23.20.040 Definitions specific to this chapter.
“Authorized representative” shall include the health officer, the fire marshal and the building official, where applicable, and their authorized inspection personnel.
“Building Code” is the International Building Code, promulgated by the International Code Council, now or as hereafter amended by the city of Bellevue.
“Building official” means the officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this chapter, or a regularly authorized deputy thereof, including the fire marshal, health officer, and those individual employees of the city of Bellevue and King County who are designated with the official duties of such positions under the law, or their authorized administrative, inspection, engineering, and review personnel.
“Dangerous building” is any building or structure which has one or more conditions or defects hereinafter described; provided, that such conditions or defects exist to the extent that the life, health, property or safety of the public or its occupants is endangered.
1. 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 egress in case of fire or panic.
2. Whenever the walking surface of any aisle, passageway, stairway or other means of egress is so warped, worn, loose, torn or otherwise unsafe as to not provide safe and adequate means of egress in case of fire or panic.
3. Whenever the stress or load in any materials, member or portion thereof, due to all dead and live loads, is more than one and one-half times the stress or load allowed in the Building Code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Whenever any portion 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 that specified in the Building Code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location without exceeding the stress or load permitted in the Building Code for such buildings.
7. 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 Building Code in the case of similar new construction.
8. Whenever any portion thereof, because of (a) dilapidation, deterioration or decay; (b) faulty construction; (c) the removal, movement or instability of any portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building; (d) the deterioration, decay or inadequacy of its foundation; or (e) any other cause, is likely to partially or completely collapse.
9. Whenever, for any reason, any portion thereof is manifestly unsafe for the purpose it is being used for.
10. Whenever any exterior wall or other vertical structural member lists, leans or buckles 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.
11. 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.
12. 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 occupied by persons unlawfully in the building or structure.
13. 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 Bellevue City Code, or of any law or ordinance of this state or jurisdiction relating to the condition, location or structure of buildings.
14. Whenever any building or structure which, 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 (a) strength, (b) fire-resisting qualities or characteristics, or (c) 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.
15. 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.
16. Whenever any building or structure, because of obsolescence, dilapidated condition, deterioration, damage, inadequate exits, lack of sufficient fire-resistive construction, faulty electrical wiring, gas connections or heating apparatus, or other cause, is determined by the fire marshal to be a fire hazard.
17. Whenever any building or structure is in such a condition as to constitute a public nuisance pursuant to Bellevue City Code or state or federal law.
18. Whenever any portion thereof 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, structure, or portion thereof a nuisance or hazard to the public.
“Health officer” is the director of the Seattle-King County department of public health, or the director’s duly authorized representative. (Ord. 6536 § 1, 2020.)