The definition of unsafe buildings and unsafe premises contained in I.C. 36-7-9-4 is supplemented as follows, to provide minimum standards for building conditions and/or maintenance within the jurisdiction of the City of Valparaiso Building Commissioner and Code Administrator:
(A) Any building, structure, and/or premises that has any or all of the unsafe conditions or defects described hereinafter shall be deemed an unsafe building and/or unsafe premises, provided that such condition(s) or defect(s) exist to the extent that life, health, property and safety of the general public or its occupants are endangered;
(B) Whenever any door, aisle, passageway or other means of exit is not of sufficient width or size or is not arranged as required so as to be in compliance with the applicable Indiana State Building Code then in force;
(C) Whenever the stress in any materials, member or portion thereof, due to all dead and live loads, is more than 1-1/2 times the working stress or stresses allowed for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location as established by the applicable Indiana State Building Code then in force;
(D) Whenever any portion of a building, structure and/or premises has been damaged by fire, earthquake, wind, flood or any other cause to such extent that the structural strength or stability thereof is materially less than it was prior to catastrophe and less than the minimum requirements for new building codes of similar structure, purpose or location, as established by the applicable Indiana State Building Code then in force;
(E) Whenever any portion, member or appurtenance of any building or structure is likely to fail to become detached or dislodged or to collapse and thereby injure persons or damage property;
(F) Whenever any portion of a building or structure or any member appurtenance or ornamentation on the exterior thereof is not of sufficient strength or stability or is not anchored, attached or fashioned in place so as to be capable of resisting a wind pressure of 1/2 of that specified for new buildings or similar structures, purpose or location, without exceeding the working stresses permitted for such buildings as established by the applicable Indiana State Building Code then in force;
(G) Whenever any portion of a building or structure has wracked, warped, buckled or settled to such an extent that walls or other structural portions have materially less resistance to wind or earthquakes than is required in case of similar new construction;
(H) Whenever any building or structure or any portion thereof because of:
(1) Dilapidation, deterioration or decay,
(2) Faulty construction,
(3) The removal, movement or instability of any portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building,
(4) The deterioration, decay or inadequacy of its foundation, or
(5) Any other cause,
is likely to partially or completely collapse;
(I) Whenever, for any reason, the building, structure or premises or any portion thereof is manifestly unsafe for the purpose for which it is being used;
(J) Whenever the exterior walls or vertical structural members lift, lean or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the center of gravity does not fall beside the middle 1/3 of the base;
(K) 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 supporting members enclosing outside walls or coverings;
(L) Whenever the building or structure has been so damage by fire, wind, earthquake or flood or has become so dilapidated or deteriorated as to become:
(1) An attractive nuisance to children, or
(2) Freely accessible to persons without a substantial property interest;
(M) Whenever any building or structure has been constructed, exists or is maintained in violation of any specific requirement or prohibition applicable to any building or structure provided by building regulations and ordinances of the City of Valparaiso or any law of the State of Indiana relating to the condition, location or structure of buildings;
(N) Whenever any building or structure which, whether or not erected in accordance with all applicable laws and ordinances, has any non-supporting part, member or portion less than 50% or in any supporting part, member or portion less than 60% of the:
(1) Strength;
(2) Fire-resisting qualities or characteristics; or
(3) Weather-resisting qualities or characteristics required by law in the case of a newly constructed building of the like, area, height and occupancy in the same location;
(O) Whenever a building or structure used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, decay, damage, default, faulty construction or arrangements, inadequate light, air or sanitation facilities, or otherwise is determined by the Enforcement Authority to be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation, or in such a condition that it is likely to cause sickness or disease;
(P) Whenever any portion of a building or structure remains on a site after the demolition or destruction of the building or structure; or
(Q) 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 a hazard to the public.
(‘89 Code, 31.07) (Am. Ord. 14-2003, passed 3-24-03)