(a) Whenever the Public Safety Committee of the City of Princeton, by and through persons working under its direction, determines (based upon the applicable Fire Code and/or on the experience and knowledge applied in the operation of enforcing applicable codes:
(1) That any building or structure has been constructed, altered, or repaired in a manner violating the applicable Fire Code as promulgated prior to the commencement of such construction, alterations, or repairs; or
(2) That any building or structure is being maintained or used in such a way as to endanger life or property from the hazards of fire or explosion; or
(3) That any building or other structure or other property of any kind, which, for want of repairs, or by reason of its age, dilapidated, or abandoned condition or for any other reason constitutes a fire hazard and is located or constructed so as to constitute a danger to other buildings, property, persons, life or limb; or
(4) That in any building or upon any premises there is located any combustible, flammable, or explosive substance or material or other condition dangerous to the safety of persons occupying the building or premises and adjacent premises and property;
Then the Code Official shall order such condition or thing to be corrected, or combustible, flammable or explosive, items to be removed, or such building or buildings to be repaired, closed to occupants, or removed, as required by the circumstances.
(b) Such order shall be promptly complied with by the owner, agent, occupant, and lessee of such premises, place, property, or thing. Any order may be expressed in the alternative, e.g., allowing repair but on the failure to repair requiring demolition. Any such order by the Code Official which concludes that a fire hazard exists, stating what repairs, and/or demolition, must be accomplished, and that compliance must be completed within thirty (30) days of issuance, and in the event of noncompliance, the Code Official is authorized by statute to enter into and upon the premises affected by the order and cause the building, structure, premises, or thing to be repaired, torn down, materials removed, and all dangerous conditions to be remedied (as the case may be) at the expense of the owner, and shall advise that the order can be contested by entering an appeal to the Public Safety Committee. The City shall incur no liability as the result of the displacement of any occupants or tenants.
(Passed 8-9-99.)