Skip to main content
Loading…
This section is included in your selections.

In addition to the statements describing unsafe buildings and unsafe premises in IC 36-7-9-4, the following conditions are adopted to provide minimum standards for building condition and maintenance. Any building or structure which has all or any of the conditions or defects hereinafter described shall be deemed to be an unsafe building; provided, that such conditions or defects exist to the extent that life, health, property, or safety of the public or its occupants are endangered.

A. Insufficient Exits. Whenever any door, aisle, passageway, 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. Excessive Stress. Whenever the stress in any materials, member, or portion thereof, due to all dead and live loads, is more than one and one-half times the working stress or stresses allowed for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location.

C. Structural Strength. 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 for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location.

D. Portions Likely to Fail. Whenever any portion, member, or appurtenance thereof is likely to fail, to become detached or dislodged, or to collapse and thereby injure persons or damage property.

E. Wind Pressure. 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 wind pressure of one-half of that specified for new buildings of similar structure, purpose, or location without exceeding the working stresses permitted for such buildings.

F. Settling. 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.

G. Causes of Collapse. Whenever the building or structure, or any portion thereof, because of: (1) dilapidation, deterioration, or decay; (2) faulty construction; (3) the removal, movement, or instability of any portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building; (4) the deterioration, decay, or inadequacy of its foundation; or (5) any other cause, is likely to partially or completely collapse.

H. Unsafe for Use. Whenever, for any reason, the building or structure, or any portion thereof, is manifestly unsafe for the purpose for which it is being used.

I. Leaning Walls. 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.

J. Deterioration of Supporting Members. Whenever the building or structure, exclusive of the foundation, 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.

K. Severe Damage. 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: (1) an attractive nuisance to children; or (2) freely accessible to persons for the purpose of committing unlawful acts.

L. Violation of Requirements. 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 Jasper County Building Code (Chapter 15.05 JCC), or of any law in Indiana relating to the condition, location, or structure of buildings.

M. Deficient Strength. Whenever any building or structure, 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 (1) strength, (2) fire-resisting qualities or characteristics, or (3) 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.

N. Unsanitary for Human Habitation. Whenever a building or structure, used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, decay, damage, faulty construction or arrangements, inadequate light, air or sanitation facilities, or otherwise, is determined by the Building Commissioner is be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation, or in such a condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease.

O. Fire Hazard. Whenever any 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 Building Commissioner to be a fire hazard.

P. Attractive Nuisance. 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. [Code 1988 § 171.06.]