(a) 
Responsible Party.
The owner, occupant, or person in custody of the building or structure.
(b) 
Unsafe Building.
Any building or structure in or about which any or all of the following conditions exist:
(1) 
Walls or other vertical structural members list, lean, or buckle;
(2) 
Damage or deterioration exists to the extent that the building is unsafe;
(3) 
Loads on floors or roofs are improperly distributed or the floors or roofs are insufficient strength to be reasonably safe for the purposes used;
(4) 
Damage by fire, wind, or other cause has rendered the building or structure dangerous to life, safety, morals, or the general health and welfare of the occupants or the people of the city;
(5) 
The building or structure is so dilapidated, substandard, decayed, unsafe, unsanitary, or otherwise lacking in the amenities essential to the decent living that the same is unfit for human habitation or is likely to cause sickness, disease or injury or otherwise to constitute a detriment to the health, morals, safety, or general welfare of those persons assembled, working, or living therein or is a hazard to the public health, safety and welfare;
(6) 
Light, air, and sanitation facilities are inadequate to protect the health, morals, safety, or general welfare of persons who assemble, work, or live therein;
(7) 
Stairways, fire escapes, and other facilities of egress in case of fire or panic are inadequate;
(8) 
Parts or appendages of the building or structure are so attached that they are likely to fall and injure persons or property;
(9) 
Whenever any door, aisle, passageway, stairway or other means of exit is not of sufficient width or size or is not so arranged as to provide safe and adequate means of exit in case of fire or panic;
(10) 
Whenever the walking surface of any aisle, passageway, stairway or other means of exit is so warped, worn, loose, torn or otherwise unsafe as to not provide safe and adequate means of exit in case of fire or panic;
(11) 
Whenever the stress in any materials, member or portion thereof, due to all dead and live loads, is more than one half times the working stress or stresses allowed in the building code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location;
(12) 
Whenever any portion thereof has been damaged by fire, earthquake, wind, flood or by any other cause, to such an extent that the structural strength or stability thereof is materially less than it was before such catastrophe and is less than the minimum requirements of the building code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location;
(13) 
Whenever any portion or member or appurtenance thereof is likely to fail or to become detached or dislodged, or to collapse and thereby injure persons or damage property;
(14) 
Whenever any portion of a building, or any member, appurtenance or ornamentation on the exterior thereof is not of sufficient strength or stability, or is not so anchored, attached or fastened in place so as to be capable of resisting a wind pressure of one half of that specified in the building code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location without exceeding the working stresses permitted in the building code for such buildings;
(15) 
Whenever any portion thereof has wracked, warped, buckled or settled to such an extent that walls or other structural portions have materially less resistance to winds or earthquakes than is required in the case of similar new construction;
(16) 
Whenever the building or structure, or any portion thereof, because of:
(A) 
Dilapidation, deterioration, or decay;
(B) 
The removal, movement or instability of any portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building;
(C) 
The deterioration, decay or inadequacy of its foundation; or
(D) 
Any other cause is likely to partially or completely collapse;
(17) 
Whenever, for any reason, the building or structure, or any portion thereof, is manifestly unsafe for the purpose for which it is being used;
(18) 
Whenever the exterior walls or other vertical structural members list, lean or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the center or gravity does not fall inside the middle one-third of the base;
(19) 
Whenever the building or structure, exclusive of the foundation, shows 33 percent or more damage or deterioration of its supporting member or members, or 50 percent damage or deterioration of its nonsupporting members, enclosing or outside walls or coverings;
(20) 
Whenever the building or structure has been so damaged by fire, wind, earthquake or flood, or has become as dilapidated or deteriorated as to become:
(A) 
An attractive nuisance to children;
(B) 
A harbor of vagrants, criminals or immoral persons; or as to
(C) 
Enable persons to resort thereto for the purpose of committing unlawful or immoral acts;
(21) 
Whenever any building or structure has been constructed, exists or is maintained in violation of any specific requirement or prohibition applicable to such building or structure provided by the building regulations of this jurisdiction, as specified in the Uniform and International Building Code, as adopted by the city, or of any law or ordinance of this state or jurisdiction relating to the condition, location or structure of buildings;
(22) 
Whenever any building or structure which, whether or not erected in accordance with all applicable laws and ordinances, has in any nonsupporting part, member or portion less than 50 percent, or in any supporting part, member or portion less than 66 percent of the (A) strength; (B) fire-resisting qualities or characteristics; or (C) weather-resisting qualities or characteristics required by law in the case of a newly constructed building of like area, height and occupancy in the same location;
(23) 
Whether a building or structure, used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, decay, damage, faulty construction or arrangement, inadequate light, air or sanitation facilities, or otherwise, is determined by the health officer to be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation or in such condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease;
(24) 
Whenever any building or structure, because of obsolescence, dilapidated condition, deterioration: damage, inadequate exits; lack of sufficient fire restrictive construction, faulty wiring, has connections or heating apparatus, or other cause, is determined by the fire marshal to be a fire hazard;
(25) 
Whenever any building or structure is in such condition as to constitute a public nuisance known to the common law or in the equity jurisprudence;
(26) 
Whenever any portion of a building or structure remains on, a site after the demolition or destruction of the building or structure or whenever any building or structure is abandoned for a period in excess of six months so as to constitute such building or portion thereof an attractive nuisance or hazard to the public.
(c) 
A condition exists in violation of the standards set forth in subsection (b) which condition renders the building or structure unsafe, unsanitary, or otherwise detrimental to the health, safety, morals, or welfare of the people of the city.
(d) 
The minimum standards prescribed in the building code adopted by the city and as prescribed by this article apply to use and occupancy of all buildings in the city regardless of the date of their construction. A responsible party may continue to use and occupy any building located within the city; regardless of the date said building was constructed if such building meets the applicable minimum standards for buildings as prescribed in the adopted building code of the city and is not in violation of this article.
(Ordinance 521 adopted 4/13/06)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain or permit the existence of any unsafe building in the city; and it shall be unlawful for any person to permit same to remain in such condition.
(b) 
All unsafe buildings are hereby declared to be public nuisances and shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal in accordance with the procedures provided in this article.
(c) 
The building official shall enforce the provisions of this article.
(Ordinance 521 adopted 4/13/06)
The building official shall inspect, or cause to be inspected, every building or portion thereof reported to be unsafe. If such building or any portion thereof is determined to be unsafe, the building official shall give the responsible party notice in accordance with the requirements set forth in Sections 3.604 and 3.605 of this article.
(Ordinance 521 adopted 4/13/06)
Whenever the building official determines that a building is unsafe, he or she shall give notice of such determination to the responsible party. Such notice shall:
(1) 
Be in writing;
(2) 
Identify the specific conditions upon which such determination was based;
(3) 
Specify the corrective measures required;
(4) 
Provide a reasonable time for compliance;
(5) 
Advise the responsible party that there will be a public hearing conducted before the city council to determine whether a building complies with the standards set out in Section 3.601(b) and (c) as hereinabove set forth. Said notice shall inform the responsible party of the date, time and place of the hearing;
(6) 
Be served upon the responsible party as set out in this article.
(Ordinance 521 adopted 4/13/06)
Notice given pursuant to this article shall be deemed properly served upon the responsible party if a copy thereof is:
(1) 
Served upon him personally;
(2) 
Sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known address of such person as shown on the records of the city; or
(3) 
Posted in a conspicuous place in or about the building affected by the notice.
(Ordinance 521 adopted 4/13/06)
(a) 
The purpose of the public hearing is to determine whether or not the building is unsafe in accordance with the standards set forth in Section 3.601(b) and (c).
(b) 
The matter shall be set for hearing by the city council at the earliest practicable date and notice of said hearing shall be served on the responsible party and the building official not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of said hearing. All interested persons shall have the opportunity to be heard and may introduce evidence to said city council for its members’ consideration.
(c) 
After the public hearing, the city council shall make such findings and orders as it shall deem appropriate.
(d) 
After the public hearing, if a building is found in violation of the standards set out in Section 3.601(b) and (c) of this article, the city council may order that the building be vacated, secured, repaired, removed or demolished by the owner within a reasonable time. The city council also may order that the occupants be relocated within a reasonable time. If the responsible party does not take the ordered action within the allotted time, the said city shall make a diligent effort to discover each mortgagee and lien holder having an interest in the building or the property on which the building is located. The city secretary shall personally deliver or mail notice, certified mail return receipt requested, to each identified mortgagee and lien holder a notice containing:
(1) 
An identification, and address of the building and the property on which it is located;
(2) 
A description of the violation of the city building code or minimum standards established by this article that is present at the building; and
(3) 
A statement that the city will vacate, secure, remove, or demolish the building or relocate the occupants of the building if the ordered action is not taken within a reasonable time.
(e) 
As an alternative to the procedures prescribed in subsection (d) above, the city council shall make a diligent effort to discover each mortgagee and lien holder before conducting the public hearing and shall give them notice of and an opportunity to comment at the hearing. If the city proceeds under this subsection, the order issued by said city council shall specify a reasonable time for the building to be vacated, secured, repaired, removed or demolished by the responsible party or for the occupants to be relocated by the responsible party and an additional reasonable time for the ordered action to be taken by any of the mortgagees or lien holders in the event the responsible party fails to comply with the order within the time provided for action by the responsible party. Under this subsection, the city is not required to furnish any notice to a mortgagee or penholder other than a copy of the order in the event the responsible party fails to timely take the ordered action.
(f) 
Within 10 days after the date that the order is issued, the municipality shall:
(1) 
File a copy of the order in the office of the municipal secretary or clerk, if the municipality has a population of 1.9 million or less; and
(2) 
Publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality in which the building is located a notice containing:
(A) 
The street address or legal description of the property;
(B) 
The date of the hearing;
(C) 
A brief statement indicating the results of the order;
(D) 
Instructions stating where a complete copy of the order may be obtained;
(E) 
After the hearing, the municipality shall promptly mail by certified mail, return receipt requested, or personally deliver a copy of the order to the owner of the building and to any lien holder or mortgagee of the building. The municipality shall use its best efforts to determine the identity and address of any owner, lien holder, or mortgagee of the building;
(F) 
In conducting a hearing authorized under this section, the municipality shall require the owner, lien holder, or mortgagee of the building to within 30 days:
(i) 
Secure the building from unauthorized entry; or
(ii) 
Repair, remove, or demolish the building, unless the owner or lien holder establishes at the hearing that the work cannot reasonably be performed within 30 days.
(g) 
If the municipality allows the owner, lien holder, or mortgagee more than 30 days to repair, remove, or demolish the building, the municipality shall establish specific time schedules for the commencement and performance of the work and shall require the owner, lien holder, or mortgagee to secure the property in a reasonable manner from unauthorized entry while the work is being performed, as determined by the hearing official.
(h) 
A municipality may not allow the owner, lien holder, or mortgagee more than 90 days to repair, remove, or demolish the building or fully perform all work required to comply with the order unless the owner, lien holder, or mortgagee:
(1) 
Submits a detailed plan and time schedule for the work at the hearing; and
(2) 
Establishes at the hearing that the work cannot reasonably be completed within 90 days because of the scope and complexity of the work.
(i) 
If the municipality allows the owner, lien holder, or mortgagee more than 90 days to complete any part of the work required to repair, remove, or demolish the building, the municipality shall require the owner, lien holder, or mortgagee to regularly submit progress reports to the municipality to demonstrate compliance with the time schedules established for commencement and performance of the work. The order may require that the owner, lien holder, or mortgagee appear before the hearing official or the hearing official’s designee to demonstrate compliance with the time schedules. If the owner, lien holder, or mortgagee owns property, including structures or improvements on property, within the municipal boundaries that exceeds $100,000 in total value, the municipality may require the owner, lien holder, or mortgagee to post a cash or surety bond in an amount adequate to cover the cost of repairing, removing, or demolishing a building under this subsection. In lieu of a bond, the municipality may require the owner, lien holder, or mortgagee to provide a letter of credit from a financial institution or a guaranty from a third party approved by the municipality. The bond must be posted, or the letter of credit or third party guaranty provided, not later than the 30th day after the date the municipality issues the order.
(j) 
In a public hearing to determine whether a building complies with the standards set out in an ordinance adopted under this section, the owner, lien holder, or mortgagee has the burden of proof to demonstrate the scope of any work that may be required to comply with the ordinance and the time it will take to reasonably perform the work.
(k) 
If a building is not vacated, secured, repaired, removed, or demolished, or the occupants are not relocated within the allotted time, the city may vacate, secure, remove, or demolish the building or relocate the occupants at its own expense.
(l) 
If the city incurs expenses under subsection (k) of this section, the city may assess the expenses on and the city has a lien against, unless it is a homestead as protected by the Texas Constitution, the property on which the building was or is located. The lien is extinguished if the property owner or another person having interest in the legal right to the property reimburses the city for the expenses. The lien arises and attaches to the property at the time the notice of the lien is recorded and indexed in the office of the county clerk. The notice must contain the name and address of the owner if that information can be determined with a reasonable effort, a legal description of the real property on which the building was located, the amount of expenses incurred by the city, and the balance due.
(m) 
If the notice is given and the opportunity to repair, remove, or demolish the building is afforded to each mortgagee and lien holder as authorized by subsection (d) or (e) hereof, the lien is a privileged lien subordinate only to tax liens and all previously recorded bona fide mortgage liens attached to the real property to which the city’s lien attaches.
(Ordinance 521 adopted 4/13/06)
(a) 
Any owner, lien holder, or mortgagee of record of property jointly or severally aggrieved by an order of a municipality issued under this section or Chapter 214.001 of the Local Government Code may file in district court a verified petition setting forth that the decision is illegal, in whole or in part, and specifying the grounds of the illegality. The petition must be filed by an owner, lien holder, or mortgagee within 30 calendar days after the respective dates a copy of the final decision of the municipality is personally delivered or mailed to them by first class mail, certified return receipt requested, or such decision shall become final as to each of them upon the expiration of each such 30 calendar day period.
(b) 
On the filing of the petition, the court may issue a writ of certiorari directed to the municipality to review the order of the municipality and shall prescribe in the writ the time within which a return on the writ must be made, which must be longer than 10 days, and served on the realtor or the realtor’s attorney.
(c) 
The municipality may not be required to return the original papers acted on by it, but it is sufficient for the municipality to return certified or sworn copies of the papers or of parts of the papers as may be called for by the writ.
(d) 
The return must concisely set forth other facts as may be pertinent and material to show the grounds of the decision appealed from and shall be verified.
(e) 
The issuance of the writ does not stay proceedings on the decision appealed from.
(f) 
Appeal in the district court shall be limited to a hearing under the substantial evidence rule. The court may reverse or affirm, in whole or in part, or may modify the decision brought up for review.
(g) 
Costs may not be allowed against the municipality.
(h) 
If the decision of the municipality is affirmed or not substantially reversed, but only modified, the district court shall allow to the municipality all attorney’s fees and other costs and expenses incurred by it and shall enter a judgment for those items, which may be entered against the property owners, lien holders, or mortgagees as well as all persons subject to the proceedings before the municipality.
(Ordinance 521 adopted 4/13/06)
(a) 
If the city council has held a hearing pursuant to Section 3.606(b) and the time allotted for the repair, removal or demolition of a building under Section 3.606(d) or (e) has expired, the said city council may, in addition to the authority granted under V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, Section 214.001 and Section 3.606:
(1) 
Order the repair of the building at the city’s expense and assess the expenses on the land on which the building stands or to which it is attached.
(2) 
Assess a civil penalty against the responsible party for failure to repair, remove, or demolish the building.
(3) 
The building official shall invite at least two (2) or more building contractors to make estimates pertaining to the needed repair, removal or demolition of the building. The building official shall cause to be made an assessment of expenses or civil penalty based on such estimates. The building official shall endeavor to minimize the expenses of any building repairs, removal or demolition order pursuant to this article. The city may make the necessary repairs, removal or demolition of the building and assess the expenses or civil penalty based on the cost of performing such repairs, removal or demolition.
(4) 
Notice of assessment of a civil penalty is sufficient if served upon the responsible party personally or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested to the last known address of such responsible party as shown on the records of the city. Failure to pay the civil penalty within sixty (60) days after the notice has been served as set out above shall give rise to a cause of action in favor of the city, which said cause of action, can be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction for collection of said civil penalty. The assessment of a civil penalty and the collection of that penalty is in addition to and not in lieu of the city’s statutory right to punish by a fine any person who does not comply with an order issued by the city council with respect to the removal, repair, or demolition of an unsafe building or structure.
(b) 
The city may repair a building under subsection (a) hereof only to the extent necessary to bring the building into compliance with the minimum standards of the city and only if the building is a residential building with ten (10) or fewer dwelling units. The repairs may not improve the building to the extent that the building exceeds the minimum standards prescribed by the city.
(c) 
The city shall impose a lien against the land on which the building stands or stood, unless it is a homestead as protected by the Texas Constitution, to secure the payment of the repair, removal, or demolition expenses or the civil penalty. Promptly after the imposition of the lien, the city shall file for record in recordable form in the office of the county clerk, a written notice of the imposition of the lien. The notice shall contain a legal description of the land.
(d) 
Except as provided by Section 3.606 as set forth above, the city’s lien to secure the payment of a civil penalty or the costs of repairs, removal, or demolition is inferior to any previously recorded bona fide mortgage lien attached to the real property to which the city’s lien attaches if the mortgage lien was filed for record in the office of the county clerk before the date the civil penalty is assessed or the repair, removal or demolition is begun by the city. The city’s lien is superior to all other previously recorded judgment liens.
(e) 
Any civil penalty or other assessment imposed under this section accrues interest at the rate of ten percent (10%) per year from the date of the assessment until paid in full.
(f) 
In any judicial proceeding regarding the enforcement of municipalities [municipal rights] under this section, the prevailing party is entitled to recover reasonable attorney’s fees from the nonprevailing party.
(g) 
A lien acquired under this section by the city for repair expenses may not be foreclosed if the property on which the repairs were made is occupied as a residential homestead by a person sixty-five (65) years of age or older.
(Ordinance 521 adopted 4/13/06)
(a) 
This section applies only to a municipality that has adopted an ordinance under Section 214.001 of the Texas Local Government Code.
(b) 
In addition to the authority granted to the municipality by Section 214.001 of the Texas Local Government Code, after the expiration of the time allotted under Section 214.001(d) or (e) for the repair, removal, or demolition of a building, the municipality may:
(1) 
Repair the building at the expense of the municipality and assess the expenses on the land on which the building stands or to which it is attached and may provide for that assessment, the mode and manner of giving notice, and the means of recovering the repair expenses; or
(2) 
Assess a civil penalty against the property owner for failure to repair, remove, or demolish the building and provide for that assessment, the mode and manner of giving notice, and the means of recovering the assessment.
(c) 
The municipality may repair a building under subsection (b) of this section only to the extent necessary to bring the building into compliance with the minimum standards and only if the building is a residential building with 10 or fewer dwelling units. The repairs may not improve the building to the extent that the building exceeds minimum housing standards.
(d) 
The municipality shall impose a lien against the land on which the building stands or stood, unless it is a homestead as protected by the Texas Constitution, to secure the payment of the repair, removal, or demolition expenses or the civil penalty. Promptly after the imposition of the lien, the municipality must file for record, in recordable form in the office of the county clerk, a written notice of the imposition of the lien. The notice must contain a legal description of the land.
(e) 
Except as provided by Section 214.001 of the Texas Local Government Code, the municipality’s lien to secure the payment of a civil penalty or the costs of repairs, removal, or demolition is inferior to any previously recorded bona fide mortgage lien attached to the real property to which the municipality’s lien attaches if the mortgage lien was filed for record in the office of the county clerk in which the real property is located before the date the civil penalty is assessed or the repair, removal, or demolition is begun by the municipality. The municipality’s lien is superior to all other previously recorded judgment liens.
(f) 
Any civil penalty or other assessment imposed under this section accrues interest at the rate of 10 percent a year from the date of the assessment until paid in full.
(g) 
The municipality’s right to the assessment lien may not be transferred to third parties.
(h) 
In any judicial proceeding regarding enforcement of municipal rights under this section, the prevailing party is entitled to recover reasonable attorney’s fees from the nonprevailing party.
(i) 
A lien acquired under this section by a municipality for repair expenses may not be foreclosed if the property on which the repairs were made is occupied as a residential homestead by a person 65 years of age or older.
(j) 
The municipality by order may assess and recover a civil penalty against a property owner at the time of an administrative hearing on violations of this article, in an amount not to exceed 1,000 a day for each violation or, if the owner shows that the property is the owner’s lawful homestead, in an amount not to exceed $10.00 a day for each violation, if the municipality proves:
(1) 
The property owner was notified of the requirements of this article and the owner’s need to comply with the requirements; and
(2) 
After notification, the property owner committed an act in violation of this article or failed to take an action necessary for compliance with this article.
(k) 
An assessment of a civil penalty under subsection (j) of this section is final and binding and constitutes prima facie evidence of the penalty in any suit brought by a municipality in a court of competent jurisdiction for a final judgment in accordance with the assessed penalty.
(l) 
To enforce a civil penalty under this article, city secretary must file with the district clerk of the county in which the municipality is located a certified copy of an order issued under subsection (j) of this section stating the amount and duration of the penalty. No other proof is required for a district court to enter a final judgment on the penalty.
(Ordinance 521 adopted 4/13/06)
(a) 
If the governing body of a municipality finds that a building, bulkhead or other method of shoreline protection, fence, shed, awning, or other structure, or part of a structure, is likely to endanger persons or property, the governing body may:
(1) 
Order the owner of the structure, the owner’s agent, or the owner or occupant of the property on which the structure is located to repair, remove, or demolish the structure, or the part of the structure, within a specified time; or
(2) 
Repair, remove, or demolish the structure, or the part of the structure, at the expense of the municipality, on behalf of the owner of the structure or the owner of the property on which the structure is located, and assess the repair, removal, or demolition expenses on the property on which the structure was located.
(b) 
The governing body shall provide by ordinance for:
(1) 
The assessment of repair, removal, or demolition expenses incurred under subsection (a)(2);
(2) 
A method of giving notice of the assessment; and
(3) 
A method of recovering the expenses.
(c) 
The governing body may punish by a fine, confinement in jail, or both a person who does not comply with an order issued under subsection (a)(1).
(Ordinance 521 adopted 4/13/06)
(a) 
The city through the city council may secure a building if it is determined that the building:
(1) 
Violates the minimum standards of this article and the city building code as adopted; and
(2) 
Is unoccupied or is occupied only by persons who do not have right of possession to the building.
(b) 
Before the eleventh (11th) day after the building is secured, the city shall give notice to the owner by:
(1) 
Personally serving the owner with written notice;
(2) 
Depositing the notice in the United States mail addressed to the owner at the owner’s post office address;
(3) 
Publishing the notice at least twice within a ten (10) day period in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the building is located if personal service cannot be obtained and the owner’s post office address is unknown; or
(4) 
Posting the notice on or near the front door of the building if personal service cannot be obtained and the owner’s post office address is unknown.
(c) 
The notice must contain:
(1) 
An identification and address of the building and the property on which it is located;
(2) 
A description of the violation of the city building code or the minimum standards established by this article that is present at the building;
(3) 
A statement that the city will secure or has secured as the case may be, the building; and
(4) 
An explanation of the owner’s entitlement to request a hearing about any matter relating to the city’s securing of the building.
(d) 
The city council shall conduct a hearing at which the owner may testify or present witnesses or written information about any matter relating to the securing of the building if, within thirty (30) days after the date the building is secured, the owner files with the city secretary directed to the city council a written request for the hearing. The city council shall conduct a hearing within twenty (20) days after the date the request is filed.
(e) 
The city council will have the same authority to assess expenses under this section as it has under V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, Section 214.001 and Section 3.607 above. A lien is created under this section in the same manner that a lien is created under V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, Section 214.001 et seq. and 3.607 above and is subject to the same conditions as a lien created under the provisions of the Local Government Code and this article.
(f) 
The authority granted by this section is in addition to that granted by V.T.C.A., Local Government Code, Section 214.001 and Section 3.607 above.
(Ordinance 521 adopted 4/13/06)
(a) 
In the event the city council makes a determination after the public hearings required herein that the building be deemed to be an unsafe building, the building official shall cause to be posted at each entrance to such building a notice to read as follows:
DANGEROUS.
DO NOT ENTER. UNSAFE TO OCCUPY
BUILDING OFFICIAL OF THE
CITY OF PANHANDLE, TEXAS
(b) 
Such notice shall remain posted until required repairs, demolition, or removal is completed and such premises have been rendered safe. Such notice shall not be removed without written permission of the building official, and no person shall enter the building except for making inspections or required repairs or to demolish such building.
(Ordinance 521 adopted 4/13/06)
The city may foreclose a lien on property under this article:
(1) 
In a proceeding relating to the property brought under Subchapter E, Chapter 33, Tax Code; or
(2) 
In a judicial proceeding, if:
(A) 
A building or other structure on the property has been demolished;
(B) 
A lien for the cost of the demolition of the building or other structure on the property has been created and that cost has not been paid more than 180 days after the date the lien was filed; and
(C) 
Ad valorem taxes are delinquent on all or part of the property.
(Ordinance 521 adopted 4/13/06)
Nothing in this article shall be construed as abridging the right of the city to resort to the courts of this state for the enforcement of this article, or of the rights of any owner or interested party to resort to the courts of this state in an attempt to enjoin the enforcement of this article.
(Ordinance 521 adopted 4/13/06)