to occupy or use, or let or permit to be occupied or used, or allow another to let for occupancy or use, any building or dwelling unit which has been condemned as unfit for human habitation or use. The building or dwelling unit shall be vacated within a reasonable time as ordered by the Property Maintenance Inspector.
(d) Notice and Placarding. Whenever the Property Maintenance Inspector determines that a building or dwelling unit is unfit for human habitation or use he or she shall:
(1) Serve notice pursuant to Section 1490.13; and
(2) Affix to such building or dwelling unit, upon the door or entrance thereto, a placard on which shall be a written declaration that such building or dwelling unit is unfit for human habitation or use. The Property Maintenance Inspector shall remove such placard when he or she has determined that the conditions upon which the condemnation and placarding were based have been eliminated.
(e) Security and Maintenance of Vacant Buildings and Premises. No owner of any vacant building or dwelling unit or portion thereof shall fail to secure all doors, windows and other openings of such building or fail to maintain yards, areas and premises of such building free from trash, debris and rank growth of weeds, grass, hedges, shrubs or trees.
(f) Standards for Security.
(1) Vacant buildings, dwelling units or portions thereof shall be secured in a workmanlike manner approved by the Property Maintenance Inspector.
(2) Any opening to be secured, including doors and windows, shall be covered uniformly with approved material cut to fit each opening and securely affixed from the outside.
(3) Only one type of securing material may be used on a single building. Such material shall be of a single color, texture, grade, weight or gauge.
(g) Discontinuance of Utilities. In any building or dwelling unit which has been condemned as unfit for human habitation or use and vacated, the Property Maintenance Inspector may cause any or all utilities to be disconnected or discontinued until such time as the defects upon which the condemnation was based have been eliminated. The Property Maintenance Inspector may cause any or all utilities to be disconnected or discontinued by notifying the public utility or utilities serving such building that the building has been condemned as unfit for human habitation or use and vacated. Upon receipt of such notice the public utility or utilities shall disconnect or discontinue service to the affected building within a reasonable time. Such notice shall include the date the order was issued and the date the property was found to be vacated, and a copy of the condemnation order shall be attached. Upon prior written approval of the Property Maintenance Inspector, any utility or utilities available to such building may be resumed for the purpose of facilitating compliance with this Property Maintenance Code. Except as provided herein, no person shall resume or reconnect any utility or cause resumption or reconnection of any utility which has been disconnected or discontinued as provided herein without first obtaining the written approval of the Property Maintenance Inspector.
(h) Reoccupancy of Building. No building or dwelling unit which has been condemned as unfit for human habitation or use shall again be occupied or used until written approval is given by the Property Maintenance Inspector.
(i) Tampering With or Removing Placards. Except as provided in this Property Maintenance Code, no person shall remove, deface or alter the placard from any building or dwelling unit which has been condemned as unfit for human habitation or use and placarded as such.
(Ord. 92-51. Passed 9-15-92.)