Moore, OK Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- structure decayed/unsafe or unsecured 3+ times/yr (Sec 8-301)
- Notice
- 10 days by mail plus posting before hearing (Sec 8-303)
- Appeal
- 10 days to city council after order
- Unpaid removal cost
- lien after 6 months, coequal with tax lien
- Exempt
- property zoned and used for agriculture
Summary
The City of Moore, Oklahoma lets its administrative officer, the community development director or a designee, order a dilapidated building torn down and removed under Section 8-303 after at least ten days' notice and a hearing. If the owner does not do the work, the city or a contractor does it and liens the property for the cost.
The administrative officer may cause dilapidated buildings within the city limits to be torn down and removed, in accordance with the following procedure: At least ten days' notice shall be given to the owner of the property before the city takes action or holds a hearing as provided herein. ... If the administrative officer finds that the condition of the property constitutes a detriment or a hazard, and that the property would be benefited by the removal of such conditions, the administrative officer may cause the dilapidated building to be torn down and removed, and shall fix reasonable dates for the commencement and completion of the work.
Full Breakdown
Section 8-303 governs condemnation of dilapidated buildings across the City of Moore. Under Section 8-301, a dilapidated building includes a structure so decayed or damaged it endangers public health, safety, or welfare, one unfit for human occupancy, one found unsecured more than three times in 12 months, one boarded and secured under 11 O.S. Section 22-112.1 for more than six consecutive months, or one the city council declares a public nuisance. Before acting, Section 8-303 requires the administrative officer to give the owner and any mortgage holder at least ten days' notice by mail, with a copy posted on the property, or by publication if the owner cannot be found.
A hearing follows to determine whether the property is dilapidated and a detriment or fire hazard; if so, the administrative officer sets dates for the work to begin and finish, and the city clerk files a lien notice with the county clerk making removal costs the owner's personal obligation. The owner has ten days to appeal to the city council. If the work is not done by the deadline, the administrative officer directs the city or a competitively bid private contractor to tear down and remove the building, and the actual labor, maintenance, and equipment cost is billed to the owner; unpaid costs after six months are certified to the county treasurer and become a lien coequal with ad valorem taxes. The section exempts property zoned and used for agriculture.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring a condemnation order under Section 8-303 lets the administrative officer direct the city or a competitively bid contractor to tear the building down, with the actual labor, maintenance, and equipment cost billed to the owner. If that bill is unpaid six months after mailing, Section 8-303 makes the cost a lien on the property, coequal with ad valorem tax liens, and collectible as such by the county treasurer until paid in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building dilapidated under Moore's code?
How much notice does Moore give before condemning a building?
Who pays if the City of Moore tears down a dilapidated building?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Moore
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Property Blight in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle property blight.