(a) General. All structures or equipment that are or hereafter become dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or uninhabitable shall be made safe, sanitary and/or inhabitable by corrective action, including, but not limited to, demolition, removal, or repair in accordance with this chapter or other applicable law, code, ordinance or regulations.
(b) Unsafe structures. An unsafe structure is one that is found to be dangerous to life, health, or property by not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, or because such structure contains unsafe equipment or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation, that partial or complete collapse is possible.
(c) Unsafe equipment. Unsafe equipment includes any boiler, heating equipment, elevator, moving stairway, electrical wiring or device, flammable liquid containers or other equipment on the premises or within the structure which is in such disrepair or condition that such equipment is a hazard to life, health, or property.
(d) Structures unfit for human occupancy. A structure is unfit for human occupancy whenever the building official finds that such structure is unsafe, unlawful or, because of the degree to which the structure is in disrepair or lacks maintenance, is unsanitary, vermin or rat infested, contains filth and contamination, or lacks ventilation, illumination, sanitary or heating facilities or other essential equipment required by this chapter, or because the location of the structure constitutes a hazard to the occupants of the structure or to the public.
(e) Closing of vacant structures. If a structure is vacant and unfit for human habitation and occupancy, and is not in danger of structural collapse, the building official is authorized to post a placard or condemnation on the premises and to order the structure closed up as to not be an attractive nuisance. Upon failure of the owner to close up the premises within the time specified in the order, the building official shall cause the premises to be closed and secured through any available public agency or by contract or arrangement by private persons and the costs thereof shall be charged against the real estate upon which the structure is located and shall be a lien upon such real estate and may be collected by any available legal resource.
(f) Notice. Whenever the building official has condemned a structure or equipment under the provisions of this section, notice shall be provided in accordance with subsection 150.20(b) of this Chapter.
(g) Placarding. Upon failure of the owner or person responsible to comply with the notice provisions within the time given, the building official shall post on the premises or on defective equipment a placard bearing the word “CONDEMNED” and a statement of the penalties provided for occupying the premises, operating the equipment or removing the placard.
(h) Placard removal. The building official shall remove the condemnation placard whenever the defect or defects upon which the condemnation and placarding action were based have been eliminated.
(i) Prohibited occupancy. Any occupied structure condemned and placarded by the building official shall be vacated as ordered by the building official. Any person who shall occupy a placarded premise or who shall let anyone occupy a placarded premise or operate placarded equipment shall be liable for the penalties provided by the City Code.
(Ord. 2015-009, passed 12-17-15)