Unsafe buildings

Columbus City Codes § 2501.10

in effect

2501.10 - Unsafe buildings 2501.10.1 Unsafe buildings. All buildings and structures that are or shall hereafter become unsafe or deficient in adequate exit facilities or which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human life or the public welfare, or by reason of illegal or improper use, occupancy or maintenance or which have sustained structural damage by reason of fire, explosion, or natural disaster shall be deemed unsafe buildings or structures. A vacant building, or portion of a building, unguarded or open at door or window, shall be deemed a fire hazard and unsafe within the meaning of the Code. Unsafe buildings shall be reported to the building official who shall take appropriate action deemed necessary under the provisions of the Building Code to secure abatement by repair and rehabilitation or by demolition. 2501.10.2 Occupancy of an unsafe building prohibited. No building, structure, or premises that constitutes an unsafe building, a serious hazard, or in which a required fire protection system is impaired or out of service shall be occupied. The fire code official may order the immediate evacuation of the occupancy. 2501.10.3 Temporary Fire Watch. To avoid the evacuation of an unsafe building, a structure, place of business, or place of habitation that constitutes a serious hazard, or an occupancy where a required fire protection system is impaired or out of service, the fire code official may determine a reasonable level of fire and life safety can be obtained through a temporary fire watch and order the responsible party to provide a temporary fire watch as a condition of continued occupancy. The temporary fire watch may be provided by a licensed, bonded security agency or by other means approved by the fire code official appropriate to the size, configuration, occupancy, use, and hazards presented. Based upon the circumstances, the fire code official shall determine the duties and protocols for the temporary fire watch, including but not limited to the duties described in Section 907.1 of the OFC. The order and the initial duties and protocols may be provided orally, but shall be reduced to a written order within twenty-four hours. If the responsible party fails to conduct the temporary fire watch in accordance with the order issued by the fire code official, the fire code official may order the evacuation of the occupancy. If the responsible party is unable or unwilling to contract with a security agency or other means approved by the fire code official, or if the responsible party elects to contract with the Division of Fire to comply with the order to provide the temporary fire watch in lieu of evacuation, the Division of Fire is authorized to enter into contract with the responsible party to provide personnel and equipment for the temporary fire watch. (Ord. No. 1652-2022, § 1, 10-17-2022)

Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT25FIPRCO_CH2501SCAD_2501.10UNBUFetched: 10/27/2026