§ 18-10. Unsafe structures and equipment.

(a)

General. No person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, organization or governmental agency properly regulated by the city shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish, equip, use, occupy, maintain or own any building, building use, structure, sign, appendage or building service equipment in an unsafe manner.

(b)

Conditions. Structures or equipment which are or hereafter become unsafe, unsanitary or deficient because of, but not limited to, inadequate means of egress facilities, inadequate light and ventilation, or inadequate life-safety systems; or which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human life or the public welfare due to inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, fire, disaster, damage, failure or abandonment; or which involve illegal or improper use or occupancy; shall be deemed unsafe. Unsafe structures shall be taken down and removed or made safe, as the building official deems necessary and as provided for in this section. A vacant structure that is not secured against entry may be deemed unsafe by the building official.

(c)

Notice. If an unsafe condition is found, the building official may serve on the owner, agent or person in control of the structure, a written notice that describes the condition deemed unsafe and specifies the required repairs or improvements to be made to abate the unsafe condition, or that requires the unsafe structure to be demolished within a stipulated time. Such notice shall require the person thus notified to declare immediately to the building official acceptance or rejection of the terms of the order.

(d)

Method of service. Such notice shall be deemed properly served if a copy thereof is: (a) delivered to the owner personally; or (b) sent by certified or registered mail addressed to the owner at the last known address with the return receipt requested. If the certified or registered letter is returned showing that the letter was not delivered, a copy thereof shall be posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure affected by such notice. Service of such notice in the foregoing manner upon the owner's agent or upon the person responsible for the structure shall constitute service of notice upon the owner.

(e)

Restoration. The structure or equipment determined to be unsafe by the building official is permitted to be restored to a safe condition. To the extent that repairs, alterations or additions are made or a change of occupancy occurs during the restoration of the structure, such repairs, alterations, additions or change of occupancy shall comply with the requirements of section 18-4(b) of this chapter and chapter 34 of the International Building Code, as amended.

(f)

Maintenance of signs. All signs, together with all of their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in repair and in proper state of preservation. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or posted at all times. Signs which no longer advertise a bona fide business, product or service shall be removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the premises upon which such sign may be found within 30 days after vacating the premises.

(g)

Unsafe underground spaces, buildings, structures. All unsafe underground spaces, buildings, structures or portions thereof are regulated as provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section.

(h)

Emergency measures. Where it reasonably appears there is an immediate danger to the health, safety or welfare of any person, the building official may take emergency measures to vacate and repair or demolish an unsafe building, building use, structure, sign or appendage.

(Ord. No. 040477, § 1, 8-12-04; Ord. No. 071193, § 1, 1-3-08; Ord. No. 120375, § 1, 5-24-12)