§ 18-23. Emergencies; inspection and measures to secure or protect structures.

After winds, rain, flooding, severe storms, fires, accidents, sinkholes, or other events, the building official may investigate to determine if damage has occurred to buildings or other structures. In such situations, the building official may, in accordance with chapter 79, condemn those buildings or portions of buildings that meet the criteria for demolition. In case there shall be, in the opinion of the building official, actual and immediate danger of failure or collapse of a building or structure or portion thereof, so as to endanger life, health, safety, or property, the building official may cause the necessary work to be done to render the building or structure or portion thereof temporarily safe, whether any procedure or notice prescribed by other law for the removal or securing of unsafe buildings or structures has been instituted. Any measures taken pursuant to this section to temporarily secure such structures do not create a continuing obligation to maintain or repair the structures or the temporary measures. Further, neither the building official nor the county or its officials or employees shall be liable for the decision of whether to undertake such measures or the manner in which such measures are performed. Such measures are deemed to be for the benefit of the property, and as such any lien for the cost of such measures shall have priority over all other secured or unsecured interests and shall have equal rank and dignity as ad valorem taxes, whether the holders of other interests or the owners were given prior notice of the need for such measures.

(Ord. No. 07-20, § 1, 9-11-07)