[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
Any premises having any defects, described in this section, may be designated by the Commissioner as unfit for occupancy and a notice to such effect shall be posted upon the premises, when:
(1) 
The structure lacks ventilation, sanitation, heat or other facilities adequate to protect the health and safety of the occupants or the public.
(2) 
The structure or premises is damaged, decayed, dilapidated, insanitary, unsafe or vermin-infested in such a manner as to create a serious hazard to the health and safety of the occupants or the public.
(3) 
The structure or premises, because of the location, general conditions, state of the premises, or number of occupants, is so insanitary, unsafe, overcrowded or otherwise detrimental to health and safety that it creates a serious hazard to the occupants or the public.
(4) 
The structure, because of the failure of the owner or occupant to comply with such notices or orders issued pursuant to this article, is unfit for occupancy.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
Whenever the Commissioner determines that a building, structure or premises is unfit for occupancy, he shall include such finding within the notice of violation, and he shall also include a statement of his intent to order the premises to be vacated and to post necessary notices on the building, structure or premises if compliance with the provisions of the notice of violation has not been secured.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
Whenever a notice of violation has not been complied with, the Commissioner may post a notice on the premises and order such premises or any part thereof to be vacated. A copy of such order to vacate shall be served on the owner, agent or operator, and the occupant in the same manner as the case may require as provided for serving notice of violations.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
Any building, structure or premises designated as unfit for occupancy and ordered by service of notice of violation, and said notice be posted to vacate that building, structure or premises shall be vacated within such reasonable time as the Commissioner may specify in the order. No such building, structure or premises shall again be used for occupancy and said posted notice removed until written approval is secured from the Commissioner.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
No person shall deface or remove the posted notice from any building, structure or premises which has been designated as unfit for occupancy.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
The owner, agent, occupant or operator of any building, structure or premises which has been designated as unfit for occupancy and vacated, shall make such building, structure or premises safe and secure in whatever manner the Commissioner deems necessary. Any vacated building, open at the doors and windows, if unguarded, shall be deemed dangerous to human life and a nuisance.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
Whenever the Commissioner designates a building unfit for occupancy as provided in this subdivision and determines that the cost necessary to correct the violation is not reasonable related to the value to the building, he shall include within the notice of violation, a statement of his intent to order the demolition of the structure. A copy of such notice shall be served on the owner, occupant, lessee and mortgage, recorded prior to service of any notice of violation. The owner may demolish such structure, or correct the violation regardless of cost, provided that the requirements of the building code, in effect at the time of attempted compliance, are satisfied.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
Whenever a notice of violation as provided in this article has not been complied with, the Commissioner may order the building demolished. The order shall be served on the same parties and in the same manner as provided for service of notice of violation, and demolition shall be completed within the time specified by the Commissioner.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
Whenever a notice and order to remove a violation, secure, vacate or demolish a building has not been complied with, and when such failure to comply is deemed by the Commissioner to constitute a nuisance, he may proceed to cause the structure to be demolished, repaired, altered, secured or vacated, or take such other legal action as is necessary to abate the nuisance. Whenever the Commissioner determines that such nuisance exists, he shall record sufficient proof to support such determination. Abatement authorized by this section shall not commence until at least 10 days after service of the order.
[Ord. No. 74, 5-7-2008]
The expenses incurred pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision, plus 15% of such amount, shall be paid by the owner, operator or occupant of the premises, or by the person who caused or maintained such nuisance or other violation. The Commissioner shall file among its records an affidavit stating, with fairness and accuracy, the items of expense and the date of execution of actions. The Commissioner may institute a suit to recover such expenses against any person liable for such expenses or may cause such expenses to be charged against the property as a lien. Except with respect to a lien imposed for expenses incurred in demolition, nothing in this section shall be construed as placing a lien upon the property which has priority over the lien of any recorded mortgage or lien herein authorized.