Long Beach Municipal Code Ch. 18.20 Unsafe Buildings or Structures

Whenever the Building Official determines by inspection that an existing building is substandard, or constitutes a nuisance, he or she shall institute proceedings to cause the repair, rehabilitation, vacation or demolition of such building.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

The Building Official shall give notice specifying the inadequacies and hazards to be corrected. Such notice shall also specify that the building may be ordered vacated if remedial measures are not commenced and completed within the time specified in the notice which time shall be such as the Building Official concludes is reasonable in view of the circumstances, but which shall in no event require commencement of such work within less than thirty (30) days nor completion within less than ninety (90) days.

This section shall not limit the Building Official's authority to order or undertake repair, rehabilitation, vacation, demolition, or other immediate corrective action, to abate an imminently hazardous, substandard, or dangerous building or structure where authorized by law.

(ORD-26-0004 § 8, 2026; ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Notices shall be given by service as provided in this chapter. Service of such notice in the manner therein prescribed shall constitute notice to the owner of such building, and failure of any such person to receive actual notice shall in no manner affect the validity of the subsequent proceedings taken hereunder. In addition to giving such notice, the Building Official shall also prepare and cause to be recorded with the county recorder, a certificate stating that the building described is a substandard building, or is a public nuisance, and that the owner thereof has been so notified. When, and if, all required corrections to such a building have been made, or where the Building Official determines that terminating the recordation of substandard or nuisance is appropriate to further the City's interests in remediating the complained-of conditions, the Building Official shall cause the certificate of substandard buildings or public nuisance to be terminated and provide said document to the owner to be recorded with the County Recorder.

(ORD-26-0004 § 9, 2026; ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

If, after the expiration of time for commencement or completion as set forth in the Notice sent pursuant to Section 18.20.030, the Building Official may order the building vacated and posted as specified in Section 18.20.060. If the building is unoccupied, the order to vacate may be immediate. If the building is occupied, a notice of intent to order the building vacated shall be given thirty (30) days prior to issuing such order.

(ORD-26-0004 § 10, 2026; ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Any substandard buildings, ordered vacated in accordance with Sections 18.20.010 through 18.20.060, shall be immediately vacated and shall not be reoccupied until the inadequacies or hazards specified by the Building Official in his or her notice as provided in Sections 18.20.010 through 18.20.060 have been eliminated and approval obtained from the Building Official for reinstatement of the occupancy. No person shall occupy or cause to be occupied any building or portion thereof which has been ordered vacated until approval of such occupancy is reinstated by the Building Official.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

A. Each such building ordered vacated shall be locked and otherwise secured against ingress, and the Department of Community Development shall post thereon a placard stating:

SUBSTANDARD BUILDING

Do Not Occupy By Order of Department of Community Development City of Long Beach

This building has been ordered vacated and it is a misdemeanor to occupy this building. It is a misdemeanor to remove this placard. Sections 18.20.010 through 18.20.060 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.

B. Notice of such posting and a copy of the posted notice shall be served on the owner by certified mail at the time of posting. Notice of the posting sent to the owner shall inform the owner that the owner shall rehabilitate, remove, or demolish the building within sixty (60) days of the order to vacate. No person other than a representative of the Department shall remove such a placard from any building where it has been officially posted.

C. If the building is not removed or demolished on or before the expiration of the time specified in the notice to the owner, the Building Official shall cause such building to be thoroughly inspected and shall make a written report or record of his or her findings with respect thereto.

D. If the rehabilitation, removal or demolition has not been accomplished within the above mentioned sixty (60) day period, then the Building Official may take any action authorized by law to rehabilitate, remove, or demolish the building.

E. None of these provisions limit or supersede the City's authority to use summary abatement where authorized by law.

(ORD-26-0004 § 11, 2026; ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Whenever any building or portion thereof is being maintained, occupied or used contrary to the provisions of this title or municipal code, the Building Official shall order such unlawful use, occupancy or maintenance to be discontinued by a date certain. If the maintenance, occupancy or use of any such building or portion thereof is not made to comply with the requirements of this title within the time set forth in the aforesaid order, the Building Official may order that the building, or the portion thereof in which any such violation occurs, be vacated. Such vacation shall be immediate but shall be subject to appeal in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. No person shall use or occupy such building or portion of building so vacated until such unlawful use, occupancy or maintenance has been discontinued and approval obtained from the Building Official for reinstatement of the occupancy.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Whenever the Building Official determines by inspection that any building or structure, or portion thereof, is dangerous as defined in Section 18.02.020, he or she shall institute proceedings to correct such dangerous conditions.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

A. The Building Official, the Building Official's designee, and the members of the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation shall have the right of reasonable inspection of any building for the purpose of determining the condition thereof. No person shall refuse or interfere with such inspection by any such official.

B. For the purpose of such inspection, the Building Official may order any structural member or portion of the structural frame of any building, whether such building is already erected, or is in course of construction, to be exposed whenever he or she has reasonable grounds for believing that such structural member or frame is in an unsafe condition or does not conform to the requirements of this chapter. No owner, reputed owner or person having custody, control or management or in charge of maintenance, occupancy or use of such building who is served with such an order shall fail or refuse to forthwith fully uncover or expose the portion of the structural frame or structural member as required by such order.

(ORD-26-0004 § 12, 2026; ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

All buildings or portions thereof which are determined to be dangerous as defined in Section 18.02.020 are public nuisances and shall be abated under the procedures set forth in this chapter for abatement of nuisances.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Where necessary in the opinion of the Building Official to protect life or property from an acutely dangerous condition, the Building Official may take emergency action to abate the hazard by City forces as provided in this chapter or may order the building immediately vacated, posted unsafe, barricaded, utilities disconnected, or other appropriate protective remedy.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

If the building is not demolished, the substandard conditions not corrected, or the nuisance not otherwise abated on or before the expiration of the time specified in the posted notice, the Building Official shall cause such building to be thoroughly inspected and shall make a written report or record of his or her findings with respect thereto. The report shall be maintained by the Department. A hearing before the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation shall be conducted only upon timely filing of an appeal by the owner or other interested party, in accordance with this chapter.

(ORD-26-0004 § 13, 2026; ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

A. Any owner or other interested party may appeal a determination by the Building Official that a building or structure is substandard or constitutes a public nuisance by filing a written appeal with the Building Official within thirty (30) days after service of the notice of determination. An appeal filed pursuant to this section shall be in writing and shall identify the subject property, the appellant and the nature of the appellant's interest, state that the determination is being appealed, provide the basis for the appeal, and provide an address for service of notices related to the appeal. A timely appeal shall not be deemed invalid for failure to include technical or legal argument and may be supplemented prior to or at the hearing.

B. Upon the timely filing of an appeal by the owner or other interested party, the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation shall conduct a hearing for the purpose of reviewing the findings of the Building Official. The Board may conduct an independent investigation into the facts of such matter and the members thereof, or their authorized representatives, may inspect any building or structure involved therein.

C. Upon receipt of a timely appeal, notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given by the Department to the appellant and any other persons entitled to notice under this chapter. The notice must be served at least ten (10) days prior to the date fixed for such hearing.

D. Any person claiming an interest in the building which is the subject of the hearing may appear before the Board and object to the determination of the Building Official. The Board shall take such evidence as may be necessary to determine whether the building or structure is substandard or is a public nuisance. Upon or after the conclusion of the hearing, the Board shall determine whether the building or structure is substandard or a nuisance and what alterations or repairs, if any, could be made in order to correct the substandard conditions or to abate the nuisance, or whether the total demolition thereof is required. The Board may establish a time not to exceed sixty (60) days of the Board's decision, within which such repairs, alterations, or demolition shall be completed, unless the Board makes a determination that the sixty (60) day timeframe would result in a substantial hardship to the owner; upon such a determination, the Board may grant a time not to exceed one hundred twenty (120) days within which such repairs, alterations, or demolition shall be completed.

E. Following the hearing, the Board shall make written findings of its determination. The Department shall cause a copy of those findings to be served upon the appellant by first class mail, certified mail, personal service, or other equivalent process. The time for completion of repairs or alterations, or the demolition of the building or structure, shall commence to run on the date such findings are caused to be sent to the appellant, whether personally delivered, posted, mailed, or other equivalent process. Simultaneously with service of such written findings, a copy of the findings shall be filed in the office of the Building Official.

F. The decision of the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation shall be final and conclusive.

G. The timely filing of an appeal pursuant to this section shall stay the time period for commencement or completion of repairs or abatement set forth in the notice of determination issued by the Building Official. Upon issuance of a decision by the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation, the time period for compliance shall be as established by the Board pursuant to subsection (D) of this section, and shall supersede any prior compliance deadline.

(ORD-26-0004 § 14, 2026; ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Editor's note— ORD-26-0004 § 30, adopted Feb. 3, 2026, repealed § 18.20.140 entitled "Appeals to City Council," which derived from: ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; and ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016.

A. Within the limitations of the budget, the Building Official may cause any building, structure, or part thereof to be demolished, altered or repaired, at City expense. This authority applies where the building, structure, or part thereof has not been demolished, altered, or repaired within the time established by the Building Official, or, if applicable, within the time established by the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation following an appeal.

All expenses incurred by the Building Official on behalf of the City in connection with such work, including the applicable processing costs as set forth in the schedule of fees and charges established by City Council resolution and incidental enforcement costs shall become an indebtedness of the owner of the building or structure. A lien shall attach to the parcel of real property upon which the building is located and shall remain until either:

1. Payment is in full costs of correction or abatement, fees, and accrued interest and penalties, if any, has been made; or

2. The order requiring correction of substandard conditions or abatement is reversed by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

B. Any person having the legal right to do so may repair or demolish a substandard building prior to such action by the City, but if the work is performed after the deadline established by the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation, the appropriate processing and other costs incurred by the City in preparing to do the work and all incidental enforcement costs are chargeable to the property.

(ORD-26-0004 § 15, 2026; ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

A. All notices and orders provided for by this chapter shall be in writing, shall state in general terms the conditions of the building or structure that are unsafe or dangerous, or in what manner it is substandard, or in what manner it constitutes a public nuisance, and the minimum requirements for its correction, or total costs that will be charged to the owner of the property. Service of such order shall be upon the owner thereof or upon the person causing or permitting the condition to exist, or the person having the custody, control, maintenance, occupancy, use or management of the building, and upon any lessee or mortgagee thereof if shown on the official records of the county, by delivering the same to either of said persons or their agents in charge of the building. As an alternate method of such service, such notice may be served by certified United States mail with return receipt requested, or by any substantially equivalent process. Service by this method shall be deemed complete upon deposit of such notice in the United States mail with prepaid postage affixed, or upon deposit with any substantially equivalent delivery service. If, after reasonable diligence, either the identity of the owner thereof cannot be ascertained or such owner cannot be located, then such order shall be posted in one or more conspicuous places upon or near the entrance to the building.

B. Whenever the Building Official posts such a notice upon the property, it shall be posted at one (1) or more conspicuous places upon the building and shall be in substantially the following form:

NOTICE

To all persons owning or claiming any interest in this building:

You are notified that the Building Official of the City of Long Beach has determined that this building is (insert substandard or a nuisance) by reason of the following facts:

Pursuant to the provisions of the building regulations of the Long Beach Municipal Code, this building is substandard and/or constitutes a public nuisance, and the owner or owners of said building are hereby directed to correct deficiencies therein or to abate a nuisance existing therein or thereon. Further information regarding the facts may be obtained at the office of the Community Development Department of the City of Long Beach.

Unless this building is (how to be corrected or demolished) in the manner hereinabove specified, on or before the ___ day of _______20___, the Building Official of the City of Long Beach may cause such work to be done for and on behalf of the owner of said building, and all expenses incurred by the City for such work will be charged to, and become an indebtedness of, the owner or owners of said building to the City of Long Beach, and will become a lien against the real property on which such building is situated.

This notice does not constitute an order to vacate the building unless and until such an order is separately issued pursuant to this chapter.

Dated and posted this ___day of _______20___.

Building Official, City of Long Beach

C. No more than five (5) days after the notice is posted on the building, an additional copy of such notice shall be served in the manner provided in this chapter, upon the persons identified in subsection A of this section.

D. No owner or other person causing or permitting such condition to exist shall fail or refuse, after delivery or posting of such order, to correct such condition in accordance with the requirements of the order.

(ORD-26-0004 § 16, 2026; ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Any time limit prescribed in this chapter for the performance of an act by an occupant, owner, or the building official may for good cause be extended by the Building Official. The failure to require the performance of any act within the time prescribed by this chapter shall not affect the validity of any order issued thereafter.

(ORD-26-0004 § 17, 2026; ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

A. "Enforcement costs" include all costs incurred by the City in enforcing this chapter, including but not limited to:

1. the actual costs incurred by the City to correct or abate substandard conditions or nuisances, including demolition, repair, labor, materials, equipment, contractor services, and City staff time spent performing direct abatement work; and

2. incidental enforcement costs, including investigation, inspections, title searches, preparation and service of notices, administrative processing, and related staff time.

Enforcement costs do not include fees or charges adopted by resolution of the City Council and set forth in the City's schedule of fees and charges, which shall be assessed separately and are not subject to appeal under this chapter.

B. If the substandard conditions have not been corrected or the nuisance abated by the owner within the time frame established by the Building Official, as such time frame may be extended by the Building Official or modified on appeal to the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation, all enforcement costs incurred by the City in connection therewith shall be charged to and become an indebtedness of the owner of such property, except as provided below, whether or not the work is later performed by the City, by the owner, or by others. Incidental enforcement costs shall not be charged to, nor become an indebtedness of, a property owner who is the head of a low-income household (defined to be a household earning less than eighty percent of the county median income).

(ORD-26-0004 § 18, 2026; ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

When a building has been demolished, altered or repaired by the Building Official at City expense as authorized by Section 18.20.150, or when the owner is responsible for incidental enforcement costs as provided by Section 18.20.180, the Building Official shall prepare a statement showing the costs thereof. The Building Official shall thereupon give notice of the amount of such enforcement costs in the same manner as elsewhere provided in this chapter for service of notices.

(ORD-26-0004 § 19, 2026; ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Editor's note— Prior to the inclusion of ORD-26-0004, § 18.20.190 was entitled "Abatement charges," as herein set out above.

Within thirty (30) days from the date of service of a notice of enforcement costs, the property owner, or any other interested person, may file a written request for a hearing to contest the reasonableness of the enforcement costs incurred by the City. The request shall identify the subject property, state the basis for the objection, and provide an address for service of notices related to the hearing.

Upon receipt of a timely request, the matter shall be set for hearing before the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation for hearing at its next regularly held meeting that is not less than ten (10) days thereafter. Notice of the hearing shall be provided in the manner specified in this chapter.

The scope of the hearing shall be limited to the reasonableness of the enforcement costs and shall not include review of any fees, fines, penalties, or the underlying determination of substandard conditions or nuisance.

At the time set for such hearing, the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation shall hear all evidence pertinent to the reasonableness of such charges and shall then either confirm or modify the enforcement costs. The decision of the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation thereon shall be final.

(ORD-26-0004 § 20, 2026; ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

If the amount of the enforcement costs, as determined by the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation has not been paid within thirty (30) days after the date of hearing, the payment thereof shall thereupon become delinquent and the amount so determined shall thereafter bear interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) until paid, as determined by the tax collector. If no hearing is demanded as to the reasonableness of the enforcement costs, the payment thereafter shall become delinquent sixty (60) days after notice of the charges for abatement is served by the Building Official; and such amount shall thereafter bear interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) until paid, as determined by the tax collector.

(ORD-26-0004 § 21, 2026; ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

The Building Official shall certify a list of all delinquent charges for correction of substandard conditions or nuisance abatement to the tax collector. Each parcel of property shall be described sufficiently to identify it in accordance with the records of the tax collector. The amount of the charges including such interest as has accrued after the delinquent date to July 1 of the year shall be set forth opposite the description by the tax collector.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Upon receipt of the list the tax collector shall enter the charges shown thereon for each parcel of property upon the current tax roll and shall proceed to collect the charges in the same manner as municipal ad valorem taxes, and penalties and interest for nonpayment thereafter shall attach as though the amounts were ad valorem taxes; provided, however, that no receipt for payment of ad valorem taxes appearing upon the tax roll as against a particular parcel shall be issued unless all such charges for collection of substandard conditions or nuisance abatement, and penalties thereon, entered upon that tax roll against the lot are first paid in full.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Upon the sale of any lot to the City for nonpayment of taxes, all charges for correction of substandard conditions or nuisance abatement for the parcel appearing upon the tax roll, together with the penalties thereon, shall be added to and become a part of the same delinquent tax record.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

No certificate of redemption from sale for delinquent taxes shall be issued until all charges for correction or substandard conditions and nuisance abatement, and penalties entered on the delinquent tax records against the property involved, have first been paid in full.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

A. The Building Official may, prior to certifying any such unpaid charges to the tax collector, correct any errors with respect to such taxes appearing upon his or her records.

B. After such taxes have been certified to the tax collector, the Council, by order entered on its minutes, may cancel any charges for correction of substandard conditions or nuisance abatement, or penalty, or any portion of either thereof, appearing on the tax records, which, because of error, is charged against the wrong property, or which has been paid but such payment has not been recorded upon the tax records, or which is based upon a clerical error in such records, or which was charged against property acquired subsequent to the lien date by the United States, by the State, or any city, or any school district or other political subdivision and, because of this public ownership, not subject to sale for delinquent assessments.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Any charge for correction of substandard conditions or for nuisance abatement or penalty, or portion of either thereof, which is paid as the result of an erroneous assessment upon the wrong property, or which is paid more than once, or which is based upon a clerical error appearing in the tax records, may be refunded by the Council to the person entitled thereto; provided, however, that such refunds shall only be made upon the written application of the person entitled thereto, which must be filed with the City Clerk not later than one year after the date the erroneous payment was made.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

When any unoccupied building or structure is not properly secured, locked or closed, and is accessible to juveniles, transients and/or uninvited occupants, it shall be deemed to constitute an immediate health, fire or safety hazard, and the Building Official determines that the hazard is such as to require immediate closure, he shall serve the record owner and the person having control of such building or structure with notice to secure or close the same forthwith so as to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access thereto. Notice shall be served as provided in this chapter and shall state that if the required work is not performed within forty-eight (48) hours after service of the notice, the City will perform such work and all expenses incurred by the City including, but not limited to, incidental processing and enforcement costs shall become an indebtedness of the owner and a lien on the property. Collection of such charges shall be accomplished in accordance with this title and Chapter 8.56.

(ORD-26-0004 § 22, 2026; ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

A. Abatement. When any condition of a building, structure, or property constitutes such a threat to life, limb, or property that it must be secured, closed, barricaded, demolished, or otherwise abated, as determined by the Building Official, Director of Public Works, the Health Official or their designees, the City may summarily secure, close, barricade, demolish or otherwise abate such building or structure without prior notice to the property owner. All costs incurred by the City in abating the hazard shall be borne by the property owner and failure to receive prior notice shall not affect or relieve the property owner's obligation for payment of such costs.

B. Notification. Notice of the Emergency Hazard Abatement shall be posted and a copy of the posted notice shall be served on the property owner by certified mail at the time of posting.

(ORD-26-0004 § 23, 2026; ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Pursuant to Section 1.32.010, any violation of the provisions of Title 18 is a misdemeanor, and the notice, hearing, appeal and other administrative procedures contained in Title 18 shall not be a condition precedent to any criminal prosecutions.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)