Las Vegas City Ordinances, November 13, 1950 to August 6, 1958, lvc000015-320

AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE VACATION, REMOVAL, REPAIR OR DEMOLITION OF ANY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE WHICH IS OR THREATENS TO BE A PUBLIC NUISANCE, DANGEROUS TO THE HEALTH, MORALS, SAFETY, OR GENERAL WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF LAS VEGAS, OR WHICH MIGHT TEND TO CONSTITUTE A FIRE MENACE: AND FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF THE COST OF VACATION, REMOVAL, REPAIR, OR DEMOLITION THEREOF AS A MUNICIPAL LIEN OR ASSESSMENT AGAINST SUCH PREMISES, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE RECOVERY OF SUCH COSTS IN AN ACTION AT LAW; PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION OF THIS ORDINANCE; AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PART OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH. WHEREAS, in the City of Las Vegas, there are or may in the future be buildings or structures which are dilapidated, unsafe, dangerous, insanitary, a menace to the health, morals, safety, and general welfare of the people of this City, and which might tend to constitute a fire menace, and which are a public nuisance; and WHEREAS, the present ordinance of the City of Las Vegas, is unclear as to whether or not proper notice is provided in condemnation proceedings, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. DANGEROUS BUILDINGS DEFINED. All buildings or structures which have any or al1 of the following defects shall be deemed "dangerous buildings": (a) Those whose interior walls or other vertical structural members list, lean or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the center of gravity falls outside of the middle third of its base. (b) Those which, exclusive of the foundation, show thirty three (33) per cent or more, of damage or deterioration of the supporting member or members, or fifty (50) per cent of damage or deterioration of the non-supporting enclosing or outside wall or covering. (c) Those which have improperly distributed loads upon the floors or roofs or in which the same are overloaded, or which have insufficient strength to be reasonably safe for the purpose used. (d) Those which have been damaged by fire, wind or other causes so as to have became dangerous to life, safety, morals, or the general health and welfare of the occupants or the people of the City of Las Vegas. (e) Those which have became or are so dilapidated, decayed, unsafe, insanitary or which so utterly fail to provide the amenities essential to decent living that they are unfit for human habitation, or are likely to cause sickness or disease, so as to work injury to the health, morals, safety or general welfare of those living therein. (f) Those having light, air, and sanitation facilities which, are inadequate to protect the health, morals, safety, or general welfare of human beings who live or may live therein. (g) Those having inadequate facilities for egress in case of fire or panic or those having insufficient stairways, elevators, fire escapes, or other means of communication. (h) Those which have parts thereof which are so attached that they may fall and injure members of the public or property. (i) Those which because of their condition are unsafe, insanitary, or dangerous to the health, morals, safety or general welfare of the people of this city. (j) Those buildings existing in violation of any provision of the Building Code of this City, or any provisions of the fire prevention code, or other ordinances of this City. SECTION 2. STANDARDS FOR REPAIR, VACATION OR DEMOLITION. The following standards shall be followed in substance by the Building Inspector, the Board of Appeal and City Commission in ordering repair, vacation or demolition: (a) If the "dangerous building" can reasonably be repaired so that it will no longer exist in violation of the terms of this ordinance it shall be ordered repaired. (b) If the "dangerous building" is in such condition as to make it dangerous to the health, morals, safety, or general welfare, of its occupants it shall be ordered to be vacated. (c) In any case where a "dangerous building" is 50 per cent damaged or decayed, or deteriorated from its original value or structure, it shall be demolished, and in all cases where a building cannot be repaired so that it will no longer exist in violation of the terms of this ordinance it shall be demolished. In all cases where a "dangerous building" is a fire hazard existing or erected in violation of the terms of this ordinance or any ordinance of the City or statute of the State of Nevada, it shall be demolished. SECTION 3. DANGEROUS BUILDINGS - NUISANCES. All "dangerous buildings" within the terms of Section 1 of this ordinance are hereby declared to be public nuisances, and shall be repaired, vacated, or demolished as hereinbefore and hereinafter provided. SECTION 4. DUTIES OF BUILDING INSPECTOR. The Building Inspector shall: (a) Inspect or cause to be inspected semi-annually, all public buildings, schools, halls, churches, theaters, hotels, tenements, commercial, manufacturing, or loft buildings for the purpose of determining whether any conditions exist which render such places a "dangerous building" within the terms of Section 1 of this ordinance. (b) Inspect any building, wall or structure reported (as hereinafter provided for) by the Fire or Police Departments of this City as probably existing in violation of the terms of this ordinance. EMERGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 613