17.32.060 Repair, vacation, or demolition – Standards – Measures pending abatement – Violation.
The building official may order an unfit dwelling, building, structure or premises repaired, remediated, demolished or otherwise abated as follows:
A. The determination of whether a dwelling, building, structure, or premises should be repaired, or demolished, shall be based on:
1. the degree of structural deterioration of the dwelling, building, structure, or premises, or
2. the relationship that the estimated cost of repair bears to the value of the dwelling, building, structure, or premises.
B. If the unfit dwelling, building, structure or premises can reasonably be repaired or remedied so that it will no longer exist in violation of the terms of this chapter, it shall be ordered repaired or remedied by the building official.
C. If, in the judgment of the building official, the dwelling, building, structure or premises cannot be reasonably repaired or remedied, the building official may order its demolition, provided that the building official shall withdraw the order to demolish if the building owner repairs or remediates the condition within a reasonable time. The following standards shall be followed in substance in ordering repair, remediation, vacation or demolition of buildings, structures or premises:
1. If the unfit dwelling, building, structure or premises is 40 percent or more damaged or decayed or deteriorated in value, it may be ordered demolished. “Value” as used herein shall be the valuation placed upon the building or structure for purposes of general taxation.
2. If the cost of repair or remediation would exceed the value of the dwelling, building, structure or premises, it may be ordered demolished.
3. If the dangerous or unfit building, structure or premises cannot be repaired or remedied so that it will no longer exist in violation of the terms of this chapter, it may be ordered demolished.
4. If the unfit building, structure or premises is a fire hazard, it may be ordered demolished or abated.
D. The building official may further order the owner to take effective steps to vacate, secure or take other remediation measures regarding a dwelling, building, structure or premises if deemed to be in the interest of public health and safety.
E. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly:
1. Occupy or allow to be occupied any unfit dwelling, building, structure or premises ordered vacated; or
2. Fail to comply with any order issued pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. M-4047 §8, 2013)