The bill amends the Code of West Virginia to empower county commissions and municipalities to enter into memoranda of understanding for the demolition of dilapidated structures. It grants county commissions the authority to regulate unsafe or unsanitary structures and establish enforcement agencies, while outlining procedures for investigating complaints, conducting hearings, and appeals. The bill allows county commissions to hire contractors for repairs or demolitions if property owners do not comply with orders and enables the imposition of liens on properties to recover costs incurred by the county.

Additionally, municipalities are authorized to adopt ordinances for managing the demolition of unsafe structures, ensuring fair procedures and minimizing inconvenience during inspections. The legislation mandates that municipalities provide notice to property owners before taking action and specifies conditions under which a municipality can demolish a structure without owner consent. It also requires municipalities to follow specific procedures when addressing unsafe structures, including providing written notices and establishing timelines for compliance. The bill further allows municipalities to file liens for costs incurred and collaborate with county commissions, ultimately aiming to enhance public safety and enforce building codes effectively.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 7-1-3ff, 8-12-16
Committee Substitute: 7-1-3ff, 8-12-16
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 7-1-3ff, 8-12-16
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 7-1-3ff, 8-12-16