Every vacant building shall conform to the standards of this chapter. Each and every owner of a vacant building shall cause his or her property to be inspected not less frequently than annually by a duly licensed and capable private inspector, engineer, or other consultant, who shall, within thirty days after said inspection, submit a written inspection report to the building official verifying that the building is in compliance with this chapter. In the event a vacant building does not conform to these standards or no such report is timely submitted, the building official may order the owner to inspect the property and present satisfactory evidence of compliance with these standards in the form of an inspection report created by a duly licensed and capable private inspector, engineer, or other consultant, verifying that the building is in compliance herewith. The building official or the building official’s representative may utilize expertise of other governmental or private inspectors or agencies, as necessary, to ensure compliance with the following standards.

a. Sanitary Facilities.

i. All plumbing fixtures connected to an approved water system, sewage system, or natural gas utility system shall be installed in accordance with applicable codes and ordinances and maintained in sound condition and good repair.

ii. All plumbing fixtures connected to an approved water system, sewage system, or natural gas system not installed or maintained in accordance with applicable codes and ordinances shall be removed and the service terminated and the pipes capped in the manner prescribed by applicable codes and ordinances.

b. Electrical System.

i. Every existing outlet and fixture shall be properly connected and wiring and service lines shall be installed and maintained in accordance with applicable codes and ordinances.

ii. Outlets and fixtures not installed or maintained in accordance with applicable codes and ordinances shall be removed and the services terminated in the manner prescribed by applicable codes and ordinances.

c. Safety from Fire.

i. No vacant building or premises on which a vacant building is located shall contain any space used for the storage of flammable liquids or any other materials that could constitute a safety or fire hazard.

ii. Heating facilities or heating equipment in vacant buildings shall be removed or maintained in accordance with applicable codes and ordinances and any fuel supply shall be removed or terminated in accordance with applicable codes and ordinances.

d. All vacant buildings shall be properly weather-protected to prevent deterioration of the exterior and interior of the building. This weather protection shall be approved by the building official and shall include all roof and wall assemblies.

e. All vacant buildings shall be closed to unauthorized entry according to the following standards:

i. All windows or similar openings shall be protected by intact glazing (glass). All windows or similar openings lacking intact glazing (glass), the sills of which are located ten feet or less above grade, stairway, landing, ramp, porch, roof, or other similarly accessible area, shall provide resistance to entry equivalent to or greater than that of a solid sheet of one-half-inch plywood. Any such material used to protect window or similar openings shall be painted in a color matching the existing structure to protect it from weather deterioration, cut to completely cover the opening, and securely fastened by minimum one and one-quarter-inch long sheetrock screws at six inches on center.

ii. Doors and service openings with thresholds located ten feet or less above grade, a stairway, landing, ramp, porch, roof or similarly accessible area, shall provide resistance to entry equivalent to or greater than that of a closed single panel or hollow core door one and three-eighths inches thick equipped with a half-inch throw deadbolt. Exterior doors, if openable, may be closed from the interior of the building by securing them to the doorframe using minimum one and one-quarter-inch long sheetrock screws at six inches on center.

iii. There shall be one operable door into each building and into each housing unit. If an existing door is operable, it may be used and secured with a suitable lock such as a hasp and padlock or a one-half-inch deadbolt or dead latch. All locks shall be kept locked. When a door cannot be made operable, a door shall be constructed of three-quarter-inch CDX plywood painted in a color matching the existing structure to protect it from weather deterioration and shall be equipped with a lock as described above.

f. All debris, combustible materials, hazardous or noxious vegetation, litter and garbage shall be removed from vacant buildings and premises on which a vacant building is located and further accumulation of the same prevented. Further, each and every owner of any vacant building shall remove or destroy all grass, weeds, shrubs, bushes, trees or vegetation growing or which has grown and died upon property owned or occupied by such owner, and which are a fire hazard or a menace to public health, safety and welfare.

g. All vacant buildings shall have plainly visible house numbers or address numbers as required by the Fire Code or other applicable law. (Ord. 2004-24 § 1 (part), 2004).