Demolition of Dangerous Structures-All Hands Approach

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

The removal of unsafe, uninhabitable, slum or blighted structures is important to the overall safety and welfare of the community. The demolition program’s objective, to increase quality of life and reduce community risk by demolishing or causing demolition of these dangerous structures, is being met at a more consistent rate than ever before. While the County’s demolition program had long existed, the stock of abandoned and unsafe structures was growing.In 2019, the program was reassigned to the County’s specialized enforcement team. This team, tasked with using moresophisticated tactics to resolve complex enforcement matters is made up of Building, Zoning and Fire subject matter experts. After a strategic analysis, it was determined that unsafe structures were sitting several years before investigation and eventual demolition. In response, the County re-wrote the demolition ordinance and streamlined the resulting process to increase efficiency in reducing the stock of unsafe, dangerous or uninhabitable structures. By remaining consistent, transparent and compliant with the ordinance, the results have been remarkable and impactful to the whole community.