Unsafe conditions, work and nonconforming structures

(a)

Any building or structure which is unsafe, unsanitary, does not provide adequate egress, constitutes a fire hazard, is otherwise dangerous to human life or, in relation to existing use, constitutes a health or safety hazard, is considered an unsafe building. Any such unsafe building is hereby prohibited and shall be abated by repair and rehabilitation or by demolition in accordance with the provisions of this Code.

(b)

If it shall come within the ascertainment of the official that any building, structure, building system, building component or work is dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary, a menace to life, health or property or is in violation of this chapter, the official may institute an investigation. If the official determines that such condition does exist, the official shall order and serve written notice to any person, agent, owner or occupant using or maintaining any such condition or who is responsible for the maintenance thereof to discontinue the use or maintenance thereof or to repair, replace, alter, change, remove, demolish or otherwise correct the same as may be considered necessary for the protection of life, health and property. Such written notice shall state precisely which building component or work is in violation of this section, the reasons for the violation and the time prescribed for the correction of the violation. If such order is not complied with in the time prescribed in the written notice, the official may notify the appropriate utility company serving such premises to disconnect the premises from its service lines, and the official may institute an action or proceeding in the appropriate court to prevent, restrain, abate or otherwise correct such condition.

(c)

If the official shall find any building, structure, building system, building component or work upon or within any premises so dangerous as to place persons or property in imminent danger of injury or damage so that an emergency is created, the official shall forthwith order such work to cease, shall disconnect such component from the service lines or order the appropriate utility company serving such premises to disconnect the same from its service lines or both. The owner, agent, occupant or person responsible for the maintenance thereof shall have the right of appeal in accordance with this chapter, but the dependency of any such appeal shall not stay or supersede the action of the official. It shall be unlawful for any person to reconnect such building system or component until the same has been made safe and written authorization has been obtained from the official or until his action has been reversed by the unified construction trades board.

(Ord. No. 89-234, § 2(14-72), 9-28-89)

Cross reference— Unsafe buildings, work and nonconforming structures, § 5-228; certain structures declared public nuisance, § 19-48.

Related law reference—Dangerous and unsafe buildings, Art. VI.