How Does the Condemnation Process Begin?
The Planning Services Division receives notification of a damaged building from the Fire Department following a fire, or from the Inspection Services Division following a property maintenance case.
An Inspection is conducted by the Building Official and/or the Building and Code Enforcement Manager to determine the extent of damage. If the extent of damage does not warrant condemning the building, the building owner may still be subject to prosecution or, if applicable, action on their residential rental (landlord) license.
If the extent of damage does warrant condemning the building, the Planning Services Division follows the process specified in Chapter 7, Article VII of the City Code. The owner of a condemned building is required to either repair the building to comply with the City’s building codes or demolish the building completely, restore the site to grade, and cover with seed and straw.