Chapter 15.10
DANGEROUS BUILDINGS CODE
Sections:
15.10.010 Purpose.
This chapter is adopted to promote the health, safety and welfare of the occupants or users of buildings and structures, and the general public. (Ord. 331 § 1, 1991)
15.10.020 Adopted.
The city of Forks hereby adopts by reference, as noted in FMC 15.05.020(1), the 1997 Edition of the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings as published by the International Conference of Building Officials, Whittier, California. (Ord. 519 § 1, 2004; Ord. 331 § 2, 1991)
15.10.030 Amendments.
(1) Compliance. Unless the building is declared dangerous pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, any building declared a dangerous building under this code shall be made to comply with one of the following:
(a) The building shall be repaired in accordance with the applicable building code, or applicable code associated with the substandard conditions requiring repair; provided, that the building owner may elect to demolish the building; or
(b) The building shall be demolished if the value of the structure, after repair, will not be at least 20 percent greater than the cost of repair; provided, that the building owner may elect to repair the building; or
(c) If the building does not constitute an immediate danger to life, limb, property or safety of the public it may be vacated, secured and maintained against entry.
(2) Drug Properties and Structures. It is hereby declared that any building, structure and/or associated property, identified by the city of Forks chief of police, wherein or upon which the manufacture, distribution, production or storage of illegal drugs or the precursors to create illegal drugs has taken place in a manner which could endanger the public, such building, structure and/or associated property is not only a dangerous property as defined by the city of Forks but is also a classification of property calling for the special procedures set forth in this section. The building official is authorized to abate such dangerous buildings, structures, and/or associated properties in accordance with the dangerous building procedures set forth in this code and Washington statute, RCW 66.44.010, with the following modifications:
(a) Due to public safety hazard in drug production facilities, the utilities shall be disconnected;
(b) Building(s) and structures shall be inspected to determine compliance with all city ordinances and codes;
(c) Building(s) and any entry gates to the property shall be secured against entry in the manner set forth in this code;
(d) No reconnection of utilities or occupancy of the building(s), structures, or property shall be allowed until all violations have been successfully addressed, all dangerous conditions abated and a notice of release for re-occupancy has been received from the health department, and sheriff’s/police chief’s office; and
(e) If dangerous conditions cannot be abated, occupancy shall be prohibited. Resolution of said property shall be in conformance with RCW 35.80A.010, Condemnation of blighted property.
(3) Blighted Property. In conformance with RCW 35.80A.010, the city of Forks may acquire by condemnation, in accordance with the notice requirements and other procedures for condemnation provided in RCW Title 8, any property, dwelling, building, or structure which constitutes a blight on the surrounding neighborhood. A "blight on the surrounding neighborhood" is any property, dwelling, building, or structure that meets any two of the following factors:
(a) If a dwelling, building, or structure exists on the property, the dwelling, building or structure has not been lawfully occupied for a period of one year or more;
(b) The property, dwelling, building, or structure constitutes a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare as determined by the mayor of the city of Forks in consultation with appropriate city and, in some cases, county officials;
(c) The property, dwelling, building, or structure is or has been associated with illegal drug activity during the previous 12 months.
Prior to such condemnation, the city of Forks city council shall adopt a resolution declaring that the acquisition of the real property described therein is necessary to eliminate neighborhood blight. Condemnation of property, dwellings, buildings, and structures for the purposes described in this chapter is declared to be for a public use. (Ord. 519 § 2, 2004; Ord. 331 § 3, 1991)