[R.O. 2007 §16-120; Ord. No. 6518 §1, 8-5-2002]
The Building Inspector or authorized representative, is authorized to make annual change of occupancy inspections or, upon complaint, a safety check on all rental properties, residential or commercial, and premises located in the City. The owner or occupant of said properties or premises shall permit the Building Inspector or other authorized representatives of the City, including members of the Poplar Bluff Fire Department, free access thereto at all reasonable times for the purpose of conducting safety check examinations and surveys. In the event the owner or occupant shall refuse access to any such properties or premises upon the request of the Building Inspector or authorized representative of the City as set forth herein, the Building Inspector or other authorized representative shall be authorized to apply for the issuance of an administrative search warrant under the provisions of Chapter 130 of the Code for the City for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Section.
[1]
Cross Reference — As to administrative search warrants, §130.125.
[R.O. 2007 §16-121; Ord. No. 3761 §16.1, 4-6-1970]
A. 
Whenever the Building Inspector determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that there has been a violation of any provision of this Chapter, he/she will give notice of such alleged violation to the person or persons responsible therefor which shall:
1. 
Be in writing;
2. 
Contain a statement of the reason why it is being issued;
3. 
Allow a reasonable time for the performance of any act it requires;
4. 
Be served upon the owner or his/her agent or the occupant, as the case may require. Such notice shall be deemed to be properly served upon such owner or agent or on any such occupant, if a copy thereof is:
a. 
Served upon him/her personally, or
b. 
Sent by registered mail to his/her last known address, or
c. 
Posted in a conspicuous place in or about the dwelling affected by the notice.
5. 
Contain an outline of remedial action which if taken will effect compliance with the provisions of the Chapter.
[R.O. 2007 §16-122; Ord. No. 3761 §17, 4-6-1970]
A. 
The designation of dwellings or dwelling units as unfit for human habitation and the procedure for such declaration and placarding of such unfit dwellings or dwelling units shall be carried out in compliance with the following requirements:
1. 
Any dwelling or dwelling unit which shall be found to have any of the following defects shall be declared unfit for human habitation and shall be so designated and placarded by the Building Inspector when the person responsible has failed to correct the condition set forth in a notice issued in accordance with Section 515.550,
2. 
One which is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin-infested that it creates a serious hazard to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public, or
3. 
One which lacks illumination, ventilation or sanitation facilities adequate to protect the health or safety of the occupants or of the public, or
4. 
One which because of its general condition or location is unsanitary or otherwise dangerous to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public.
[R.O. 2007 §16-123; Ord. No. 3761 §17.1, 4-6-1970]
A. 
Any dwelling or dwelling unit condemned as unfit for human habitation and so designated and placarded by the Building Inspector shall be vacated within a reasonable time as ordered by the Building Inspector.
B. 
No dwelling or dwelling unit which has been condemned and placarded as unfit for human habitation shall again be used for human habitation until written approval is secured from, and such placard is removed by, the Building Inspector. The Building Inspector shall remove such placard whenever the defect or defects upon which the condemnation and placarding action were based have been eliminated.
[R.O. 2007 §16-124; Ord. No. 3761 §17.2, 4-6-1970]
No person, except the Building Inspector, shall deface or remove the placard from any dwelling or dwelling unit which has been condemned as unfit for human habitation and placarded as such.
[R.O. 2007 §16-125; Ord. No. 3761 §17.3, 4-6-1970]
Any person affected by any notice or order relating to the condemning and placarding of a dwelling or dwelling unit as unfit for human habitation may request and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the Board of Adjustment.
[R.O. 2007 §16-126; Ord. No. 3761 §18, 4-6-1970]
A. 
The owner of any building shall have sixty (60) days from the issuance of the notice provided for in this Article in which to remedy the condition therein specified; provided however, that the Building Inspector may, at his/her discretion, extend the time for compliance with any such notice and, provided further, that no owner shall be held responsible for any condition that is not specifically described in such notice.
B. 
Failure of any owner to comply with any order of the Building Inspector contained in such notice within the time specified shall make such owner subject to the penalties provided for violations of this Code.
[R.O. 2007 §16-127; Ord. No. 3761 §19, 4-6-1970]
If any building covered by this Chapter shall be found to be unfit for human habitation and the cost of repair or alteration shall be deemed prohibitive by the Building Inspector, then he/she shall condemn such building and proceed with its removal as in all other cases of condemned buildings.
[R.O. 2007 §16-128; Ord. No. 3761 §20, 4-6-1970]
The owner of every building or dwelling unit or rooming unit which is declared "unfit for human habitation" for continued occupancy shall make the dwelling, building or rooming unit safe and secure under the terms so that it shall not be dangerous to human life and shall not constitute a fire hazard or public nuisance. Any such vacant dwelling open at doors or windows, if unguarded, shall be deemed to be dangerous to human life as a fire hazard and a public nuisance within the meaning of this provision.
[R.O. 2007 §16-129; Ord. No. 3761 §21.1, 4-6-1970]
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dwelling or dwelling unit upon whom a notice of violation or compliance order has been served to sell, transfer, mortgage, lease or otherwise dispose of thereof to another until the provisions of the notice of violation or compliance order have been complied with, or until such owner shall first furnish to the grantee, lessee or mortgagee a true copy of any notice of violation or compliance order issued by the Building Inspector. The grantee, lessee or mortgagee shall issue a receipt to the owner acknowledging the proposed transfer. A transferee, lessee or mortgagee who has received actual or constructive notice of the existence of a notice of violation or compliance order shall be bound by such notice as of the date of the transfer without further service or notice upon him/her.