§ 17.40.850. Dwellings unfit for human habitation—Condemnation.

The designation of dwellings or dwelling units as unfit for human habitation and the procedure for the condemnation and placarding of unfit dwellings or dwelling units shall be carried out in compliance with the following requirements:

A.

Condemnation. Any dwelling or dwelling unit which is found to have any of the following defects shall be condemned as unfit for human habitation and shall be so designated and placarded by the Director of the Department of Planning and Zoning:

1.

One which is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin-infested that it creates a serious hazard to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public;

2.

One which lacks illumination, ventilation or sanitary facilities adequate to protect the health or safety of the occupants or the public;

3.

One which because of its general condition or location is unsanitary or otherwise dangerous to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public.

B.

Vacation. Any dwelling or dwelling unit condemned as unfit for human habitation and so designated and placarded by the Director of the Department of Planning and Zoning shall be vacated within a reasonable time as ordered by the Director. The Director shall remove the placard whenever the defect or defects upon which the condemnation and placarding were based has been eliminated.

C.

Boarding Up. It is the responsibility of the title owner of the property to board up all windows and doors after a dwelling has been properly determined to be unfit for human habitation, if boarding up is determined by the Director of the Department of Planning and Zoning to be necessary for reasons of health or safety. If the dwelling or structure is not boarded up within the time specified in the order, the Director shall have the dwelling boarded up at the expense of the owner. The cost of boarding up the dwelling or structure shall be charged against the property upon which the dwelling is located and shall be a lien against it.

D.

Violation. If the owner or agent of a structure which is boarded up fails to prevent entrance into the premises, the owner/agent is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the general penalties provided in Section 17.40.890.

E.

Continued Occupancy. A tenant or occupant who continues to occupy a dwelling or dwelling unit after it has been determined properly to be unfit for human habitation and properly placarded is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. O-30-08 Amended § 1 (part), 2009: Ord. O-21-01 § 1 (part): prior code § 12-11)

(Ord. No. O-12-16 Amended, § I, 5-23-2016)