New West Virginia law changes rules for abandoned, dilapidated properties

A law allowing municipalities to take new measures against owners of dilapidated, abandoned properties has gone into effect.

The law allows code enforcement agencies to obtain search warrants from a municipal judge to determine the status of a structure. If granted, the agency can inspect the property to see if it is truly dilapidated, Charleston City Attorney Paul Ellis said.

If there are significant issues with the structure, municipalities can then demolish those that are serious public safety hazards. Previously, municipalities had to get either written consent from the building’s owner, or the municipality could get an order in circuit court.

The law also provides more clarification for cities on what structures trigger action by these municipalities, and adds more specific guidelines on what municipalities can do to take legal action to either inspect or demolish them. The building or structure must have either a “substantial risk of fire, building collapse or any other threat to life and safety,” according to the new law.

Read more: http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news-kanawha-county/20170715/new-wv-law-changes-rules-for-abandoned-dilapidated-properties