Code Enforcement Links

Code Enforcement - Substandard Buildings

According to the City Ordinance Structural Standards Code, any structure or portion thereof, which fails to meet the requirements of the ordinance is substandard and shall be abated in accordance with the procedures specified in the ordinance. Any building, structure or portion thereof, including any dwelling unit, guest room or suite of rooms, or premises on which the same is located, in which there exists any of the following listed conditions is a substandard building as defined in the ordinance:

• Lack of, or improper water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower in a dwelling unit.
  

• Lack of, or improper window screens as necessary to prevent the entry of insects.
  

• Lack of, or improper kitchen sink in a dwelling unit.
  

• Lack of hot and cold running water to plumbing fixtures in a dwelling unit.
  

• Lack of adequate heating facilities.
  

• Lack of, or improper operation of required ventilating equipment.
  

• Lack of minimum amounts of natural light required by the building codes.
  

• Room and space dimensions less than required by the building codes.
  

• Lack of required electrical lighting.
  

• Dampness of habitable rooms.
  

• Infestation of insects, vermin or rodents as determined by the health officer or his designee.
  

• General dilapidation or improper maintenance.
  

• Lack of connection to required sewage disposal system.
  

• Deteriorated or inadequate foundations.
  

• Defective or deteriorated flooring or floor supports.
  

• Flooring or floor supports of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
  

• Members of walls, partitions, or other vertical supports that split, lean, list, or buckle due to defective material or deterioration.
  

• Members of walls, partitions, or other vertical supports that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
  

• Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports or other horizontal members, which sag, split, or buckle due to defective material or deterioration.
  

• Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports, or other horizontal members that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
  

• Fireplaces or chimneys which list, bulge, or settle, due to defective material or deterioration.
  

• Fireplaces or chimneys which are of insufficient size or strength to carry imposed loads with safety.
  

• Electrical wiring. All wiring, except that which conformed with all applicable laws in effect at the time of installation, and which has been maintained in good condition and is being used in a safe manner.
  

• Hazardous plumbing. All plumbing, except that which conformed with all applicable laws in effect at the time of installation, and which has been maintained in good condition and which is free of cross connections and siphonage between fixtures.
  

• Hazardous mechanical equipment. All mechanical equipment, including vents, except that which conformed with all applicable laws in effect at the time of installation, and which has been maintained in good and safe condition.
  

• Faulty weather protection. Weather protection which shall include, but not be limited to the following:
  

(A)     Deteriorated, crumbling, or loose plaster.

(B)     Deteriorated or ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roof, foundations, or floors, including broken

windows or doors.

(C)     Lack of, or defective weather protection for exterior wall coverings, including lack of paint, or deteriorated

weathering due to lack of paint or other approved protective covering.

(D)     Broken, rotted, split, or buckled exterior wall coverings or roof coverings.

• Fire hazard. Any building or portion thereof, device, apparatus, equipment, combustible waste, or vegetation which, in the opinion of the fire marshal or his deputy, is in such a condition as to cause a fire or explosion, or provide a ready fuel to augment the spread and intensity of fire or explosion arising from any cause.
  

• Faulty materials of construction. All materials of construction, except those which are specifically allowed or approved by this article and the building codes, and which have been adequately maintained in good and safe condition.
  

• Hazardous or unsanitary premises. The premises on which an accumulation of weeds, vegetation, junk, dead organic matter, debris, garbage, offal, rat harborages, stagnant water, combustible materials, and similar materials or conditions which constitute fire, health, or safety hazards.
  

• Inadequate maintenance. Any building or portion thereof which is determined to be an unsafe building as a result of improper of inadequate maintenance.
  

• Inadequate exits. All buildings or portions thereof not provided with adequate exit facilities as required by the building codes, except those buildings or portions thereof whose exit facilities conformed with all applicable laws at the time of their construction, and which have been adequately maintained and increased in relation to increase in occupant load, alteration or addition, or any change in occupancy. When an unsafe condition exists through lack of, or improper location of exits, the installation of additional exists may be required.
  

• Inadequate fire protection or firefighting equipment. All buildings or portions thereof which are not provided with the fire-resistive construction or fire-extinguishing systems or equipment required by this article, except those buildings or portions thereof which conformed with all applicable laws at the time of their construction and whose fire-resistive integrity and fire-extinguishing systems or equipment have been adequately maintained and improved in relation to any increase in occupant load, alteration or addition, or any change in occupancy.
  

• Improper occupancy. All buildings or portions thereof occupied for living, sleeping, cooking or dining purposes which are not designed or intended to be used for such occupancies.