Salt Lake City Code § 18.48.010 TITLE
18.48.010: TITLE:
This chapter shall implement the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, 1997 Edition. (Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 53-20, 2020)
REPAIR AND VACATION OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS
Salt Lake City Code tit. 18, div. II, ch. 18.48, art. I
in effectSalt Lake City Code § 18.48.020 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
18.48.020: PURPOSE AND SCOPE:
It is the purpose of this chapter to provide just, equitable, and practicable methods to require the repair (including temporary boarding) and vacation of buildings or structures that endanger the life, limb, health, morals, property, safety, or welfare of the general public or their occupants. (Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 53-20, 2020)
Salt Lake City Code § 18.48.030 DEFINITIONS
18.48.030: DEFINITIONS:
BUILDING CODE: The International Building Code, or its successor, promulgated by the International Code Council, as adopted by the state.
BOARDED BUILDING: A building in which accessible openings, such as windows and doors, are secured by a secondary means against entry. Examples of securing a building by a secondary means includes, but is not limited to, boarding and fencing.
DANGEROUS BUILDINGS: Any building or structure that has any or all of the conditions or defects hereinafter described may be deemed to be a dangerous building, provided that such conditions or defects exist to the extent that the life, health, property, or safety of the public or its occupants are endangered.
A. Whenever any door, aisle, passageway, stairway 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. Whenever the walking surface of any aisle, passageway, stairway or other means of exit is so warped, worn, loose, torn or otherwise unsafe as to not provide safe and adequate means of exit in case of fire or panic.
C. Whenever the stress in any materials, member or portion thereof, due to all dead and live loads, is more than 1.5 times the working stress or stresses allowed in the Building Code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location.
D. 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 of the Building Code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose, or location.
E. Whenever any portion or member or appurtenance thereof is likely to fail, or to become detached or dislodged, or to collapse and thereby injure persons or damage property.
F. 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 a wind pressure of one half of that specified in the Building Code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location without exceeding the working stresses permitted in the Building Code for such buildings.
G. Whenever any portion of a building or structure 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.
H. Whenever the building or structure, or any portion thereof, because of (i) dilapidation, deterioration or decay; (ii) faulty construction; (iii) the removal, movement or instability of any portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building; (iv) the deterioration, decay or inadequacy of its foundation; or (v) any other cause, is likely to partially or completely collapse.
I. Whenever, for any reason, the building or structure, or any portion thereof, is manifestly unsafe for the purpose for which it is being used.
J. 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.
K. Whenever the building or structure, exclusive of the foundation, shows 33% or more damage or deterioration of its supporting member or members, or 50% damage or deterioration of its non-supporting members, enclosing or outside walls or coverings.
L. 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 an attractive nuisance to children or as to enable persons to resort thereto for the purpose of committing unlawful acts.
M. 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 building regulations of this jurisdiction, as specified in the Building Code or Housing Code, or of any law or ordinance of this state or jurisdiction relating to the condition, location, or structure of buildings.
N. Whenever any building or structure which, whether or not erected in accordance with all applicable laws and ordinances, has in any non-supporting part, member or portion less than 50%, or in any supporting part, member or portion less than 66% of the (i) strength, (ii) fire-resisting qualities or characteristics, or (iii) 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.
O. Whenever a building or structure, used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, decay, damage, faulty construction or arrangement, inadequate light, air or sanitation facilities, or otherwise, is determined by the health officer to be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation, or in such a condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease.
P. 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 fire marshal to be a fire hazard.
Q. Whenever any building or structure is in such a condition as to constitute a public nuisance known to the common law or in equity jurisprudence.
R. 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.
HOUSING CODE: The Salt Lake City Existing Residential Housing Ordinance as promulgated in Chapter 18.50 of the City Code.
VACANT/SECURE BUILDING: An unoccupied building having all openings, such as windows and doors, secured against entry, where windows are fully glazed and the doors are secured by means of a lock. (Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 53-20, 2020)
Salt Lake City Code § 18.48.040 AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE
18.48.040: AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE:
A. Authority to Enforce: The building official or designee is hereby authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
B. Authority to Inspect: The building official or their designee is hereby authorized to make inspections and take such actions as may be required to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
C. Buildings or Structures Subject to Inspection: Any building or structure, where there is reasonable cause to believe a condition exists that renders the building or structure endangering the life, limb, health, morals, property, safety, or welfare of the general public or the structure's occupants, is subject to inspection by the building official or their designee. (Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 53-20, 2020)
Salt Lake City Code § 18.48.050 PROCEDURES UPON DETERMINATION OF A VIOLATION
18.48.050: PROCEDURES UPON DETERMINATION OF A VIOLATION:
When the building official has inspected or caused to be inspected any building and has found and determined that such building is a dangerous building, the building official shall follow the enforcement procedures set forth in the 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings. (Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 53-20, 2020)
Salt Lake City Code § 18.48.060 RESERVED
Salt Lake City Code § 18.48.070 RESERVED
Salt Lake City Code § 18.48.080 APPEALS
18.48.080: APPEALS:
Appeals of a notice and order issued pursuant to this chapter shall be taken in accordance with Chapter 18.12. (Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 53-20, 2020)
Salt Lake City Code § 18.48.090 CITY'S ABATEMENT OF PROPERTY
18.48.090: CITY'S ABATEMENT OF PROPERTY:
If the property owner does not comply with the notice and order issued pursuant to this chapter within the time specified in the notice and order, the building official or designees may cause the building to be repaired, vacated, or temporarily boarded to the extent necessary to correct the conditions which render the building dangerous as set forth in the notice and order. Any such repair, vacation, or boarding shall be completed and the cost thereof paid and recovered as set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 53-20, 2020)
Salt Lake City Code § 18.48.100 RECOVERY OF COSTS
18.48.100: RECOVERY OF COSTS:
A. Permitted Recovery of Costs: If the building official or designee causes the repair, vacation, or boarding of a building pursuant to a notice issued under this chapter, and after the property owner received at least 10 days' notice in which to complete the repair, vacation or boarding and failed to do so, the division may collect the cost of that abatement, by filing a property tax lien, as set forth in this section.
B. Itemized Statement of Costs: Upon completion of the repair, vacation, or boarding work, the building official or designee shall prepare an itemized statement of costs and mail it to the property owner by certified mail or reputable mail tracking service that is capable of confirming delivery, demanding payment within 30 days of the date the statement is post marked. The administrative fee shown on the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule to cover the city's administrative expenses in contracting for the repair, boarding, or other abatement costs shall be included in the statement of costs.
C. Form of Itemized Statement of Costs: The itemized statement of costs shall include:
1. The address of the property at issue;
2. An itemized list of all expenses incurred by the division, including administrative costs;
3. A demand for payment;
4. The address where payment is to be made;
5. Notification that failure to timely pay the expenses described in the itemized statement may result in a lien on the property in accordance with this chapter and Utah Code Section 10-11-4 or its successor;
6. Notification that the property owner may file a written objection to all or part of the statement within 20 days of the date the statement is postmarked; and
7. Where the property owner may file the objection, including the name of the office and the mailing address.
D. Delivery of Statement of Costs: The itemized statement of costs described in Subsection C shall be deemed delivered when mailed by certified mail or reputable mail tracking service that is capable of confirming delivery addressed to the last known address of the property owner, according to the records of the county recorder.
E. Objection to Statement of Costs: A property owner may appeal the statement of costs to the fines hearing officer, only as to the issue of whether the costs were actually incurred, pursuant to Section 18.12.050.
F. Failure to Object or Pay: If the property owner fails to make payment of the amount set forth in the itemized statement within 30 days of the date of the mailing of that statement, or to file a timely objection, then the division may certify the past due costs and expenses to the Salt Lake County Treasurer.
G. Failure to Pay after Objection Hearing: If the property owner files a timely objection but fails to make payment of any amount ordered by the fines hearing officer within 30 days of the date of the hearing, the inspector may certify the past due costs and expense to the Salt Lake County Treasurer.
H. Lien on Property: After entry by the Salt Lake County Treasurer, as set forth in Subsections F and G, the amount entered shall have the force and effect of a valid judgment of the district court, is a lien on the property, and shall be collected by the Salt Lake County Treasurer at the time of the payment of general taxes.
I. Release of Lien: Upon payment of the amount set forth in the itemized statement of costs or otherwise determined due and owing by the fines hearing officer, the judgment is satisfied, the lien is released from the property, and receipt shall be acknowledged upon the general tax receipt issued by the treasurer. (Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 53-20, 2020)
Salt Lake City Code § 18.48.110 APPLICABILITY OF BUILDING CODE
18.48.110: APPLICABILITY OF BUILDING CODE:
All buildings or structures which are required to be repaired under the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of the applicable construction codes adopted pursuant to Section 18.04.040. (Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 53-20, 2020)
Salt Lake City Code § 18.48.120 PUBLIC NUISANCES
18.48.120: PUBLIC NUISANCES:
A. Declaration and Abatement of Public Nuisances: All buildings or structures or portions thereof which are determined after inspection by the building official to be dangerous are hereby declared to be public nuisances and shall be abated by repair, vacation, or boarding in accordance with the procedures specified herein.
B. Boarded or Vacant Building as Public Nuisance: Any structure that is vacant or which has been boarded may be declared a public nuisance upon a determination that the structure is detrimental to the safety or public welfare of the residents and property values of this city.(Ord. 91-24, 2024: Ord. 53-20, 2020)
Source: Salt Lake City, Utah, City Code (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/saltlakecityut/latest/saltlakecity_ut/0-0-0-60611Fetched: 11/1/2026