(a) General. Any building or other structure that is insecure, unsafe, structurally defective, and/or unfit for human occupancy is subject to demolition by the City, regardless of whether the building or other structure has been condemned pursuant to the provisions of this Code and/or whether the property owner has been cited for a violation of any section of the Codified Ordinances.
(b) Notice. Unless a building or other structure is in imminent danger of failure or collapse so as to endanger life or property or an emergency otherwise exists, the Safety Service Director shall issue written notice to the owners of record of the property and the holders of legal or equitable liens of record upon the real property on which such building or other structure is located, if any, of the City's intention to remove the building or other structure (the "Demolition Notice"). The Demolition Notice shall include (i) a description of the property reasonably sufficient for identification; (ii) a statement explaining the reason(s) for which the building or other structure is insecure, unsafe, structurally defective, and/or unfit for human occupancy; (iii) reasonable time, not to exceed thirty (30) days, to make the repairs and improvements required to bring the building or other structure into compliance with the provisions of this Code and/or the other provisions of the Codified Ordinances; (iv) a statement that, if the building or other structure is not repaired or improved within the time given, the building or other structure will be razed; (v) the warning required by § 1331.06 of this Code; and (vi) an explanation of the process for appeal. The Demolition Notice shall be given at least thirty (30) days prior to the removal of the building or other structure and shall be posted to the building or other structure and sent by United States certified mail to the property owners' last known tax billing address, pursuant to the tax records of Mahoning County, and the holders of legal or equitable liens of record upon the real property on which the building or other structure is located, if any. If the certified mail sent to the property owners and/or the holders of legal or equitable liens of record upon the real property on which the building or other structure is located is not successfully delivered, the Demolition Notice shall then be published in local newspaper of general circulation at least once a week for three consecutive weeks.
(c) Failure to Comply. If the owner of property fails to comply with the Demolition Notice, the Safety Service Director may (i) repair and/or secure the building or other structure and/or (ii) cause the building or other structure to be razed, either through an available public agency or by contract or arrangement with private persons.
(d) Permits. No person, firm or corporation shall demolish any building or other structure without a valid demolition permit. A separate permit is required for each building or other structure. Applicants for a demolition permit shall to the City of Struthers a fee to be established by the Safety Service Director.
(e) Insurance. No demolition permit shall be issued until the applicant has furnished the Safety Service Director with proof of effective liability insurance in the amount of $300,000.00/$1,000,000.00 (CSL).
(f) Emergency. If the Safety Service Director determines that a building or other structure is in imminent danger of failure or collapse so as to endanger life or property or an emergency otherwise exists, the Safety Service Director shall cause the necessary work to be done to render the building or other structure temporarily safe. If the Safety Service Director determines, in his or her sole discretion, that it is impracticable to repair the building or other structure, he may order the building or other structure razed. Additionally, the Safety Service Director may give the Demolition Notice other than by certified mail and/or less than thirty (30) days prior to removal of the building or other structure. The fact that the building or other structure has been condemned shall not affect or preclude the use of the emergency demolition process. (Ord. 19-005. Passed 1-23-19.)