Clackamas County, OR Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Clackamas County Code § 9.01.060
- Trigger
- Any of 13 listed dangerous conditions, § 9.01.100
- Notice deadline
- Up to 60 days to start repair/demolition
- Appeal window
- 30 days from notice and order
- Cost recovery
- Charged against the property or owner
Summary
Clackamas County can order a substandard or dangerous building repaired, vacated or demolished as a public nuisance under Chapter 9.01 of the county code. The Building Official issues a formal notice and order once an inspection finds any of thirteen listed dangerous conditions, from structural failure to a building with no potable water.
All buildings or portions thereof, which are determined after inspection or receipt of other verifiable information to be dangerous, as defined in this chapter, are hereby declared to be public nuisances and shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal in accordance with the procedure specified in Section 9.01.100 of this chapter. In addition to abatement as described herein, a dangerous building may be ordered to be vacated subject to the provisions of this chapter.
Full Breakdown
100 lists the qualifying conditions: structural instability that could cause collapse, blocked exits, occupancy that creates a fire or health hazard, inadequate plumbing, light or ventilation, fire hazards under the Oregon Fire Code, unsafe building systems, hazardous accumulated waste, environmental hazards, and an occupied building lacking potable water or a functioning sewer or septic connection. 110 requires a written notice and order to the record owner describing the specific defects, the required action (repair, vacate or demolish), and a deadline, capped at 60 days to commence permitted repair or demolition work.
The order must also state the owner's right to appeal to the Code Compliance Hearings Officer within 30 days of service, and that failure to appeal waives the right to a hearing. 120 documenting the finding. 030 authorizes the Building Official, the Deputy Building Codes Administrator, the Plan Review Supervisor and the Structural/Mechanical Inspector Supervisor to act as authorized representatives in these proceedings.
Violations & Fines
Section 9.01.070 makes it unlawful to construct, alter, repair, occupy or maintain any building in violation of the dangerous-buildings chapter or the Building Code. If an owner does not comply with a repair, vacate or demolition order and does not appeal within 30 days, the county can proceed to do the work itself under the chapter's remedies and recover the cost against the property or the owner under Section 9.01.250, in addition to any injunction, abatement or other court action the county pursues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building 'dangerous' under Clackamas County code?
What can the county require the owner to do?
Can the county demolish a building itself?
How does an owner appeal a dangerous-building order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clackamas County
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