The city council finds that there are within the city of Port Orchard dwellings, buildings, structures, and premises, or portions thereof, which are dangerous or injurious to the health or safety of the occupants of such dwelling, building, structure or premises, the occupants of neighboring dwellings, or other residents of the city, or which are otherwise unfit for human habitation, occupancy, or other uses, due to: dilapidation; disrepair; structural defects; unpermitted and substandard construction or modification; lack of maintenance; abandonment or neglect; filth and other conditions attracting insects or vermin or likely to spread disease; defects increasing the risks and hazards of fire, accidents, or other calamities; inadequate ventilation and uncleanliness; inadequate light or sanitary facilities; inadequate drainage; overcrowding; violations of various building, health, and safety regulations; and other conditions which are inimical to the health and welfare of the residents of the city.
Such dwellings, buildings, structures, and premises are dangerous to occupants, threaten the public health, safety, and welfare, attract and harbor vagrants and criminals, offend public values, lower the value of neighboring properties, contribute to neighborhood or community deterioration, and hamper community and economic development.
When the owners or other persons in possession or control of such properties are unwilling or unable to correct such conditions in a proper and timely manner, it is in the interest of the community and of the occupants of such places for the city to intervene and vacate, secure, correct, repair, or remove such buildings, structures, and conditions, and to pursue all legal means to recover from such persons and/or properties the costs of doing so, including the costs of staff salaries and benefits, materials, contractors, and all other legally recoverable costs and expenses.
(Ord. 023-17 § 1; Ord. 036-19 § 1)