Newberg adopts rewritten dangerous‑building code to expand abatement tools

The Newberg City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance on May 19 that revises the city’s dangerous‑building provisions to give code enforcement clearer processes and enforcement tools.

Neil (building official) told the council the rewrite was prompted by recurring problem properties and expanded an earlier two‑paragraph section into a longer chapter that he said “ties it in very nicely” and supplies new tools for officers to address unsafe or nuisance properties. The staff packet and presentation described coordination with other cities and legal review by the city attorney.

Key features discussed included defined notice requirements before entry, a base 30‑day abatement timeline (subject to emergency exceptions), the ability for the city to post and secure unsafe structures, and authority to abate nuisances and place liens to recover costs. Officer Winter and the city attorney noted the code balances enforcement tools with due‑process obligations, and staff said emergency conditions can shorten standard timelines.

Council members asked whether lenders and lienholders would respond when the city moved to secure or abate properties; staff said the revised code improves the city’s timing and leverage to coordinate with lienholders and, when necessary, to post the property as unsafe and seek abatement. Councilors also discussed that abatement and foreclosure remain resource‑intensive options.

Councilor Kilburn moved to waive the second reading; the council unanimously approved waiving the second reading and then adopted Ordinance No. 2025‑2934 (amending Title 14, Chapter 14.05, Article 1, Newberg Municipal Code, specifically sections referenced in packet). Councilors recorded unanimous support on the roll call vote.