Ord 2015-021/Building and Building Regulations (Ch. 14 revisions and updates)

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(1) The building is dilapidated, substandard or unfit for human habitation and a hazard to the public health, safety and welfare, more specifically defined as follows: a. The foundation or the vertical or horizontal supporting members are damaged or deteriorated to the extent that the building may collapse from its own weight or from the effects of wind, rain or other natural forces; b. The exterior roof, walls or flooring is damaged, dilapidated or decayed to the extent that the elements and vermin are not sealed out from the building's occupants or contents; C. The means of egress are manifestly unsafe or unusable; d. Any part of the building is so attached that, from its own weight or from the effects of wind, rain or other natural forces, it may fall and injure occupants of the building, other persons or other property; e. The condition of the electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system serving the building poses a manifest hazard to the building's occupants, other persons or other property; or f The building has been damaged by fire, wind, water, vandalism or other causes to the extent that it poses a hazard to the occupants of the building, other persons or other property; (2) Regardless of its structural condition, if the building is unoccupied by its owner, lessee or other invitees and is unsecured from unauthorized entry to the extent that it could be entered or used by vagrants or other uninvited persons as a place of harborage or could be entered or used by children; or (3) If the building is boarded up, fenced or otherwise secured in any manner but: The building constitutes a danger to the public even though secured from entry; or b. The means used to secure the building are inadequate to prevent unauthorized entry or use of the building in the manner described by subsection (2) of this section. Sec. 14.241. - Inspection and initial notice. (a) The building official will respond to all complaints that a building is in violation of this article by inspecting the building. (b) After initially determining that a building is unsafe, the building official will issue an initial notice of unsafe building to the owner of the building. The-Ceity will use its best efforts to determine the identity and address of any owner, lienholder or mortgagee of the building through the records of county clerks and other sources available to the Ceity. (c) An initial notice of unsafe building will contain the following information: (1) The street address of the building; (2) A description of the conditions that make the building an unsafe building; (3) A request that the building be vacated within ten (10) days if it is occupied and cannot be repaired within that time; (4) A request that the owner obtain a permit within ten (10) days for the repair or demolition of the building; and (5) A statement that the owner may request a public hearing on whether the building is unsafe by submitting a written request to the building official within ten (10) days. (d) The initial notice will be given to the owner in one (1) of the following ways: (1) By personally serving the owner with a copy; (2) By certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the owner at the owner's post office address; or (3) By U.S. Post Office signature confirmation service at the owner's post office address; or (4) If personal service cannot be obtained and the owner's post office address is unknown: Page 23