Title 23
Health and Safety
Chapter 27.3
State Building Code
Article 2
New Buildings and Structures
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3-124.1
§ 23-27.3-124.1. Unsafe conditions.
A building, sign, or structure shall be declared unsafe by the building official if any one of the following conditions exists upon the premises:
(1) The building is vacant, unguarded, and open at doors or windows thereby permitting unauthorized entry; or
(2) There is a hazardous accumulation of dust, debris, or other combustible material therein; or
(3) There is a falling away, hanging loose or loosening of any siding, block, brick, or other building material; or
(4) There is a deterioration of the structure, or structural parts, or a structural weakness exists whereby the continued use and occupancy would endanger the lives of the occupants or those using public or private land in the immediate area; or
(5) The building has been partially destroyed or has been substantially damaged by the elements, acts of God, fire, explosion, or otherwise, and is vacant, regardless of whether or not the building is secured to prevent unauthorized entry; or
(6) The building or structure has been vacant or unused for more than one hundred eighty (180) days, whether or not it has been boarded, guarded, and/or closed at all doors and windows, and has remained in a condition such that the repairs necessary to make the building or structure safe and sanitary for occupancy exceed fifty percent (50%) of the fair market value of the building or structure in its present condition.
(7) The building, sign, or structure constitutes a fire or windstorm hazard or is, in the opinion of the building official, otherwise dangerous to human life or public health, safety, and welfare; or
(8) There is an unusual sagging or leaning out of plumb of the building or any parts of the building, and the effect is caused by deterioration or over-stressing; or
(9) The electrical or mechanical installation or systems create a hazardous condition contrary to the standards of this code or the code in effect at the time of construction; or
(10) An unsanitary condition exists by reason of inadequate or malfunctioning sanitary facilities or waste disposal systems; or
(11) The use or occupancy of the building is illegal or improper because the building does not comply with the allowable areas, height, type of construction, fire resistance, means of egress, liveload, or other features regulated by the code in effect at the time of construction; or
(12) Whenever the building or structure has been so damaged by fire, wind, or flood, or has become so dilapidated or deteriorated as to become an attractive nuisance to children who might play therein to their danger.
History of Section.
P.L. 1976, ch. 256, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 262, § 1.