Wicomico County, MD Dangerous, Unsafe and Unsanitary Buildings

For the purpose of this Code, any building or structure which has any or all of the conditions or defects hereinafter described shall be deemed to be a dangerous building, provided that such condition or defects exist to the extent that the life, health, property or safety of the public or its occupants are endangered:

(1)

Whenever any door, aisle, passageway, stairway or other means of exit is not of sufficient width or size or is not so arranged as to provide safe and adequate means of exit in case of fire or panic.

(2)

Whenever any portion thereof has been damaged by fire, earthquake, wind, flood or by any other cause, to such an extent that the structural strength or stability thereof is significantly less than it was before such catastrophe and is less than the minimum requirements of the Housing Code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location.

(3)

Whenever any portion, member or appurtenance thereof is likely to fall, to become detached or dislodged or to collapse and thereby injure persons or damage property.

(4)

Whenever any portion thereof has wracked, warped, buckled or settled to such an extent that walls or other structural portions have significantly less resistance to winds or dead and live loads than is required in the case of similar new construction.

(5)

Whenever the building or structure, or any portion thereof, because of dilapidation, deterioration, decay, faulty construction or because of the removal or movement of some portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building or portion thereof, or some portion of the foundation or underpinning is likely to fall or give way.

(6)

Whenever the building or structure, or any portion thereof, is unsafe for the purpose for which it is used.

(7)

Whenever the exterior walls or other vertical structural members list, lean or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line does not fall inside the middle third of the base.

(8)

Whenever the building or structure, exclusive of the foundation, shows significant damage as determined by the Housing Official or deterioration to the member or members, or 50% of damage or deterioration of a nonsupporting enclosing or outside wall or coverings.

(9)

Whenever the building or structure has been so damaged by fire, wind, earthquake or flood or has become so dilapidated or deteriorated as to become an attractive nuisance to children who might play therein to their danger or to afford a harbor for vagrants or criminals or to enable persons to resort thereto for the purpose of committing nuisance or unlawful acts.

(10)

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, is determined by the Housing Official or Health Official to be unsanitary or unfit for human habitation.

(11)

Whenever any building or structure, because of dilapidated condition, deterioration, damage, electrical wiring, gas connections or heating apparatus, is in such condition as to be a fire hazard or is so situated as to endanger life or other buildings or property in the vicinity or provide a ready fuel supply to augment the spread and intensity of fire arising from any cause.

(12)

Whenever the building or structure used or intended to be used for occupancy has insufficient light, air and sanitation facilities inadequate to provide for health, safety or general welfare.

(13)

Whenever the building or structure used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes does not have the required plumbing facilities listed herein.

(14)

Whenever a building shall contain unsafe equipment. Unsafe equipment is hereby defined to include 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, property or safety of the public occupants of the premises or structure.

If the structure or part thereof is vacant, the Housing Official may order the structure closed up so it will not be an attractive nuisance to the public. Upon failure of the owner to close up the premises within the time specified in the order, the Housing Official shall cause it to be closed through any available public agency or by contract or agreement by private persons, and the cost thereof shall be charged against the real estate upon which the structure is located and shall be a lien upon such real estate.