Colona CHAPTER 2 RENTAL HOUSING1 § 9-2-10-1
PLACARD ON BUILDING
Operative Text
The designation of dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units, hotels, or motels, as unfit for human habitation and the procedure for such declaration and placarding is as follows: A. Any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, hotel or motel which shall be found to have any of the following defects shall be declared unfit for human habitation and shall be so designated and placarded by the Building Inspector or Fire Inspector: 1. One which is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin infested that it creates a serious hazard to the health and safety of the occupants or of the public. 2. One which lacks illumination, ventilation or sanitation facilities adequate to protect the health or safety of the occupants or of the public. 3. One which because of its general condition or location is unsanitary or otherwise dangerous to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public. 4. Where the person responsible has failed to correct, in a timely manner, the condition described in a notice issued in accordance with Section 9-2-9 of this Chapter. (1997 Code)
Colona § 9-2-10-1 establishes the conditions under which a residential or lodging unit may be officially declared unfit for human habitation. A Building Inspector or Fire Inspector is authorized to make that declaration and post a placard on any dwelling, rooming unit, hotel, or motel that is structurally damaged, vermin-infested, lacks adequate light or ventilation, poses a sanitation hazard, or where a responsible party has failed to timely correct a previously noticed violation. The placard serves as a formal public notice that the property has been deemed unsafe or unhealthy for occupancy.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Colona § 9-2-10-1, compliant property operators generally maintain their rental units, rooming units, and lodging facilities in a condition that is structurally sound, free of vermin, and equipped with adequate illumination, ventilation, and sanitation. Operators who receive a notice of violation under Section 9-2-9 of the same chapter are expected to correct the cited defects within the timeframe specified, since failure to do so is itself a basis for an unfit-for-habitation declaration and placarding. Keeping documentation of maintenance, repairs, and responses to any inspector notices is a practice commonly associated with demonstrating timely compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Colona § 9-2-10-1 gives tenants a basis for understanding when a unit may be officially declared unfit for human habitation — conditions such as structural decay, vermin infestation, or inadequate ventilation or sanitation can trigger a formal placard by the Building Inspector or Fire Inspector. Tenants who believe their unit meets one of these conditions may consider contacting the Colona Building or Fire Inspector's office to request an inspection, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options. A placard issued under this provision may also be relevant information in housing-related proceedings, and tenants can consult a legal aid organization to understand how such a designation might apply to their circumstances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation