Hillsboro, OR Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Repair/demolish deadline
- 120 days after order
- Vacate or begin work by
- up to 60 days
- Enforcement forum
- Municipal Court, HMC § 4.04
- Cost recovery
- assessment lien on property
Summary
Hillsboro can order owners of structurally unsafe, fire-damaged, or unsanitary buildings to repair or demolish within 120 days, or the City will vacate, demolish, and bill the owner for the cost.
Dangerous Building, a building having 1 or more of the following conditions or defects reasonably believed by the City to endanger the life, health, property or safety of the public or the occupants of the building... All buildings or portions thereof, determined after inspection by the building official to be or contribute to a dangerous building, are declared in need of abatement by repair or demolition in accordance with the procedure under this subchapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 1 | Community Development Code: Supplement 1).
Full Breakdown
HMC Subchapter 11.08 defines a 'dangerous building' broadly: anything from fire or earthquake damage, likely collapse, and unsanitary conditions to a structure that has become 'attractive to children' or a harbor for vagrants, or sits abandoned six months or more. After a building official's inspection, the City issues notice giving up to 60 days to secure permits, vacate, or begin demolition, then the owner has 120 days total to repair or demolish. If the owner fails to act, the City can physically vacate and demolish the building itself, recovering all costs as a lien on the property.
Violations & Fines
Occupying or entering a building posted 'Unsafe to Occupy' is itself unlawful. Noncompliance triggers a Municipal Court enforcement action under HMC § 4.04, and any repair or demolition costs the City incurs become a lien against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building 'dangerous' under Hillsboro's code?
What happens if I ignore a dangerous-building order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hillsboro
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