For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BUILDING OFFICIAL. The City Building Inspector or a person employed, appointed or designated by the City Manager for purposes of making inspections, sending notices and otherwise enforcing the provisions of this subchapter.
DANGEROUS BUILDING or UNSAFE BUILDING. Any structure or building located within the incorporated limits of the city that is within the definition of DANGEROUS BUILDING or UNSAFE BUILDING as defined in the Code, that is:
(1) In a state or condition of repair or disrepair that all or any of the following conditions exist:
(a) Walls or other vertical structural members list, lean or buckle;
(b) Damage or deterioration exists to the extent that the building is unsafe;
(c) Loads on floors or roofs are improperly distributed or the floors or roofs are of insufficient strength to be reasonably safe for the purposes used;
(d) Damage by fire, wind or other cause has rendered the building or structure dangerous to life, safety, morals or the general health and welfare of the occupants or the people of the city;
(e) The building or structure is so dilapidated, substandard, decayed, unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise lacking in the amenities essential to decent living or use that the same is unfit for human habitation or occupancy, or is likely to cause sickness, disease or injury or otherwise to constitute a detriment to the health, morals, safety or general welfare of those persons assembled, working, or living therein or is a hazard to the public health, safety and welfare;
(f) Light, air and sanitation facilities are inadequate to protect the health, morals, safety or general welfare of persons who assemble, work or live therein;
(g) Stairways, fire escapes and other facilities of egress in case of fire or panic are inadequate; and
(h) Parts or appendages of the building or structure are so attached that they are likely to fall and injure persons or property.
(2) Dilapidated, substandard or unfit for human habitation and a hazard to the public health, safety and welfare of the city’s residents;
(3) Regardless of its structural condition, unoccupied by its owners, lessees or other invitees and is unsecured from unauthorized entry to the extent that it could be entered or used by vagrants or other uninvited persons as a place of harborage or could be entered or used by children; or
(4) Boarded up, fenced or otherwise secured in any manner if:
(a) The building constitutes a danger to the public even though secured from entry;
(b) The means used to secure the building are inadequate to prevent unauthorized entry or use of the building to the extent it could be entered or used by vagrants or other uninvited persons as a place of harborage or could be entered or used by children; or
(c) Defined as a dangerous or unsafe building by the Code.
RESPONSIBLE PARTIES. The owner, occupant or person in custody of the building or structure, and any mortgagee or lien holder, as identified or listed on the current tax rolls of the Cameron Appraisal District for the property, together with any additional person or interest, if any, shown in the current records of the city applicable to the property.
(Ord. 408B, passed 6-23-2009)