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For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

“Abate” means to repair, replace, remove, destroy, vacate, close, or otherwise remedy a condition which constitutes a violation of this chapter by such means and in such a manner and to such an extent as is required or permitted by this chapter, as determined by the Code Enforcement Officer or other authorized official.

“Building code” means and includes the building code, its components, and related codes adopted by the City of Pasco in this title.

“City” means the City of Pasco.

“Code Enforcement Officer” means the Inspection Services Manager of the City of Pasco or his or her designee.

“Owner” and “person” shall have the same meanings as in the building code as adopted by the City of Pasco.

“Premises” means and includes any structure, lot, parcel, real estate, or land, or portion of land whether improved or unimproved, including adjacent sidewalks and parking strips, and any lake, river, stream, drainage way, or wetland, within the territorial limits of the City.

“Property,” unless otherwise defined or modified, includes premises and/or structures, as required by its context, and may include personal property if required by its context.

“Structure” means and includes any dwelling, house, shop, stable, building, or other structure.

“Unsafe or unfit” includes, without limitation, any of the conditions described in this subsection applicable to any dwelling, building, structure, or premises which renders it unfit for human habitation or other use. The term “unsafe or unfit” requires the enumerated conditions to be of such a degree as to be dangerous or injurious to the health and safety of the occupants of such dwelling, structure, building, or premises, or the occupants of neighboring dwellings, buildings, structures, or premises or other residents of the City:

(a) Whenever any door, aisle, passageway, stairway, or other means of exit is not of sufficient width or size or is not so arranged as to provide safe and adequate means of exit in case of fire or panic.

(b) Whenever the walking surface of any aisle, passageway, stairway, or other means of exit is so warped, worn, loose, torn, or otherwise unsafe as to not provide safe and adequate means of exit in case of fire or panic.

(c) Whenever the stress in any materials, member, or portion thereof, due to dead and live loads, is more than one and one-half times the working stress or stresses allowed in the building code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose, or location.

(d) Whenever any portion thereof has been damaged by fire, earthquake, wind, flood, or by any other cause, to such an extent that the structural strength or stability thereof is materially less than it was before such catastrophe and is less than the minimum requirements of the building code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose, or location.

(e) Whenever any portion or member or appurtenance thereof is likely to fail, or to become detached or dislodged, or to collapse and thereby injure persons or damage property.

(f) Whenever any portion of a building, or any member, appurtenance, or ornamentation on the exterior thereof is not of sufficient strength or stability, or is not so anchored, attached, or fastened in place so as to be capable of resisting a wind pressure of one-half of that specified in the building code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose, or location without exceeding the working stresses permitted in the building code for such buildings.

(g) Whenever any portion thereof has wracked, warped, buckled, or settled to such an extent that walls or other structural portions have materially less resistance to winds or earthquakes than is required in the case of similar new construction.

(h) Whenever the building or structure, or any portion thereof, because of (i) dilapidation, deterioration, or decay; (ii) faulty construction; (iii) the removal, movement, or instability of any portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building; (iv) the deterioration, decay, or inadequacy of its foundation; or (v) any other cause, is likely to partially or completely collapse.

(i) Whenever, for any reason, the building or structure, or any portion thereof, is manifestly unsafe for the purpose for which it is being used.

(j) Whenever the exterior walls or other vertical structural members list, lean, or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the center of gravity does not fall inside the middle one-third of the base.

(k) Whenever the building or structure, exclusive of the foundations, shows 33 percent or more damage or deterioration of its supporting member or members, or 50 percent damage or deterioration of its nonsupporting members, enclosing or outside walls or coverings.

(l) Whenever the building or structure has been so damaged by fire, wind, earthquake, or flood, or has become so dilapidated or deteriorated as to become (i) an attractive nuisance to children; (ii) a harbor for vagrants, criminals, or immoral persons; or as to (iii) enable persons to resort thereto for the purpose of committing unlawful or immoral acts.

(m) Whenever any building or structure has been constructed, exists, or is maintained in violation of any specific requirement or prohibition applicable to such building or structure provided by the building regulations of this jurisdiction, as specified in the building code or housing code, or of any law or ordinance of this state or jurisdiction relating to the condition, location, or structure of buildings.

(n) Whenever any building or structure, which, whether or not erected in accordance with all applicable laws and ordinances, has in any nonsupporting part, member, or portion less than 50 percent or in any supporting part, member, or portion less than 66 percent of the (i) strength, (ii) fire-resisting qualities or characteristics, or (iii) weather-resisting qualities or characteristics required by law in the case of a newly constructed building of like area, height, and occupancy in the same location.

(o) Whenever a building or structure, used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, decay, damage, faulty construction or arrangement, inadequate light, air, or sanitation facilities, or otherwise, is determined by the Health Officer to be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation, or in such a condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease.

(p) Whenever a building or structure, because of obsolescence, dilapidated condition, deterioration, damage, inadequate exits, lack of sufficient fire-resistive construction, faulty electric wiring, gas connections, or heating apparatus, or other cause, is determined by the Fire Chief to be a fire hazard.

(q) Whenever any building or structure is in such a condition as to constitute a public nuisance known to the common law or in equity jurisprudence.

(r) Whenever any portion of a building or structure remains on a site after the demolition or destruction of the building or structure or whenever any building or structure is abandoned for a period in excess of six months so as to constitute such building or portion thereof an attractive nuisance or hazard to the public.

(s) Whenever any building, structure, dwelling, or premises, or any portion thereof, is vacated, is not secured against entry, and is subject to acts of unlawful burning. [Ord. 4515 § 2, 2021; Ord. 4305 § 1, 2016; Code 1970 § 16.50.030.]