Whenever the Director finds an occupied building, dwelling,
dwelling unit, boardinghouse or boarding unit to be unfit for human
habitation by reason of conditions of damage, decay, dilapidation,
obsolescence, abandonment, insanitation, or vermin or rodent infestation
which constitute a serious hazard to the health or safety of the occupants
or the public; lack of sanitation, illumination, ventilation, heating,
plumbing or other facilities adequate to protect the health or safety
of the occupants or the public; or conditions which are so unsafe,
unsanitary, overcrowded or otherwise dangerous to life, health, or
safety as to create a serious hazard to the occupants or the public,
he may cause to be posted an order requiring such building or portion
thereof to be vacated and may take necessary steps to remove the occupant
or occupants who fail or refuse to vacate. Any building, dwelling,
dwelling unit, boardinghouse or boarding unit so vacated shall not
again be used for human habitation or otherwise until the hazard has
been eliminated and the Director has given written approval of reoccupancy.
The Director, after posting an order to vacate a property, shall give to the owner, agent or person in control of such property a written notice in accordance with the provisions of § 91-8 hereof requiring the repair and rehabilitation and, where required, the boarding up or the demolition and removal of such building, structure or portion thereof.
When the owner, agent or person in control cannot be found or shall fail, neglect or refuse to comply with the notice to repair and rehabilitate or board up or demolish and remove such building, structure or portion thereof, the Director, after giving such prior notice as is required by the provisions of § 91-8 hereof to the owner, agent or person in control, shall cause such building or structure to be repaired and rehabilitated, boarded up, demolished and removed, secured or required to remain vacant, as the case may require, and any cost incurred shall be collected in the same manner as provided in § 91-12 of Article III of this code.
After any building or structure or portion thereof has been
vacated pursuant to this article, the Director shall require that
any such building, structure, or portion thereof and any and all openings
therein be properly safeguarded as follows:
A.
Every building or portion thereof which has been left vacant without
removing any appliance or equipment but from which no utility service
has been disconnected shall be safeguarded by closing and securely
locking all windows and doors.
B.
Any building or portion thereof from which all or most of the appliances
and equipment have been removed, notwithstanding utility connections,
shall be safeguarded by closing and securely locking all windows and
doors. In addition thereto, all windows, doors and other openings
which are within 12 feet from the ground or which are within 12 feet
in any direction from an exterior stairway or fire escape shall be
further protected by boarding up with wood or metal panels and/or
any other approved safeguard. Before any vacant building is closed
and secured, all trash, rubbish and other debris shall be removed
from the premises.
C.
No partially or completely vacated building shall remain boarded up for a period longer than 90 days. After said ninety-day period, the owner or agent or other person responsible shall forthwith either rehabilitate the building to make it fit for human habitation, or for commercial or other authorized uses, or it shall demolish and remove the same. Said ninety-day period may be extended for good cause shown upon application made to the Director. If such rehabilitation or demolition is not commenced immediately following such ninety-day period or any extension thereof, the Director may undertake such action under and pursuant to the provisions of § 91-93 hereof.
