For the purposes of this article, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Building or structure
means any structure for the support, shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, chattels or property of any kind which has enclosing walls for fifty (50) percent of its perimeter. The term "building" shall be construed as if followed by the words "or part thereof." For the purpose of this article, each portion of a building separated from other portions by a fire wall shall be considered as a separate building or means that which is built or constructed, a building of any kind, or any pieces of work artificially built up or composed of parts joined together in some definite manner. Structure and building may be used interchangeably or as separate definitions.
Occupant
means any person as owner, tenant, licensee, trespasser or other person in the exclusive or partial possession or living upon the premises.
Owner
means a person claiming, or in whom is vested, the ownership, dominion or title of real property, including, but not limited to: the holder of fee simple title; the holder of a life estate; the holder of a recorded leasehold estate for an initial term of five (5) years or more; the buyer in a recorded contract for deed; and/or a mortgagee, receiver, executor or trustee in control of real property; but not including, the holder of a leasehold estate or tenancy for an initial term of less than five (5) years.
Premises
means a lot, plot or parcel of land, including but not limited to, any buildings and structures thereon.
(Ordinance O-24-019 adopted 8/15/2024)
Any building, structure, or portion thereof, including but not limited to, any dwelling unit, guest room or suite of rooms, or the premises on which the same is located in which there exists any of the following listed in conditions to an extent that endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety or welfare of the public or the occupants thereof, as determined by the building official, shall be deemed and is hereby declared to be a substandard building:
(1) 
Inadequate sanitation.
Inadequate sanitation shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
a. 
Lack of or improper water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower in a dwelling unit.
b. 
Lack of or improper water closets, lavatories, and bathtubs or showers per number of guests in a hotel.
c. 
Lack of or improper kitchen sink.
d. 
Lack of hot and cold running water to plumbing fixtures in a hotel.
e. 
Lack of hot and cold running water to plumbing fixtures in a dwelling unit.
f. 
Lack of adequate heating facilities.
g. 
Lack, or improper operation, of required ventilating equipment.
h. 
Lack of minimum amounts of natural light and ventilation required by this article.
i. 
Lack of required electrical lighting.
j. 
Dampness of habitable rooms.
k. 
Infestation of insects, vermin or rodents as determined by the building official.
l. 
General dilapidation or improper maintenance.
m. 
Lack of connection to required sewage disposal system.
n. 
Lack of adequate garbage and rubbish storage and removal facilities as determined by the building official.
o. 
Lack of sanitary, interior wall covering.
(2) 
Structural hazards.
Structural hazards shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
a. 
Deteriorated or inadequate foundations.
b. 
Defective or deteriorated flooring or floor supports.
c. 
Flooring or floor supports of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
d. 
Members of walls, partitions or other vertical supports that split, lean, list or buckle due to defective material or deterioration.
e. 
Members of walls, partitions or other vertical supports that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
f. 
Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports or other horizontal members which sag, split, or buckle due to defective material or deterioration.
g. 
Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports or other horizontal members that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
h. 
Fireplaces or chimneys which list, bulge, or settle due to defective material or deterioration.
i. 
Fireplaces or chimneys which are of insufficient size or strength to carry imposed loads with safety.
j. 
Any condition wherein a building, structure or portion thereof has been damaged by fire, flood, earthquake, wind or other cause to the extent that the structural integrity of the buildings or structures is less than it was prior to the damage and is less than the minimum requirement established by the building code of the city.
k. 
Any condition wherein any exterior appendages or portion of a building or structure are not securely fastened, attached or anchored such that it is capable of resisting wind, seismic or similar loads.
l. 
Any condition wherein any building, structure or portion thereof as a result of decay, deterioration, or dilapidation is likely to fully or partially collapse.
(3) 
Hazardous wiring.
All wiring except that which conforms with all applicable laws in effect at the time of installation and which has been maintained in good condition and is being used in a safe manner.
(4) 
Hazardous plumbing.
All plumbing except that which conforms with all applicable laws in effect at the time of installation and which has been maintained in good condition and which is free of cross-connections and siphonage between fixtures.
(5) 
Hazardous mechanical equipment.
All mechanical equipment, including but not limited to vents, except that which conforms to all applicable laws in effect at the time of installation and which has been maintained in good and safe condition.
(6) 
Faulty weather protection.
Weather protection which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
a. 
Deteriorated, crumbling or loose plaster.
b. 
Deteriorated or ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roof, foundations or floors, including broken windows or doors.
c. 
Defective or lack of weather protection for exterior wall coverings, including lack of paint, or weathering due to lack of paint or other approved protective covering.
d. 
Broken, rotted, split or buckled exterior wall coverings or roof coverings.
e. 
Lack of adequate insulation in ceilings.
f. 
Lack of adequate insulation in exterior walls. Provided, however, double wall construction which was in compliance with this article at the time of original construction shall be deemed adequate for purposes of this article; otherwise, insulating material will be required.
(7) 
Fire hazard.
Any building or portion thereof, device, apparatus, equipment, combustible waste or vegetation which, in the opinion of the chief of the fire department or his deputy, is in such a condition as to cause a fire or explosion or provide a ready fuel to augment the spread and intensity of fire or explosion arising from any cause.
(8) 
Faulty materials of construction.
All materials of construction except those which are specifically allowed or approved by this article and the building code, and which have been adequately maintained in good and safe condition.
(9) 
Hazardous or insanitary premises.
Those premises on which any accumulation of weeds, vegetation, junk, dead organic matter, debris, garbage, offal, rodent harborages, stagnant water, combustible materials and similar materials or conditions constitute fire, health or safety hazards.
(10) 
Inadequate maintenance.
Any building or portion thereof which is determined to be an unsafe building in accordance with any city ordinance.
(11) 
Inadequate exits.
All buildings or portion thereof not provided with adequate exit facilities as required by city ordinance except those buildings or portion thereof whose exit facilities conform with all applicable laws at the time of their construction and which have been adequately maintained and increased in relation to any increase in occupant load, alteration or addition, or any change in occupancy. When an unsafe condition exists through lack of, or improper location of, exits, additional exits may be required to be installed.
(12) 
Inadequate fire protection or firefighting equipment.
All buildings or portions thereof which are not provided with a fire-resistive construction or fire extinguishing systems or equipment required by this article or the building code, except those buildings or portions thereof which conform with all applicable laws at the time of their construction and whose fire-resistive integrity and fire extinguishing systems or equipment have been maintained and approved in relation to any increase in occupant load, alteration or addition or any change in occupancy.
(13) 
Improper occupancy.
All buildings or portions thereof occupied for living, sleeping, cooking or dining purposes which were not designed or intended to be used for such occupancy.
(Ordinance O-24-019 adopted 8/15/2024)
Words used in the present tense include the future. Words in the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter. Words in the feminine and neuter gender include the masculine. The singular number includes the plural and the plural number includes the singular.
(Ordinance O-24-019 adopted 8/15/2024)