§ 18-261. Findings and purpose.

(a)

The city finds, determines, and declares that buildings which remain vacant and unoccupied for any unreasonable period of time become an attractive nuisance or dangerous condition to children, a harborage for insects, rodents, vermin, or other pests, an invitation to criminals as a temporary abode and as a place to conduct illegal conduct, frequently including illegal drug-related activity, and an increased fire hazard; that unkept and unsecured grounds surrounding such buildings invite the dumping of garbage and trash thereon and the congregation of unauthorized persons who use the property for illegal activity; that such buildings contribute to the growth of blight within the city, depress market values of surrounding properties, thereby reducing tax revenues, necessitate additional governmental services, significantly interfere with the use and enjoyment of neighboring properties, create an unhealthy and unsafe condition affecting the public, and constitute an unreasonable use of property and a public nuisance.

(b)

The protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the city requires the establishment and enforcement of the means by which such nuisance conditions may be prevented and abated.

(Code 1979, § 7-41)