Any dwelling which has any or all of the following defects or
substandard conditions shall be deemed unfit for human habitation:
A.
Dilapidated, decayed, unsafe or unsanitary. Any dwelling which has
become or is so dilapidated, decayed, unsafe, or unsanitary or which
utterly fails to provide the amenities essential to decent living
or which is likely to cause sickness or disease so as to work injury
to the health, morals, safety or general welfare of those living therein
shall be deemed unfit for human habitation.
B.
Inadequate light, air and sanitation. Any dwelling having light,
air and sanitation facilities which are inadequate to protect the
health, morals or safety or general welfare of human beings who live
or may live therein shall be deemed unfit for human habitation.
C.
Inadequate egress. Any dwelling having inadequate facilities for
egress in case of fire or panic or having insufficient stairways,
elevators, fire escapes or other means of communication shall be deemed
unfit for human habitation.
D.
Insecure parts. Any dwelling which has parts thereof which are so
attached that they may fall and injure members of the public or property
shall be deemed unfit for human habitation.
E.
Unsafe, unsanitary or dangerous to public. Any dwelling which because
of its condition is unsafe, unsanitary or dangerous to the health,
morals, safety or general welfare of the people of this City shall
be deemed unfit for human habitation.
All dwellings deemed unfit for human habitation within the terms
of this chapter are hereby declared public nuisances and shall be
repaired, vacated and closed, or demolished or removed according to
the following by the method prescribed in this chapter.
The following standards shall be followed in substance by the
Housing Standards Board and the City Council in ordering repair, vacation
and closing or demolition or removal:
A.
Repair. If a dwelling deemed unfit for human habitation can reasonably
be repaired so that it will no longer exist in violation of the terms
of this chapter, it shall be ordered repaired.
B.
Vacation and closing. If a dwelling deemed unfit for human habitation
is in such condition as to make it dangerous to the health, morals,
safety or general welfare of its occupants it shall be ordered to
be vacated and closed.
C.
Demolition or removal. In all cases where a dwelling cannot be repaired
so that it will no longer exist in violation of the terms of this
chapter with respect to the health, general welfare and safety of
its occupants and the citizens of Dover, it shall be demolished or
removed. In all cases where a dwelling unfit for human habitation
is a fire hazard existing or erected in violation of the terms of
this chapter or any ordinance of the City or statute of the State
of New Hampshire, it shall be demolished or removed. For the purposes
of this chapter, removal of a dwelling unfit for human habitation
shall mean removal from the City of Dover.
