West Haverstraw City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIII
Unsafe Buildings
§ 250-69 General provisions.
All buildings or structures which are structurally unsafe, unsanitary or not provided with adequate egress or which constitute a fire hazard or are otherwise dangerous to human life or which in relation to the existing use constitute a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence or abandonment are, severally, for the purpose of this article, "unsafe buildings." All such unsafe buildings are hereby declared to be illegal and shall be abated by repair and rehabilitation or by demolition in accordance with the procedure of this article.
§ 250-70 Examination.
The Building Inspector/Village Engineer shall examine or cause to be examined every building reported as unsafe or damaged and shall make a written record of such examination.
§ 250-71 Notice; failure to comply.
A.
Whenever the Building Inspector/Village Engineer shall find any building or structure or portion thereof to be an unsafe building as defined in this article, he shall, in the same manner as provided for the service of stop orders pursuant to § 250-35, give to the owner, agent or person in control of such building or structure written notice stating the defects thereof. This notice shall require the owner within a stated time either to complete specified repairs or improvements or to demolish and remove the building or structure or portion thereof.
B.
If the Building Inspector/Village Engineer finds that there is actual and immediate danger of failure or collapse so as to endanger life, such notice shall also require the building, structure or portion thereof to be vacated forthwith and not reoccupied until the specified repairs and improvements are completed, inspected and approved by the Building Inspector/Village Engineer. The Building Inspector/Village Engineer shall cause to be posted at each entrance to such building a notice as follows: THIS BUILDING IS UNSAFE AND ITS USE OR OCCUPANCY HAS BEEN PROHIBITED BY THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT. Such notice shall remain posted until the required repairs are made or demolition is completed. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation or their agents or other servants to remove such notice without written permission of the Building Inspector/Village Engineer or for any person to enter the building except for the purpose of making the required repairs or of demolishing the same.
C.
In case the owner, agent or person in control cannot be found within the stated time limit or if such owner, agent or person in control shall fail, neglect or refuse to comply with the requirement of any notice, the Village Board of Trustees shall be advised of all of the facts in the case and shall institute an appropriate action in the courts to compel compliance.
§ 250-72 Emergency cases.
In cases of emergency which, in the opinion of the Building Inspector/Village Engineer, involve imminent danger to human life or health, he shall promptly cause such building, structure or portion thereof to be made safe or removed. For this purpose, he may at once enter such structure or land on which it stands, or any abutting land or structure, with such assistance and at such cost as may be necessary. He may direct that adjacent structures be vacated and, in furtherance of public safety, the installation of appropriate barricades, or such other means as may be necessary, and, for this purpose, may close a public or private way.
§ 250-73 Costs.
Costs incurred under §§ 250-71C and 250-72 shall be paid out of the municipal treasury on certificate of the Building Inspector/Village Engineer, upon approval of the Board of Trustees. Such costs shall be charged to the owner of the premises involved and shall be collected in the manner provided by law.