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Council advances overhaul of dangerous‑buildings code to shorten notice and change administrative fee
Summary
The council passed the first reading of a rewrite to Chapter 8 Article 4 (Dangerous and Unsafe Structures) that shortens owner notice timelines, simplifies language and replaces a $100 per‑action administrative fee with a 30% allocation of total demolition costs to the city; the ordinance was placed on the Oct. 27 agenda for second reading.
Lebanon city staff presented, and the City Council passed first reading of, an ordinance that repeals the existing dangerous‑buildings code and enacts a newly created Chapter 8, Article 4: Dangerous and Unsafe Structures. The revision shortens the owner‑notification timeline, removes redundant language and revises the city's administrative charge for demolition from a flat $100 per administrative action to an allocation equal to 30% of the total demolition cost.
The presentation explained the existing process could involve multiple sequential letters, newspaper postings and a circuit court petition, which staff described as lengthy. The proposed process instead provides a 30‑day notice before a hearing; owners may appeal to circuit court after the administrative hearing, but if no one appears the city may proceed with demolition. Staff said the change aims to streamline processing of dilapidated properties while preserving due process.
Why it matters: The amendment changes how quickly the city may move to abate dangerous buildings and alters the fee structure that covers city demolition costs. Officials said the ordinance responds to a backlog of unsafe structures and aims to reduce fire risk and ongoing maintenance burdens.
Outcome: Council passed the ordinance on first reading and placed it on the Oct. 27 agenda for further consideration and second reading.
