CHAPTER 145
DANGEROUS BUILDINGS

 

145.01 Enforcement Officer	145.05 Conduct of Hearing
145.02 General Definition of Unsafe	145.06 Posting of Signs
145.03 Unsafe Building	145.07 Right to Demolish; Municipal Infraction
145.04 Notice to Owner	145.08 Costs

 

145.01 ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

The Scott County Building Inspector is responsible for the enforcement of this chapter.

145.02 GENERAL DEFINITION OF UNSAFE.

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 safety or health, or public welfare, by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, or abandonment, are, for the purpose of this chapter, unsafe buildings. All such unsafe buildings are hereby declared to be public nuisances and shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal in accordance with the procedure specified in this chapter.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 657A.1 & 364.12[3a])

145.03 UNSAFE BUILDING.

“Unsafe building” means any structure or mobile home meeting any or all of the following criteria:

   1.   Various Inadequacies. Whenever the building or structure, or any portion thereof, because of (i) dilapidation, deterioration, or decay; (ii) faulty construction; (iii) the removal, movement, or instability of any portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building; (iv) the deterioration, decay, or inadequacy of its foundation; or (v) any other cause, is likely to partially or completely collapse.

   2.   Manifestly Unsafe. Whenever, for any reason, the building or structure, or any portion thereof, is manifestly unsafe for the purpose for which it is being used.

   3.   Inadequate Maintenance. Whenever a building or structure, used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of dilapidation, decay, damage, faulty construction, or otherwise, is determined by any health officer to be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation or in such condition that it is likely to cause sickness or disease.

   4.   Fire Hazard. Whenever any building or structure, because of dilapidated condition, deterioration, damage, or other cause, is determined by the Fire Marshal or Fire Chief to be a fire hazard.

   5.   Abandoned. Whenever any portion of a building or structure remains on a site after the demolition or destruction of the building or structure or whenever any building or structure is abandoned for a period in excess of six (6) months so as to constitute such building or portion thereof an attractive nuisance or hazard to the public.