§ 15.24.280. General.

When a structure or equipment is found by the housing official to be unsafe, or when a structure is found unfit for human occupancy, or is found unlawful, such structure shall be condemned pursuant to the provision of this Code and declared a public nuisance.

A.

Unsafe Structure. An unsafe structure is one that is found to be dangerous to the life, health, property or safety of the public or the occupants of the structure by not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, or because such structure contains unsafe equipment or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation, that partial or complete collapse is likely.

B.

Unsafe Equipment. Unsafe equipment includes any boiler, heating equipment, elevator, moving stairway, electrical wiring or device, flammable liquid containers or other equipment on the premises or within the structure which is in such disrepair or condition that such equipment is a hazard to life, health, property or safety of the public occupants of the premises or structure.

C.

Structures Unfit for Human Occupancy. A structure is unfit for human occupancy whenever the housing official finds that such structure is unsafe, unlawful or, is in disrepair or lacks required maintenance, is unsanitary, vermin or rat infested, contains filth and contamination, or lacks ventilation, illumination, sanitary or heating facilities or other essential equipment required by this code.

D.

Unlawful Structure. An unlawful structure is one found in whole or in part to be occupied by more persons than permitted under this code, or was erected, altered or occupied contrary to law.

E.

An unlawful structure which is ordered to be "vacated or condemned" shall in the case of a dwelling, be permanently reduced to the maximum occupancy allowed for the applicable conforming use, with no additional occupants permitted pursuant to the dwelling's status as a nonconforming use.

(Ord. 1974 (part), 2005; Ord. 1959 (part), 2005: Ord. 1665 Exh. A (part), 1997)

(Ord. No. 2313, 3-9-2015; Ord. No. 2360, 11-9-2015)