[Amended 2-13-1973 by Ord. No. MC 2344; 9-28-1982 by Ord. No. MC 2668; 2-13-1985 by Ord. No. MC 2769; 7-14-2009 by Ord. No. MC 3407; 7-1-2014 by Ord. No. MC 3511]
Any structure, building or premises having any of the defects or violations found or listed in Subsections A to E below shall constitute a violation of this chapter and may be designated by the Director of the Department of Housing Services as unfit for human occupancy, and the owners of such structure, building or premises shall be subject to the provisions of enforcement of this chapter and, in addition, such structure, building or premises may be so placarded:
A. 
The structure lacks illumination, ventilation, sanitation, heat or other facilities adequate to protect the health and safety of the occupants or the public.
B. 
The structure is damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, 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.
C. 
The structure, because of the location, general conditions, state of the premises or number of occupants, is so unsanitary, unsafe, overcrowded or otherwise detrimental to health and safety that it creates a serious hazard to the occupants or the public.
D. 
The structure, because of the failure of the owner or occupant to comply with such notices or orders issued pursuant to this chapter, is unfit.
E. 
It shall be the duty of every owner, owners, lessee or lessees of any building or portion thereof rented or used by a business establishment where one or more persons work, when the owner, owners, lessee or lessees have agreed with the person, firm or corporation occupying the building or portion thereof to supply heat, to provide heat from the first day of October in each year to the first day of May of the succeeding year, so that the temperature of that room or those rooms rented or used by such business establishment and where person or persons work shall always be kept at 68° F. during the usual working hours of the business carried on therein.
[Amended 6-10-1975 by Ord. No. MC 2451; 9-28-1982 by Ord. No. MC 2668; 2-13-1985 by Ord. No. MC 2769; 7-14-2009 by Ord. No. MC 3407; 7-1-2014 by Ord. No. MC 3511]
Whenever the Director of the Department of Housing Services determines that a structure is unfit as provided in § 460-54, he shall include such findings within the notice of violation provided for in § 460-40, and he shall also include a statement of his intent to vacate and placard the premises if compliance with the provisions of the notice of violation has not been secured.
[Amended 6-10-1975 by Ord. No. MC 2451; 9-28-1982 by Ord. No. MC 2668; 2-13-1985 by Ord. No. MC 2769; 7-14-2009 by Ord. No. MC 3407; 7-1-2014 by Ord. No. MC 3511]
Whenever a notice of violation, as provided in § 460-55, has not been complied with or where § 460-54 has not been invoked, the Director of the Department of Housing Services may order the premises to be vacated. A copy of such notice to vacate shall be served on the owner, agent, operator and the occupant as provided in § 460-40.
[Amended 6-10-1975 by Ord. No. MC 2451; 9-28-1982 by Ord. No. MC 2668; 2-13-1985 by Ord. No. MC 2769; 7-14-2009 by Ord. No. MC 3407; 7-1-2014 by Ord. No. MC 3511]
Any structure designated as unfit pursuant to § 460-54 and ordered vacated as provided in § 460-56 shall be vacated within such reasonable time as the Director of the Department of Housing Services may specify in the order. No such structure shall again be used nor the placard removed until written approval is secured from the Director.
[Amended 6-10-1975 by Ord. No. MC 2451; 9-28-1982 by Ord. No. MC 2668; 2-13-1985 by Ord. No. MC 2769; 7-14-2009 by Ord. No. MC 3407; 7-1-2014 by Ord. No. MC 3511]
The owner, agent or operator of any structure which has been designated as unfit and vacated shall make such structure safe and secure in whatever manner the Director of the Department of Housing Services shall deem necessary. Any vacant building open at the doors and windows, if unguarded, shall be deemed dangerous to human life and a nuisance within the meaning of this section.