(A) 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, as specified in this chapter, or the city building code, or any other ordinance, are hereby declared to be public nuisances and shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or removal in accordance with the procedure specified in §§ 8.03 through 8.06.
(B) For the purpose of this chapter, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
UNSAFE BUILDING. Any structure or mobile home meeting any or all of the following criteria:
(a) Whenever any portion or member, or appurtenance thereof, is likely to fall, or to become detached or dislodged, or to collapse and thereby injure persons, or to damage property;
(b) Whenever any portion of a building, or any member, appurtenance or ornamentation on the exterior thereof, is not of sufficient strength of stability, or is not so anchored, attached or fastened in place so as to be capable of resisting a wind pressure of 20 pounds per square foot;
(c) Whenever any portion thereof has wracked, warped, buckled or settled to such an extent that walls or other structural portions have materially less resistance to winds or earthquakes than is required in the case of similar new construction;
(d) Whenever the building or structure, or any portion thereof, because of: dilapidation, deterioration or decay; faulty construction; the removal, movement or instability of any portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building; the deterioration, decay or inadequacy of its foundation; or any other cause, is likely to partially or completely collapse;
(e) Whenever, for any reason, the building or structure, or any portion thereof, is manifestly unsafe for the purpose for which it is being used;
(f) Whenever the exterior walls or other vertical structural members list, lean or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the center of gravity does not fall inside the middle one-third of the base;
(g) Whenever the building or structure, exclusive of the foundation, shows 33% or more damage or deterioration of its supporting member or members, or 50% damage or deterioration of its non-supporting members, enclosing or outside walls or coverings;
(h) Whenever the building or structure has boon so damaged by fire, wind, earthquake or flood, or has become so dilapidated or deteriorated as to become: an attractive nuisance to children; a harbor for vagrants, criminals or immoral persons; or as to enable persons to resort thereto for the purpose of committing unlawful or immoral acts;
(i) Whenever a building or structure, used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, decay, damage, faulty construction or arrangement, inadequate light, air or sanitation facilities or otherwise, is determined by the Health Officer to be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation or in such condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease;
(j) Whenever any building or structure, because of obsolescence, dilapidated condition, deterioration, damage, inadequate exits, lack of sufficient fire-resistive construction, faulty electric wiring, gas connections or heating apparatus, or other cause, is determined by the State Fire Marshal or City Fire Chief to be a fire hazard;
(k) Whenever any building or structure is in such a condition as to constitute a public nuisance known to the common law or in equity jurisprudence; and
(l) 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 months so as to constitute such building, or portion thereof, an attractive nuisance or hazard to the public.
(Ord. 123-8.02, passed 1-1-1989)