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Riverdale, IA Code of Ordinances
CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF RIVERDALE, IOWA
SUPPLEMENT RECORD
CHAPTER 1 CODE OF ORDINANCES
CHAPTER 2 CHARTER
CHAPTER 3 MUNICIPAL INFRACTIONS
CHAPTER 5 OPERATING PROCEDURES
CHAPTER 6 CITY ELECTIONS
CHAPTER 7 FISCAL MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 8 URBAN RENEWAL
CHAPTER 15 MAYOR
CHAPTER 16 MAYOR PRO TEM
CHAPTER 17 CITY COUNCIL
CHAPTER 18 CITY CLERK
CHAPTER 19 CITY TREASURER
CHAPTER 20 CITY ATTORNEY
CHAPTER 21 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
CHAPTER 22 CITY ADMINISTRATOR
CHAPTER 30 CONTRACT LAW ENFORCEMENT
CHAPTER 35 FIRE DEPARTMENT
CHAPTER 40 PUBLIC PEACE
CHAPTER 41 PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
CHAPTER 42 PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY
CHAPTER 45 ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND INTOXICATION
CHAPTER 46 MINORS
CHAPTER 47 PARK REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 48 FACILITY AND PARK RENTAL PROCEDURES AND FEES
CHAPTER 49 MOWING OF PROPERTIES
CHAPTER 50 NUISANCE ABATEMENT PROCEDURE
CHAPTER 51 JUNK AND JUNK VEHICLES
CHAPTER 52 OUTDOOR LIGHTING
CHAPTER 53 NOISE CONTROL
CHAPTER 55 ANIMAL PROTECTION AND CONTROL
CHAPTER 60 ADMINISTRATION OF TRAFFIC CODE
CHAPTER 61 TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
CHAPTER 62 GENERAL TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 63 SPEED REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 64 TURNING REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 65 STOP OR YIELD REQUIRED
CHAPTER 66 LOAD AND WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
CHAPTER 67 PEDESTRIANS
CHAPTER 68 ONE-WAY TRAFFIC
CHAPTER 69 PARKING REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 70 TRAFFIC CODE ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES
CHAPTER 72 GOLF CARTS
CHAPTER 75 MULTI-USE RECREATIONAL TRAILS
CHAPTER 80 ABANDONED VEHICLES
CHAPTER 90 WATER SERVICE
CHAPTER 91 WATER SERVICE LINES
CHAPTER 95 WASTEWATER FACILITIES
CHAPTER 96 SEWER/UTILITES REVIEW COMMITTEE
CHAPTER 100 STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
CHAPTER 101 ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION
CHAPTER 102 CONSTRUCTION SITE EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL
CHAPTER 103 POST-CONSTRUCTION EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL
CHAPTER 105 SOLID WASTE CONTROL
CHAPTER 106 COLLECTION OF SOLID WASTE
CHAPTER 110 NATURAL GAS FRANCHISE
CHAPTER 111 ELECTRIC FRANCHISE
CHAPTER 120 LIQUOR LICENSES AND WINE AND BEER PERMITS
CHAPTER 121 CIGARETTE AND TOBACCO PERMITS
CHAPTER 122 PEDDLERS, SOLICITORS AND TRANSIENT MERCHANTS
CHAPTER 123 HOUSE MOVERS
CHAPTER 135 STREET USE AND MAINTENANCE
CHAPTER 136 VACATION AND DISPOSAL OF STREETS
CHAPTER 137 STREET GRADES
CHAPTER 138 NAMING OF STREETS
CHAPTER 139 CONTROLLED ACCESS FACILITIES
CHAPTER 145 DANGEROUS BUILDINGS
CHAPTER 146 ABANDONED VEHICLES
CHAPTER 150 BUILDING NUMBERING
CHAPTER 151 TREES
CHAPTER 155 CONSTRUCTION CODE
CHAPTER 160 FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT
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.
145.04 NOTICE TO OWNER.
The enforcement officer shall examine or cause to be examined every building or structure or portion thereof reported as dangerous or damaged and, if such is found to be an unsafe building as defined in this chapter, the enforcement officer shall give to the owner of such building or structure written notice stating the defects thereof. This notice may require the owner or person in charge of the building or premises, within forty-eight (48) hours or such reasonable time as the circumstances require, to commence either the required repairs or improvements or demolition and removal of the building or structure or portions thereof, and all such work shall be completed within ninety (90) days from date of notice, unless otherwise stipulated by the enforcement officer. If necessary, such notice shall also require the building, structure, or portion thereof to be vacated forthwith and not reoccupied until the required repairs and improvements are completed, inspected and approved by the enforcement officer.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12[3h])
   1.   Notice Served. Such notice shall be served by sending by certified mail to the owner of record, according to Section 364.12[3h] of the Code of Iowa, if the owner is found within the City limits. If the owner is not found within the City limits such service may be made upon the owner by registered mail or certified mail. The designated period within which said owner or person in charge is required to comply with the order of the enforcement officer shall begin as of the date the owner receives such notice.
   2.   Hearing. Such notice shall also advise the owner that he or she may request a hearing before the Council on the notice by filing a written request for hearing within the time provided in the notice.
145.05 CONDUCT OF HEARING.
If requested, the Council shall conduct a hearing in accordance with the following:
   1.   Notice. The owner shall be served with written notice specifying the date, time and place of hearing.
   2.   Owner’s Rights. At the hearing, the owner may appear and show cause why the alleged nuisance shall not be abated.
   3.   Determination. The Council shall make and record findings of fact and may issue such order as it deems appropriate. 8

 

Notes

8
 EDITOR’S NOTE: Suggested forms of notice and of a resolution and order of the Council for the administration of this chapter are provided in the APPENDIX to this Code of Ordinances. Caution is urged in the use of this procedure. We recommend you review the situation with your attorney before initiating procedures and follow his or her recommendation carefully.
145.06 POSTING OF SIGNS.
The enforcement officer shall cause to be posted at each entrance to such building a notice to read: “DO NOT ENTER. UNSAFE TO OCCUPY. CITY OF RIVERDALE, IOWA.” Such notice shall remain posted until the required repairs, demolition, or removal are completed. Such notice shall not be removed without written permission of the enforcement officer and no person shall enter the building except for the purpose of making the required repairs or of demolishing the building.
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