(a) General. When a structure or equipment is found by the code official to be unsafe, unlawful, or unfit for human occupancy, such structure shall be condemned pursuant to the provisions of this section.
(b) Condemning of vacant structures. If the structure sought to be condemned, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, is vacant and is not in danger of structural collapse, the code official may order the owner to secure the structure, may post a placard on the premises indicating that the structure has been condemned and prohibiting occupancy of the structure or removal of the placard. Should the owner fail to secure the structure within the time specified in the order, the code official shall cause the structure to be secured and the cost thereof shall be charged to the property owner. Any unpaid charges may be assessed as a lien against the subject property and be collected in the same manner as property taxes.
(c) Notice. Whenever the code official has condemned a structure under the provisions of this section, the code official shall serve notice on the owner of the structure in accordance with section 5-19 of this article. The code official shall also post notice on the premises of the condemned structure.
(d) Violation. Any person who removes a placard of condemnation or occupies a condemned structure without the authorization of the code official shall be subject to the penalties described in section 5-19 of this article.
(e) Removal of placard. The code official shall remove the condemnation placard whenever the structural defects have been abated such that the structure is no longer, in the opinion of the code official, unsafe, unlawful or unfit for human occupancy. (Ord. No. G-05-18, § 13, 12-19-05)