When a structure or part thereof is found by
the Code Official to be unsafe, or when a structure or part thereof
is found unfit for human occupancy or use or is found unlawful, it
shall be condemned pursuant to the provisions of this code and shall
be placarded and vacated. It shall not be reoccupied without the approval
of the Code Official. Unsafe equipment shall be placarded and placed
out of service.
A. An unsafe structure is one in which all or part thereof
is found to be dangerous to life, health, property or the safety of
the public or its occupants because it is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated,
structurally unsafe or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation
that it is likely to partially or completely collapse.
B. A structure is unfit for human occupancy or use whenever
the Code Official finds that it is unsafe, unlawful or, because of
the degree in which it lacks maintenance or is in disrepair, is unsanitary,
contains filth and contamination or lacks ventilation or heating facilities
or other essential equipment required by this code, or because its
location constitutes a hazard to its occupants or to the public.
C. An unlawful structure is one found erected, altered
or occupied contrary to law.
If the structure or part thereof is vacant and
unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use and is not in danger
of structural collapse, the Code Official may post a placard of condemnation
on the premises and may order the structure closed up so it will not
be an attractive nuisance. Upon failure to the owner to board up all
openings to the premises within 30 days, the Code Official shall cause
it to be boarded up through any available public agency or by contract
or arrangement by private persons, and the cost thereof shall be charged
against the real estate upon which the structure is located and shall
be a lien upon such real estate.
After the condemnation notice required under
the provisions of this code has resulted in an order by virtue of
failure to comply within the time given, the Code Official shall post
on the premises or structure or parts thereof or on defective equipment
a placard bearing the words "Condemned as unfit for human occupancy
or use" and a statement of the penalties provided for any occupancy
or use or for removing the placard. Any person who shall occupy a
placarded premises or structure or part thereof or shall use placarded
equipment and any owner or any person responsible for the premises
who shall let anyone occupy a placarded premises shall be liable for
the penalties provided by this code. The Code Official shall remove
the condemnation placard whenever the defect or defects upon which
the condemnation and placarding action were based have been eliminated.
Any person who defaces or removes a condemnation placard without the
approval of the Code Official shall be subject to the penalties provided
by this code.