A. General. When a structure or equipment is found by the code official to be unsafe, or when a structure is found unfit for human occupancy, or is found unlawful, such structure or equipment may be condemned pursuant to the provisions of this code.

B. Closing of Vacant Structures. If the structure is vacant or unfit for human habitation and occupancy, and it is not in danger of structural collapse, the code official is authorized to post a placard of condemnation of the premises and order the structure closed up so as not to be an attractive nuisance. Upon failure of the owner to close up the premises within the time specified in the order, the code official may cause the premises to be closed and secured through any available public agency or by the contract or arrangement by private persons and the cost thereof shall be charged against the real estate upon which the structure is located and shall be a lien upon such real estate and may be collected by any other legal resource as described in Chapter 1.14.

C. Notice. Whenever the code official has condemned a structure or equipment under the provisions of this section, notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure affected by such notice and served on the owner or the person or persons responsible for the structure or equipment in accordance with Chapters 1.10 through 1.16. If the notice pertains to equipment, it shall also be placed on the condemned equipment.

D. Placarding. Upon failure of the owner or person responsible to comply with the notice provisions within the time given, the code official may post on the premises or on defective equipment a placard bearing the word "Condemned" and a statement of the penalties provided for occupying the premises, operating the equipment or removing the placard.

E. Placard Removal. The code official shall remove the condemnation placard whenever the defect or defects upon which the condemnation and placarding action were based have been eliminated. Any person who defaces or removes a condemnation placard without the approval of the code official shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

F. Prohibited Occupancy. Any occupied structure condemned and placarded by the code official shall be vacated as ordered by the code official. Any person who shall occupy placarded premises or shall operate placarded equipment, and any owner or any person responsible for the premises who shall let anyone occupy placarded premises or operate placarded equipment, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and liable for the penalties provided by this code.