[R.O. 1998 § 505.120; CC 1988 §5-171; Ord. No. 1776 §1, 9-6-1994]
For the purposes of this Article, the following terms shall be defined as herein set out:
BOARD
Wood, vinyl, masonite or any other solid opaque, flat, sheet-like material.
BOARDED-UP BUILDING OR STRUCTURE
Any existing building or structure which is altered by the placement of boards over or upon more than half of one or more of its external windows or doors.
[R.O. 1998 § 505.130; CC 1988 §5-172; Ord. No. 1776 §2, 9-6-1994]
It is hereby determined and declared that boarded up buildings or structures are a public nuisance for the reasons that they adversely affect property values and property tax revenues, create conditions of blight, promote vandalism, decrease neighborhood safety and detract from the aesthetics of a neighborhood, all to the detriment of the City of St. Ann.
[R.O. 1998 § 505.140; CC 1988 §5-173; Ord. No. 1776 §3, 9-6-1994]
No existing building or structure shall be altered by placing any board over or upon any window or door, or portion thereof, except as required as a result of vandalism, fire, tornado, storm or other casualty, or except as done pursuant to Section 515.280 of the Municipal Code.
[R.O. 1998 § 505.160; CC 1988 §5-175; Ord. No. 1776 §5, 9-6-1994]
The owner of any boarded up building or structure who indicates an intention to demolish shall secure a demolition permit within twenty (20) days after written notice to the Director of Public Services or his/her designee of its intention to demolish such building or structure and shall complete such demolition within thirty (30) days following issuance of a permit. All demolition work shall be done in accordance with the City ordinance requirements dealing with demolition.
[R.O. 1998 § 505.170; CC 1988 §5-176; Ord. No. 1776 §6, 9-6-1994]
If the Director of Public Services or his/her designee determines that a building or structure has been boarded up in violation of this Article or that the owner or party in control of such property is not proceeding with reasonable promptness and diligence to correct the damage which required such boarding up, he/she shall give written notice to such owner or party specifying the necessary corrective work and the date by which such work is required to be completed or, in the case of a boarding up in violation of this Article, such notice shall indicate the violation and specify the time within which the violation is to be eliminated.
[R.O. 1998 § 505.180; CC 1988 §5-177; Ord. No. 1776 §7, 9-6-1994]
It shall be unlawful for the owner or person in control of any boarded up building or structure to fail to abate the violation within fifteen (15) days after receipt of such notification, by either removing the boards from such building and promptly commencing and completing the corrections and damage which required such boarding up or by obtaining a demolition permit and demolishing such building or structure.